INTERIOR WEST FOREST INVENTORY & ANALYSIS P3 FIELD … · RM Introduction This document describes the standards, codes, methods, and definitions for Forest Inventory andAnalysis (FIA)

INTERIOR WEST FOREST INVENTORY & ANALYSIS

P3 FIELD PROCEDURES

January 2007 (V3.01)

Interior West Survey P3 Field Procedures, Version 3.01March, 2007

Table of Contents�

Table of Contents

Section 10. Lichen Communities ..............................................510.1 OVERV�EW ............................................................................................. 510.1.1 Scope and Application ............................................................................. 510.1.2 Summary of Method ................................................................................ 610.1.3 Equipment and Supplies ......................................................................... 610.1.3.1 Consumable Supplies ............................................................................. 610.1.3.2 Equipment and Apparatus ...................................................................... 710.1.4 Procedure ................................................................................................ 810.1.5 Safety ...................................................................................................... 1110.1.6 AssistanceFromPersonsNotCertifiedForLichens .............................. 1110.2 DATACOLLECTION1:SAMPLEPROCUREMENT ............................... 1110.3 DATACOLLECTION2:PDRANDWRITTENDATA ............................ 1410.3.1 OVERV�EW ............................................................................................. 1410.3.2 P3HEXAGONNUMBER ........................................................................ 1510.3.3 FIAPLOTNUMBER ................................................................................ 1510.3.4 STATE ..................................................................................................... 1510.3.5 COUNTY ................................................................................................. 1610.3.6 DATE ....................................................................................................... 1610.3.7 LICHENPROJECT ................................................................................. 1610.3.8 COLLECTIONNUMBER ......................................................................... 1710.3.9 ABUNDANCE .......................................................................................... 1710.3.10 CREWMEMBERNAME ......................................................................... 1710.3.11 CREWTYPE ........................................................................................... 1710.3.12 QASTATUS ............................................................................................. 1810.3.13 LICHENSCOLLECTED .......................................................................... 1810.3.14 TIMELICHENSAMPLINGBEGAN ........................................................ 1910.3.15 TIMELICHENSAMPLINGENDED ........................................................ 1910.3.16 %COVERLICHENPLOTCONIFERS ................................................... 1910.3.17 %COVERLICHENPLOTHARDWOODS .............................................. 2010.3.18 %COVERLICHENPLOTTALLSHRUBS .............................................. 2110.3.19 MOSTIMPORTANTTREEANDSHRUBSPECIES ............................... 2110.3.20 IMPORTANTSUBSTRATESPECIESNOTONSUBPLOTS ................. 2210.3.21 Gap ......................................................................................................... 2210.3.21.1 % GAP..................................................................................................... 2210.3.21.2 RECENT ................................................................................................. 2210.3.21.3 TALLSHRUBS ........................................................................................ 2310.3.22 SIZECLASSOF3LARGESTTREESENCOUNTEREDON THELICHENPLOT................................................................................. 2310.3.23 FEATURESIMPORTANTFORHIGH/LOWLICHENDIVERSITY .......... 2310.3.24 SAMPLINGISSUESORPROBLEMS .................................................... 2410.4 SAMPLEPRESERVATION,STORAGE,ANDMAILING ........................ 2510.4.1 SAMPLEPRESERVATIONANDSTORAGE .......................................... 2510.4.2 SAMPLEMAILING ................................................................................. 2510.5 REFERENCES ........................................................................................ 2710.6 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................... 28

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Section 11. Soil Measurements and Sampling............................................ 2911.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 2911.1 SUMMARYOFMETHOD ....................................................................... 3011.2 DEF�N�T�ONS ......................................................................................... 3111.3 EQUIPMENTANDSUPPLIES ................................................................ 3211.3.1 FieldGearUniquetotheSoilIndicator ................................................... 3211.3.2 Optional Soils Equipment ........................................................................ 3311.3.3 RequiredEquipmentnotUniquetotheSoilIndicator: ............................ 3311.4 LABORATORYANALYSES ..................................................................... 3311.5 QUALITYASSURANCE(QA) ................................................................. 3411.5.1 TrainingAndCertification ........................................................................ 3411.5.2 HotChecks,ColdChecks,andBlindChecks ......................................... 3411.5.3 Reference Plots ....................................................................................... 3511.5.4 Debriefing ................................................................................................ 3511.6 SOILEROSIONANDCOMPACTION ..................................................... 3511.6.1 PERCENTCOVEROFBARESOIL ...................................................... 3611.6.2 PERCENTCOMPACTEDAREAONTHESUBPLOT ............................ 3711.6.3 TYPEOFCOMPACTION-RUTTEDTRAIL ........................................... 3811.6.4 TYPEOFCOMPACTION–COMPACTEDTRAIL .................................. 3811.6.5 TYPEOFCOMPACTION–COMPACTEDAREA ................................... 3911.6.6 TYPEOFCOMPACTION–OTHER ....................................................... 3911.7 SOILSAMPLECOLLECTION ................................................................. 3911.7.1 Forest Floor ............................................................................................. 4111.7.2 Assembly and Operation of �mpact Driven Soil Corer (BulkDensitySampler) ........................................................................... 4211.7.3 Mineral Soil ............................................................................................. 4411.7.4 Regulations Governing Sample Collection (NationalHistoricPreservationAct) ........................................................ 4511.7.5 Alternate Sampling Methods for “Problem” Soils .................................... 4611.7.6 Commonly Encountered Problems ......................................................... 4711.7.7 Organic soils .......................................................................................... 4911.7.8 SUBPLOTNUMBER .............................................................................. 4911.7.9 CONDITIONCLASS .............................................................................. 4911.7.10 VISITNUMBER ...................................................................................... 5011.7.11 SOILSAMPLESTATUS .......................................................................... 5011.7.12 FORESTFLOORTHICKNESS–NORTH .............................................. 5111.7.13 FORESTFLOORTHICKNESS–EAST ................................................. 5111.7.14 FORESTFLOORTHICKNESS–SOUTH .............................................. 5111.7.15 FORESTFLOORTHICKNESS–WEST ................................................ 5211.7.16 THICKNESSOFTHELITTERLAYER-NORTH ................................... 5211.7.17 THICKNESSOFTHELITTERLAYER-EAST ....................................... 5311.7.18 THICKNESSOFTHELITTERLAYER-SOUTH .................................... 5311.7.19 THICKNESSOFTHELITTERLAYER-WEST ...................................... 5411.7.20 DEPTH TO RESTR�CT�VE HOR�ZON .................................................... 5411.7.21 SOILTEXTUREINTHE0-4INCHLAYER ............................................. 5411.7.22 SOILTEXTUREINTHE4-8INCHLAYER ............................................. 5611.8 SAMPLELABELS ................................................................................... 5611.9 SAMPLESHIPPING ............................................................................... 5811.9.1 Shipping Forms ....................................................................................... 58


