United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Research & Development

Southern Research Station

General Technical Report SRS-186

Emrys Treasure, Steven McNulty, Jennifer Moore Myers, and Lisa Nicole Jennings

TACCIMO User Guide 2.2

Template for Assessing 

Climate Change Impacts 

& Management Options

A partnership product of the Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center, the Western Wildland Environmental 

Threat Assessment Center, and the National Forest System of the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Authors:

Emrys Treasure, Biological Scientist; Steven McNulty, Supervisory Ecologist; Jennifer Moore 

Myers, Resource Information Specialist, U.S. Forest Service, Southern Research Station, Eastern 

Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center, 920 Main Campus Drive, Suite 300, Raleigh, 

NC 27606; and Lisa Nicole Jennings, Climate Change Outreach Specialist, North Carolina State 

University, College of Natural Resources, Department of Forest and Environmental Resources, 

Campus Box 8008, Raleigh, NC 27695.

TACCIMO Development Team (in addition to authors listed above): Chris Liggett, Planning 

Director; David Meriwether, Ecosystem Management Coordinator; Paul Arndt, Regional 

Planner, U.S. Forest Service, Southern Region, 1720 Peachtree Road NW, Suite 811N, Atlanta, 

GA 30309; Nancy Grulke, Director, Lisa Balduman, Technical Information Specialist, U.S. 

Forest Service, Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Center, 3160 NE Third 

Street, Prineville, OR 97754; and Robert Herring, IT Specialist, U.S. Forest Service, Southern 

Research Station, Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center, 920 Main Campus 

Drive, Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27606.

January 2014

Southern Research Station

200 W.T. Weaver Blvd.

Asheville, NC 28804

www.srs.fs.usda.gov

Cover: Mature bottomland hardwood forest. (U.S. Forest Service)

Product Disclaimer: The use of trade or firm names in this publication 

is for reader information and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture of any product or service. 
TACCIMO User Guide 2.2

Template for Assessing 

Climate Change Impacts 

& Management Options

Emrys Treasure, Steven McNulty, Jennifer Moore Myers, and Lisa Nicole Jennings
taccimo user guide 2 .2

Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Rationale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Inputs and Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Key Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Decision-Supporting Process Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Navigating and Using TACCIMO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Navigation Tab: About . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Navigation Tab: Explore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Navigation Tab: Generate A Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Navigation Tab: Contact Us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Explore and Report Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Explore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Purpose and Terms of Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

General Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Terms of Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Literature Cited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Appendix A: Strategic Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Appendix B: Content Production System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Science: Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Science: Geospatial—Projections and Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Science: Geospatial—Contextual and Complementary Data . . . . . . . . 28

Planning: Desired Conditions, Objectives, and Design Criteria . . . . . . 29

Other Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Appendix C: Decision-Support Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 
int r o d uction

Abstract

The Template for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Management Options (TACCIMO) 

is a Web-based tool developed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture to assist 

Federal, State, and private land managers and planners with evaluation of climate change science 

implications for sustainable natural resource management. TACCIMO is a dynamic information 

framework focused on assisting natural resource professionals with the integration of climate 

change into decision-support processes. A searchable repository of peer-reviewed climate change 

literature on effects and management options is accessible through a Web-based tool. A geospatial 

mapping application provides high-resolution climate data and other spatially explicit models 

relevant to evaluating climate change impacts on forests through modeling. Report generators assist 

users in capturing outputs specific to a given location and resource area in a consistent, organized 

manner. For Forest Service users, science findings can be readily linked with management 

conditions and capabilities from national forest land and resource management plans. Collectively, 

the TACCIMO tools provide a fast, concise, and creditable starting point to guide critical thinking, 

additional analysis, and expert consultation supportive of resource management decisionmaking.

Keywords: Climate change, decision support, forest planning, technology transfer.

Introduction

The Template for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Management Options 

(TACCIMO; http://www.forestthreats.org/taccimotool) is a Web-based tool 

for technology transfer and science-management integration. This interactive 

resource provides landowners, managers, and planners with comprehensive 

summaries of the climate change science needed to assess, manage, and 

monitor forest resources. The goal is to develop and implement technology, in 

turn fostering informed and transparent interactions between scientists, forest 

managers, and the public. Connecting planning with climate change science 

enables planners and managers to efficiently consider current management 

capabilities, reconcile them with scientific findings, and validate or modify 

management direction.

This guide is designed and written to assist professional users (e.g., forest 

planners, extension professionals) who are familiar with natural resource 

concepts and the role that science plays in decision support. For interested 

lay audiences, there is specific information, including videos and help 

documentation, imbedded in the TACCIMO Web site. The body of this guide 

includes introductory information covering the TACCIMO concept, step-bystep instructions with screen captures, detailed descriptions of outputs, and 

general terms of use. Supplemental information that is potentially important, 

but not essential, is available in a series of appendices. Strategic context is 

discussed in appendix A, content development methods are shown in appendix 

B, and examples of connections with specific decision-support frameworks are 

given in appendix C.

Although this guide wholly represents the functionality and organization of 

TACCIMO’s current version, the content within the tool is constantly evolving. 

TACCIMO User Guide 2.2

Template for Assessing 

Climate Change Impacts 

& Management Options

Emrys Treasure, Steven McNulty, Jennifer Moore Myers, and Lisa Nicole Jennings
taccimo user guide 2 .2

2

TACCIMO is more fully developed for certain regions and subjects than for 

others, and content development is prioritized based on users’ needs. As a result, 

certain regions and subjects contain considerable breadth and depth of coverage; 

others may include only very general information or are omitted altogether. At 

the time of publication of this user guide (December, 2013), U.S. Department of 

Agriculture Forest Service Regions 8 (Southern), 9 (Eastern), and 5 (California) 

are most fully represented across all content types. However, all regions are 

represented in TACCIMO’s content, as there is a great deal of information across 

subjects that is generally relevant at a national extent.

Rationale

There is an ever-increasing volume of useful scientific knowledge about 

climate change effects and management options for forest ecosystems. In 

addition, information transfer mechanisms specifically focused on climate 

change implications for natural resource management are needed (app. A). 

The combined volume of existing information, rate of development of new 

information, and limited standardized transfer mechanisms make efficient 

access and use difficult. TACCIMO accesses this abundance of information 

and focuses on what forest planners and managers need. TACCIMO’s 

flexible framework allows new information to be added routinely and 

existing information to be reorganized. Automated features add value to the 

information by combining relevant content both within science (i.e., linking 

effects and management options) and between science and planning. In 

addition, spatial data help users ask informed questions and quickly derive 

results specific to their location.

Identifying Problems and Connecting Solutions—A major challenge in 

applying science to support planning and management decisions is the need to 

readily connect effects of climate change with appropriate management options. 

These key pieces of information are not always addressed together in scientific 

literature. TACCIMO helps remedy this problem by systematically associating 

effects and management options from different sources and compiling them into 

a single reference resource based on simple methods and criteria.

Linking Science with Planning—The Forest Service has developed a wealth 

of forest management knowledge in the form of forest plans. These plans include 

desired conditions as well as more specific objectives and design criteria that 

guide the forest toward sustainability. Similarly, the scientific understanding 

of climate change is a maturing discipline that is working to address forest 

management information needs. TACCIMO facilitates this connection by 

directly linking scientific and land management planning information based on 

subject. The ability to readily relate this information supports a standardized and 

repeatable approach to assessing management conditions and emerging science 

in an adaptive management context (see app. C).

Establishing the Range of Future Climate—For the purposes of planning 

and forest management, it is important to know the likely range of projected 

climate change. However, it is time-consuming and difficult to navigate the 

many projections at different temporal and geographic points. TACCIMO 

simplifies this process by identifying a set of projections that mark the bounds 

of future climate specific to a location in the context of regional and national 

trends. In addition, TACCIMO provides access to derivative models that help 

users evaluate the impacts of climate change on ecosystem characteristics and 

functions.

Inputs and Outputs

The TACCIMO Web site provides the interface for accessing science (geospatial 

maps and literature) and planning content through exploration and report 

generation tools (fig. 1). The Web site also serves as an efficient means for 

connecting users with TACCIMO support services and links to other external 

resources. This section briefly describes TACCIMO inputs and outputs (refer to 

app. B for detailed descriptions).

Inputs—Content is structured around a dynamic science delivery framework 

containing three general content areas:

Science: Geospatial (maps)—Geospatial science includes temperature 

and precipitation data from a range of global climate models (GCMs) and 

emissions scenarios. Derivative models, which use climate as an input 

parameter and project ecosystem changes, are also included. Natural 

resource context layers (e.g., ecoregions, watersheds) are included to allow 

users to explore geospatial content with familiar context.

Science: Literature—Literature-based science includes an extensive 

and growing inventory of peer-reviewed literature capturing highlighted 

quotations describing climate change effects and management options. 

The literature inventory provides users with subject and geographically 

organized literature supporting further review and analysis.
3

int r o d uction

USDA FS Forest Planning—Forest plan components, the decision 

elements of forest planning, are organized and compiled for selected 

regions of the National Forest System (NFS). With this resource, users 

can readily evaluate climate change implications for existing management 

direction and capabilities.

