SAMPLING VEGETATION ATTRIBUTES - New Mexico NRCS - US ...

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STUDY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS
C. Other Important Considerations
1. Sampling All Species Although the key species concept is important in analyzing
and evaluating management actions, other species should also be considered
for sampling. Whenever possible, all species should be sampled, especially on the
initial sampling. It is also important to record sampling data by individual species
rather than by genera, form class, or other grouping. These data can be lumped
later during the analysis if appropriate. Both of these approaches will provide
greater flexibility in data analysis if objectives or key species change in the future.
2. Plant Species Identification The plant species must be properly identified in
order for the data to be useful in grazing allotment, wildlife habitat area, herd
management area, watershed area, or other designated management area evaluations.
In some cases, it may be helpful to include pressed plant specimens, photographs,
or other aids used for species identification in the study file. If data are
collected prior to positive species identification, examiners should collect plant
specimens for later verification.
3. Training The purpose of training is to provide resource specialists with the
necessary skills for implementing studies and collecting reliable, unbiased, and
consistent data. Examiners should understand data collection, documentation,
analysis, interpretation, and evaluation procedures, including the need for
uniformity, accuracy, and reliable monitoring data.
Training should occur in the field by qualified personnel to ensure that examiners are
familiar with the equipment and supplies and that detailed procedural instructions
are thoroughly demonstrated and understood.
As a follow-up to the training, data collected should be examined early in the
study effort to ensure that the data are properly collected and recorded.
Periodic review and/or recalibration during the field season may be necessary for
maintaining consistency among examiners because of progressive phenological
changes. Review and recalibration during each field season are especially important
where data collection methods require estimates rather than direct measurements.