32.6 Major Types of Analysis
32.5 Major Types of Data and
Information Used in
the Assessment
The completed assessment consists of approximately 900 pages of text, maps, tabulations, and
data sets: five compact disks (CD-ROMs); and two
separate home pages on the Internet. The maps and
data were needed to support the analysis, the analysis supported the text, and the text was used to communicate with a variety of audiences. Thus, in describing the types of information, it is useful to
make three distinctions: foundation data, analysis
data, and observational data (maps are included in
the category of data).
32.5.1 Foundation Data
The assessment depended almost entirely on existing data from other sources, although much of the
information resided in separate and often obscure
agency data files. What made the assessment
unique was that the information was brought together and organized for a specific geographic region. It was a major achievement to identify, locate, and assemble this large and diverse data
resource. For this reason, considerable attention
was given to obtaining data that would be used by
forest planners, educators, and community planners
who want to conduct their own analyses. All the
maps and data sets were recorded on the CDROMs.
There are two advantages of the CD data set (and
its counterpart on the Internet). One is that it contains a huge amount of information not available
anywhere else in the assessment process. The second is that it can be updated or expanded on a continuous basis. Although plans have not been completed for regularly updating these data, it is widely
recognized that this could be a very important
SAMAB function.
32.5.2 Analysis Data
Analysis data are the maps and models generated
as part of the technical analysis phase of the assessment. These data include materials such as the
habitat matrix for terrestrial wildlife, the trout range
map, questionnaire survey data, and the LANDSAT
land-use and land-cover map. Some of the analysis data are contained on the CD-ROM, but other
data sets were not easily adapted to this form of
display.
479
A common form of analysis data is the maps generated by combining (intersection or union) two or
more GIS layers. This has been one of the most
common forms of integrated analysis. An example
was combining geology data with atmospheric data
to show the location of streams at high risk of acidification. In some cases, maps with high resolution
or precision may be combined with data sets that
are low in precision. The result may be very useful, but the product is often difficult to describe in
terms of reliability. To the extent possible, maps
such as the black bear suitability map or the recreation settings maps need to be identified as analysis products with the criteria and assumptions
clearly specified.
32.5.3 Observational Data
A third category of data covers a broad array of information in the form of economic data, demographic data, questionnaire surveys, water and air
quality monitoring data, species occurrence data,
and many other sources stored as numerical data
sets. Observational data are usually linked to maps
by geographic coordinates or place identifiers such
as county boundaries. In many cases, no further 10cational information is possible or appropriate.
The LANDSAT Land Cover image is worthy of
special mention mainly because of its large size.
The ground truth component of this product was
not completed at the time that the assessment was
released, and users should be aware that many of
the detailed classifications still require verification.
Limitations of the data set are explained in the accompanying metadata. It is hoped that refining and
updating this data set will be a high-priority task
for those who maintain the assessment data set.
32.6 Major Types of Analysis
Each assessment team's approach to their subject
was unique, but several aspects were common to
each analysis area. All teams started with the set of
questions from the issue identification process and
were given the opportunity to revise or reorder the
questions. Once agreed on, they were asked to ensure that the questions were adequately answered.
The teams were also asked to focus on the status
and trends affecting natural resources, but to avoid
drawing conclusions and making policy or management recommendations. Each team was asked
to identify missing information and to construct a
list of research and monitoring needs. Finally, each
team was asked to sufficiently describe their meth-
32.5 Major Types of Data and
Information Used in
the Assessment
The completed assessment consists of approximately 900 pages of text, maps, tabulations, and
data sets: five compact disks (CD-ROMs); and two
separate home pages on the Internet. The maps and
data were needed to support the analysis, the analysis supported the text, and the text was used to communicate with a variety of audiences. Thus, in describing the types of information, it is useful to
make three distinctions: foundation data, analysis
data, and observational data (maps are included in
the category of data).
32.5.1 Foundation Data
The assessment depended almost entirely on existing data from other sources, although much of the
information resided in separate and often obscure
agency data files. What made the assessment
unique was that the information was brought together and organized for a specific geographic region. It was a major achievement to identify, locate, and assemble this large and diverse data
resource. For this reason, considerable attention
was given to obtaining data that would be used by
forest planners, educators, and community planners
who want to conduct their own analyses. All the
maps and data sets were recorded on the CDROMs.
There are two advantages of the CD data set (and
its counterpart on the Internet). One is that it contains a huge amount of information not available
anywhere else in the assessment process. The second is that it can be updated or expanded on a continuous basis. Although plans have not been completed for regularly updating these data, it is widely
recognized that this could be a very important
SAMAB function.
32.5.2 Analysis Data
Analysis data are the maps and models generated
as part of the technical analysis phase of the assessment. These data include materials such as the
habitat matrix for terrestrial wildlife, the trout range
map, questionnaire survey data, and the LANDSAT
land-use and land-cover map. Some of the analysis data are contained on the CD-ROM, but other
data sets were not easily adapted to this form of
display.
479
A common form of analysis data is the maps generated by combining (intersection or union) two or
more GIS layers. This has been one of the most
common forms of integrated analysis. An example
was combining geology data with atmospheric data
to show the location of streams at high risk of acidification. In some cases, maps with high resolution
or precision may be combined with data sets that
are low in precision. The result may be very useful, but the product is often difficult to describe in
terms of reliability. To the extent possible, maps
such as the black bear suitability map or the recreation settings maps need to be identified as analysis products with the criteria and assumptions
clearly specified.
32.5.3 Observational Data
A third category of data covers a broad array of information in the form of economic data, demographic data, questionnaire surveys, water and air
quality monitoring data, species occurrence data,
and many other sources stored as numerical data
sets. Observational data are usually linked to maps
by geographic coordinates or place identifiers such
as county boundaries. In many cases, no further 10cational information is possible or appropriate.
The LANDSAT Land Cover image is worthy of
special mention mainly because of its large size.
The ground truth component of this product was
not completed at the time that the assessment was
released, and users should be aware that many of
the detailed classifications still require verification.
Limitations of the data set are explained in the accompanying metadata. It is hoped that refining and
updating this data set will be a high-priority task
for those who maintain the assessment data set.
32.6 Major Types of Analysis
Each assessment team's approach to their subject
was unique, but several aspects were common to
each analysis area. All teams started with the set of
questions from the issue identification process and
were given the opportunity to revise or reorder the
questions. Once agreed on, they were asked to ensure that the questions were adequately answered.
The teams were also asked to focus on the status
and trends affecting natural resources, but to avoid
drawing conclusions and making policy or management recommendations. Each team was asked
to identify missing information and to construct a
list of research and monitoring needs. Finally, each
team was asked to sufficiently describe their meth-