2004 UC Proceedings Abstract

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Using Historic Survey Data in Conservation GIS
Track: Ecology and Conservation
Author(s): Jenny McBride

In the early 19th century the Government Land Office conducted the Public Land Survey (PLS) in northern Illinois. Surveyors walked section lines comprising each township, noting changes in vegetation and recording woody species present. They also blazed witness trees at corners where available, compiling detailed data for settlers, and now, land managers. Increased European settlement following the PLS caused extensive disruption of landscape processes, particularly fire, resulting in the deterioration of natural areas. Natural area managers interested in restoring pre-European settlement conditions often refer to PLS notes for guidelines. Though scanned versions of the surveyors' maps may be available, these have limited value as "wallpaper." In the Research Department at the Morton Arboretum we have developed a method for extracting information from PLS notes and storing it in appropriate GIS files. These files can be used with other digital information to gain a better understanding of pre-European settlement vegetation patterns.

Jenny McBride
The Morton Arboretum
Research
Route 53
Lisle , IL 60532
US
Phone: 630-719-7960
Fax: 630-719-2433
E-mail: jmcbride@mortonarb.org