File: ecosites.xls

ecosites.xls refers to Ecological Site Descriptions (ESD) on selected 
long-term transects based on determinations made by Dan Robinett 
(retired) during visits to all transects in winter 2009. Soil pits were 
dug at each transect during this campaign.

Criteria for distinguishing ecological sites include soil traits, 
geomorphic position on the landscape, and climate variables.  Ecological 
sites are used to organize information about plant species abundance and 
productivity, as well as expectations about response to management and 
weather conditions. That information is included in the Ecological Site 
Description, which is described below. More information about ecological 
sites is available in Brown, J.R. 2010.  Ecological sites: their history, 
status, and future. Rangelands 32(6):5-8.

The selected long-term transects were established in USFS Studies FSRM 
1706-09, FSRM 1706-12, FSRM 1706-15, and FSRM 1706-25. This file includes 
the Ecological Site determination by Robinett, the Major Land Resource 
Area (MLRA), and any additional notes for each transect.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) developed and 
manages the Ecological Site Information System (ESIS), accessible via the 
following website: http://esis.sc.egov.usda.gov. The ESIS is the 
repository for the data associated with the collection of forestland and 
rangeland plot data and the development of ecological site descriptions 
(ESD). The ESD format in ESIS is web based and was developed to store 
basic ecological site description information. 

The Ecological Site Description (ESD) application provides the capability 
to produce automated ecological site descriptions from the data stored in 
its database. ESD is the official repository for all data associated with 
the development of forestland and rangeland ecological site descriptions 
by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The Ecological Site Description (ESD) application also provides the 
capability to enter, edit, and view reports of rangeland and forest land 
ecological site descriptions.  Anyone may view reports of approved 
Ecological Site Descriptions. Data entry, edit, download, and viewing 
draft reports is for authorized users only.

The ESIS User Guide, containing information on protocols and contact 
information for Ecological Site Descriptions, can be found at the 
following website: http://esis.sc.egov.usda.gov/Welcome/pgESDWelcome.aspx

ecositesnotes.txt
26 August 2012