The Database for Inventory, Monitoring and Assessment (DIMA) is a highly customizable tool for data entry, assessment, monitoring, and interpretation. DIMA is a Microsoft Access database that can easily be used without Access knowledge and is available at no cost. Data can be entered for common, nationally accepted (by NRCS, BLM and others) vegetation and soil monitoring methods, including the methods described in the “Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland, and Savanna Ecosystems.” Additionally, NRCS ecological site description data can be collected starting at a low intensity (e.g., general site characteristics, waypoints and photos) and building to a high intensity (e.g., detailed soil and vegetation data). Stored data are easily exported to other databases and spreadsheets while previously entered data can be quickly imported into the database via Excel templates. Indicators and reports, including graphs, are automatically generated from entered data. In addition to data, the database stores critical metadata such as field crew personnel, plant species lists downloaded from the USDA/NRCS PLANTS database, driving directions, method rule sets, soil data and links to photos. The objective of this poster is to make the database available to other ecologists, to review current applications, and to identify areas for future enhancements.
Results/Conclusions
The database is currently used by a number of organizations for short- and long-term monitoring, collecting quantitative data to support rangeland assessments, and gathering qualitative data to assess range health. It also facilitates qualitative and quantitative data collection to assist with developing ecological site descriptions and populating them with quantitative soil and vegetation data. Because the tool is extremely flexible, it can be adapted to meet the needs of a diverse group of users, from students compiling data for a course, to scientists developing research projects, and land management agencies responsible for monitoring. The inclusion of a 17-indicator method for rapid assessment of non-forested ecosystems has facilitated the collection of quantitative data to support qualitative assessments. This method is being widely applied by the NRCS, the BLM and other organizations. One area identified for future enhancements is the development of a spatial component and link to GIS. The authors welcome input for this data collection and management tool.
