Multi-institutional collaborative research program. Established in 1988 to document the composition and status of natural vegetation of the Carolinas. Provides data, data services, and analysis to EEP and its contractors.

1. Restoration targets 2. Protocols and tools 3. Training 4. Data management 5. Data analysis

Goal: Move from crude species lists to a plot database and high-resolution community classification with quantitative descriptions. EEP contractors can use these data to establish site- specific restoration targets.  Phase 1: National Vegetation Classification type descriptions.  Phase 2: Dynamically generated targets. Growers can predict material needs. EEP can anticipate significantly higher success.

Interactive plot map Coastal Plain brownwater river forests: levee & floodplain forests Mean site attributes for vegetation types

CVS collaborates with EEP to: develop and document efficient protocols for recording and monitoring vegetation, design and create data entry and quality-control tools to optimize the efficiency and quality of data flow from field workers into the data archive.

5 sampling levels provide flexibility plus consistency. Available resources include manuals, datasets, and data entry tools. Anticipates new federal standards Applicable for multiple purposes and organizations

Contractors receive hands-on training in data collection and management at annual workshops Annual “Pulse” events provide intensive training in sampling protocols and North Carolina’s plant species and vegetation.

The CVS data management system insures accurate data collection and reporting. The CVS data-entry tool allows efficient data entry with automatic error checking. Reports and plot statistics are automatically generated. The archived data are used in various analyses and to generate datasheets for subsequent monitoring.

The Entry Tool: Facilitates Entry of new data From restoration sites From reference (non-disturbed, natural) sites Checks for potential errors Exports a report summarizing data

The Migration Tool: Used by CVS Data Administrator Moves data from the Entry Tool into the Archive Provides a mechanism for standardizing data across many projects Flags possible errors

The Archive Database: Stores restoration and reference data Compliant with new national standards

The Viewer Tool: View data in the Entry Tool or Archive database Export data in configurable formats Summarize data as standard reports, flagging areas that need attention Map plots to confirm locations

Contractors use the Entry Tool to digitize & organize data. Organizes the entry process into one place Can calculate number of required plots for a project Efficient data entry at all CVS Levels:  Forms mimic paper datasheets  Lookup data (species, locations) quickly  Avoid redundant typing. Flags possible errors for resolution Reports summarize final data New datasheets printed for future monitoring SAVES TIME & MONEY, DELIVERS HIGHER QUALITY DATA!

Create a new project. Calculate number of plots needed based on:  The project dimensions (any units)  The project area (any units)  EEP requirements Organization

Data automatically checked for errors as entered.

You don't have to retype data that is known from last year. The cursor stops only on the few fields with solid borders. Efficiency

Data displayed to match plot sampling level  Shows what you need; hides what you don't. Can "upgrade" plots to a higher level  Initially level 1; later level 2 to record natural vegetation, perhaps on to higher levels.

Data summarized with click of a button Multiple configuration options available  Reports based on a single year or multiple years  Reports based on a single project or multiple projects

Summary of Stem Vigor Matrix of plots, species, and number of stems (This page shows 3 of 10 to 12 worksheets in the Report) Project Summary Highlights year of project failing to meet requirements!

CVS reports  Datasheets for monitoring  Survival & growth of planted stems  Direction of compositional change  Rate of compositional change  Problems needing attention (e.g., stem mortality, exotic species) The data and services provided by CVS improve the likelihood that vegetation within monitored sites is developing towards a pre-defined reference condition.

Restoration targets  High quality, detailed, for all vegetation types  Increases likelihood of on-time completion  Anticipates future standards  Uniquely able to handle rare species and communities Protocols and tools greatly improve efficiency Training improves efficiency Data management minimizes errors and anticipates problems Data analysis keeps EEP informed of trajectory of each project and quality of contractor services. Financial benefits  Free: $100,000 senior staff time per year  Free: $35,000 volunteer field-worker time per year  Free: $125,000 in annual prescriptions for sites (~50*$2500)