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11.9.2 GovernmentRegulationsForPest-RegulatedStates (SouthernRegion,NY,AZ,NM,CA,andHI) .......................................... 6211.10 TASKSTHATCANBEPERFORMEDBYOTHERCREWMEMBERS .. 6211.11 REFERENCES ........................................................................................ 6311.12 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................... 6311.13 EXAMPLEDATASHEETS ...................................................................... 64

Section 12. Crowns: Measurements and Sampling ...................................... 6712.1 OVERV�EW ............................................................................................. 6712.2 CROWN DEF�N�T�ONS .......................................................................... 6812.3 CROWNDENSITY-FOLIAGETRANSPARENCYCARD ........................ 7112.4 CROWN RATING PRECAUTIONS ..................................... 7212.5 UNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIO ................................................. 7412.6 CROWNLIGHTEXPOSURE .................................................................. 7812.7 CROWN POS�T�ON ................................................................................ 7912.8 CROWNVIGORCLASS ......................................................................... 8112.9 CROWNDENSITY .................................................................................. 8212.10 CROWNDIEBACK ................................................................................. 8512.11 FOLIAGETRANSPARENCY .................................................................. 8812.12 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................... 90

Section 14. Down Woody Materials ................................................................. 9114.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 9114.1 DEFINITIONOFDOWNWOODYMATERIALS ..................................... 9214.2 LOCATINGANDESTABLISHINGLINETRANSECTS ........................... 9314.2.1 CWD transects ........................................................................................ 9314.2.2 FWD transects ........................................................................................ 9314.3 TRANSECTLINESEGMENTING ........................................................... 9414.3.1 SUBPLOTNUMBER ............................................................................... 9514.3.2 TRANSECT ............................................................................................. 9614.3.3 CONDITIONCLASSNUMBER ............................................................... 9614.3.4 BEGINNINGDISTANCE ......................................................................... 9614.3.5 SLOPEPERCENT .................................................................................. 9714.3.6 END�NG D�STANCE ............................................................................... 9714.4 SAMPLINGMETHODSFORCOARSEWOODYDEBRIS(CWD) ......... 9714.4.1 TallyRulesforCoarseWoodyDebris(CWD) .......................................... 9714.4.2 Marking CWD .......................................................................................... 10114.4.3 Recording Procedures for CWD .............................................................. 10214.4.3.1 SUBPLOTNUMBER ............................................................................... 10214.4.3.2 TRANSECT ............................................................................................. 10214.4.3.3 CWDSLOPEDISTANCE ........................................................................ 10214.4.3.4 CWDDECAYCLASS .............................................................................. 10314.4.3.5 SPEC�ES ................................................................................................. 10514.4.3.6 Diameters ................................................................................................ 10514.4.3.6.1 D�AMETER AT PO�NT OF �NTERSECT�ON ........................................... 10714.4.3.6.2 DIAMETERATTHESMALLEND ........................................................... 10714.4.3.6.3 DIAMETERATTHELARGEEND ........................................................... 10814.4.3.7 CWDTOTALLENGTH ........................................................................... 10814.4.3.8 ISTHEPIECEHOLLOW? ...................................................................... 109

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14.4.3.9 CWDHISTORY ....................................................................................... 10914.5 SAMPLINGMETHODSFORFINEWOODYDEBRIS(FWD) ................ 11014.5.1 SUBPLOTNUMBER ............................................................................... 11214.5.2 CONDITIONCLASSNUMBER ............................................................... 11214.5.3 SMALLFWDCOUNT .............................................................................. 11314.5.4 MEDIUMFWDCOUNT ........................................................................... 11314.5.5 LARGEFWDCOUNT ............................................................................. 11314.5.6 HIGHCOUNTREASON ......................................................................... 11414.5.7 RESIDUEPILEONTRANSECT ............................................................. 11414.6 DUFF,LITTER,andFUELBEDDEPTHMEASUREMENTS................... 11414.6.1 Definitions ............................................................................................... 11514.6.2 Overview of Measurements .................................................................... 11614.6.2.1 DuffandLitter .......................................................................................... 11614.6.2.2 Fuelbed ................................................................................................... 11714.6.3 SUBPLOTNUMBER ............................................................................... 11714.6.4 TRANSECT ............................................................................................. 11714.6.5 DUFF,LITTER,andFUELBEDSAMPLE ............................................... 11814.6.6 DUFFDEPTH ......................................................................................... 11814.6.7 LITTERDEPTH ....................................................................................... 11814.6.8 FUELBEDDEPTH .................................................................................. 11814.7 FUELLOADINGONTHEMICROPLOT ................................................. 11914.7.1 SUBPLOTNUMBER ............................................................................... 12014.7.2 LIVESHRUBPERCENTCOVER ........................................................... 12014.7.3 LIVESHRUBHEIGHT ............................................................................ 12114.7.4 DEADSHRUBSPERCENTCOVER ...................................................... 12114.7.5 DEADSHRUBHEIGHT .......................................................................... 12214.7.6 LIVEHERBSPERCENTCOVER ........................................................... 12214.7.7 LIVEHERBSHEIGHT............................................................................. 12214.7.8 DEADHERBSPERCENTCOVER ......................................................... 12314.7.9 DEADHERBSHEIGHT .......................................................................... 12314.7.10 LITTERPERCENTCOVER .................................................................... 12314.8 SAMPLINGRESIDUEPILES ................................................................. 12414.8.1 SUBPLOTNUMBER ............................................................................... 12514.8.2 CONDITIONCLASS ............................................................................... 12514.8.3 PILEAZIMUTH ........................................................................................ 12614.8.4 PILESHAPE ........................................................................................... 12614.8.5 PILELENGTH1 ...................................................................................... 12614.8.6 PILELENGTH2 ...................................................................................... 12714.8.7 PILEWIDTH1 ......................................................................................... 12714.8.8 PILEWIDTH2 ......................................................................................... 12714.8.9 PILEHEIGHT1 ....................................................................................... 12714.8.10 PILEHEIGHT2 ....................................................................................... 12814.8.11 PILEDENSITY ........................................................................................ 12814.9 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................... 128

RM Index ................................................................................................................ 139


�ntroduction1

FOREST INVENTORY AND ANALYSISNATIONAL CORE FIELD GUIDE

(WithInteriorWestRegionalAdditions)

VOLUME II: FIELD DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES FOR PHASE 3 PLOTS

Version 3.01

RM Introduction

Thisdocumentdescribesthestandards,codes,methods,anddefinitionsforForestInventoryandAnalysis(FIA)Phase3(P3)fielddata items and should be used in conjunction with the �nterior West Forest �nventory & Analysis Field Procedures manual. The objective is todescribeCOREFIAfieldproceduresthatareconsistentanduniformacross all F�A units. This CORE is the framework for regional FIA programs; individual programs may add variables, but may not change the CORE requirements.Unlessotherwisenoted(SeeFieldGuideLayout),theitemsinthisfieldguideareconsideredCORE,thatis,theinformationwillbecollectedbyallFIAUnitsasspecified.ItemsorcodesspecifiedasCOREOPTIONALarenotrequiredbyindividualunits;however,iftheitemiscollectedorcoded,itwillbedoneasspecifiedinthisfieldguide.

