Signals from Space Guide
Ecological Study and Action

Range resource consultant Dennis Sheehy (left) and
the Conservancy's Dan Salzer use a global positioning
receiver to map an aspen grove on Zumwalt Prairie.

Powerful new technologies are transforming field research and making landscape-scale conservation possible

The Nature Conservancy's Phil Shephard, who oversees our northeast Oregon preserves, stood last fall on Long Ridge surrounded by miles of prairie plateau and descending canyons while hawks soared overhead. On this vast and inspiring landscape, one can easily lose oneself, but Phil knew exactly where he was. His location showed as crosshairs on the high-resolution IKONOS satellite image on the screen of his handheld computer.

As he entered data about invasive cheatgrass that threatens the native bunchgrass prairie, Phil noted, "This technology is amazing. Before IKONOS, we would have to scan and merge dozens of low-elevation aerial photographs to get a picture of a landscape this vast. It might take months just to build the map needed for our conservation planning. Then we'd have to link the merged image with facts on the ground. For a 42-square-mile preserve, it would be very difficult."

Attached to Phil's palmtop was a global positioning receiver that linked his location and data entries to the satellite image on his screen. While powerful, such new technologies can prove expensive. Thanks to recent generous gifts from the Ruth H. Brown Foundation and Corvallis Microtechnology, and discounts from Handspring Corporation, ThinkingBytes and Space Imaging, Conservancy ecologists have begun accelerating the collection and analysis of data from the field - with vast implications for effective management of landscapes and biodiversity.

Field testing of the new system began last May. "I'm thrilled with the results," said Dan Salzer, the Conservancy's research and monitoring expert who led the effort to get the new technology. "We're already seeing a significant time savings, which translates into significant cost savings. Furthermore, it provides us the information we need much faster so we can make more timely and informed management decisions towards meeting our mission."

Scientists have long understood that biodiversity conservation demands active management and restoration of key sites together with a broad, landscape-scale approach to assessing conservation opportunities and challenges. It has become increasingly evident that close inventory, monitoring and research on plants, wildlife and natural communities are necessary to gauge results. New technologies are vital to this effort.

As Salzer tells it, field data in the recent past was handwritten and sent to the Conservancy's Portland office for analysis by trained staff. But first, data was transferred to computer spreadsheets, then proofed against keystroke errors. "The data entry and proofing stages created a serious bottleneck," he said. "It could take months to complete the summary and analysis."

Clearly the technology had advanced beyond pen and paper. After researching the options, Salzer selected Handspring Platinum handheld recorders and the software application ThinkDB as primary tools for capturing field data. Field ecologists enter their observations directly into the recorder, eliminating the time consuming and expensive middle step. "This is important," said Shephard, back on the ground at Zumwalt Prairie. "Currently we're testing methods of eradicating Scotch thistle from our riparian zones. We'll revisit sites and record subsequent treatments. The information will be summarized and in my hands fast to evaluate the success of different treatments and decide how to proceed."

"Technology can literally help us put things in perspective," added Salzer. "We want to focus on the ground while at the same time placing our on-the-ground facts and actions within the big picture. The problem has been cumbersome and time-consuming methodologies. But now the technology is available, and we're grateful to be able to begin to take advantage. We've taken the first step. We're eager to extend our uses of the new technology to meet the need throughout the state, and as soon as we can raise the resources, we'll do just that."

Signals from Space Guide Ecological Study and Action

Signals from Space Guide
Ecological Study and Action