Outputs—The public-facing TACCIMO Web site offers informative views in 

two key functionality areas:

Explore—The Explore module enables easy, intuitive user orientation and 

self-education.

• Literature Explorer has two modules; one enables review and 

interactive filtering by subject, the other by geographic region.

• Forest Plan Explorer enables review and interactive filtering of forest 

plan components.

• GIS Viewer enables review of climate data, including interactive tools 

and relevant context layers.

Generate A Report—The Generate A Report module produces structured 

and exportable documents through a series of basic selections.

• Climate Report produces a summary of projected future climate at the 

national, regional, State, county, and national forest extents focused on 

capturing the range of potential change.

• Literature Report builds a custom report of highlighted science.

• Literature and Planning Report adds relevant NFS plan components to 

the highlighted science. The Planning Report allows for report generation 

from NFS plan content independent of science content selections.

Key Definitions

TACCIMO uses terms that have specialized meaning in this context, despite 

being commonly used words with generally understood definitions. These terms 

describe and organize the literature-based content and are defined briefly here 

(alphabetically) to aid users in interpreting the remainder of this guide (refer to app. 

B for additional detail):

Category—A more specific grouping system within factors in TACCIMO’s 

hierarchical organization. For example, the factor air quality contains ozone, 

nitrogen, and mercury categories. Categories assist users in narrowing content 

selections to those most relevant to their particular needs.

Figure 1—Conceptual diagram depicting the inputs and 

outputs of the TACCIMO system.
taccimo user guide 2 .2

4

Content Resolution—This description captures the level of detail expressed in 

an effect or management option. Content resolution supports the relationshipbuilding process between effects and management options and plays a role in 

report organization.

General—For use during strategic planning, but typically lacks actionable 

information and is primarily useful in evaluating and formulating desired 

conditions.

Moderately Specific—Supports information needs related to maintaining 

ecosystem processes, functions, and health and is primarily useful in 

evaluating and formulating objectives that lead toward desired conditions. 

Quotations contain species-, location-, or time-specific details or quantify 

impacts.

Specific—Supports information needs at an operational level, including 

ecosystem process, habitat, and species-specific information and is useful 

in formulating design criteria that comply with objectives. Quotations 

contain species-, location-, or time-specific details and quantify impacts.

Effects—Highlighted quotations from scientific literature that describe the 

likely direct and indirect effects of climate change. Each effect is grouped by 

factor, category, region, and content resolution and is linked to source literature, 

supporting literature, and interacting factors (interactions).

Factors—Broadly defined subject areas that organize TACCIMO’s content 

around themes significant to resource management with climate change impact 

implications.

Interactions—The influences of factors on each other in ways that may 

exacerbate or offset a given impact. Each factor in the TACCIMO system is 

linked to other factors that the literature suggests may interact.

Management Options—Quotations from scientific literature that describe 

practices of various scale intended to abate negative impacts and take advantage 

of opportunities where they exist. Each management option is grouped by factor, 

category, and region and is linked to source and supporting literature.

Region—A geographic reference describing the extent of application assigned to 

effects and management options.

Source Literature—The originator of the published research about effects 

and management options that are quoted directly from peer-reviewed scientific 

journal articles and synthesis reports.

Supporting Literature—Publication(s) about effects and management options 

that source literature quotes through in-text citations in support of its research. 

These citations extend the credibility of a given claim and point users to 

additional sources of more detailed or related information.

Decision-Supporting Process Connections

Professional natural resource managers and planners use a variety of 

decisionmaking frameworks across organizations and decision types. 

Decisionmaking frameworks are process driven and frequently require 

documented review of best available science. For Federal agencies, the science 

must be subject to a formal peer-review process to be considered (Office of 

Management and Budget 2002). A major strategic challenge that arises from 

the resulting widespread information demand is formulating and deploying 

technology transfer mechanisms that are compatible with multiple decision types 

and decisionmaking frameworks. A decision-support framework represents 

formal critical thinking (e.g., risk assessment) that involves assigning weights 

to evidence. The discussion in this section places TACCIMO in a generalized 

decision-support context (see app. C for additional examples).
5

int r o d uction

General Decision Support—TACCIMO addresses information needs 

in a flexible manner that is not specific to any particular decisionmaking 

framework. Figure 2 depicts connections between TACCIMO and a generalized 

decision-support framework representing the critical stages and elements of 

decision-making (after Hammond and others 1999). TACCIMO contributes 

to the problem-structuring stage of the decision-support framework through 

intermediate literature and plan analysis processes:

Literature Analysis—The consideration of scientific knowledge is 

an essential input when properly defining or framing a management 

problem. This information is typically acquired, at least initially, through 

a literature review. It is important to note that weighting of individual 

pieces of evidence is done not by TACCIMO, but by the decisionmaker 

and the multiple participants of the decision-support process. For this 

reason, we term this critical thinking process a literature analysis rather 

than a review. The literature analysis is a more basic process that produces 

individual lines of evidence without any relative weight. TACCIMO 

literature and geospatial resources provide a starting point for this process, 

which when conducted properly provides an objective information basis, 

including identification of problem triggers, constraints, essential elements, 

dependencies, and scope (Hammond and others 1999). This objective 

information basis prepares the decisionmaker to effectively engage the 

public and local experts through a process that weighs the evidence 

within the broader context of the management decision, often using best 

professional judgment and other more qualitative methods (Linkov and 

others 2009).

Plan Review—Land management decisions are often conducted within 

the framework of a comprehensive plan, typically expressed in terms 

of vision, strategy, and criteria that apply to the management area 

or operational practice in question. TACCIMO planning resources 

prime the plan review process for Forest Service users in participating 

NFS regions by presenting potential science-planning relationships. 

In addition, planning information helps identify potential objectives 

and criteria. Clearly defined objectives and criteria are essential for 

identifying information needs, communicating with stakeholders, and 

weighting the importance of the decision (Hammond and others 1999).

Figure 2—Flow diagram representing TACCIMO 

connections with a generalized decision-support 

framework (after Hammond and others [1999]).
taccimo user guide 2 .2

6

Navigating and Using TACCIMO

TACCIMO is a suite of Web-based tools that enable users to explore content and 

generate reports. Selecting the appropriate tool depends on the information and 

documentation requirement. Each navigation area is described in brief below 

(fig. 3) with detailed instructions for each tool in following sections. All tools and 

resources are available by visiting the following URL: http://www.forestthreats.

org/taccimotool. 

NOTE—The TACCIMO Web site is optimized for Microsoft Internet Explorer®

version 6 or greater as viewed on a display with a minimum resolution of 800 by 

600 pixels.

The About interface provides users with supporting information, including 

training videos and instructional materials, overview of content sources, and 

links to other resources and case studies.

Overview Video—An orientation to TACCIMO use and navigation in less than 

5 minutes and a good place for new users to start. Shorter and more detailed 

videos are also available for each of TACCIMO’s specific tools.

How To Use TACCIMO—TACCIMO documentation, consisting of this user 

guide, quick start guides, and a list of all help videos and text. Every page that 

contains functionality is accompanied by four buttons for quick access to helpful 

information relevant to that part of TACCIMO (fig. 4).

Figure 4—Buttons that enable quick access to help 

text, a quick-start video, a feedback form, and a 

general disclaimer.

Figure 3—Overview of TACCIMO navigation with general 

description for each navigation area utility.

Navigation Tab: About
7

na v igation

Content Sources—Catalog of available climate change literature:

Step 1—Hover over the About navigation dropdown menu. Select Content 

Sources (fig. 5: A).

Step 2—Search for a keyword or phrase in the full citation by entering text 

in the search field (fig. 5: B), then hit [Enter] or select Contains from the 

search dropdown. Filter records by lead author, journal, or publication date by 

selecting from the dropdown lists (fig. 5: C).

Step 3—To search for the full publication, select the Search For Publication

link (fig. 5: D).

Step 4—Click the expand arrow to retrieve Effect and Management Option

records obtained from the corresponding publication (fig. 5: E).

Other Resources—Links to relevant tools and information that are not directly 

used in TACCIMO.

In The News—Important announcements and events associated with 

TACCIMO, including training opportunities, TACCIMO appearances at 

meetings, and other newsworthy information.

Case Studies—Examples of how TACCIMO could be or has been applied to a 

variety of information needs ranging in complexity from forest plan revisions to 

self-education.

Figure 5—Screen capture of Content Sources page with 

key functionality elements indicated with arrows.
taccimo user guide 2 .2

8

The Explore interface allows users to browse TACCIMO and become familiar 

with the type of information available and the organizational system in use. 

NOTE: This interface does not track users’ selections or generate reports.

Literature Explorer: Factors—Access to literature content organized around 

broad subject areas called factors.

Step 1—Hover over the Explore navigation dropdown menu and select 

Literature Explorer: Factors (fig. 6: A).

