Using the Data Collection Forms

The data collection forms are good for one plot location only.  In other words, if you NatureMap at two different plots (i.e., two different quarter/quarter sections), you must use new forms for the second plot, even if that plot is only a quarter of a mile away and within the same natural area.

In general, field work should be conducted for about hour at the same plot location.  (Teachers: this may be too long for your students; use your judgment about their abilities.) The observation plot size should be about 1/40 of an acre, or approximately a circle with you at the center and a 37-foot radius around you.  Sightings beyond and above this imaginary plot may be included on your data form, but you should not actively NatureMap beyond this imaginary plot (i.e., walk beyond it).  Even smaller plot sizes are encouraged when NatureMapping strictly for amphibians, reptiles, small mammals or plants.  Use the open box on page 1 of the data collection form to describe or depict the plot habitat—its dominant vegetation and any other details of interest (e.g., weather conditions, habitat surrounding the plot, etc.).

Be sure you read and understand the instructions below before going into the field and using the NatureMapping data collection forms.  You must use NatureMapping data collection forms and no others when NatureMapping.  Refer to the sample form in the manual

Information About You
Record personal information and your affiliation.  If you're a student, record your school and your teacher's name.  Enter your complete address, including zip code.  Enter all phone, fax and e-mail information, as applicable.

Information About This Field Work Enter the date you conduct field work (mm/dd/yy).  Enter start and stop time.  Indicate whether you were accompanied by a naturalist or resource specialist during your field work.  Provide their name and contact information in case data needs additional verification.

Information About Your Location For State Code, write "OR." For County Code, determine the county in which your site is located; refer to the list of counties below for the correct three-letter code.

Record the nearest town to your site, and the approximate distance and direction of the town from the site.  Enter either the TRS or lat/long location.  With TRS, try to narrow your location down to the quarter/quarter section.

Species Complete Common Name
Try to identify the species as best as possible.  Refer to your field guide.  Use the complete common name.  Some species within the same family are almost impossible to distinguish by sight. 

Species Code
Refer to the Weeds of Oregon in the Appendix for the plant species code.

CPQ Indicate the degree to which you're certain of each observation.  If you're absolutely certain, your observation is confirmed (C); if you're fairly certain, but not entirely, your observation is probable (P); if you're not comfortable saying you're fairly certain, but you still want to make an educated guess, your observation is question-able (Q).  Remember, all observations are important.  Don't fail to record an observation simply because you're uncertain.  Your uncertainty may prove to be a valuable observation.

How Observed? How did you "observe" this animal? Write in the space provided how you "observed" the animal (saw alive, saw dead, saw signs, heard, etc.).  To the right, place the appropriate code (see below).  You might, for example, have a combination like "saw/heard," in which case the code you would enter next to "saw/heard" would be "L/H." 

(L) Saw it alive
(D) Saw it dead
(H) Heard it
(S) Saw signs (tracks, droppings, fur, feathers)

You don't have to record the codes while in the field; these can be entered later as long as you were careful to write how you "observed" each species.  Codes must be entered for each observation before transferring your data.

How Many? How many of this animal did you "observe"? Record individual observations up to 25; thereafter, record the following best guesses: 26-50, 51-100, or >100.  For plant species, try to estimate the percent coverage of your plot area, for example, 50% would indicate the invasive weed occupies half of the area observed.

Habitat Code  Use the form Building Your Habitat Code, available in the Appendix, to determine the code for the particular habitat you are observing.  The code sheet includes specific instructions for identifying habitat.  There is also a list of Commonly Used Codes.  Both of these are available as printable .pdf files.