TheFIAprogramisintransition,changinginresponsetolegislationand new customer demands. One of these demands is for increased consistency,whichthisfieldguidebeginstoaddress.AnotherchangewasthemergeroftheFIAprogramwiththefieldplotcomponentoftheForestHealthMonitoring(FHM)program’sDetectionMonitoring.Asystematicgridwasestablishedthatincludessome,butnotallformerFIAplots.ThisgridcontainsthePhase2plots,theannualsurveyplotsthat are designed for measurement on a rotation such that a portion of the plots are measured each year. The rotation length varies by region. TheformerFHMDetectionMonitoringfieldplotsarethePhase3plots,a subset of the Phase 2 plots. The same basic plot and sampling designs are used on all the plots.

ThefocusofVolumeI(InteriorWestForestInventory&AnalysisFieldProcedures)isondatathatarecollectedinthefieldonallPhase 2 plots in the F�A sample. The methods in Volume � are also usedonPhase3plotsexceptwhenspecificallynotedotherwiseinthemethodstext.VolumeII(thismanual)oftheseriesdescribesanadditional,expandedsuiteofdatacollectedonthePhase3subsetof

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plots.VolumeIIcontainsmethodsforthefollowingindicators:ozonebioindicatorplants(notcollectedin2006);lichencommunities;soils(physicalandchemicalcharacteristics);crowncondition;vegetationdiversityandstructure(notcollectedin2006);anddownwoodymaterial.

RM Field Guide Layout

Eachsectionofthefieldguidecorrespondstooneofthefollowingsections:

9 OzoneBioindicatorPlants(notcollectedinRMfor2007)10 LichenCommunities11 Soil Measurement and Sampling12 Crowns:MeasurementsandSampling13 VegetationDiversityandStructure(notcollectedinRM for

2007)14 DownWoodyMaterial(DWM)

Each section begins with a general overview of the data elements collectedatthatlevelandbackgroundnecessarytopreparefieldcrewsfor data collection. Data elements labeled with “RM” refer to Rocky MountainArea(InteriorWestFIA)regionalvariables.Theseareonlycollected in the RM area. Descriptions of data elements follow in this format:

Data Element Name BriefVariableDescription:

Whencollected:<whendataelementisrecorded>Fieldwidth:<Xdigits>Tolerance:<rangeofmeasurementthatisacceptable>MQO:<measurementqualityobjective>Values:<legalvaluesforcodedvariables>

Dataelements,descriptionsofwhentocollectthedataelements,fieldwidth,tolerances,MQO’s,andvalues,applytobothPhase2plots(formerlycalledFIAplots)andPhase3plots(formerlycalledFHMDetectionMonitoringplots)unlessspecificallynoted.Fieldwidthdesignatesthenumberofcolumns(orspaces)neededtoproperlyrecord the data element.

Tolerancesmaybestatedin+/-termsornumberofclassesfororderedcategoricaldataelements(e.g.,+/-2classes);inabsolutetermsfor


�ntroduction3

somecontinuousvariables(e.g.,+/-0.2inches);orintermsofpercentofthevalueofthedataelement(e.g.,+/-10percentofthevalue).Forsomedataelements,noerrorsaretolerated(e.g.,PLOTNUMBER).

MQO’sstatethepercentageoftimethatthecollecteddataarerequiredto be within tolerance. Percentage of time within tolerance is generally expressedas“atleastXpercentofthetime,”meaningthatcrewsareexpected to be within tolerance at least X percent of the time.

PLOTNOTESwillbeavailableoneveryPDRscreenforeaseinrecording notes.


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Section 10. Lichen Communities

10.1 OVERVIEW

10.1.1 Scope and Application

The purpose of the lichen community indicator is to use lichen species andcommunitiesasbiomonitorsofchangeinairquality,climatechange,and/orchangeinthestructureoftheforestcommunity.Lichencommunitiesareexcellentindicatorsofairquality,particularlylong-termaveragesofsulfurdioxideconcentrations(HawksworthandRose1976;Smithandother1993;vanDobben1993).

Lichencommunitiesprovideinformationrelevanttoseveralkeyassess-mentquestions,includingthoseconcerningthecontaminationofnaturalresources,biodiversity,andsustainabilityoftimberproduction(Figure10-1).Lichensnotonlyindicatethehealthofourforests,butthereisaclearlyestablishedlinkagetoenvironmentalstressors,asdescribed below.

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10.1.2 Summary of Method

The objectives of this task are to determine the presence and ABUNDANCE(section10.3.9)ofmacrolichenspeciesonwoodyplantsin each plot and to collect samples to be mailed to lichen specialists. Note that the crew member responsible for this task is not required to accuratelyassignspeciesnamestothelichens(thatisdonelaterbyaspecialist)butmustbeabletomakedistinctionsamongspecies.

Thefieldmethodhastwopartsthatareperformedatthesametime:

1. Collect a specimen of each macrolichen species on the plot for identificationbyaspecialist.Thepopulationbeingsampledconsists of all macrolichens occurring on live or standing dead woodyplants,excludingthe19.7inch(0.5m)basalportionsoftrees,snags,saplings,andshrubs.Includeinyoursamplingrecently fallen branches on which the canopy lichens still look healthy(usuallydownfornomorethanafewmonths).Branchesand logs left from recent harvests are legal substrate. Older down woodydebrisandanysawedorhuman-treatedwoodsurfacesarenot legal substrates.

2. EstimatetheABUNDANCE(section10.3.9)ofeachspecies.Possible species which you are not sure are different from those already collected should be collected as many times as needed withABUNDANCEratedseparatelyforeachsample.

10.1.3 Equipment and Supplies

10.1.3.1 Consumable Supplies

• Specimenpacketsfoldedfrom8.5"x11"paper,averaging30per plot. Regions may differ in how packets are provided. �t isconvenienttotype/printyournameandStateintoamastertemplatefile,thenprintyourcustomizedtemplateasamastertomakecopies.Thisfileisavailablefromyourregionalcrewsupervisor.Beforeyouprintthetemplate,besurethepagemargins in your word processing software are set so that the packetlabelprintsonthebottomone-thirdofa8.5x11-inchpieceofpaper.YoucanalsotypeyournameandStateonapapertemplate(Figure10-3)touseasaduplicatingmaster.Take30-50#1or#2paperbagsasbackup“packets”onverywetdays.

• Permanent ink pen for recording data on packets. • Mailingforms(Figure10-5).


