A monitoring data

summary tool

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

Calculated metric output is time stamped to provide an audit

trail

Summary Viewer

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.

Summary Export and Analysis

Metrics then also available for export

Collaborative effort

Forest vegetation monitoring

A number of networks in the east worked

together during protocol development

Despite similar approaches differences in

protocols and database design exist

Working to share development of some

data summary tools

Agree on common data transfer tables

Develop lists of desired summaries

Summary Tool Model

2) Calculation
Queries

1) Transfer
Table

3)Results Table

4) Summary
Queries &
Tools

Advantages

Summary tool features

Standard input tables

Compartmentalize each calculation

Share work of query development

Test datasets will be employed to test

calculation accuracies

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 22835
Phone:540-999-3431
Email: Alan_Williams@nps.gov