Species Options Tool Logic

Printer-friendly version

We are using "and" logic with these forms. For example, if you checkmarked Persistence and Grazing season extension in the forms, only species that are positively indicated for both of these variables will show in Results.

Here is our logic:

Form 1. User-submitted Location

We use the spatial location of the seeding site to derive the following:

  • A map
  • Area (in Ha and Acres)
  • Region (Region is our first filter; species must have the region listed in their regions field.)
  • Is the site in the ALR (or partly in the ALR)? We also provide a link to any ALR poygons that overlap.
  • What soils underly the site? We return the Soils Map Unit Code, and display links to the soils map unit in our database.

Form 2. Site factors

Climatic
  • Drought - if checked, the species must have a drought tolerance of 'M' or 'H'
  • Flooding - if checked, the species must have a flooding tolerance of 'M' or 'H'
  • Severe winters - if checked, the species must have a winter hardiness of 'M' or 'H'
Soil characteristics
  • Acidity - if checked, the species must have an acidity tolerance of 'H'
  • Salinity - if checked, the species must have a salinity tolerance of 'H'
  • Fine soils - if checked, the species must have a soil texture preference of 'F' or 'FM' or 'ALL'
  • Coarse soils - if checked, the species must have a soil texture preference of 'C' or 'MC' or 'ALL'
  • *If both Fine and Coarse are selected, the species must have a soil texture preference of 'ALL' or 'ANY'
Plant characteristics
  • Ease of establishment - if checked, the species must have an acidity tolerance of 'M' or 'H'
  • Longevity - if checked, the species must have a longevity rating of 'M' or 'H'
  • Persistence - if checked, the species must have a spersistence rating of 'M' or 'H'
  • Competitiveness - if checked, the species must have an competitivness of 'M' or 'H'
  • Weed resistance - if checked, the species must have weed resistance of 'M' or 'H'

Suitability & Adaptation Ratings
L = Low
M = Moderate
H = High

Soil Texture Ratings
A = All Textures
C = Coarse textured
MC = Medium to Coarse textured
M = Medium textured
FM = Fine to Medium textured
F = Fine textured

Form 3. Seeding Objectives
If any of the following are checked, the species must have that objective in the species' Typical uses field.
Note: If more than one objective is selected, then species must have ALL of the objectives the user selects.
  • Forage enhancement
  • Invasive plant suppression
  • Erosion control
  • Soil improvement
  • Grazing season extension
  • Native plant community
  • Vegetation control
  • Sociocultural and/or aesthetic

Seeding Objective Descriptions

Forage enhancement – to improve forage quantity and quality for livestock and/or wildlife.
Invasive plant suppression – to suppress or prevent spread of invasive or weedy plants.
Erosion control – to encourage soil stabilization and prevent soil erosion.
Soil Improvement – to improve soil nutrient or physical properties.
Grazing season extension – to lengthen the use period or to extend the grazing season for livestock and/or wildlife.
Native plant community – to maintain or move toward the potential natural community (PNC) for a site.
Vegetation control – to influence or change plant succession on a site.
Sociocultural and/or aesthetic – to enhance or support cultural values or to meet aesthetic requirements.

Form 3b. Seeding Sub-objective: Hay/Pasture
If you selected forage enhancement, then we run an additional filter.
  • Hay - if checked, the species must have a hay/pasture rating of '1'  (good for hay)
  • Pasture - if checked, the species must have a hay/pasture rating of '2'  (good for pasture)
  • Silage - if checked, the species must have a hay/pasture rating of '3'  (good for silage)
  • Range - if checked, the species must have a hay/pasture rating of '4'  (good for range)
  • Wildlife - if checked, the species must have a hay/pasture rating of '5'  (good for wildlife)