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• Largerubberbandstokeeppacketstogether.Mediumsizepaperbags(#3-#4)orsimilarsize),oneperplotasalternates,orafewfor plots with many packets.

10.1.3.2 Equipment and Apparatus

• Backpackorsimilarbagtokeeplichenpacketsandequipmenttogether.

• Locking-bladeorfixed-bladeknifewithsheath.• 10Xhandlens–Hastingstripletopticspreferredtoavoid

headaches. String hand lens on a neck cord to avoid losing it.• Hand pruners that are useful for collecting small branch segments.• Woodchiselatleast0.75-inchwidethatisusefulforcollecting

samplesfromtough-barkedhardwoods.Chiselshouldhaveasheath.

• Timepiece.• Convenient,optionalequipment.8-digitnumberstampanddate

stamp plus ink pad for adding date and P3 HEX�D to packets and Plot Data Card.

• Regionalguidesforlichenidentification.Differentguideswillbeneededfordifferentareas:

Northeast,Mid-Atlantic,andSoutheast:• Hale,M.E.1979.HowtoKnowtheLichens.2ndEd.Wm.C.

Brown,Dubuque,Iowa.• Flenniken,D.G.1999.MacrolichensinWestVirginia.2727

Twp.Rd421,Sugarcreek,OH:CarlislePrinting

North Central• Hale,M.E.1979.HowtoKnowtheLichens.2ndEd.Wm.C.

Brown,Dubuque,Iowa.

�nterior West• Bungartz,F.;Rosentreter,R.;Nash,III,T.H.2002.Fieldguideto

commonepiphyticmarolichensinArizona.ArizonaState UniversityLichenHerbarium.91p.• McCune,B.;Goward,T.1995.MacrolichensoftheNorthern

RockyMountains.Eureka,CA:MadRiverPress,208pp.• St.Clair,L.L.AColorGuidebooktoCommonRockyMountain

Lichens.AvailablefromM.L.BeanLifeScienceMuseum,290MLBM,BrighamYoungUniversity,Provo,UT84602.

• McCune,B.;Geiser,L.1997.MacrolichensofthePacificNorthwest.Corvallis,OR:OregonStateUniversityPress.386p.

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California• Hale,M.E.;Cole,M.1988.LichensofCalifornia.Berkeley:

UniversityofCaliforniaPress.• McCune,B.;Geiser,L.1997.MacrolichensofthePacific

Northwest.Corvallis,OR:OregonStateUniversityPress.386p.

PacificNorthwest:• McCune,B.;Geiser,L.1997.MacrolichensofthePacific

Northwest.Corvallis,OR:OregonStateUniversityPress.386p.

10.1.4 Procedure

Note:ThisindicatorisCOREOPTIONALonallphase2plots.

1. Theareatobesampled(henceforththe“lichenplot”)isacircularareawitha120-footradiuscenteredonsubplot1,butexcludingthefoursubplots(seeFigure10-2).Theareaofthelichenplotis40830 ft2≈3793m2≈0.379ha≈0.937acres.

Figure 10-2. Lichen sampling area. The shaded area is the lichen plot.Figure 10-2. Lichen sampling area. The shaded area is the lichen plot.

Figure10-1.Conceptualmodelofthelichencommunityindicator.


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2. RecordTIMELICHENSAMPLINGBEGANandTIMELICHENSAMPLINGENDED.Samplingcontinuesforamaximumoftwo hours or until 10 minutes elapse with no additional species recorded.Atleast45minutesintheNortheast,NorthCentral,South,andWestCoastincludingAlaska,and30minutesintheIntermountainWest,mustbespentsearchingtheplot,evenifveryfew lichens are present.

3. Takeareconnaissancewalkthroughthelichenplot,locatinglichen epiphytes on woody plants and collecting lichen samples andassigningABUNDANCEscores.Thefollowingmethodissuggested.Beginatapproximately100ftduenorthfromplotcenter,estimatingtothelimitingboundaryof120feet,andcontinue to the right in a sinuous manner until reaching the perimeter of subplot 3. The same procedure is followed between subplots 3 & 4 and 4 & 2. The idea behind this approach is that thecrewcanscanthewholeareabutintenselyscrutinizeselectedareastobestrepresentthediversityontheplot(seeitem4formoredetails).Iftimeallows,makeadditionalcircuitsoftheplot,searching for substrates or spots that were not visited on the firstpass.Collectontheentirelichenplotregardlessofforestvs.nonforest condition. Do not collect from any portion of the lichen plot that is denied access or inaccessible. �f only part of the plot issampledforoneofthesereasons,noteonthePDRunderSAMPLINGISSUESORPROBLEMS(section10.3.24).

4. Lichenspecieswiththefollowinggrowthformswillbecollected:fruticoseandfoliose(i.e.,macrolichens).

• Inspectwoodyplants(trees,saplings,andshrubs>19.7inchestall(0.5mtall))withinthelichenplotforlichenspecies. This includes dead trees.

• Becarefultoinspectthefullrangeofsubstratesandmicrohabitatsavailable:

• shaded and exposed• bothliveandstandingdeadtrees,• conifers and hardwoods• branches and twigs on trees• recentlyfallen(judgedtobefromabove19.6inches(0.5

m)healthylichensplusbranchesandtwigsonwhichthecanopylichensstilllookhealthy(usuallydownfornomorethanafewmonths).Branchesandlogsleftfromrecentharvests are legal substrates.

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• shrubs• treesinparticulartopographicpositions(forexample,check

inadraworravineonanotherwiseuniformslope,solongasitoccurswithinthelichenplot).

• Olderdownwoodydebris,decayedstumps,andanysawedorhuman-treatedwoodsurfacesarenotlegalsubstrates.

5. Collectalarge(ideallypalm-sized)sampleofeachpossiblespeciesandplaceitinapacket.LabelthepacketwiththeSTATE,COUNTY,PLOTNUMBER,P3HEXAGONNUMBER,andCURRENTDATE,packetnumber(sequentiallyascollected),andrecordrelativeABUNDANCEcode.RevisetheABUNDANCEratingascollectionproceeds.Alsorecordanycomments on the outside of the packet. For more details about variables,seesection10.2,“DATACOLLECTION1:SAMPLEPROCUREMENT”.Aftercompletingthetask,checkeachpackettobesurethateachonehasaSTATE,COUNTY,PLOTNUMBER,P3HEXAGONNUMBER,CURRENTDATE,andABUNDANCEcode.

6. Thefieldcrewmayhaveuncertaintiesabouttheclassificationofanorganism.Thefollowingrulesforthefieldcrewaredesignedtoputtheburdenoftheresponsibilityforclassificationonthespecialist,notthefieldcrew.

• Whenindoubt,assumeitisalichen.• Whenthegrowthformisindoubt,assumeitisa

macrolichen.• Whenspeciesdistinctionsareindoubt,assumethattwo

different forms are different species.

