2007-09-12 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Natural Heritage & Nongame Research Program recently adopted a Ilew database system called Biotics. As a result of this change, the layout and contents of the database reports have been revised. Many of tile fields included in the new reports are the same or similar to the previous report fields, however there are scvera~ new fields and some of the fIeld definitions have been slightly modified. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the latest field explanations. Rare Features Database Reports: An Explanation of Fields The Rare Features database (Biotics) is part of the Natural Heritage Infonnation System, and is maintained by the Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program, a unit within the Division of Ecological Resources, Minnesota Department ofNahual Resources (DNR). **Please note that the print-outs are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without permission ** Field Name: [{<ull (non-abbreviated) field name, if different]. Further explanation of Held, -E- Element Name and ace #: [Element Name and Occurrence Number). The Element is the name of the rare feature. For plant and animal species records, this field holds the scientific name followed by the common name in parentheses; for all other elements (such as native plant communities, which have no scientific name) it is solely the element name. Native plant community names correspond to Minnesota's Native Plant Community Classification (Version 2,0). The Occurrence Number, in combination viith the Element Name, uniquely identifies each record. EO Data; [Element Occurrence Data]: For species clements, this field contains data collected on the biology ofthe Element Occurrence* (EO), including the number of individuals, vigor. habitat, soils, associated species, peculiar characteristics, etc. For native plant comrnunity elements, this field is a summary text description of the vegetation of the EO, including stnrcture (strata) and composition (dominantlc.haracteristic species), heterogeneity, successional stage/dynamics, any unique aspects of the community or additional noteworthy specie;; (including animals). Note that this is a new field and it has not been filled out for many of the records that were collected prior to conversion to the new database system. Some of the information meeting the field definition may be found in the General Description field. EO ID#: [Element Occurrence Identification Number]. Unique identifier for each Element Occurrence record. EO Rank: [Element Occurrence Rank], An evaluation of the quality and condition of an Element Occurrence (EO) from A (highest) to D (lowest). Represents a comparative evaluation of: 1) quality as determined by representativeness of the occurrence especially as compared to EO specifications and including maturity, size, numbers, etc. 2) condition (how much has the site and the EO its(;lfbeen damaged or altered from its optimal condition and character). 3) viability (the long-tenn prospects for continued existence of this occurrence - used in "Hiking species ci!ly), EO Ranks are '1ssigned based on recent fieldwork by knowiedgeabie individmis. Extent Known?: A value that indic"tes whether the full extent of the Element is known (i.e" it has been dctcnnined through field survey) at that locaticm If null, the value has not been detennined. -F- Fede@LSllitus: Status of species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act: LE = erdangered; LT = threatened; LE,L T = listed endangered in . part of its range, listed threatened in another part cfits range; L T,PDL = listed threatened, proposed for delisting; C = candidate for listing, If null or "No Starus" the species has no federal status, First Observed Date: 1)ate that the Element Occurrence was first reported at the site in format YYY Y-MM-DD. A year follo\ved by "Pre" indicates that the obserlcd date was sometime prior to the date listed, bllt the exact date is unknown. -G- General Description: General description or word picture of the area where the Element Occurrence (EO) is located (i.e" the physical setting/context surrounding the EO), including a list of adjacent communities. Vi'hen available, information on surrounding land use may be included. Note that the infonnation tracked in thisfie1d is now more narrowly defmed than it was in the old database system, and some of the information still in this field more accurately meets the definition of the new EO Data field. Weare working to clean up the records so that the infonnation in the two fields corresponds to the current field explanations described herein. Also note that the use of uppercase in sentences in this fic:ld is not significant but rather an artifact oftransfemng data from the old database system to the new system. Global Rank: The global (i.e., range-wide) assessment of the relative rarity or imperilment of the species or community. Ranges from G 1 (critically imperiled due to extreme rarity on a world-wide basis) to GS (demonstrably secure, though perhaps rare in paris of its range). Global ranks are detennined by NatureServe, an intemational nehvork of natural heritage programs and conservation data centers. -L- :La~Obsen's:-,LDate; Date that the Element Occurrence was last observed to be extant at the site in fODnat YYYY.MM-DD. Last Survey Date: Date of the most recent field survey for the Element Occurrence, regardless of whether it was found during the visit. If the field is blank, assume the date is the same as the Last Observed Date.