[PCA] Promising technologies for plant surveys -- TRB Study

[Bruce Stein]

The Transportation Research Board, an arm of the National Academies of
Sciences, is developing a synthesis publication on "Promising
Technologies for Environmental Surveys" under the National Cooperative
Highway Research Program (NCHRP 20-05/Topic 39-12). (For more
information, see
http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=1675).

A survey of state departments of transportation and state wildlife
agencies was carried out as part of this project to identify potential
techniques and technologies for inclusion in the synthesis report. In
reviewing the draft report at a recent TRB panel meeting, however, it
was clear that promising and innovative techniques and technologies for
surveys of native plants were under-represented. As a result, I wanted
to reach out to subscribers to the PCA listserve to solicit additional
input.

At this stage of the process, the most helpful plant-related input would
be to hear about any interesting, unusual, and promising approaches to
surveying and monitoring native plant populations, particularly those
with relevance to the transportation process (planning [long-range as
well as project-specific], design, construction, maintenance).  These
tools, techniques, and approaches could range from improved/innovative
methods for field surveys, data management, analysis, or
decision-support.

Patricia Cramer of Utah State University (patricia.cramer at usu.edu) is
serving as a consultant to TRB in preparing this report. Please direct
or copy responses to Patricia.

TRB guidance documents of this type can be very influential in helping
federal and state transportation officials decide what approaches to
build into and fund as part of their work, and it is to our advantage to
ensure that native plants are well-represented in this effort. Thanks in
advance for your assistance on this.  

Bruce

Bruce A. Stein, Ph.D.
Vice President and Chief Scientist
NatureServe
(703) 908-1830
bruce_stein at natureserve.org
www.natureserve.org