Step 2—Click the expand arrow (fig. 6: B) to view additional information 

about each Factor. There are five tabs nested under each Factor:

• Description (fig. 6: C) contains a general overview of content within 

the Factor.

• Components (fig. 6: D), Categories (fig. 6: E), and Regions (fig. 6: F) 

provide different content views:

– The Components tab is the most inclusive, both in content and 

functionality, and will be discussed in detail in subsequent 

steps.

– Categories and Regions summarize the subjects and geographic 

coverage found within each Factor. Selecting one of the links 

pre-filters the records based on the selection.

• Interacting Factors (fig. 6: G) contains a list of other Factors cited to 

interact with the selected Factor.

Step 3—Select the Components tab. There are four main content views 

under the Components tab:

• Effects returns selected quotations describing effects of climate 

change and enables searching and filtering by keyword, Category, 

and Region (for more information, see step 4).

• Management Options returns selected quotations describing 

abatement activities and enables searching and filtering by keyword, 

Category, and Region (for more information, see step 4).

• Content Sources returns citations specific to the selected Factor (see 

instruction under About, Content Sources above).

• Supporting Literature lists the complete citation for all 

parenthetically referenced literature contained within the Factor.

Navigation Tab: explore

Figure 6—Screen capture of Literature Explorer: Factors 

page with key functionality elements indicated with 

arrows.
9

na v igation

Step 4—Click the Effects link (fig. 6: H):

• Sort records by clicking on the column label (Fig. 7: A).

• Search for a keyword or phrase by entering text in the search field 

(fig. 7: B). Then hit [Enter] or select Contains from the search 

dropdown.

• Filter records by Region or Category, or both, by selecting the 

geographic area or subject of interest from the dropdown lists (fig. 7: 

C).

• View the source citation for each record by clicking the Source link 

(fig. 7: D).

Step 5—Click the expand arrow (fig. 7: E) associated with each Effect

to view related Management Options, Supporting Literature, and 

Interactions. As with Effects, Management Option source citations are 

available by clicking the Source link (fig. 7: F). Supporting Literature and 

Interactions listed are specific to the selected Effect (fig. 7: G).

Note—Steps 4 and 5 use the Effects explorer to describe functionality 

found in the other Explore utilities. The Management Options explorer 

works exactly the same way but returns Management Option records as 

the top layer of content (with related Effects listed under the expanded 

view). Links found on the Category and Region tabs always begin with 

Effects, but provide different ways to pre-filter records. Figure 7—Screen capture of Literature Explorer: Factors 

page with key functionality elements indicated with 

arrows.
taccimo user guide 2 .2

10

Literature Explorer: Geographic Region—Access to science content derived 

from literature reviews and organized around hierarchical geographic regions.

Step 1—Under the Explore navigation dropdown menu select Literature 

Explorer: Geographic Region (fig. 8: A).

Step 2—Click on a Region name (fig. 8-B) to view records associated with 

that geographic area. Sort records by clicking on the column label 

(fig. 9: A). Search for a keyword or phrase by entering text in the search 

field (fig. 9: B), then hit [Enter] or select Contains from the search 

dropdown. Filter records by Category or Factor, or both, by selecting the 

subject of interest from the dropdown lists (fig. 9: C). View the source 

citation for each record by clicking the Source link (fig. 9: D).

Step 3—Click the expand arrow (fig. 9: E) associated with each Effect

to view related Management Options, Supporting Literature, and 

Interactions. As with Effects, Management Option source citations are 

available by clicking the Source link (fig. 9: F). Supporting Literature and

Interactions listed are specific to the selected Effect (fig. 9: G).

Figure 8—Screen capture of Literature Explorer: 

Geographic Region page with key functionality elements 

indicated with arrows.

Figure 9—Screen capture of Literature Explorer: 

Geographic Region page with key functionality elements 

indicated with arrows.
11

na v igation

Forest Plan Explorer—Access to land and resource management plan 

components for participating regions of the Forest Service.

Step 1—Under the Explore navigation dropdown menu select Forest Plan 

Explorer (fig. 10: A).

Step 2—Click a national forest name (date of latest plan version is 

indicated in parentheses) to view associated records (fig. 10: B).

Step 3—Click on each tab to view the different components (fig. 11: A). 

Sort records by clicking on the column label (fig. 11: B). Search for a 

keyword or phrase by entering text in the search field (fig. 11: C), then hit 

[Enter] or select Contains from the search dropdown. Filter records by 

plan Heading or related literature Factor, or both, by selecting the subject 

of interest from the dropdown lists (fig. 11: D).

Figure 10—Screen capture of Forest Plan Explorer page 

with key functionality elements indicated with arrows.

Figure 11—Screen capture of Forest Plan Explorer page 

with key functionality elements indicated with arrows.
taccimo user guide 2 .2

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GIS Viewer—Interactive access to climate change projections, derivative 

models, and natural resource context layers. Figure 12 shows the layout of the 

GIS Viewer, including the menu bar along the top and the Map Layers and Map 

Tools accordions, which are described in more detail in subsequent sections.

Map Layers: Selecting Layers and Setting Layer Properties—The Map 

Layers accordion (fig. 13) contains all of the layers available for viewing:

• Selecting Layers—Map Layer accordions expand, revealing the layers 

contained within when the accordion’s name (e.g., Base Layers) is 

selected. Map layers are displayed on the map in the order they are 

listed in the accordion (layers at the top are drawn on top of layers at the 

bottom).

• Layer Properties—Map Layer accordions contain multiple map layers 

that may be turned on or off by selecting the corresponding light bulb. 

As such, it may be necessary to make opaque layers translucent by 

using the Layer Properties utility. The Layer Properties utility also 

contains the option for layer data to be returned in Identify queries 

(default is to include layer in Identify results).

Figure 12—Overview of GIS Viewer layout, navigation, 

and utilities.

Figure 13—Overview 

of GIS Viewer Map 

Layers accordion.
13

na v igation

Map Tools: Legend, Climate Report, and Print Tools—The Map Tools 

accordion (fig. 14) contains the Legend, Climate Report Generator, and

Print Map utility:

• Legend—The maps Legend is the top accordion in Map Tools. The 

Legend contains key information about layers currently selected and 

displayed on the map. Layers turned on can be cleared (turned off) by 

clicking on them. To turn a layer back on, click on the light bulb next to 

the layer.

• Climate Report—Considering differences among GCMs and 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emissions 

scenarios is challenging but critical to understanding the full range of 

potential future climate anticipated for a given location. The full range 

of potential future climate is represented by different combinations of 

GCMs and scenarios depending on the scale, location, and variable 

(precipitation or temperature). Although most or all of the climate data 

available through the TACCIMO GIS Viewer can be summarized in 

tables and graphs, maps are better at depicting spatial variability. The 

Climate Report function will generate a standard report describing 

national, regional, and location-specific (State, county, or national 

forest) trends and boundaries in projected climate.

• To produce a climate report, enter a State, county, or national forest 

name in the text box and select Run Report. A couple of important 

items to be aware of when generating geospatial reports are: 

1. It may take several minutes to run the report, depending on the 

number of other users accessing the system; and 

2. The report explains the content, so the explanation is not repeated 

in this user guide.

• Print Map—Because the Climate Report generates a standard set of 

maps, it may be necessary to capture custom maps as viewed in the 

map window. This feature allows for capture of content not available in 

the Climate Report. Examples include custom maps containing specific 

context layers as well as other model data (e.g., Water Supply Stress 

Index) not available in the standard report. To produce a custom map:

1. Set the map view to the area of interest.

2. Select layers of interest and set transparency as needed.

3. In the Print Map accordion:

a. Select the desired page orientation (Landscape or Portrait).

b. Provide a map title.

4. Select the Set Map Size button to preview the extent of the map as it 

will appear when exported.

5. Select the Export Map button to complete the exporting process. It 

may be necessary to select the Restore Map button to return map 

window to original size.

• Export Map to JPG—The map view and legend may also be exported 

directly as a JPG image by using the Export Map to JPG utility located 

beneath the Print Map utility. Select Export Map or Export Legend and 

then click the Export button, which will prompt you to open or save.

Figure 14—Overview of GIS Viewer Map Tools 

accordion.
taccimo user guide 2 .2

14

The Generate A Report interface allows users to document and export content 

found in TACCIMO in preferred formats. The report interface parallels the 

Explore interface and enables quick summarization of information to help guide 

additional analysis and expert consultation.

Climate Report—A PDF report outlining the full range of potential future 

climate represented by different combinations of GCMs and scenarios. The 

Climate Report function will generate a standard report that describes national, 

regional, and location-specific (State, county, or national forest) trends and 

boundaries in climate.

Step 1—Hover over the Generate A Report navigation dropdown menu 

and select Climate Report (fig. 15: A).

Step 2—Enter a State, county, or national forest name in the text box (fig. 

15: B) and click Run Report (fig. 15: C). A couple of items to be aware of 

when generating climate reports are:

• It may take several minutes to run the report, depending on the 

number of other users accessing the system.

