Detections of breeding birds in the Shoshone, Toiyabe, Toquima, and Monitor ranges, Nevada

Metadata:

Data_Quality_Information:

Attribute_Accuracy:

Attribute_Accuracy_Report:

Detections are thought to be true. Coordinates should be accurate within approximately 10 meters horizontal. Detection distances generally are accurate.

Logical_Consistency_Report:

Any questionable records were verified carefully with the observer. Most observers had considerable experience observing birds, often in the Intermountain West. If any doubt remained in the PIs minds about the validity of a record, it was omitted. Observers frequently checked detection distances with laser rangefinders.

Completeness_Report:

During each year, we conducted surveys (i.e., three point counts per point) for breeding birds at most of the extant survey points. In rare cases, inclement weather prevented three visits to each point. We were unable to visit all points in all years due to logistical constraints (e.g., severe weather, impassable roads, insufficient manpower).

Lineage:

Methodology:

Methodology_Type: Field

Methodolgy_Identifier:

Methodolgy_Keyword_Thesaurus:

None

Methodology_Keyword: fixed-radius point counts

Methodology_Description:

We surveyed birds during the breeding seasons (late May through June) using 75-meter (2001-2004) or 100-meter (2005-2009) fixed-radius point counts. We established 179 survey points in 2001, and added additional points annually from 2004-2009. To maintain spatial independence among points, most point centers were placed >350 meters apart. During each visit, we recorded by sound or sight all birds using terrestrial habitat within the survey area. Point counts were conducted only in calm weather, and none were conducted >3.5 hours after dawn. Points were sampled three times per year for five minutes per visit. Survey points were located along the full elevational gradient of the canyons we sampled, typically with two or three points per 100 meters of vertical elevation change. Points were positioned in order to sample the dominant vegetation types in proportion to the approximate extent of each vegetation type. Dominant vegetation was consistent within the point. We estimated the geographic coordinates (measured in Universal Transverse Mercator units; UTMs) of each survey point using a global positioning system.

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

No process steps have been described for this data set

Process_Date: Unknown

Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

NV_bird_data.csv is a comma-delimited ASCII text file containing bird detection data. Each row is a detection of an individual bird. This data set contains the following variables:

Column A (DATE) = date of the detection.
Column B (OBSERVER) = initials of the person who recorded the bird (names available from the Point of Contact - see Point of Contact section).
Column C (POINT) = Point of Contact's shorthand reference for the fixed location of the point. In most cases, numbers within a canyon increase as elevation increases.
Column D (CANYON) = canyon in which the point was located. Canyon names are consistent with those displayed on current USDA Forest Service maps.
Column E (MOUNTAIN RANGE) = mountain range in which the point was located.
Column F (SPECIES CODE) = species code which generally reflects current designations used by the American Ornithologists' Union.
Column G (SPECIES NAME) = species name which generally reflects current designations used by the American Ornithologists' Union.
Column H (S/V) = indicates how the bird was detected: S = by sight, V = by vocalization.
Column I (DISTANCE FROM POINT CENTER) = distance from the point center at which the bird was detected. Depending on the year, distances generally were recorded in bins: 0-10 meters (m), >10-25 m, >25-50 m, >50-75 m, >75-100 m.
Column J (UTMx) = coordinates of the point center in NAD83, zone 11.
Column K (UTMy) = coordinates of the point center in NAD83, zone 11.

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

None provided

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20190426

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Erica Fleishman

Contact_Organization: University of California, Davis

Contact_Position: Researcher

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical

Address: John Muir Institute of the Environment

Address: The Barn

Address: One Shields Avenue

City: Davis

State_or_Province: CA

Postal_Code: 95616

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 530-754-9167

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999