2004 UC Proceedings Abstract
 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 |
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