• The report explains the content, so the explanation is not repeated in 

this user guide.

Literature Report—An exportable report from the science literature content 

based on a series of user-defined selections. The objective is to quickly and 

efficiently capture a logically organized snapshot of content in TACCIMO 

specific to a resource management area and geographic location.

Step 1—Hover over the Generate a Report navigation dropdown menu 

and select Literature Report (fig. 16: A).

Step 2—Select one or more general subjects of interest from the Select 

Factors dropdown menu (fig. 16: B) that are relevant to the management 

activity or information need.

Step 3—Select one or more specific subjects from the Select Categories

dropdown menu (fig. 16: C). Categories listed are populated based on 

Factors selected in the previous step.

Navigation Tab: Generate a report

Figure 15—Screen capture of Climate Report page with key functionality 

elements indicated with arrows.

Figure 16—Screen capture of Literature Report page 

with key functionality elements indicated with arrows.
15

na v igation

Step 4—Select one or more geographic areas from the Select Region

dropdown menu (fig. 16: D). TACCIMO Regions reflect a hierarchical 

organization system (described previously), and it is appropriate in most 

cases to select more than one Region to capture all of the content relevant to 

a location. The “National” Region is selected by default.

Step 5—Select one or more levels of detail from the Select Resolutions

dropdown menu (fig. 16: E). Content Resolution enables users to control 

the amount of detail provided in the report at three different levels 

(general, moderate, specific). All three levels are selected by default.

Step 6—Click the Run Report button (fig. 16: F) to preview the report 

content and organization in the frame below the report controls. Use the 

report controls to navigate through the report preview and export it by 

selecting from the Format dropdown menu and then clicking the Export

link (fig. 16: G).

Literature and Planning Report—An exportable report from the science 

literature and planning content based on a series of user-defined selections. The 

objective is to quickly and efficiently capture a logically organized snapshot of 

content in TACCIMO specific to a resource management area and geographic 

location.

NOTE—Steps 2-5 are the same as for the stand-alone Literature Report

described in the previous section. Only the modified and additional steps are 

included.

Step 1—Hover over the Generate a Report navigation dropdown menu 

and select Literature and Planning Report (fig. 17: A).

Steps 2-5—Follow steps 2-5 for Literature Report above (fig. 17: B-E).

Step 6—Select one or more forest plans from the Select National Forest

dropdown menu (fig. 17: F).

Step 7—Click the Run Report button (fig. 17: G) to preview the report 

content and organization in the frame below the report controls. Use the 

report controls to navigate through the Report Preview and export it by 

selecting from the Format dropdown menu and then clicking the Export

link (fig. 17: H).

Figure 17—Screen capture of Literature and Planning 

Report page with key functionality elements indicated 

with arrow.
taccimo user guide 2 .2

16

Planning Report—An exportable report for NFS planning content based on a 

series of user-defined selections. The objective is to provide a quick reference 

guide with forest planning language independent of TACCIMO factors.

Step 1—Hover over the Generate a Report navigation dropdown menu 

and select Planning Report (fig. 18: A).

Step 2—Select one or more forest plans from the National Forest

dropdown menu (fig. 18: B).

Step 3—Include one or more forest plan component types by clicking the 

corresponding button (fig. 18: C).

Step 4—Click the Run Report button (fig. 18: D) to preview the report 

content and organization in the frame below the report controls. Use the 

report controls to navigate through the report preview and export it by 

selecting from the Format dropdown menu and then clicking the Export

link (fig. 18: E).

The Contact Us area provides users with mechanisms for giving feedback and 

obtaining support.

Provide Feedback—A feedback form allows users to provide information about 

themselves, site functionality, and site content.

Development Team—Contact information is listed for key TACCIMO team 

members for providing direct feedback to TACCIMO leadership and support 

staff.

Figure 18—Screen capture of Planning Report page with 

key functionality elements indicated with arrows. Navigation Tab: contact us
17

e x plo r e & r epo r t outputs

Explore and Report Outputs

The inputs described in detail in the previous section are compiled in Explore

and Report modules, providing users with both flexible and structured access 

options. The placement of content elements in each module offers a spectrum 

of organization that reinforces the underlying science-management integration 

objectives of TACCIMO. In addition, the output products are designed to 

complement each other and the external decision-support process (fig. 19). This 

section describes placement of content elements in outputs but does not describe 

content production methods, element definitions, or functionality descriptions 

(refer to the previous section and to app. C).

Explore

The Explore modules provide Web-based access to the TACCIMO information 

framework. The user’s experience is intended to be intuitive, relying on 

hierarchical content organization to navigate content based on familiar subject 

matter and geographic designations. The Explore interface is typically used 

for becoming familiar with content, leading to report generation. However, the 

Explore modules may be revisited after a report is generated to focus on specific 

content through their unique word search function.

Literature Explorer—The two Literature Explorer applications display content 

organized by subject (factors) and by geographic extent (region). Both explorers 

are based on the same underlying elements but differ in the initial content 

organization. The Factors Explorer displays all of the content within a single 

factor, allowing for interactive filtering by selected combinations of category, 

region, or user-defined words. The Regions Explorer displays all of the effects 

within a single region, allowing for interactive filtering by selected combinations 

of factor, category, or user-defined words (fig. 19).

About: Content Sources—The Content Sources application under 

the About navigation dropdown (also depicted in fig. 5) contains 

complementary capabilities specific to source literature citations, including 

the ability to retrieve original journal articles through Google ScholarTM

and view effects or management options from a particular source.

Forest Plan Explorer—The Forest Plan Explorer application displays forest 

plan content organized by national forest. Once a national forest of interest is 

selected, users can filter components by plan heading, related literature factor, 

and user-defined words (fig. 19).

GIS Viewer—The GIS Viewer application displays climate data and derivative 

models with relevant natural resource context layers. Theme and map layer 

selections made by the user determine the content available for display and 

what is drawn on the map, respectively. Custom maps can be captured for use in 

external products through Print and Export features (fig. 19).

Figure 19—Simplified flow diagram representing the 

structure and placement of content elements within 

Explore modules.
taccimo user guide 2 .2

18

Reports

The Report modules capture inputs as structured and exportable documents 

that are readily transferable to support external review. The reports represent a 

snapshot of TACCIMO content at the time of the user’s interaction and can be 

compared with future reports and Explore interactions.

Climate Report—The Climate Report generator application identifies 

the range of projected future climate. The report is structured around 

geographic and temporal extents (fig. 20). The report contains a cover page 

with introductory text describing the intent of the report and the sources of 

presented data. An overview of national historic climate is provided, followed 

by projected climate repeated across telescoping geographic scales. Depending 

on the location selected, the report will present a time series for national 

(conterminous United States), regional (Forest Service), and national forest, 

or national, State, and county geographic scales. Each projected climate 

section presents temperature and precipitation in tables, figures, and maps 

with numerical summaries bracketing the hottest/coolest and wettest/driest 

projections available. The report concludes with metadata and interpretive 

guidance.

Figure 20—Diagram depicting the organization layout and 

placement of content elements within the Climate Report.
19

e x plo r e & r epo r t outputs

Literature Report—The Literature Report generator application builds 

a standardized exportable report from the science literature content. The 

report output is prefaced with brief interpretive guidance and a summary of 

the user’s selections. The report follows a nested structure beginning with 

Factors (including a brief abstract) as the most general level of organization 

(fig. 21). Denoted by indentation, the organizational subsections begin with 

Categories, followed by Regions, and then Content Resolution. The paired 

effects and management options are the primary report content. Each effect 

and management option is accompanied by a numerical reference to the source 

literature citation listed at the end of the report. Any supporting literature 

parenthetically cited is also referenced at the end of the report in the Supporting 

Literature section.

Literature and Planning Report—The Literature and Planning Report 

generator builds on the previously described Literature Report by including 

related forest plan content. The Planning Report is included at the end of the 

Literature Report and follows a similar nested structure. It begins with the 

Related Literature factor followed by indented subsections that list the national 

forest name, then the plan heading (fig. 21). Each plan component (Desired 

Condition, Objective, and Design Criteria) is provided as a separate section 

repeating this structure.

Planning Report—The Planning Report generator builds a stand-alone report 

from the planning content following the same structure found in the Literature 

and Planning Report description above (fig. 21). The key difference is that the 

content returned is not restricted to planning content related to selected literature 

factor(s).

Figure 21—Diagram depicting nested organizational layout and 

relative content element placement of the Literature and Planning 

Report. 
taccimo user guide 2 .2

20

Purpose and Terms of Use

General Purpose

The ongoing goals of TACCIMO are to:

• Provide an efficient, dynamic, and value-added set of Web-based tools, 

information, and services designed to support the climate change 

information needs of professional natural resource managers and planners, 

and the public.

• Provide resources that are simple, easy to use, and flexible enough to support 

a range of planning and management disciplines across scales and decisionsupport frameworks.

• Provide a point of initiation in the climate change thought process leading to 

and supporting additional analysis and expert consultation within a broader 

science assessment framework.

