New international user interested in using i-Tree Eco v6

Section for FAQs regarding i-Tree Eco (UFORE)

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clsanguinetti
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2015 12:55 pm

New international user interested in using i-Tree Eco v6

Post by clsanguinetti » Wed Jul 15, 2015 3:07 pm

I am a new user from abroad. I would like to know how to get started with i-Tree Eco v6 in my country?
How schedule are? Which data forms I have to complete? To whom I will refer once I have the information?

Thanks a lot,

clsanguinetti
azelaya
i-Tree Team
Posts: 372
Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:50 am

Re: New international user: Getting started with Eco

Post by azelaya » Thu Jul 16, 2015 7:10 pm

Post updated on March 2019 to consider new international updates and i-Tree 2019 Mexico and Europe Eco integration

Eco v6 Integrated Countries
The U.S., Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Mexico and most European countries are considered integrated and fully automated in i-Tree Eco v6, which means processing is completed automatically and weather and pollution selection are available in Eco. Note: Pollution and weather data may be limited for countries depending on availability, and data provided by partner countries.

Other International Users
i-Tree Database (ITDB) - For other international users, individual cities can be integrated into i-Tree Eco for automated processing using the i-Tree Database system https://www.itreetools.org/database/#/splash. This requires that users provide new location information, optional hourly pollution data and one-hour precipitation data through an online portal.

Individual Global Cites in Eco v6 - Many individual international cities such as Medellin, Colombia, Montevideo, Uruguay and Hong Kong, have already been fully or partially integrated into i-Tree Eco v6 by users who have submitted information and data using ITDB. Please check the latest Other International Locations drop down on the following page https://www.itreetools.org/database/#/viableLocations to see which individual international cities locations are available in i-Tree Eco v6, and the pollution and precipitation data availability for those cities. NOTE- some cities may only have a new location but no pollution data provided.

Key Points for International Eco v6 Users (non-integrated countries):

Manual processing for international projects is not available – In the past, i-Tree Eco projects in unsupported areas were processed manually by the U.S. Forest Service as a courtesy. Due to increases in demand, this option is no longer possible.

location, pollution and precipitation data should be submitted in i-Tree Database as soon as possible – Working with i-Tree Database enables international users to enter the data necessary for running an Eco project in an unsupported city. it will take time for the new location, pollution & precip. data to be validated and incorporated into a future version of Eco.

Data will be validated before it is made available in the i-Tree Tools – The U.S. Forest Service will validate all data submitted through i-Tree Database. Invalid data will be returned to the sender for correction.

Validated data will be incorporated into a future version of Eco v6 – Once validated, data submitted through i-Tree Database will be added to i-Tree’s databases. Periodic updates to the i-Tree software will make this new, validated data available in i-Tree Eco.

Eco updates containing new data allow for automatic processing – When data for an unsupported city is made available in i-Tree Eco, projects for that study area can be run and processed automatically just as projects in the U.S. and other integrated countries. The process can take up to 6 months for a new city to be available in Eco v6.

Below is a brief summary of basic recommended steps for international i-Tree Eco Users (non-integrated countries).
Consult the Eco Guide to International Projects for detailed instructions https://www.itreetools.org/resources/ma ... ojects.pdf

1 Design Your Project - Designing a new i-Tree Eco project requires some early decisions. You must determine what type of project is most suitable for your objectives and decide what data you will be collecting in the field or importing into Eco.

2 Prepare Additional Data and information - The Eco model will need data and information to make a new international location available including Locational data, hourly pollution data, supplemental hourly precipitation data, and new species data if desired. These data should be gathered and entered in the i-Tree Database http://www.itreetools.org/database/ as soon as possible and not after completing normal Eco field work.

3 Submit Additional Data using i-Tree Database – The i-Tree Database system has specific procedures and format requirements for data and information for a new international location. The i-Tree Database also allows users to view information such as available species. See

4 Prepare for Field Data Collection- Once you have designed your project, decided which data to collect during your inventory, and submitted your additional data into the i-Tree Database, it is time to get started with the i-Tree Eco software. Users can create a new i-Tree Eco project directly in the Eco application and prepare for data collection or importing data. Keep in mind, your international location will most likely not be available but you can use a temporary or alternate project location and later update it within Eco once available.

5 Collect Field Data - Field data collection can take place. Use the Eco Field Guide to guide you as you collect and record your data out in the field.

6 Enter Field Data - Field data can be entered into the i-Tree Eco desktop interface by transferring from the mobile data collection system, manually entering, or importing external data into an Eco complete inventory project.

7 Run the Eco Model - Running the Eco model is a two-step process that is necessary in order to view your reports. This should only be done after you have submitted your additional data using i-Tree Database, received notification that the data have been incorporated into Eco, updated your software to the latest version, and corrected any temporary, place holder variables (project location) you may have used.

Eco International Limitations
i-Tree Eco v6 model framework is introduced in the i-Tree Eco website pages https://www.itreetools.org/eco/index.php. The Eco model has limitations when applied internationally which are detailed on page 26 of the Eco v6 International Guide. https://www.itreetools.org/resources/ma ... ojects.pdf.

Tree Data & Project Design
The eco v6 model is flexible - you will have to consider and how you want to design your project. The following (2) documents describe which data variables are used in certain model estimates. The Eco data limitations document will describe model defaults used when information is not provided. For example, Tree height is import in carbon calculations. if not provided, the model will estimate this and accuracy of results will be less - the level of inaccuracy is not known.

Refer to the Data Variables - Ecosystem Services Relationships descriptions and the Eco Data Limitations guide for important information related to tree measurements and model function.
Project design is important and you will have to explore if sample plots or using the inventory option is best for you. The Eco website and Eco v6 manuals can help with understanding options. You can also see some of the available videos in the video learning page.


Learning Resources
Additional resources can be found by exploring manuals, videos and application pages and instructions.
i-Tree Database Forum FAQs - viewforum.php?f=43
Eco manuals and guides - https://www.itreetools.org/resources/ma ... p#v6guides
Eco web pages - https://www.itreetools.org/eco/index.php
Eco learning videos - https://www.itreetools.org/resources/videos.php#ecovids
Eco methods papers - https://www.itreetools.org/resources/archives.php



Al
A member of the i-Tree Team
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