SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of...
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Transcript of SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of...
SRS - FIA Phase 3Measuring Vegetation
Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region
Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries,University of TN
in Cooperation with the USDA, Forest Service, Southern Research Station
(Cooperative Agreement # SRS-02-CR-11330145-055)
Sharon King
This presentation was given at the 2002 State FIA Coordinators Meeting held in St. Augustine, FL October 9 and 10, 2002.
This presentation is intended to introduce the State Coordinators to the P3 Vegetation Diversity and Structure indicator program. Results presented here are PRELIMINARY and only based on subsets of data gathered in the SC pilot study.
For updated information, please contact Sharon King at 865-862-2044 or [email protected]
This work is funded by USFS Cooperative Agreement number SRS-02-CR-11330145-055.
Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region
What Is the P3 Vegetation Diversity and Structure Indicator?
The measurement of species composition and vegetation structure of vascular plants on Phase 3 subplots
Includes all trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and fern allies (horsetails and club mosses)
Objectives of the Program
To assess forest health in terms of structure, diversity, abundance and rates of change of vascular plant species
Particular interest in the following contexts:
native vs. non-native species
wildlife values
wildland and prescribed fires
South Carolina P3 Vegetation Indicator Pilot Study
Objective: To evaluate the effort and costs associated with collecting all vegetation indicator variables on P3 plots for the state of SC
South Carolina had 32 P3 plots evaluated
Methods were those described in the March 2002 National Field Manual
Questions We Hoped to Answer From the SC Pilot Study
What kind of effort (botanist hours) is required to collect the data in the field using the outlined methods?
What is the best configuration for data sheets?
How much information is gained by each successive quadrat and subplot?
More Questions...
Are the variable measures sound and repeatable?
What kind of effort is required to document and identify unknown species?
What kind of effort is required to manage the data?
How does the Southern Region fit into the national program?
Pilot Study Timeline
April: Training in Macon, GA with Beth Schulz, National Indicator Advisor
May/June: Started the field season with 3 trips to SC; collected data from 4 plots– First plot done together– Other plots blind checked
June 18: Botanist started solo work with State P3 crew
September 17: Field work completed
October 1: Data turned into SC on 21 plots, 11 still being processed
Vegetation Indicator Field Methods
Every plot contains four P3 subplots
Subplot = 24 ft radius circle
Every subplot contains three 1-m2 quadrats at 30o, 150o and 270o
N
270o
Q1
Q2
Q3
24’ radiussubplot boundary
6.8’ radiusmicroplot
1 m2 quadrat
NN
270o
Q1
Q2
Q3
24’ radiussubplot boundary
6.8’ radiusmicroplot
1 m2 quadrat
Quadrat Measures (1m2 frame)
Cover of ground variables in quadrats to 1%
Cover of all species in, or overhanging quadrat (up to 6 ft) to 1%
6 ft.
This quadrat contained 9 species
Subplot Measures (24 ft. radius circle)Identify all additional species on subplot
and estimate cover to 1%
This subplot contained 33 additional species, 46 total
Plot Center
More Subplot Measures
For every species, layer of greatest foliage cover is recorded
For all four layer classes, total cover (of all species combined) is estimated to 1%
Layer Classes0-2 ft.2-6 ft.
6-16 ft.16+ ft.
Vaccineum tenellum :Quadrat 3: 37% Subplot: 10% Layer: 1 (0-2 ft.)
Total Cover (all spp.) in layer 1 (0-2 ft): 64%
Example
0-2 ft.
2-6 ft.
6-16 ft.
16+ ft.
Dealing With Unknown Species
Species not known in the field are collected, tagged and bagged
All unknowns are assigned a number
Specimens are keyed, or logged and pressed
Protocol states that pressed unknowns are sent in to a herbarium for identification
Preliminary Study Results (Logistical)
Collected data on 32 Plots across state
Completed 72 out of 128 subplots (56%)
115 hours spent on plot
(Based on a subset of the data, does not include travel, locating plots, set-up, or any follow-up work off plot)
Preliminary Study Results (Biological)(From analysis of 10 plots, 26 subplots)
Total number of “species”: 353
Ave. species per quadrat: 7 [3-15]
Ave. species per subplot: 38 [14-78]
Average unknowns/subplot: 9 [0-35]
Completed plots: 1 unknown/subplot
Estimate 75-130 unknowns for season once processed
Time in the Field (per subplot) (From analysis of 9 plots, 21 subplots)
Time on Task
25%
34%
22%
4%
15%
QuadratsSP Search, tag & bagSpp. Cover & LayerOverall LayerMisc.
Quadrats: 24 min.
SP Search, T&B: 33 min.
Cover & Layer: 21 min.
Overall Layers: 4 min.
Miscellaneous: 14 min.
Time to complete subplot
~ 1:36
** Numbers do not reflect time to find or mark off plot
Note: Analysis not complete!
Actual Time Spent on All Tasks (Projected from analysis of a subset of data)
37%
29%
29%
5%
Total In FieldTravelSpecimens/Clean-upData Entry
Field time = 115 hrs
Plot set up = 32 hrs
Travel = 114 hrs
Specimens/data sheet clean-up = 115 hrs
Entry into NaTally = 22 hrs
Time to complete pilot
~ 398 hours
Note: Analysis not complete!
Summary~ 398 hours to complete 56% of subplots
in state
Estimate ~ 616 hrs to complete all subplots (15.5 wks @ 40hrs/wk)
Practically equal amounts of time needed for travel, data collection, and data management
To implement region-wide we will need qualified botanists with specialized skills
May need to be creative with funding and logistics on a state by state basis
What’s Next From Here?
Compile complete data set from pilot and determine resource needs for region-wide implementation
Communicate with other regions to compare our experiences and share information
Evaluate goals, study methods, personnel and funding resources/needs to plan for implementation of the Vegetation Diversity and Structure Indicator program for all states in our region
Acknowledgements
Byron RomingerCindy AulbachBeth SchulzSRS - FIAUniv. of TN, FWF