Terms of Use

Users must understand the intended uses and limitations of TACCIMO products. 

The following terms of use apply to all TACCIMO content and products:

• It is the responsibility of the user to read this user guide, including sections 

guiding appropriate interpretation of results (this section), and the content 

production section (app. B), which explains how content found in TACCIMO 

is developed.

• TACCIMO provides information to support the initial phase of a more 

comprehensive and rigorous evaluation of climate change within a science 

assessment framework. It is the responsibility of the user to conduct further 

analysis (including review of primary sources) and consultation with experts 

when evaluating TACCIMO results. The exact form of this process will 

vary with the scale and nature of the planning or management activity 

in question, but TACCIMO is an initial step in a more involved decisionsupport process and not a substitute for it.

• TACCIMO is not all-inclusive nor is it fully developed for all geographic 

regions or natural resource management subjects.

• The content produced for TACCIMO is developed from sources of differing 

accuracy, based on modeling or interpretation, and appropriate only at 

certain scales. TACCIMO cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness, 

reliability, or suitability of this information for any particular purpose. 

Using data for purposes other than those for which they were created may 

yield inaccurate or misleading results. TACCIMO is not liable for any 

activity involving this information with respect to losses or damages.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the USDA Forest Service Eastern Forest 

Environmental Threat Assessment Center cooperative agreement 11-CR11330147-016. Federal staff support was provided by the USDA Forest Service 

Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center, Region 8 of the 

National Forest System, Region 5 of the National Forest System, and the Western 

Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Center. 

Content Development: The following individuals are acknowledged for 

contributions to TACCIMO’s literature, geospatial, and planning content 

resources: Anna Barnes, Travis Bolton, John Buckley, Keren Cepero, Sealy 

Chipley, Kelly Cox, Jamison Douglas, Crystal Garcia, Taylor Hescock, Blake 

Jordan, Erik Martinez, Katlin Mooneyham, Carolina Osuna, Anne Riddle, Gena 

Simpson, and Viviana Varela. Ge Sun, Peter Caldwell, and Erika Cohen are 

acknowledged for contributions from the WaSSI model. Louis Iverson, Anantha 

Prasad, and Matt Peters are acknowledged for contributions from the Tree 

and Bird Atlas model. Steve McNulty and Erika Cohen are acknowledged for 

contributions to the Critical Acid Load model.

Web Application Development: The following individuals are 

acknowledged for contributions to TACCIMO’s Web application development: 

Todd Pierce, Jeff Hicks, Caroline Dougherty, Amber Ramirez, John Cobb, and 

Keith Lee. 

Review and Comments: The following groups are acknowledged for 

contributing reviews and comments on TACCIMO products: Region 8 Planning, 

State and Private Forestry, and National Forest System. Richard Haynes, 

William Hubbard, Leslie Boby, and John Pye are acknowledged for their 

thorough and thoughtful review of TACCIMO and this user guide.
21

lite r atu r e C ite d

Literature Cited

American Psychological Association (APA). 2009. Publication Manual of the American 

Psychological Association, Sixth Edition. Washington, DC:American Psychological 

Association. 272 p.

Hammond, J.S.; Keeney, R.L.; Raiffa, H. 1999. Smart choices: a practical guide to 

making better decisions. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press. 244+xii p.

Linkov, I.; Loney, D.; Cormier, S. [and others]. 2009. Weight-of-evidence evaluation in 

environmental assessment: review of qualitative and quantitative approaches. Science 

of the Total Environment. 407: 5199-5205.

McNulty, S.G.; Cohen, E.C.; Moore Myers, J.A. [and others]. 2007. Estimates of critical 

acid loads and exceedances for forest soils across the conterminous United States. 

Environmental Pollution. 149(3): 281-292.

Meehl, G.A.; Covey, C.; Delworth, T. [and others]. 2007. The WCRP CMIP3 multi-model 

dataset: a new era in climate change research. Bulletin of the American Meteorological 

Society. 88: 1383-1394.

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [NEPA]. 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.

Office of Management and Budget. 2002. Guidelines for ensuring and maximizing 

the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information disseminated by Federal 

agencies. http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg_reproducible [Date accessed: 

January 18, 2012].

Prasad, A.M.; Iverson, L.R.; Matthews, S.; Peters, M. 2007. A climate change atlas for 

134 forest tree species of the Eastern United States [Database]. Delaware, OH: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Northern Research Station. Available at 

http://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/atlas/tree [Date accessed: January 15, 2012]. 

Sun, G.S.; McNulty, S.G.; Moore Myers, J.A.; Cohen, E.C. 2008. Impacts of multiple 

stresses on water demand and supply across the Southeastern United States. Journal of 

the American Water Resources Association. 44(6): 1441-1457.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. 2005. Foundations of forest 

planning (vol. 2, version 2.0): building a forest plan. http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nfma/

includes/ffp_vol2ver2_012605.pdf. [Date accessed: January 18, 2012].

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. 2008a. Forest Service strategic 

framework for responding to climate change. http://www.fs.fed.us/climatechange/

documents/strategic-framework-climate-change-1-0.pdf. [Date accessed: January 18, 

2012].

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. 2008b. Foundations of forest 

planning (vol. 1, version 3.1): preparing a forest plan. http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/nfma/

includes/Vol1Ver3_Preparing_a_FP_10102008.pdf. [Date accessed: January 18, 2012].

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. 2010a. Climate change 

considerations in land management plan revisions. http://www.fs.fed.us/ emc/nepa/

climate_change/includes/cc_land_mgmt_plan_rev.pdf. [Date accessed: January 18, 

2012].

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. 2010b. Climate change 

considerations in project level NEPA analysis. http://www.fs.fed.us/emc/ nepa/climate_

change/includes/cc_nepa_guidance.pdf. [Date accessed: January 18, 2012].

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. 2011a. Climate change 

performance scorecard (version 1.3). http://www.fs.fed.us/climatechange/advisor/

scorecard/The-Forest-Service-Climate-Change-Performance-Scorecard.pdf. [Date 

accessed: January 18, 2012].

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. 2011b. National roadmap for 

responding to climate change (FS-957b). http://www.fs.fed.us/climatechange/pdf/

Roadmapfinal.pdf. [Date accessed: January 18, 2012].

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. 2012a. Final programmatic 

environmental impact statement: National Forest System land management planning. 

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5349141.pdf. [Date 

accessed: January 18, 2012].

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. 2012b. National Forest System 

land management planning (final rule and record of decision). Federal Register 

77:68 (April 9, 2012) p.21162. http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/

stelprdb5362536.pdf. [Date accessed: April 10, 2012].
taccimo user gui

de 2 .2

22

Appendix A: 

Strategic Context

In a broad-scale effort to build decision-support capacity with respect to climate 

change, Forest Service (FS) management goals and strategic initiatives call 

for improved technology transfer capabilities. TACCIMO aligns with these 

initiatives, including the Forest Service Strategic Framework for Responding 

to Climate Change (USDA Forest Service 2008a), the National Roadmap for 

Responding to Climate Change (USDA Forest Service 2011b), the Climate 

Change Performance Scorecard (USDA Forest Service 2011a), and the National 

Forest System Land Management Planning (Final Rule and Record of Decision) 

(USDA Forest Service 2012b).

Forest Service Strategic Framework for Responding to Climate Change 

(USDA Forest Service 2008a)—The Framework is composed of seven areas: 

science, adaptation, mitigation, policy, sustainable operations, education, and 

alliances. Central to TACCIMO’s goal is Framework Action 1.1, which specifies 

a need for “mechanisms to ensure a systemic, interactive dialogue between 

researchers, public and private land and resource managers, and other users to 

promote effective climate change science delivery” (USDA Forest Service 2008a: 

14). TACCIMO addresses other identified actions to varying degrees, such as:

Action 1.3—Enhanced methods for moving science into application.

Action 2.3—Assessments and syntheses that will help guide land 

management actions.

Action 4.3—Integrate climate change into agency direction, 

including forest planning.

Action 6.3—Science findings and products, that are easily available, 

for a diverse set of audiences.

National Roadmap for Responding to Climate Change (USDA Forest 

Service 2011b) and Climate Change Performance Scorecard (USDA Forest 

Service 2011a)—Acting as the implementation plan for the Framework, 

the National Roadmap is guiding responses to climate change at multiple 

operational scales across the National Forest System. The Performance 

Scorecard tracks implementation of the Roadmap. TACCIMO most directly 

supports the science-management integration element of the Scorecard’s

engagement dimension, but also contributes to organizational capacity 

(employee education and training) and adaptation (vulnerability assessment, 

adaptation activities, and monitoring) dimensions.
23

appen d ices

Appendix B: 

Content Production System

The content production system works to capture information in an efficient, 

timely manner and ensure the availability and creditability of information across 

content types within the TACCIMO framework. The production methods for 

information in each content area are discussed in subsequent sections, including 

descriptions of the content elements, organization, development, metadata, and 

review and maintenance protocols.

