Big Bend National Park Bird Point CountEntry ID: usgs_nwrc_bbendpt
Abstract: This data set contains unlimited distance point count data that was collected
from 70 sites in Big Bend National Park, Texas. Sites were located by using
systematic sampling with a random start. Each site marked the center of a 2km
radius sampling circle and all sites were at least 4km apart. In addition, all
sites were at least 400m from paved or dirt roads. Sites were sampled every 9
days from ... mid-December through late February for three winter field seasons:
1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002. Standard, 20 minute, unlimited distance
point counts were conducted at 70 sampling sites. Sites were located using
systematic sampling within a random start. Each site was sampled once every
nine days from mid-December to late February.
The purpose of the dataset is to assess the interactive effects of climate
change and fire on the capacity of the Trans-Pecos Region to support bird
This metadata was originally written by Lori Randall of the U.S. Geological
Survey, Biological Resources Division, National Wetlands Research Center in
Biological Data Profile format.
Data Set Citation
Dataset Originator/Creator: U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, National Wetlands Research Center
Dataset Title: Interactive Effects of Climate Change and Fire on Bird Communities - Point Count Data
Dataset Release Date: 2002
Dataset Publisher: USGS, BRD, National Wetlands Research CenterOnline Resource: http://sdms.nwrc.gov/pub/tex.html
Start Date: 1999-12-01Stop Date: 2002-02-01
Quality The accuracy of the bird point count data is based on the experience of the
observers. All data entry was double checked for potential errors. All sites
were established 4km apart and at least 400m from a paved or dirt road. The
sites were visited nine days. Point counts began at 30 minutes before offical
sunrise and the final ... count of the day was completed with 5.5 hours after
offical sunrise. Data was only collected when the air temperature was >0
degrees Celsius and when the wind speed was <20 kmph. Data was checked
throughout the field season to ensure that observers followed protocol.
Data was omitted when collection conditions (i.e. fog) compromised data
accuracy. Only 3 counts were omitted out of the 1120 counts conducted over the
first two field seasons.
Access Constraints This data will be available for public use after it has been published in
peer-reviewed, scientific outlets.
Use Constraints Acknowledgement of the National Wetlands Research Center as a data source would
be appreciated in products developed from these data. Users should be aware of
that comparisons with other data sets for the same area from other time periods
may be inaccurate due to differences in data collection procedures.
Data Set Progress
Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT
Phone: 337 266-8668
Fax: 337 266-8592
Email: wylie_barrow at usgs.gov
U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division National Wetlands Research Center 700 Cajundome Boulevard
Province or State: Louisiana
Postal Code: 70506
U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center Interactive effects of climate change and fire on bird communities: GIS measurements, 2002 (digital tabular data).
U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands Research Center Interactive effects of climate change and fire on bird communities: landcover map, 2002 (Digital vector data).
Extended Metadata Properties
(Click to view more)
Creation and Review Dates
DIF Creation Date: 2003-06-26
Last DIF Revision Date: 2012-12-20
Future DIF Review Date: 2004-06-27