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SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring 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
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SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

Apr 01, 2015

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Page 1: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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

Page 2: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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

Page 3: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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)

Page 4: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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

Page 5: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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

Page 6: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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?

Page 7: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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?

Page 8: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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

Page 9: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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

Page 10: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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.

Page 11: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

This quadrat contained 9 species

Page 12: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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

Page 13: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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

Page 14: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

0-2 ft.

2-6 ft.

6-16 ft.

16+ ft.

Page 15: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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

Page 16: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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)

Page 17: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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

Page 18: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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!

Page 19: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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!

Page 20: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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

Page 21: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

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

Page 22: SRS - FIA Phase 3 Measuring Vegetation Diversity and Structure in the Southern Region Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of TN in Cooperation.

Acknowledgements

Byron RomingerCindy AulbachBeth SchulzSRS - FIAUniv. of TN, FWF