Science: Literature

Literature-based science includes quotations derived from peer-reviewed 

literature that describe effects of climate change and potential management 

options. Table B.1 provides a brief overview of the data elements that constitute 

TACCIMO’s literature content, as well as their relative roles. Each element and 

role are defined in greater detail in subsequent sections.

Content Organization—The information framework developed for TACCIMO 

is based on the need to capture and organize scientific information about climate 

change in a way that is meaningful and relevant to forest planning and management. 

Content is organized into subject matter areas and geographic regions:

Factors and Categories—TACCIMO is organized into a flexible 

framework of subject matter areas consisting of broad factors and more 

specific categories. Factors capture the overarching direct and indirect 

effects of climate change on natural resources. Categories are assigned 

within factors to promote efficient organization and navigation of primary 

records. This structure is fundamental to the functionality of TACCIMO 

and enables automated relationship-building between management 

options and effects. To allow flexibility in capturing an ever-evolving 

issue, new factors and categories may be added to the TACCIMO 

organizational structure.

Regions—TACCIMO regions are hierarchical and designed to organize 

content with respect to geographic extent (figs. B.1 and B.2). The intent 

of this approach is to capture and preserve information at appropriate 

scales of application. In general, Forest Service (FS) administrative 

regions are preserved, but reconciling differences in scale required the 

introduction of domains (east and west) and subregions for the Eastern 

United States.

Table B.1—Literature elements defined and organized by role

Role Element

Factors: General grouping (typically resource areas) used to organize content.

Category: More specific subject-based organization within factors.

Region: A hierarchical geographic reference representing applicable extent of information.

Organization

Effects: Quotations describing ecosystem impacts and responses. 

Management options: Quotations describing practices to adapt to, resist, or take advantage of opportunities. 

Primary

Source literature: The primary-source journal articles from which primary records are quoted.

Supporting literature: The in-text parenthetical citations referenced by source literature.

Content resolution: Qualitative descriptor assigned to a quotation that captures its level of detail.

Interactions: Tracking mechanism to capture linkages among factors.

Metadata
taccimo user guide 2 .2

24

Content Development Approach—National climate assessment products (e.g., 

U.S. Global Change Research Program Synthesis and Assessment products) 

are used as cornerstone documents, identifying key issues and sources of more 

detailed information. The process involves following the “information network” 

from these broad assessments down to primary source science. Additional datagathering techniques (e.g., user-requested searches and literature alerts) help 

prioritize and capture the most recent and relevant climate change science.

Content Criteria—The selection of quotations for inclusion in TACCIMO is 

based on a standardized literature review process. The goal is to highlight key 

findings related to land management and planning. The quotations included are 

those that would likely be highlighted for further consideration in a traditional 

literature review process. Quotations, rather than paraphrases, are provided to: 

(1) reduce subjectivity, 

(2) allow for additional relationship building (e.g., effects-management 

options-planning), 

(3) allow for literal linkages back to primary sources and supporting 

literature, and 

(4) allow for inclusion of more specific information than paraphrasing 

efficiently permits. 

Careful consideration is given to the context from which quotations are taken, 

but quotation by its very nature requires application of judgment and results 

in loss of context. To abate the loss of context to the greatest extent possible 

and promote the highest level of data quality, the following criteria are strictly 

applied:

• Literature is peer reviewed, either as stated by the publishing journal’s 

guidelines, explicitly within the paper, or by personal contact with the 

author.

• The subject and theme of the quotation are consistent with the subject and 

theme of the source as a whole.

• The conclusion of the selected quotation is clearly substantiated by the 

scientific evidence reported in the source article and cited supporting 

literature.

• If the claim is based on synthesis, supporting literature citations 

substantiate the synthesized conclusion.

• The length of the quotation is kept to the minimum length sufficient for 

understanding the statement independently of accompanying text.

• Qualifying statements and statements addressing uncertainty are 

included.

Figure B.1—Diagram depicting hierarchical regions.

Figure B.2—Map depicting geographic extent of domains, 

regions, and subregions. 
25

appen d ices

Metadata—The metadata accompanying each quotation serve one of two 

roles: (1) to track source and supporting literature, or (2) to enhance detection of 

relationships among elements (effects and management options).

Source Literature—Primary records are quoted from source documents, 

and the citations are tracked to readily connect users with the original 

documents for further evaluation (APA 2009).

Supporting Literature—Primary records often contain parenthetical 

references in or near the selected quotation. These citations are tracked to 

further substantiate the claim of the quotation and help connect users with 

additional information that may or may not be included in TACCIMO. 

Supporting Literature does not have to be peer reviewed, which allows 

users to find potentially relevant resources in the body of white and gray 

literature.

Interactions—Quotations often explicitly refer to more than one subject 

matter area (i.e., factor). Each quotation must be classified into only one 

factor, and the interactions’ metadata permit tracking of related factors 

that a given quotation explicitly references. Interactions at the quotation 

level are summarized at the factor level to emphasize to users the potential 

for compounding impacts and are sometimes grouped into a common 

category across factors (i.e., interactions with other factors).

Content Resolution—This construct seeks to capture the level of detail 

expressed in a quotation. Content Resolution supports the relationshipbuilding process between effects and management options and allows 

users to select the suitable level of detail for their application within the 

reporting output:

• General detail is captured for use during strategic planning but 

typically lacks actionable information and is primarily useful in 

evaluating and formulating desired conditions.

• Moderately specific detail is captured to support information needs 

related to maintaining ecosystem processes, functions, and health 

and is primarily useful in evaluating and formulating objectives 

that lead toward desired conditions. Quotations contain species-, 

location-, or time-specific details or give a numerical quantification.

• Specific detail is captured to support information needs at 

an operational level, including ecosystem process-, habitat-, 

and species-specific information and is useful in formulating 

design criteria that comply with objectives. Quotations contain 

species-, location-, or time-specific details and give a numerical 

quantification.

Review and Maintenance—The literature content is subject to both continuous 

and episodic forms of review and maintenance. The process is summarized in 

four discrete steps, but in practice some steps occur in parallel.

Primary Literature Review—The primary literature review follows 

the guidelines described in previous sections pertaining to content 

organization, development approach, criteria, and metadata. Multiple 

content contributors use this same approach.

Data Entry—Data entry is carried out through a content management 

system with procedures that ensure all necessary information is captured. 

These procedures are used by multiple content contributors.

Preproduction Review—A quality-control review of new content is 

conducted before release to ensure that literature review and data entry 

were implemented correctly. This quality-control process is done by the 

content manager.

Ongoing User Review—After the content goes into production, users 

provide feedback on the utility, applicability, and correctness of available 

information through built-in feedback forms. The content manager 

uses this information to refine existing content and guide future content 

development.

Content Guidance—The following general guidelines apply to the literature 

content available from TACCIMO:

Purpose—The literature inventory and highlighted quotations describing 

climate change effects and management options available through 

TACCIMO are included to help users initially identify climate change 

implications for planning and management tasks at a variety of scales. 

This information is sourced from peer-reviewed scientific literature 

following defined methodology and criteria.
taccimo user guide 2 .2

26

Strengths—The primary elements of TACCIMO’s literature-based 

science are quotations organized into a dynamic and interactive 

information framework. This approach allows for rapid creation and for 

efficient access to a wide variety of subject matter.

Limitations—Quotations included in TACCIMO, though developed 

following defined methods and criteria, do not provide the full richness 

of contextual information that accompanies them in their primary source. 

Users are responsible for reviewing the full text of any sources found to 

have significant implications for the management or planning situation in 

question.

Science: Geospatial—Projections and Models

Geospatial-based science includes downscaled climate projections, historic 

climate data, natural resource context layers (e.g., forest and watershed 

boundaries), and other spatially explicit models relevant to natural resource 

decisionmaking. Climate projections form the primary spatial content; derivative 

models provide insight into the effects of climate change on key resource 

characteristics. Climate projections are included to provide bounds around the 

range of climate change forecasts. Derivative models consider climate change 

impacts on ecosystem services such as carbon, species diversity, and water 

resources.

Content Organization—Geospatial content is selected and organized to provide 

context for considering TACCIMO’s climate change literature-based science and 

planning outputs. In particular, the climate forecasts and models are intended to 

set bounds around the likely range of projected climate change. Documenting 

the magnitude and direction of change will assist users in identifying effects 

of greatest concern for a given location and time. TACCIMO places locationspecific trends in the context of regional and national trends to provide a better 

perspective on climate change across broader scales. The global climate models 

(GCMs) included in TACCIMO were selected from the catalog of downscaled 

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) GCMs and Special Report on 

Emissions Scenarios (SRES) emissions scenarios compiled by the World Climate 

Research Programme’s (WCRP’s) Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 3 

(CMIP3) (tables B.2, B.3, and B.4; fig. B.3).

