Appendix D Phtgraphy 1
I. Taking Phtgraphs Taking phtgraphs is a required NWCA field activity that prvides an imprtant visual recrd f sampling activities at each site. Phtgraphs are taken with a digital camera. Ensure that the date and time stamp features are enabled n the digital camera befre taking phts when taking phtgraphs at an NWCA site. Alternatively, an initial phtgraph f an 8.5 11 inch piece f paper with the site ID, date, and name f the individual(s) taking the picture printed in large, thick letters can be taken first, t begin the series f phts (this piece f paper culd be printed ut in advance). After the pht f the site ID infrmatin, take the fllwing phtgraphs at each site: Assessment Area (AA) characterizatin phtgraphs Sil prfile phtgraphs and Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive (TES) species phtgraphs. Be sure t include phts that prvide a frame f reference, including phts f crew members cllecting the sample. It is strngly suggested that the permissin t take phts be btained frm each f the individuals phtgraphed. 1 - AA Characterizatin Phts During the Assessment Area (AA) characterizatin, the VegTeam takes the fllwing digital phts after establishing the Veg Plts (Chapter 5): Overview f the setting arund the POINT: This phtgraph shuld cntain the flag marking the POINT. Overview f the setting arund the CENTER: This phtgraph is nly taken if the CENTER is in a different lcatin than the POINT. The flag marking the center f the AA shuld als be visible in this phtgraph. View frm the CENTER alng each f the plt placement lines fr vegetatin sampling: This phtgraph is taken fr each Vegetatin Plt placement line. Nte the cmpass bearing fr the plt placement line and, if pssible, capture any relevant flagging. The ptimal time t take this phtgraph is when the sun lights the scene frm the side. This will ensure the phtgraph has depth. Keep the camera level with the hrizn and ensure the image cntains n mre than ne-third sky. 2
Imprtant features: This phtgraph can be taken fr any feature f interest, e.g., stressrs present in the site. Where pssible, include a frame f reference. Figure D-1. Right tp: Overview f the setting arund the pint pht. Right bttm and left: Plt placement line phts. All phts curtesy f Elizabeth Riley, EPA. 2 - Sil Prfile Phts A sil prfile pht is an image that clearly shws the sil hrizn and depth designatins made by the AB Team. This pht will be reviewed by NRCS State Sil Scientists t cnfirm hrizn and depth designatins and fr ther QA purpses. Phtgraphs can illustrate imprtant sils characteristics, and becme reference surces f basic sils infrmatin. Phtgraphs shuld be taken f each sil prfile befre hrizn designatins have been made. Hwever, if the hrizn breaks change during prfile descriptin, phtgraphs may be retaken after the descriptin is dne. The prfile will need t be prperly prepared t bring ut significant cntrast in structure and clr between the sil hrizns. Beginning at the tp, fragments f the sil can be brken ff with a spatula, kitchen frk, r small knife t eliminate digging marks. Dust and small fragments 3
can be brushed r blwn away. Mistening the whle prfile r part f it with a hand sprayer is helpful in btaining unifrm misture cntent and cntrast. Place a tape measure r meter stick starting frm the tp f the sil prfile next t where the hrizns have been marked. When taking phts f sils, the prfile shuld be riented s that the maximum amunt f light will strike the prepared face at the prper angle (i.e., the sun cmes ver yur right shulder). The camera shuld be held 1.5 t 2.5m frm the prfile. Figure D-2. Tp: Sil prfile pht curtesy f Dave Rider, EPA. Bttm: Sil slab pht curtesy f Eric Vance, EPA. 4
3 - Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Phts A plant pht vucher is an image that shws enugh plant characteristics t allw identificatin by plant experts. As with all vuchers, all relevant data must be kept fr each plant phtgraphed. If the site cntains a species that is cnsidered, r is suspected f being, a Threatened, Endangered r Sensitive (TES) plant species, the Veg Team takes a phtgraph t dcument the ccurrence. The phtgraph must include as many diagnstic features as pssible t aid in identificatin. Try t get clse-ups f flwers (frm tw r mre angles), inflrescences, fruits, seed heads, leaves (upper and lwer surfaces), branching patterns, buds, rts, and ther diagnstic features. Take phts f the whle plant. Include a scale in the pht, using bjects f knwn size, such as a pencil, cin, she, finger, r a persn. Figure D-3. Series f plant vucher phts shwing diagnstic features fr Butmus umbellatus. Phts curtesy f Elizabeth Riley, EPA. 5
