37  Patty, Kasia, Nora Check-in 12NOV2024

Date: November 12, 2024

Attendees:

37.1 Key Updates

37.1.1 1. Team Status Updates

37.1.1.1 Field Work Status

  • Field work has wrapped up for the 2024 season
  • Adam retains some basic equipment for opportunistic sampling
  • Team may still document profiles from ongoing construction sites if opportunities arise

37.1.1.2 Role Changes

  • Kasia will step back from direct project involvement but continue attending meetings
  • Will likely assist with fieldwork next season
  • Team planning end-of-season gathering on December 13th at a gluten-free brewery in Saint Paul

37.1.2 2. GIS and Mapping Progress (Patty’s Update)

37.1.2.1 Current Work

  • Using Hennepin County as test case for geomorphic surface mapping
  • Analyzing three main reference sources:
    1. USGS data for Hennepin County
    2. Minnesota DNR land type associations
    3. Howard Hobbs surficial geology maps

37.1.2.2 Key Geographic Features Identified

  • Des Moines lobe till (western portion)
  • Sandy outwash terrace areas
  • Hopkins Moraine
  • Maple Plain moraine
  • Mississippi River terrace sediments

37.1.2.3 Data Integration Challenges

  • Need to export Survey123 points for analysis
  • Working on permissions issues with data access
  • Planning to create working shapefile for project analysis

37.1.3 3. Data Entry Progress (Nora’s Update)

37.1.3.1 Survey123 Entry Status

  • Completed 9 of 15 targeted pedon descriptions
  • Will complete remaining 6 this week before Thanksgiving
  • Creating documentation of decisions and methodologies in Word document in Box

37.1.3.2 Classification Challenges

  • Currently not including taxonomic information in entries
  • Discussion about whether to classify pedons in initial entry
  • Agreement to attempt classifications for remaining 6 entries
  • Acknowledged difficulty with HTM (Human Transported Material) classification

37.1.4 4. Quality Control Process

37.1.4.1 Current Status

  • Ryder will assist Patty with QC process
  • First batch will serve as test case for methodology
  • Team discussing how to handle classification during QC
  • Planning to document process for future reference

37.1.5 5. Sample Processing Update

  • Undergrad students beginning sample processing
  • Currently hand-processing samples
  • May transition to mechanical grinding
  • Focusing on preserving coarse fragments during processing

37.2 Action Items

37.2.1 For Nora

  1. Complete remaining 6 pedon descriptions before Thanksgiving
  2. Send historical point data to Patty
  3. Continue documenting classification decisions
  4. Meet with Nic regarding:
    • Survey123 modifications
    • Data export permissions
    • Land use classification options

37.2.2 For Patty

  1. Continue GIS analysis of geomorphic surfaces
  2. Coordinate with Rider on QC methodology
  3. Contact Randy about December 10th meeting agenda
  4. Compile team questions for Randy

37.2.3 For Team

  1. Prepare questions for December 10th meeting with Randy
  2. Review Nora’s documentation in Box
  3. Consider classification methodology going forward

37.3 Upcoming Meetings

  • November 26, 2024 (Thanksgiving week)
  • December 10, 2024 (with Randy)
  • December 13, 2024 (Team social gathering)
  • January meetings to be scheduled

37.4 Technical Decisions and Notes

37.4.1 GIS Framework

  • Using multiple reference layers for analysis:
    • USGS county data
    • DNR land type associations
    • Historical surficial geology maps
  • Need to develop consistent approach for:
    • Parent material classification
    • Land use stratification
    • Point distribution analysis

37.4.2 Classification Protocol

  • Team will attempt classifications going forward
  • Acknowledged challenges with HTM soils
  • Need to develop consistent approach for:
    • Particle size control sections
    • HTM classification
    • Series correlation

37.4.3 Data Management

  • Need to establish process for:
    • Exporting Survey123 data
    • Creating working shapefiles
    • Maintaining version control
    • Documenting decisions

37.5 Additional Notes

37.5.1 Land Use Classification

  • Considering categories:
    • Residential (single family, multi-family)
    • Parks/green spaces
    • Commercial/industrial
    • Construction sites (categorized by intended use); not their own classification

37.5.2 Survey123 Modifications

  • Planning to add land use question
  • Need to ensure modifications don’t affect existing data; will maintain backup before making changes

37.5.3 Quality Control Process

  • Will review first batch as test case
  • Planning to document methodology
  • Will incorporate classification review
  • Focus on consistency in data entry

The next regular team meeting is scheduled for November 26, 2024. The team will continue documentation and preparation for the December 10th meeting with Randy.