Groundstory Vegetation & LOD: Sampling Short Plants and Other Stuff on the Ground

1. Groundstory Vegetation & LOD: Sampling Short Plants and Other Stuff on the Ground ESRM 304

2. Vegetation & LOD Surveys • Part of multi-resource inventory • Need information on the entire ecosystem • Need to gain information on • Forest structure • Variability in conditions • System processes

3. Vegetation & LOD Surveys • Info on structure, variability, processes … • Builds inventory on critical habitat conditions • Enables I.D. of wildlife habitat relationships • Aids grouping of stands into productivity classes • Enhances grouping of stands into risk classes • Allows development of management targets for • Biological diversity maintenance • Managing potential fire hazard • Silvicultural manipulations

4. Vegetation & LOD Surveys • Surveys are best stratified for efficiency • Coarse woody litter (Large Organic Debris) • Use transects (line intersect) • Groundstory component • Use transects (line intercept) sometimes fixed-area • Understory component • Use transects (line intercept) sometimes fixed-area • Overstory component • Use fixed-area plots (variable-area)

5. Vegetation & LOD Example Survey • Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA) • In continuous operation since 1930 • Mission • "make and keep current a comprehensive inventory and analysis of the present and prospective conditions of and requirements for the renewable resources of the forest and rangelands of the US." • Collects, analyzes, and reports information on the status and trends of America’s forests: how much forest exists, where it exists, who owns it, and how it is changing

6. Integrated Monitoring Framework

7. Vegetation & LOD Example Survey

8. Vegetation & LOD Example Survey • Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA) • Information collected on • Soil quality • Down woody debris • Vegetation structure and diversity • Crown condition • Tree mortality • Tree growth • Lichen communities • Vegetation health

9. ESRM 304 Vegetation & LOD Survey Plot system layout Line Intercept Line Intersect Random Directions

10. ESRM 304 Vegetation & LOD Survey Line Intercept Sampling for vegetation cover & composition

11. ESRM 304 Vegetation & LOD Survey Plot system layout Line Intersect

12. ESRM 304 Vegetation & LOD Survey Line Intersect Sampling for Large Organic Debris

13. ESRM 304 Vegetation & LOD Survey Plot system layout Random Directions

14. Compass Scale: Azimuths & Bearings Compass directions are circular Azimuths shown here Azimuths run clockwise from N (0 - 360o)

15. Compass Scale: Azimuths & Bearings Compass directions are circular Bearings shown here Bearings consist of a latitudinal hemisphere (N or S) followed by 0 - 90o toward either longitudinal direction (E or W)

16. Compass Scale: Azimuths & Bearings As expected, can convert from azimuths to bearings and back again Bearings shown in red with azimuths in ()

17. The Compass: Magnetic Declination Magnetic North does NOT coincide w/ True North Declinations are constantly moving 2008: Seattle / Kenmore dec. 17o 14’ E East declinations as of 2000 C.E.

18. Magnetic Declination Affects Your Compass Reading

19. Compass Parts Always read compass here: “Fred” Screw to set declination: No further calculations needed! Needle “Red” Base arrow “Shed”

20. A Compass Adjusted for Declination

21. Determining a direction … (to an object, landmark, etc.) 1. Point “Fred” at object 2. Turn compass DIAL until … 4. Read direction to “Fred” 3. “Red” (needle) is in the Shed”

22. Following a given direction … 1. Dial in given direction 2. Turn YOURSELF until “Red” is … 4. then follow “Fred” … 3. in the “Shed” (base arrow)…

23. Vegetation & LOD Surveys • Field Trip to St. Edward State Park • Tue 24 May • Depart from behind Bloedel Hall (C-10 parking lot) promptly at 12:30 P.M. • Bring rain gear, sturdy footwear