A monitoring data summary tool Alan Williams Alan Williams 2008 GIS / Data Management Conference March 31 – April 3, 2008 Fort Collins, CO

Goal Efficiently generate data summaries quick and easy consistent repeatable accurate using your live monitoring data

Challenges There are many summary challenges with a large growing dataset. –Timely data summaries When can we get it done? Is it easy to do? –Consistent results year to year Are the data summaries repeatable? Can your replacement do them after you leave? –Can adjustments be made easily Can summary calculations be easily checked? Can edits, additions or subtractions be made?

Approaches Export data to a package for summary calculation and analysis Excel, SAS, SYSTAT Do summary calculations in your database Use Queries and other database tools Some combination of the two

Our Strategy Use tools in Access to calculate summary metrics in a sister summary database –Use a separate database to capture and define the database snapshot that the summary represents –Compartmentalize each metric calculation Ensure calculations are done properly Facilitate updates, additions, and edits –Document calculations and keep that and the means of calculation with the data

Our Implementation Define a standard input data format Collaborate to design and document a set of queries that calculate a metric Automate exporting metrics into a results table Analyze, display and report with metrics from the results table

Example Data Tables Summary Tables

Automated Calculations Re-run the calculations after significant data additions Re-run the calculations after significant data additions Calculated metric output is “time stamped” to provide an audit trail Calculated metric output is “time stamped” to provide an audit trail

Summary Viewer Allows side-by-side comparisons of metrics Allows side-by-side comparisons of metrics

Summary Reports Provides detailed overview of metrics that can be exported to PDF for inclusion in a report. Provides detailed overview of metrics that can be exported to PDF for inclusion in a report.

Summary Export and Analysis Metrics then also available for export Metrics then also available for export

Collaborative effort Forest vegetation monitoring Forest vegetation monitoring A number of networks in the east worked together during protocol development A number of networks in the east worked together during protocol development Despite similar approaches differences in protocols and database design exist Despite similar approaches differences in protocols and database design exist Working to share development of some data summary tools Working to share development of some data summary tools Agree on common data transfer tables Agree on common data transfer tables Develop lists of desired summaries Develop lists of desired summaries

Summary Tool Model 1) Transfer Table 4) Summary Queries & Tools 3)Results Table 2) Calculation Queries

Advantages Summary tool features Summary tool features Standard input tables Standard input tables Compartmentalize each calculation Compartmentalize each calculation Share work of query development Share work of query development Test datasets will be employed to test calculation accuracies Test datasets will be employed to test calculation accuracies Timestamp calculations to track errors and help with summary versioning Timestamp calculations to track errors and help with summary versioning

Questions… Alan Williams Ecologist / Data Manager Natural Resources - NCR Shenandoah National Park 3655 USHWY 211 E Luray, VA Phone: