Logic-Based Approach to Evaluating Plant Communities at Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa

James, Kevin; Guck, Michelle

We present a logic model-based framework to evaluate the condition of multiple plant communities at Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa. The logical framework for the analysis was based on plant community metrics collected as part of Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network vegetation monitoring program. Monitoring site data were integrated with spatial data from both the USGS-NPS vegetation mapping project and NPS Natural Resource Condition Assessment conducted at the park. A new study area was developed that extended the area of inference from site based data to polygons on the landscape. The study area included all parts of the main unit of the park that corresponded to a particular community type for which monitoring data were available. Community indicators were logically related in a hierarchical framework according to informative attributes for each community. Monitoring data collected between 1998 and 2005 were used to develop reference conditions for each indicator. Monitoring data collected since 2005 served as input data for the evaluation. The logic model was executed in EMDS, a decision support system framework that operates within ArcGIS. Each element of the logic model was evaluated and scores were reported at the patch scale. Evaluation results are presented as a series of maps for all attributes of a community and as an overall evaluation of all community resources for the main unit of the park. Community and attribute improvement as measured against the initial monitoring period are presented at the study area scale. The logic model can be readily adapted to address management objectives or additional information. This work forms the foundation for conducting adaptive management within a decision support system.

Logic-Based Approach to Evaluating Plant Communities at Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa

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