Thepurposeoftheserulesistoencouragethefieldcrewtomakeasmanydistinctionsinthefieldaspossible.Thespecialist can later adjust the data by excluding specimens that are not macrolichens and by combining forms that were consideredseparatebythefieldcrewbutareactuallythesame species.

7. BesuretheelectronicdocumentationandthePlotDataCardarecomplete and comparable where necessary.

8. Drypacketsasneeded,storetheminadryplace,andmailthemto the designated lichen specialist using package tracking.


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10.1.� Safety

Care should be used when removing lichens specimens with a knife orchisel.Theknifemusthavealockingbladeorfixedblade.Treesshould not be climbed to procure specimens.

10.1.� Assistance From Persons Not Certified For Lichens

Acrewmembernotcertifiedinlichensmayassistbylabelinglichenpacketsforthe‘lichen’crewmemberasthelattercollects.Crewmembersnotcertifiedinlichensshouldnotcollectspecimens,norshouldtheyhelpassignABUNDANCEratingsforlichens.

10.2 DATA COLLECTION 1: SAMPLE PROCUREMENT

Thesetoflichensamplesyoucollect,withtheaccompanyingwritteninformation(See10.3DATACOLLECTION2:PDRANDWRITTENDATA)onthesamples,aretheprimarydataforthelichenindicator.

1. Optimally collect a sample of each macrolichen species that has at least 20 lobes or branches and has abundant morphological characters. For larger species this means collect a sample about 3-4inchesindiameterifpossible.Macrolichensincludeallspeciesthatarethree-dimensional(fruticose)orflatandlobed(foliose).Even minute fruticose and lobate forms should be included. Squamulose species and Cladonia squamules lacking fruit bodies or upright stalks should not be included.

2. Placeeachspecimeninaseparatepacketandfillinthelabel(Figure10-3)asfollows:

• Number packets sequentially as collected.• RecordrelativeABUNDANCEonthepacketusingthecodes

listedinsection10.3.9.(Revisethisratingascollectionproceeds.)

Code Abundance1 Rare(<3individualsinarea)2 Uncommon(4-10individualsinarea)3 Common(>10individualsinareabutlessthanhalfofthe

bolesandbrancheshavethatspeciespresent)4 Abundant(morethanhalfofbolesandbrancheshavethe

subjectspeciespresent)Note:thiscodeisnotfrequentlyassigned,butisvalid.Makesurethatmorethanoneoutof

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every2boles,branches,andtwigshostthisspecies.

• Often there will be more than one species on a given bark sample. �f there is any chance of ambiguity about which speciesinthepacketcorrespondswiththeABUNDANCErating,writeadescriptiveclarifyingphrase,suchas“thewhiteone”or“thesorediateone,”onthepacketintheREMARKS box.

• �f you are not using a packet template with the CREW MEMBERNAMEandSTATEprintedonit,fillouttheCREWMEMBERNAMEinthe“collector”fieldandSTATEinthelabel title.

• Fillintheseadditionalfieldsonthepacketlabel–P3FHMHEXID,FIAPLOTNUMBER,COLLECTIONNUMBER,ABUNDANCENUMBER,REMARKS--withanindeliblemarker,preferablyamediumpointrollingballpenwithpermanentink.Alternately,regularballpointpen(drypackets),waterproofalcoholmarkers(dryordamppackets),andverysoft(#2orsofter)pencils(verydamppackets)canbeused.Ifyouwanttotrynamingthelicheninthe“ScientificName”box,leaveenoughroomfortheIDspecialisttoalsowriteaname.Leavethe“IDNotes”boxblank for the �D specialist to use.

• MakesuretocheckpacketsformissingABUNDANCEratings before you leave the plot.

FOREST INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS PROGRAM - P3 LICHENS OF (STATE)

P3 FHM Hexid No:FIA Plot No:

Date: Coll. No:

Scientific Name: ID Notes: Abundance:

Collector: Remarks:

Figure10-3.Lichenpacketlabel.Thislabelisprintedcenteredattheverybottomofan8.5inx11inchsheetofpaper.Thesheetistriple-foldedwiththelabelontheoutsideflap;thenthesidesarefoldedintomakeapacketwithaflap.


Lichens13

3. Avoidmulti-speciespackets.EachspeciesshouldbeplacedinaseparatepacketwithitsownABUNDANCErating.Multi-speciespacketstypicallyresultinmissingABUNDANCEratings.Generasuch as the tufted lichens Usnea and Bryoria are frequently found on the branch with several species clustered together. Separate these prior to packeting specimens if possible.

4. LabelallofthepacketsfromthatdaywithSTATE,COUNTY,P3HEXAGONNUMBER,CURRENTDATE,PACKETNUMBER,andABUNDANCE.

5. WhenalsousingthePDR,filloutonlyboldfieldsonthePlotDataCard,(Figure10-4)Filloutthiscardalsoforaplotwhenyou have searched and found no lichens.

6. Place all of the specimen packets from a given plot with the Plot DataCard.Eitherbundlewithtwocrossedrubberbands,orplaceinto a single or several paper bags only if there are too many samplesforrubberbands.Forpaperbags,recordP3HEXAGONNUMBER,CREWMEMBERNAME,CURRENTDATE,and“Bag#___of___”(total#ofbagsforthatplot).Foldthetopofeachpaperbagclosedandsecurewitharubberband(nostaples,please).

7. Ifspecimensweredamporwetwhencollected,theindividualpackets should be spread out and dried as soon as possible. Neverstoreorshiplichenspecimensdamp,andneverinplasticbags.Formoredetails,see10.4SPECIMEN PRESERVATION, STORAGE, AND MAILING.

8. Successful performance of the sample procurement procedure is the goal of all QA and the subject of all tests. For a successful procedure,acrewmemberfindsatleast65%ofthemacrolichensfoundonthesameplotbyalichenspecialist,andcorrectlyrecordsalldataforsamplepackets,theLichenDataCard,andthe mailing form. Correct selection and recording of data for the PDR are tested by correct recording of data on the Plot Data Card.

Lichens


14

Figure10-4.Plotdatacardforlichencommunities.Completethisformandbundleitwith the packets for each plot.

10.3 DATA COLLECTION 2: PDR AND WRITTEN DATA

10.3.1 OVERVIEW

WrittendataareenteredfortheLichenIndicatorinthreelocations:(1)thelichensamplePacket,(2)thelichenPlotDataCard,and(3)thelichen PDR screen. All locations for entry are listed for each variable below.IfthePDRisworking,filloutonlyboldfieldsonthePlotDataCard.IfthePDRisnotworking,collectallvariablesbyfillingoutallfieldsonthePlotDataCard.