Table B.2—Summary of modeling groups, global climate models (GCM), and qualitative descriptions

Modeling Group GCM Description

Canadian Centre for Climate Modeling & Analysis CGCM3.1 Wet and cool

Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research/Met Office HadCM3 Hot

U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory

CM2.1 Dry and warm

Table B.3—Summary of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios, emissions paths, and descriptions

Scenario Emissions path Description

SRES A2 “higher” Technological change and economic growth more fragmented; slower, higher population growth

SRES A1B “middle” Technological change in the energy system is balanced across all fossil and non-fossil energy 

sources, where balanced is defined as not relying too heavily on one particular energy source

SRES B1 “lower” Rapid change in economic structures toward service and information, with emphasis on clean, 

sustainable technology; reduced material intensity and improved social equity

SRES = Special Report on Emissions Scenarios.
27

appen d ices

Derivative models use climate projections as inputs to provide insight into the 

impacts of climate change on key resource characteristics. Examples are nitrogen 

deposition (McNulty and others 2007), water supply (Sun and others 2008), and 

shifts in species distributions (Prasad and others 2007-ongoing). Key input and 

output layers are included in the GIS Viewer. Inputs and outputs can be included 

in custom maps created with the GIS Viewer. Links back to the model creator, 

and any enhanced version of the model, are provided.

Content Development—Developing the projections and models content involves 

acquiring, processing, and publishing all data layers in a consistent geospatial 

format. All data are served as ESRI ArcGIS version 10.01 geodatabases, and 

metadata references for all data are available in the GIS Viewer Metadata 

documents. All GCM content was selected from the official IPCC Fourth 

Assessment Report (AR4) to insure the most recent and credible projections. 

Criteria for publishing other, derivative models include the peer review of model 

methods and outputs and proven application for natural resource management 

related to climate change.

500 

600 

700 

800 

900 

1000 

1950 1970 1990 2010 2030 2050 2070 2090 

Year

Precipitation (mm)

9 

11 

13 

15 

17 

1950 1970 1990 2010 2030 2050 2070 2090 

Year

Temperature (oC)

Table B.4—Comparison of average, minimum, maximum, and standard deviation 

for precipitation and temperature variables over two time periods between 

TACCIMO and Climate Wizard comprehensive offerings

Precipitation (mm/year)

2040-2069 2070-2099

avg min max stdev avg min max stdev

TACCIMO 783 731 827 36 801 705 875 56

Climate Wizard 784 679 828 34 793 642 875 49

Temperature (°C)

2040-2069 2070-2099

avg min max stdev avg min max stdev

TACCIMO 13.4 12. 7 14.1 0.5 14.6 13.2 15.7 1.0

Climate Wizard 13.1 11.1 14.3 0.7 14.3 12.5 16.6 1.0

Figure B.3—Summary of national average annual 

temperature and precipitation projections available in 

TACCIMO’s GIS Viewer (Source: Meehl and others 2007).
taccimo user guide 2 .2

28

Decadal averages of monthly precipitation and temperature data were selected 

to represent current, mid-century, and late-century predictions. The decadal 

interval was chosen to reduce the variability that a single year or several years 

of predictions might contribute to the predictions. Ten years of monthly climate 

data (e.g., 2045-2054) were averaged to create one decadal average (e.g., 2050) 

precipitation and temperature value for each ~12-km climate grid cell. An 

additional processing step was required for precipitation data: multiplying each 

monthly mean by the number of days in the month to derive monthly totals.

Review and Maintenance—All geospatial data and related metadata are 

reviewed for accuracy and completeness before being published in the GIS 

Viewer. New data are added to ArcGIS geodatabases, and metadata documents 

(overview and detailed) are updated to include information on resolution, spatial 

extent, temporal extent, citations, attributes, and data availability.

Content Guidance—The following general guidelines apply to the geospatial 

content available from TACCIMO:

Purpose—The climate change forecasts and models available through 

TACCIMO are intended to help users begin evaluating trends in climate 

and the derivative impacts of climate change on other natural resource 

characteristics (e.g., water supply, suitable habitat) at multiple spatial 

and temporal scales. In the most general case, results may be applied 

to discussion of climate trends independent of any consideration of the 

impacts that these trends might have. In other more specific cases, results 

may be applied to a particular analysis where either temperature or 

precipitation change plays a direct role.

Strengths—The ability to spatially explore and capture downscaled 

climate forecasts and models provides users with the critical context 

information necessary to evaluate literature-based science. The GIS 

Viewer enables consideration of forecasts and models with respect to 

context layers relevant to management and planning. The Climate Report 

rapidly summarizes the range of climate change projections to help users 

begin considering the potential magnitude, direction, and timing of 

change specific to their location.

Limitations—Though useful for establishing the likely range of future 

climate conditions, forecasts and models have limited utility to near-term 

projects and are subject to evolving assumptions about how temperature 

and precipitation will respond to elevated atmospheric CO2

 at different 

locations. Climate projections are the best information available but 

should be considered with caution and an appreciation for uncertainty.

Science: Geospatial—Contextual and Complementary Data

Contextual and complementary spatial content is provided to enhance 

interpretation of primary projections and models. Current resources include FS 

regions, national and experimental forest boundaries, State boundaries, county 

boundaries, ecoregional provinces, watersheds (12-digit hydrologic unit codes), 

and project-specific case study layers. In addition, basemap layers containing 

imagery, streets, terrain, and topographic maps are included.

Content Organization—These datasets are primarily located in TACCIMO’s 

GIS Viewer. In some instances, these data are inputs to primary models or 

projections (e.g., land cover data). These data can be included in custom maps 

by using the Map Print and Map Export tools in the GIS Viewer. Some of these 

data (i.e., States, counties, and national forests) can be used to define locationspecific summaries in the Climate Report.

Content Development—These datasets are incorporated into TACCIMO 

in response to users’ needs, as TACCIMO expands geographically, and as 

additional primary models and projections are included. National forests with 

forest plan revisions or pertinent projects, as well as other program and resource 

areas, are good candidates. It is preferable to access geospatial data through the 

FS’s national data center or regional geodatabases. Otherwise, the TACCIMO 

development team works directly with users to acquire, process, and publish the 

geospatial data in the GIS Viewer.

Review and Maintenance—All geospatial data and related metadata are 

reviewed for accuracy and completeness before publishing in the GIS Viewer. 

New data are added to ArcGIS geodatabases, and metadata documents (overview 

and detailed) are updated to include information on resolution, spatial extent, 

temporal extent, citations, attributes, and data availability.
29

appen d ices

Planning: Desired Conditions, Objectives, and Design Criteria

Planning content comprises components derived from FS forest plans for 

Regions 8 and 9 (and one example Region 5 plan). Though initially designed 

to accommodate FS planning constructs, this content structure is potentially 

adaptable for use by other planning agencies (i.e., other FS programs and other 

Federal, State, and private entities). The organizing elements, primary data 

elements, and metadata of the planning dataset are described in table B.5. 

Subsequent sections discuss the data elements in greater detail and outline plans 

for maintaining them.

Content Development and Organization—Planning content is sourced 

directly from FS forest plans. This section provides a simplified outline of the 

three principal forest plan components selected for inclusion in TACCIMO. 

Also provided is discussion of why they are relevant to climate change based 

on Climate Change Considerations in Land Management Plan Revision (USDA 

Forest Service 2010a), FS planning guides (USDA Forest Service 2005, USDA 

Forest Service 2008b), and feedback from forest planners. The plan components 

are intended to align with each other and provide a mutually reinforcing planning 

structure (table B.6). General recommendations for integrating science-based 

climate change findings into plan components include:

• Climate change risks to sustainability identified in the supporting plan 

documents (i.e., Current Evaluation Report) establish the context for 

planning.

• Climate change should be integrated into plan components and not stand 

alone.

• Plan components should be sustainable under a range of credible climate 

scenarios.

• Federally listed species should receive consideration with respect to 

climate change.

• Disturbance recovery guidelines should take into account climate change.

Table B.5—Planning content data elements defined and organized by role in the application

Role Elements

National forest (NF): The administrative planning unit that the forest plan represents. 

Heading: The subject matter area that the plan uses to organize components.

Organization

Desired condition: The direction of the forest with respect to sustainability through land management. 

Objective: A description of measurable and time-specific efforts to reach desired conditions.

Standards and guidelines (design criteria): Technical and scientific specifications of management.

Primary 

Plan area: The extent to which the plan component is applied (e.g., forest-wide).

TACCIMO literature factor: A factor assigned to each forest plan category to build science-planning relationship. 

Metadata
taccimo user guide 2 .2

30

Content Criteria—Separating forest plan documents into component parts is 

typically very straightforward, but careful consideration is given to the context 

from which plan components are extracted. The following ground rules apply to 

development of forest plan content:

• Plan component type (i.e., desired condition, objective, design criteria) 

is determined based on designations made in the plan document. In a 

few cases, these designations are ambiguous or unclear, and standard 

definitions of each component are applied to best categorize the 

component type.

• The full and complete text of each plan component will be extracted and 

included in the database. Accompanying narratives, tables, maps, and 

pictures will not be included, but references to them are preserved.

