Landscape Partnership Newsletter Announcing The Literature Gateway: Bird-Vegetation Relationships in Eastern and Boreal Forests
What is the Literature Gateway?
The Literature Gateway is a research tool that allows users to visualize and explore a database of scientific research pertaining to bird species-vegetation relationships in the Eastern and Boreal Forests of North America. The aim of the Literature Gateway is to consolidate contemporary research on linkages between forest management practices, bird responses, and population outcomes. The tool is focused on research conducted in the Eastern US but includes research from across all of boreal North America.
Accessing the Literature Gateway:
The Literature Gateway is hosted on the Landscape Partnership Portal
To begin using the tool you will first need to register for a Landscape Partnership Account HERE. Once you have made a login, you will be able to access the tool from the Literature Gateway Landing Page HERE
More Information About This Project:
What makes the Literature Gateway Unique?
Comprehensive Database
* The Literature Gateway uses a database of academic research that comes from a systematic literature review (map protocol) published byLott et al in 2019. The database contains approximately 2000 primary research papers and 400 review papers sourced from 65 distinct research archives.
Keyword AND Criteria Search
* For all papers in the database, the Literature Gateway allows users to run a keyword search that scans through the title and abstract of each paper. In addition, for all papers in the Appalachians, Northeast, and Great Lakes region, the tool allows users to search by metadata and search criteria that were extracted by the Lott et al research team.
Spatial Visualization of Research
* All the research papers (excluding review papers) have been spatially referenced by the research team. This allows the user to search based on a geographic area, and see search results spatially represented.
Download Search Results
* Search results can be downloaded as a CSV file that includes all relevant metadata (bibliographic information).
Who might use the Literature Gateway?
Below are examples of individuals who might benefit from using this tool.
Example 1, Foresters: Could use the Literature Gateway to find research that will help them anticipate bird responses to forestry planning and silvicultural practice implementation at varying scales.
Example 2, Researchers: Could use the Literature Gateway to find other researchers with similar interests/expertise and to identify science gaps for future work.
Example 3, Government Agency Staff or NGO Partner: Could consult the Literature Gateway to identify the best available science to guide program policies and implementation actions.
Happy Searching!
Additional Information
Where can I learn more about the Literature Gateway?
Technical Documentation and Instructions for using the Literature Gateway can be found within the tool itself and on the Literature Gateway Landing Page.
What is the Landscape Partnership Portal?
The Landscape Partnership portal is an interactive platform where landowners and professionals from any agency, organization or industry can share technical information, host GIS mapping products and a variety of decision-support tools, view and download online learning materials, find out about partnership activities and newly funded projects, and identify technical experts who are available to provide assistance.
More Information Here: https://landscapepartnership.org/about
Why was the literature gateway made?
The Literature Gateway was made in order to make academic research on wildlife conservation more accessible both within and outside of academia. This tool converts a rigorous literature analysis from a static report into a dynamic tool that is useful to other researchers and individuals seeking knowledge on bird-forestry practice relationships.
How will NRCS be using the literature gateway?
NRCS will be using the Literature Gateway to synthesize current research on linkages between forest health and priority bird species models to inform the Framework for Conservation Action For Deciduous Forests, a publication that will be released by NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife in FY23. This framework will guide the expenditure of over $7 million annually in Appalachia to improve forest health and support at-risk bird species. This financial assistance for conservation practices on private lands will be funded by the Farm Bill's Environmental Quality Incentive Program and coordinated through the national WLFW Golden-Winged Warbler Initiative.
Who made the literature Gateway?
* Contributors to Systematic Map: Casey Lott of Conservation Science and Data Visualization and Jeff Larkin from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) were the principal investigators of this project with research support from David King, (USFS-Northern Research Station); Scott Stoleson (USFS- Northern Research Station); Mike Akresh (Antioch University); Darin J. McNeil (North Carolina State University); Cameron Fiss (SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry); Halie Parker (IUP); and Kristin Fuoco (IUP)..
* Developers of the Interactive Tool: Casey Lott, Alex Dew, Sage Voorhees, Joseph Badash, Tracy Clark, and Rose Hessmiller
* Funding for This Project: Working Lands For Wildlife, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA
