Dataset: Standardized and Combined Aerial Insect and Disease Surveys, 1985 to present

Methods

The methods followed in the creation of the dataset, including description of field, laboratory and processing steps, and quality control procedures

Current Methods

• Mapping tree symptoms
  
  

  Defoliation, mortality, or other tree symptoms are mapped from north-south flight lines 3-4 miles apart, generally flying at 120-130 mph, 1000-2000’ above the terrain. 2001-current, polygons were generally sketched onto a digital system with variable scale maps (generally 1:100,000).

• 
  
  

  Prior to 2001, sketching was done on hardcopy maps (7-1/2’ USGS maps from the early 1990’s until 2001; 15’ USGS maps prior to 1990.)

• Understanding cause of damage
  
  

  If an “unknown” damage was widespread, representative polygons were usually visited on the ground to determine the cause of damage. Otherwise, ground checking of survey results was sporadic. Most years, the entire state was surveyed at least once in August – September. During defoliator outbreak years or years of weather events, survey timing was targeted for those damages (the annual data from these years may lack chronic damages, as mappers focused on the target damage).

• 
  Started: 2013-12-01
  

  To merge surveys from different years: Certain fields present in the federal data scheme were missing in older Vermont surveys (1985 to 1994). These fields were added to the older surveys by converting codes from the state system to the Federal system. In some cases, two fields were needed from the Vermont codes to determine the correct federal code, and in others, codes were added manually. Finally, all yearly datasets were merged into a single dataset with a reduced number of fields.

Dataset Fields

Detailed documentation of the fields comprising the dataset, including the type of measurement, units where applicable, and any controlled vocabularies or code lists present in the data

Sampling Equipment

Equipment and software used to collect data, including how that equipment was used.

Current Equipment

• Fixed-wing airplane
  
  

  Fixed-wing airplane. Mapping onto USGS topographic or other maps

Site Characteristics

The spatial extent of the dataset site coverage, and descriptions of the spatial extent and context for the data collection

• Site Description

  Sketchmapping surveys can cover the entire state of Vermont