PrimarydatafortheLichenIndicatorconsistofthesetoflichensamples collected from the plots and the data recorded on the lichen packets;thesearesentfirsttoalichenspecialistforidentificationofsamplesandelectronicdataentry,thentotheLichenIAforconfirmation,proofreading,andmergingwithotherdataforthestate

LichenCommunitiesIndicator PLOTDATACARD FIAThiswillbepartofthepermanentrecordforthisplot.PLEASECOMPLETEITFULLY!IfusingthePDR,completeBOLDfieldsonly.IfnotusingthePDR,completeallfields.P3FHMHexid#:_____________FIAPlot#_____State:_____County:________________Date:____________LichenProject__________ CrewMember’sName:_______________CrewType_______QAStatus________LICHENSCOLLECTEDYNTimelichensamplingbegan:_______Timelichensamplingended:_________Elevation(ft):____________%Cover(onlichenplot):Conifers___________Hardwoods_________TallShrubs__________________DominantTree/ShrubSpecies(w/%cover)_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Importantsubstratespeciesnotonsubplots_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________%gap_______Recent(<5yr)?YNw/TallShrubs?YNSizeclass(es)of3largesttrees(inDBH)<10____10-20____21-30____31-40____>40____Featuresimportantforhigh/lowlichendiversity(ifany)_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Samplingissues/problems(weather,etc)_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Othercomments__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________REMEMBER:• Recordtheabundancecodeoneachpacket!• Remember to look for the common species.• Try to put only one species in each packet.


Lichens1�

andregion,thentoregionalandnationalIMforuploadingtotheFIAdatabase. Written data on lichen packets link the sample to the proper plotandyearduringthesampleidentificationprocess.RequiredfieldsonthePlotDataCardaccompanyingthesampleshelpconfirmsamplelocation and provide habitat information about the plot that helps the lichenspecialist(whoneverseesPDRentries)whoidentifiesthesamples.

SecondarydatafortheLichenIndicatorconsistofthesetofPDRentriesonthelichenscreen,withoptionalfieldsonthePlotDataCardto serve as paper backup when the PDR does not function properly. Duplicated sample location information on the lichen PDR screen and the lichen sample packets and data card are critical information used to correctly match primary lichen data from samples with both secondary data on the lichen PDR screen and data for P2 and other P3 indicators fortheplot,intheFIAdatabase.

10.3.2 P3 HEXAGON NUMBERRecordtheuniquecodeassignedtoeachPhase3(formerFHM)hexagon on the Packet and the Plot Data card.

Whencollected:AllPhase3plotsFieldwidth:7digitsTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:7-digitnumber

10.3.3 FIA PLOT NUMBERRecordtheuniquecodeassignedtoeachFIAplotthat,togetherwiththestateandcountyFIPScodes,identifiesthelocationoftheP3plot.Record on the Packet and the Plot Data Card.

Whencollected:AllPhase3plotsFieldwidth:4digitsTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:Uptoa4-digitnumber

10.3.4 STATERecordtheuniqueFIPS(FederalInformationProcessingStandard)code identifying the State where the plot center is located. Record onthePacketandthePlotDataCard,alsonotingthestateletterabbreviation as well.

Lichens


1�

Whencollected:AllPhase3plotsFieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:SeeAppendix1intheP2fieldguide

10.3.� COUNTYRecordtheuniqueFIPS(FederalInformationProcessingStandard)codeidentifyingthecounty,parish,orborough(orunitinAK)wheretheplotcenterislocated.RecordonthePacketandthePlotDataCard,noting the name as well.

Whencollected:AllPhase3plotsFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:SeeAppendix1intheP2fieldguide

10.3.� DATERecorddateonwhichplotwassurveyed,notdateofmailing.Thisiscritically important in sorting out coding problems if any occur. Record onthePacket,thePlotDataCard,andthePDR.

Whencollected:AllplotsvisitedFieldwidth:NATolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:Fulldateinanyformat

10.3.7 LICHEN PROJECTRecord the type of lichen project for which these data are collected. RecordonPackets,PlotDataCard,andPDR.

When collected; All Phase 3 plotsFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO At least 99% of the timeValues:

1 Standard production plot2 Special Study3 Gradient Study4 Evaluation Monitoring


Lichens17

10.3.� COLLECTION NUMBERRecordtheconsecutiveCOLLECTIONNUMBERinthe“CollectionNo.”box on lichen Packets only.

Whencollected:EverylichenpacketforeveryplotsampledforlichensFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofpacketsValues:1-999

10.3.� ABUNDANCERecordrelativeABUNDANCEscoreonlichenPacketsonly.

Whencollected:EverylichenpacketforeveryplotsampledforlichensFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofpacketsValues:

Code Abundance1 Rare(<3individualsinarea)2 Uncommon(4-10individualsinarea)3 Common(>10individualsinareabutlessthanhalfofthe

bolesandbrancheshavethatspeciespresent)4 Abundant(morethanhalfofbolesandbrancheshavethe

subjectspeciespresent)Note:thiscodeisnotfrequentlyassigned,butisvalid.Makesurethatmorethanoneoutofevery2boles,branches,andtwigshostthisspecies.

10.3.10 CREW MEMBER NAMERecord the last name of the crew member who collected lichens on this plot on the Packet and the Plot Data Card.

Whencollected:AllPhase3plotsFieldwidth:AlphanumericcharacterfieldTolerance:N/AMQO:N/AValues:Englishlanguagewords,phrases,andnumbers

10.3.11 CREW TYPERecordthecodetoindicatethetypeoffieldcrewusingthefollowingcodes. Record on the Plot Data Card.

Whencollected:Alllichenplotsvisited

Lichens


1�

Fieldwidth:NATolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:

1 Standardfieldcrew2 QAcrew(anyQAcrewmemberpresentcollectingdata)

10.3.12 QA STATUSRecordthecodetoindicatethetypeofplotdatacollected,usingthefollowing codes. Record on the Plot Data Card.

Whencollected:AlllichenplotsvisitedFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:

1 Standardfieldproductionplot2 Cold Check 3 Referenceplot(offgrid)4 Training/Practiceplot(offgrid)5 BotchedPlotfile(disregardduringdataprocessing)6 BlindCheck7 HotCheck(productionplot)

10.3.13 LICHENS COLLECTEDRecord on the Plot Data Card and the PDR. When recording on the PlotDataCard,circleYorN.IfNiscircled,addthereasontothe“OtherComments”fieldusingtextfromtheValueslistedbelow.WhenrecordingonthePDR,usethecodeslistedbelow.

Whencollected:Alllichenplotsvisited(includeallplotswithanypartdesignatedasforest)Fieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:

1 Lichenscollected2 Plotsearched,nolichensfound3 Notcollected–nomeasurementstaken,plotharvested4 Notcollected–nomeasurementstaken–plotdangerous5 Notcollected–ranoutoftime


Lichens1�

6 Notcollected–rain/storm7 Notcollected–leftplotforemergency8 Lichensnotscheduledforcollectionontheplot9 Not collected for other reason

10.3.14 TIME LICHEN SAMPLING BEGANEnterTIMELICHENSAMPLINGBEGANasHHMM,whereHHishourandMMisminutes.Usemilitarytime(e.g.,1:45pmis1345).Recordon the Plot Data Card and the PDR.

