The National Park Service's Information Management Strategy, Infrastructure, and Software Applications
• Overview of Data Strategy (big picture)
• NPSpecies – Biological Data Warehouse
• Applications, Partnerships, & Beyond
• Final Thoughts & Recommendations
Natural Resource Challenge
• Conduct Baseline Inventories– GIS / Base Cartography– Bibliographic– Natural History Collections– Legacy Data
• Initiate Ecological Monitoring
Design Issues
• Decentralized System– ~270 Parks with NR data– Nine regional offices… and more sub-
offices– Maine to Guam
• Multiple Needs– Natural Resources Management– Interpretation– Maintenance, Compliance, Permitting…
Master web-based databases (Oracle)
Distributed versions in MS Access
NatureBib
NatureBib
Links to other databases
NPSpecies
Dataset Catalog
Download Download
NPSpecies
GIS Theme Manager
Dataset Catalog
Database Template
Integrated Natural Resource Data Management Framework
Permits/IARITIS, USFWSNatureServe
ArcView-Access Link Tool
Observations
• A record in which event (date/time, observer, etc.) and location information of an organism occurrence is permanently catalogued, but no physical evidence of the organism is collected.
Vouchers
• An observation record in which physical evidence of the organism (specimen, audio recording, photograph, etc.) is also collected, cataloged and archived along with the permanent cataloging of event and location information.
References• Traditional documents such as publications
and reports that document the occurrence and/or status of organisms in parks.
• Cataloged in NatureBib• NPSpecies records linked to NatureBib
references• Primary References Preferred
– Doe, John. 1999. Small Mammal Inventory of Katmai NP.
• Secondary References Okay– Birds of North America Field Guide
Standard Classification System• TSN (Taxonomic Serial Number)
– Unique number for every scientific name of each rank (kingdom,…, genus, species, subspecies, …, forma)
• ITIS-Managed Names– Permanent– Positive TSNs
• NPS-Managed Names– Semi-permanent– -500,000 to -900,000 TSNs
• Temporary Names– Temporary– Negative numbers excluding -500,000 to -900,000
Data Matching
Match
Federal T&E List
E176605Eskimo curlew
T175161Spectacled eider
StatusTSNSpecies
174999Canada goose
175161Spectacled eider
TSNSpecies
Scientific Names For a Park
Match to Federal T&E
T175161Spectacled eider
StatusTSNSpecies
Match Data Sets
• Federal Status
• State Status
• TNC Global Rank
• Ozone-Sensitive Species (in development)
Park-Specific Species Info• Checklist Fields
– Park-Status– Abundance– Residency– Nativity– Cultivation
• Management Fields– Weedy Plant– Pest– Management Priority– Exploitation Concern
“Canned” Reports
• Species Lists– Standard Taxonomy– Local Taxonomy
• Native vs. Non-Native species
• T&E records
• References
• Observations
Master web-based databases (Oracle)
Distributed versions in MS Access
NatureBib
NatureBib
Links to other databases
NPSpecies
Dataset Catalog
Download Download
NPSpecies
GIS Theme Manager
Dataset Catalog
Database Template
Integrated Natural Resource Data Management Framework
Permits/IARITIS, USFWSNatureServe
ArcView-Access Link Tool
NPSpeciesScience
eNatureInterp.
NR ProfilesPublic Access
Interp.
Recommendations
• Distributed System seems to work best
• Use TSNs– Key to integration– Everyone’s doing it…
NPSpecies Integration• Department of Agriculture - ITIS Database • NPS/eNature - Park-Species Interpretive Profiles (Online Field Guides) • FWS - National Wildlife Refuge Species Lists • FWS - Endangered Species Act Federal T&E Information • NPS - Park Profiles • NPS - Natural Resource Profiles • NPS - Fire Effects Database • NPS - Law Enforcement Critical Incident Reporting System • NPS - I&M NatureBib Bibliographic Database • NPS - I&M Dataset Catalog • NPS - Automated National Catalog System (ANCS+) • The Nature Conservancy - TNC Global Ranks • NatureServe/Natural Heritage Program • State Agencies - State T&E Information