• Plan components may be assigned to only one heading and are identified 

based on designations made in the plan document. When sub-headings are 

used in a plan (i.e., more than one level of organizational nesting), the most 

specific level of categories that is appropriate for the TACCIMO database will 

be used. In cases where headings are more specific than what is appropriate 

for TACCIMO, the heading is placed within brackets ([ ]) at the beginning of 

the quotation.

Metadata—The metadata accompanying each forest plan component include the 

plan area and related TACCIMO factor (forest plan heading records only).

Plan area—Forest plan components sometimes apply to a given extent 

on the national forest. At present, TACCIMO includes only content that 

is “forest-wide” in extent. Metadata are tracked to allow for inclusion of 

other, more specific areas in the future.

Factor—A factor is the broadest subject-matter organizing element from 

TACCIMO’s scientific literature database. Factors are assigned to relevant 

forest plan headings to establish the relationship between science and 

planning elements.

Table B.6—Definitions and key characteristics of land management plan components (USDA Forest Service 2005, USDA Forest Service 2008b)

Component Component definition Characteristics

Vision: 

desired conditions

Descriptions of the ecological, economic, and social 

attributes that characterize or exemplify the desired 

outcomes of land management.

• Long-term (10-20 years)

• Informed by assessment of current versus desired conditions, demand

 assessment, scenario building 

• Capture implications of national strategies at unit-level scale

• Contain monitoring capacities

Strategy: 

objectives

Measurable, time-specific tracking of efforts to realize 

desired conditions. Statements are not overly specific or 

precise, but more detailed than desired conditions.

• Short-term (3-5 years)

• Based on trade-off analysis, prioritization, trend analysis, and risk assessment

• Contain monitoring capacities

Standards and

guidelines: 

design criteria

The purpose of the standards and guidelines (design 

criteria) is to provide the technical and scientifically based 

specification in which strategies operate. 

• Medium-term (5-10 years)

• Science and cause-effect relationships as applied to potential projects

• Design criteria should be in line with policies as described by the Directives System

• Design criteria can build on other sources of information such as best practice guidebooks

• Guidelines may be adaptable and responsive to monitoring
31

appen d ices

Review and Maintenance—The forest plan content available through 

TACCIMO is subject to both continuous and episodic forms of review and 

maintenance. The process is summarized in the following five discrete steps but 

is ideally a continuous effort:

Plan Review—The development of forest plan content follows the 

guidelines described in previous sections.

Data Entry—Data entry may occur in parallel with step one or as a 

separate effort, where content selected in step one is captured in the 

database through the content management system. This step ensures that 

all of the necessary organizing and metadata elements associated with 

each primary content record are captured.

Science Relationship Building—Forest plan content is associated with 

TACCIMO factors based on plan category relationships.

Ongoing User Review—After the content goes into production, forest 

planners assess the correctness of planning records. Forest planners are 

encouraged to help maintain the content between plan revisions, including 

submitting plan amendments for inclusion in the database.

Plan Assessment Review—The plan content will be re-evaluated with 

respect to correctness of organization, primary content, and metadata 

during the plan assessment process leading up to a plan revision. This 

episodic review will allow developers to examine the content as a whole.

Content Guidance—The following general guidelines apply to the geospatial 

content available from TACCIMO:

Purpose—Forest plan components are included in TACCIMO to represent 

existing management direction and capacity. The organizational structure 

and components selected for inclusion in the forest plan database capture the 

operational language of forest management and make it readily accessible.

Strengths—The forest plan content enables TACCIMO to link science 

with forest plan components to help planners identify and assess 

management options with regard to climate change. In addition, planners 

can draw on and compare content from multiple plans with potential 

application beyond climate change considerations.

Limitations—The forest plan content is limited to forest-wide elements. 

Not all plans contain all three elements or the same level of detail. 

Introductory or narrative text, graphs, maps, or figures and amendments 

are not included. Original planning documents should be consulted for 

clarification and additional context.

Other Resources

Data Elements—TACCIMO maintains a listing of external resources that 

address questions that TACCIMO cannot or that provide more in-depth analyses 

of questions that TACCIMO does address. A link with a brief abstract describes 

each resource.

Content Organization—External resources are included in the Links to Other 

Resources page in the About module of TACCIMO. They are grouped by broad 

subject areas that align with TACCIMO factors.

Content Development—Selection of external resources should consider 

the current content offered by the different TACCIMO modules. Users’ 

recommendations or suggestions for external resources are considered.

Review and Maintenance—The TACCIMO development team regularly 

reviews the external resources to ensure that links are working and versions or 

releases are current.
taccimo user guide 2 .2

32

Appendix C:

Decision-support Connections

Forest Service Land Management Planning—The Forest Service (FS) Final 

Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (USDA Forest Service 2012a) 

and resulting preferred alternative National Forest Service Land Management 

Planning (Final Rule and Record of Decision) (USDA Forest Service 2012b) 

promote the role of planning in adaptive management in general and integration 

of climate change considerations in the planning processes in particular. The 

rule discusses climate change implications extensively, including how climate 

change should be considered in the plan assessment process and later integrated 

into functional plan components. The underlying goal is to make the planning 

process more participatory and more responsive to emerging issues and science, 

a need that TACCIMO directly supports. The FS has also provided supplemental 

direction in Climate Change Considerations in Land Management Plan Revisions

(USDA Forest Service 2010a). The planning framework process depicted in figure 

C.1 is summarized from the text of the Planning Rule (USDA Forest Service 

2012b) and is intended to represent the specific plan revision process and products, 

rather than the full adaptive management context used by the FS.

Literature Analysis—The plan assessment requires broad consideration 

of available information, including the best available science identified 

during a thorough review and analysis of relevant peer-reviewed scientific 

literature. TACCIMO provides an initiation point in this process that 

quickly connects users with relevant climate change science directly 

applicable to the plan assessment process and report writing (fig. C.1).

Plan Analysis—The existing forest plan represents the starting point for 

the plan revision, and the plan review works to inform the understanding 

of “need for change” from existing plan direction. TACCIMO resources 

can help users identify potential climate change relevance to the existing 

plan, gaps in both the science and the existing plan, and potential need for 

change and resulting proposed alternatives (fig. C.1).

Figure C.1—Flow diagram representing TACCIMO 

connections with the FS plan assessment and revision 

process. [Planning framework process summarized 

from USDA FS (2012b)]
33

appen d ices

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Planning—The National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA 1969) prescribes certain aspects of the 

decision-support process that Federal agencies use to assess and engage the 

public regarding the potential environmental impacts of proposed actions. 

Within the FS, NEPA is applied at multiple scales, most frequently at the 

project level but also within the previously discussed planning framework. The 

FS has issued guidance specific to this process (USDA Forest Service 2010b), 

directing NEPA analysis to consider climate change with respect to work 

conducted at the project level when scoping identifies climate change issues of 

concern. Figure C.2 presents connections between TACCIMO and the NEPA 

process, such as the consideration of best available science to inform proposal 

development and scoping.

Literature Analysis—The scoping stage of the NEPA process requires 

consideration of a wide range of information, including best available 

science and public input. TACCIMO may be used to directly support 

literature review needs and address public concerns raised during scoping. 

During an Environmental Assessment, TACCIMO may be used to help 

identify potential impacts and develop alternatives. If an Environmental 

Impact Statement is needed, TACCIMO resources can be further utilized 

to meet the additional information requirements.

Plan Review—The existing forest plan represents important context, 

establishing the general management direction and other requirements 

that could inform the proposed action. TACCIMO may assist FS users 

in participating regions of the NFS by connecting plan components 

with relevant science. Similar to a literature review, the plan 

components identified can provide an initiation point in the proposal 

development process. 

Figure C.2—Flow diagram depicting how TACCIMO 

complements the NEPA process.

Treasure, E.; McNulty, S.; Moore Myers, J.; Jennings, L. 2014. Template for 

assessing climate change impacts and management options: TACCIMO user 

guide version 2.2. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-186. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 33 p.

The Template for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Management Options 

(TACCIMO) is a Web-based tool developed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department 

of Agriculture to assist Federal, State, and private land managers and planners with 

evaluation of climate change science implications for sustainable natural resource 

management. TACCIMO is a dynamic information framework focused on assisting 

natural resource professionals with the integration of climate change into decisionsupport processes. A searchable repository of peer-reviewed climate change literature 

on effects and management options is accessible through a Web-based tool. A geospatial 

mapping application provides high-resolution climate data and other spatially explicit 

models relevant to evaluating climate change impacts on forests through modeling. 

Report generators assist users in capturing outputs specific to a given location and 

resource area in a consistent, organized manner. For Forest Service users, science 

findings can be readily linked with management conditions and capabilities from 

national forest land and resource management plans. Collectively, the TACCIMO tools 

provide a fast, concise, and creditable starting point to guide critical thinking, additional 

analysis, and expert consultation supportive of resource management decisionmaking.

Keywords: Climate change, decision support, forest planning, technology transfer.

You may request additional copies of this publication by email at pubrequest@fs.fed.us.

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