Figure D-4. Series f plant vucher phts shwing different bjects that can be used as a scale. Clckwise frm tp left, field crew member with Typha latiflia, bees with Alisma triviale, index finger with Dichrisandra thursiflia (phts curtesy f Elizabeth Riley, EPA), and a ruler with Wdwardia arelata (pht curtesy f Janet Nestlerde, EPA). 6
II. Tracking Phtgraphs Back at the ffice, save each phtgraph using the apprpriate naming cnventin prvided in mre detail belw. The naming cnventin fr each type f phtgraph includes the site ID, a special mdifier indicating the type f phtgraph taken, and the date. Images must be saved in a medium- t high-quality jpeg frmat, with the resulting file name f each picture nted in an excel spreadsheet pht lg. Maintain a separate excel spreadsheet fr each type f pht. Include a brief descriptin f each phtgraph, the name f the phtgrapher, and the cmpass bearing (fr plt placement line phtgraphs nly) in the lg. Pht Name Descriptin Phtgrapher Cmpass Bearing Phtgraphs are BATCHED and upladed t the NWCA FTP site (see belw) every 2 weeks. Place phts in the apprpriate state and phtgraph type flder. Make sure t include the excel pht lg in the flder. T access the NWCA FTP Site, navigate t the address belw via Windws Explrer (i.e. a My Dcuments windw) r yur FTP client: ftp://ftp.glec.cm Yu will be prmpted t lgin. Enter the username and passwrd belw: username: NWCA passwrd: swamp There yu will find a flder labeled Site Phtgraphs int which teams can uplad their phts. It is suggested that teams use Windws Explrer (i.e. a My Dcuments windw) t navigate t the FTP site if they dn't have an FTP client prgram. Just type the address int the address bar f Windws Explrer, and drag-and-drp the files/flders frm anther windw r yur desktp just as yu wuld t mve files n yur wn cmputer. 7
Use the fllwing naming cnventins when saving phts: AA Characterizatin Phts Site ID number (i.e., in the frmat NWCA11-0000 r ther assigned number) Phts taken t characterize the AA are signified by the letters AA Mdifier indicating the AA characterizatin pht taken: POINT: pht taken f the setting arund the POINT CENTER: pht taken f the setting arund the CENTER, if different frm POINT Phts taken frm the CENTER alng each f the plt placement lines fr vegetatin sampling are designated by the letter P and the bearing f the plt placement line. Phts taken f imprtant features are designated by the letter F and a sequential number fr each feature dcumented at the site (i.e., F-1, F-2, etc). Date in the frmat MM.DD (nte: yu d nt need t include the year in the date because it is included in the site ID number) Example pht tracking cde: NWCA11-1516_AA_POINT_08.15.jpg NWCA11-1516_AA_CENTER_08.15.jpg NWCA11-1516_AA_P-290_08.15.jpg NWCA11-1516_AA_P-310_08.15.jpg NWCA11-1516_AA_F-1_08.15.jpg 8
Sil Prfile Phts Site ID number (i.e., in the frmat NWCA11-0000 r ther assigned number) Phts taken f the sil prfile are designated by the letter S and the letter used t designate the sil pit (A, B, C, r D) assigned by the AB Team during data cllectin (see Sils Chapter and Reference card S-1 side A). Date in the frmat MM.DD (nte: yu d nt need t include the year in the date because it is included in the site ID number) Example pht tracking cde: NWCA11-1516_S-A_08.15.jpg TES Species Phts Site ID number (i.e., in the frmat NWCA11-0000 r ther assigned number) Phts taken f a Threatened, Endangered r Sensitive plant species are designated by the letters TES Species name r pseudnym if the species is unknwn but suspected f being a TES species. Date in the frmat MM.DD (nte: yu d nt need t include the year in the date because it is included in the site ID number) Example pht tracking cdes: NWCA11-1516_TES_Ledum grenlandicum_08.15.jpg NWCA11-1516_TES_Carex1-3 stigmas_08.15.jpg 9