Whencollected:AlllichenplotsvisitedFieldwidth:4digitsTolerance:MQO:Values:Militarytime

10.3.1� TIME LICHEN SAMPLING ENDEDEnterTIMELICHENSAMPLINGENDEDasHHMM,whereHHishourandMMisminutes.Usemilitarytime(e.g.,1:45pmis1345).Recordon the Plot Data Card and the PDR.

Whencollected:AlllichenplotsvisitedFieldwidth:4digitsTolerance:MQO:Values:Militarytime

10.3.1� % COVER LICHEN PLOT CONIFERSPercentcanopycoverofoverstoryconifers(notoflichens).Totalof%COVERLICHENPLOTCONIFERSplus%COVERLICHENPLOTHARDWOODS(10.3.17)plus%COVERLICHENPLOTTALLSHRUBS(10.3.18)maybe>100%.Totalof%COVERLICHENPLOTCONIFERSplus%COVERLICHENPLOTHARDWOODS(10.3.17)shouldnotbe>100%.Tallshrubsarethose>3.3ft(1m)tall.Recordon the Plot Data Card and the PDR.

Whencollected:AlllichenplotsvisitedFieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-10%(2classes)MQO:Atleast90%ofthetime

Lichens


20

Values:

Code Definition Code Definition Code Definition

00 0% 35 31-35% 70 66-70%

05 1-5% 40 36-40% 75 71-75%

10 6-10% 45 41-45% 80 76-80%

15 11-15% 50 46-50% 85 81-85%

20 16-20% 55 51-55% 90 86-90%

25 21-25% 60 56-60% 95 91-95%

30 26-30% 65 61-65% 99 96-100%Note:Withtheexceptionofclasscode99for96%to100%,classcodeisthepercentageoftheupperlimitsoftheclass,i.e.,Code10is6%to10%,etc.Estimatesarerecordedtothenearest5 percent to be consistent throughout this guide with other procedures and to allow estimator flexibility.

10.3.17 % COVER LICHEN PLOT HARDWOODSPercentcanopycoverofoverstoryhardwoods(notoflichens).Totalof%COVERLICHENPLOTCONIFERS(10.3.16)plus%COVERLICHENPLOTHARDWOODSplus%COVERLICHENPLOTTALLSHRUBS(10.3.18)maybe>100%.Totalof%COVERLICHENPLOTCONIFERS(10.3.16)plus%COVERLICHENPLOTHARDWOODSshouldnotbe>100%.Tallshrubsarethose>3.3ft(1m)tall.Recordon the Plot Data Card and the PDR.


Values:


00 0% 35 31-35% 70 66-70%

05 1-5% 40 36-40% 75 71-75%

10 6-10% 45 41-45% 80 76-80%

15 11-15% 50 46-50% 85 81-85%

20 16-20% 55 51-55% 90 86-90%

25 21-25% 60 56-60% 95 91-95%

30 26-30% 65 61-65% 99 96-100%Note:Withtheexceptionofclasscode99for96%to100%,classcodeisthepercentageoftheupperlimitsoftheclass,i.e.,Code10is6%to10%,etc.Estimatesarerecordedtothenearest


Lichens21

5 percent to be consistent throughout this guide with other procedures and to allow estimator flexibility.

10.3.1� % COVER LICHEN PLOT TALL SHRUBSPercentcanopycoveroftallshrubs(notoflichens).Totalof%COVERLICHENPLOTCONIFERS(10.3.16)plus%COVERLICHENPLOTHARDWOODS(10.3.17)plus%COVERLICHENPLOTTALLSHRUBSmaybe>100%.Totalof%COVERLICHENPLOTCONIFERS(10.3.16)plus%COVERLICHENPLOTHARDWOODS(10.3.17))shouldnotbe>100%.Tallshrubsarethose>3.3ft(1m)tall. Record on the Plot Data Card and the PDR.


Values:


00 0% 35 31-35% 70 66-70%

05 1-5% 40 36-40% 75 71-75%

10 6-10% 45 41-45% 80 76-80%

15 11-15% 50 46-50% 85 81-85%

20 16-20% 55 51-55% 90 86-90%

25 21-25% 60 56-60% 95 91-95%

30 26-30% 65 61-65% 99 96-100%Note:Withtheexceptionofclasscode99for96%to100%,classcodeisthepercentageoftheupperlimitsoftheclass,i.e.,Code10is6%to10%,etc.Estimatesarerecordedtothenearest5 percent to be consistent throughout this guide with other procedures and to allow estimator flexibility.

10.3.1� MOST IMPORTANT TREE AND SHRUB SPECIESPleaserecordonthePlotDataCardonly,fullscientificnamesplus%cover for the most common trees and shrubs on the lichen plot. Only 1-3treespeciesand1-3shrubspeciesareneededhere.

Whencollected:AlllichenplotsvisitedFieldwidth:AlphanumericcharacterfieldTolerance:N/AMQO:N/AValues:Englishlanguagewords,phrases,andnumbers

Lichens


22

10.3.20 IMPORTANT SUBSTRATE SPECIES NOT ON SUBPLOTSPleaserecordonthePlotDataCardonly,thescientificnameofanytrees or shrubs that were not found on subplots and that hosted a significantlydifferentormoreabundantlichenflorafromthatontreespecies also recorded on subplots.

Whencollected:OnlywhensuchalichenhostisfoundFieldwidth:AlphanumericcharacterfieldTolerance:N/AMQO:N/AValues:Englishlanguagewords,phrases,andnumbers

10.3.21 GapThe next three variables all relate to presence of gaps on the lichen plot.

10.3.21.1 % GAPRecord % GAP in 5 percent classes on the Plot Data Card and the PDRTobeagap,theremustbe:• Markedlydifferentterrestrialvegetationthanonforestfloor• Lackoftreesonatleast3-5%ofplot.3%ofaplotisacirclewith

a20-footradius.4.4%ofaplotisthesizeofonesubplot.• Canopy opening whose length or width is at least one tree length.

Note:Gapsarecausedbydisturbance,notjustlowdensityoftreeestablishment.

Whencollected:AlllichenplotsvisitedFieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-10%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:00-99

10.3.21.2 RECENT Record on the Plot Data Card and the PDR. Did the gap appear to be lessthan5yearsold(e.g.,causedbyrecentdisturbance)ornot.

Whencollected:AlllichenplotsvisitedFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast90%ofthetime


Lichens23

Values:0 > 5 yr old1 <5yrold

10.3.21.3 TALL SHRUBSDoesthegaphave>40%coveroftallshrubs(i.e.,>3.3ft(1m)tall)?Broadleafshrubsingapsofconiferforestareoftenespeciallyrichareas for lichen diversity.

Whencollected:AlllichenplotsvisitedFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast90%ofthetime

Values:0 No tall shrubs1 Tall shrubs present

10.3.22 SIZE CLASS OF 3 LARGEST TREES ENCOUNTERED ON THE LICHEN PLOTRecordthesizeclassofthethreelargesttreesontheentirelichenplot.Record on the Plot Data Card and the PDR.

Whencollected:AlllichenplotsvisitedFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast80%ofthetimeValues:

Code Sizeclass(DBH,inches)1 <102 10-203 21-304 31-405 >40

10.3.23 FEATURES IMPORTANT FOR HIGH/LOW LICHEN DIVERSITYRecord the important substrate species or conditions that had the mostimpactontheplot(e.g.,recentlyclearcut,riparianwithlargehardwoods,oldgrowth).Ifthediversityisnormal,record00.Recordon the Plot Data Card and the PDR.

Lichens


24

Whencollected:AlllichenplotsvisitedFieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast90%ofthetime

Values:00 Nosignificantfeatures

HighDiversity:01 Stand appears relatively old for its forest type02 Old remnant trees in otherwise young stand03 Riparian04 Gap in forest05 Moist areas on plot with open structure and high light06 Abundance of tall shrubs hosting high lichen diversity07 Hardwoodswithinconiferforesthadhighdiversityand/ordifferent

species08 Coniferswithinhardwoodforesthadhighdiversityand/ordifferent

species09 Presenceofexceptionallygoodlichensubstratespecies(differs

byregion)10 Other

LowDiversity:11 Very young forest or recently regenerating clearcut12 Clearcut13 Recentlyburned—lichensapparentlyremovedbyfire14 Too dry for good lichen growth15 Too exposed or open for good lichen growth16 Some of plot nonforest17 Mostoftreesonplotwerepoorlichensubstrates(differsby

region)18 Most of the diversity was on a few trees or less19 Other

10.3.24 SAMPLING ISSUES OR PROBLEMSRecord on the Plot Data Card and the PDR. Record in the PDR any majorproblems(upto4)thatnegativelyimpactedthecollectioneffort.IfanySAMPLINGPROBLEMS=0,noothervalueswillberetained.RecordonthePlotDataCardthereasononthe“Samplingissues/problems” line.

Whencollected:AlllichenplotsvisitedFieldwidth:1digit


Lichens2�

Tolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetime

Values:0 Nosignificantissues1 Too wet to see lichens well2 Too dark to see lichen well3 Sampling compromised by heat 4 Samplingcompromisedbyotherextremeweather(e.g.,hail,

lightning,snow)5 Very steep slope hindered thorough plot access6 Accesstosomeorallofplotblockedbynaturalobstacles(e.g.,

lingeringsnowpack,highwater,landslide,largeblowdowns)7 Other

10.4 SAMPLE PRESERVATION, STORAGE, AND MAILING

10.4.1 SAMPLE PRESERVATION AND STORAGE

Specimens must be thoroughly air dried to avoid fungal decay. �f specimensweredamporwetwhencollected,theindividualpacketsshould be spread out and dried as soon as possible. Extremely wet lichenscanbeblotteddrybetweentowels,thenreturnedtopacketstocontinueair-drying.Dryinthesun,inanairconditionedroom,orinanysafeplacethatisasdryaspossible.Lichensaredryenoughtostorewhentheyhavebecomeslightlystiffandhavelosttheirsoft,wetappearanceandfeel.Herbariumdryersmaybeused,butdonotusecommercialfooddryers,ovens,hairdryers,orotherstrongheatsources.

Store packets in a dry place until you mail them. Never store or ship lichenspecimensdamp,andneverinplasticbags.

10.4.2 SAMPLE MAILING

Always mail specimens using a mail or parcel service that includes parceltracking.Afterthefirstweekofsamplecollection,mailthespecimens to the lichen specialist. The purpose of this is to allow immediatefeedbacktothefieldcrewsconcerningspecimenqualityandquantity.Thereafter,mailthesampleseachweekoreveryotherweektothelichenspecialist.Youshouldhavethenameandaddressofthelichenspecialist.Ifnot,contactyoursupervisoror:

Lichens


2�

SusanWill-Wolf([email protected]).Beforemailingthepackets,checktoseethatallfieldsonpacketsarefilledin.MakesurethereisaproperlyfilledinPlotDataCard(Figure10-4)witheachsetofsamples.AlsoincludeaproperlyfilledinPlotData Card for each plot searched and found to have no lichens.

Bundlesofpacketsshouldbepackedclosely,butwithoutexcessivecrushing,insturdycardboardboxes.Bundlesofpacketsfromseveralplotscanbemailedinthesamebox.EncloseintheboxaLichenSpecimenMailingForm(Figure10-5)listingallplots,includingplotswithnolichens,forthebox’scontents.ExtracopiesoftheMailingForm can be found in the notebook of lichen training materials under “Mailings.”

LICHEN SPECIMEN MAILING FORM

Please enclose a copy of this form whenever these specimens are mailed. Keep a copy for your records.

FIELDCREWTOLICHENSPECIALIST: Date

Sentby:_______________To:_____________________________Sender’scomments:______________________________________Received:______________________________________________Comments:_____________________________________________LICHENSPECIALISTTOSTORAGE: DateSentby: To:_____________________________Sender’scomments:______________________________________Received:______________________________________________Comments:_____________________________________________

CONTENTSHex number

State County Collector Notes

Figure10-5.Formusedformailinglichencommunityspecimens,oneformperbox.


Lichens27

10.� REFERENCES

Brodo,I.M.1991.LichensoftheOttawaRegion.NationalMuseumsof Canada.

Dey,J.P.1978.Fruticoseandfolioselichensofthehigh-mountainareasofthesouthernAppalachians.Bryologist81:1-93.

Hale,M.E.1979.HowtoKnowtheLichens.2ndEd.Wm.C.Brown,Dubuque,Iowa.

Hale,M.E.andM.Cole.1988.LichensofCalifornia.UniversityofCaliforniaPress,Berkeley.254pp.

Hawksworth,D.L.;Rose,F.1976.Lichensaspollutionmonitors.London:EdwardArnold.

McCune,B.1988.LichencommunitiesalongO3 and SO2 gradients in Indianapolis.Bryologist91:223-228.

McCune,B.1992.FieldKeytotheLichensoftheNorthwestForestsWestoftheCascadeCrest.Dept.BotanyandPlantPathology,OregonStateUniversity,Corvallis.19pp.

McCune,B.andL.Geiser.1997.MacrolichensofthePacificNorthwest.OregonStateUniversityPress,Corvallis.386pp.

McCune,B.andT.Goward.1995.MacrolichensoftheNorthernRockyMountains.Eureka,CA:MadRiverPress.208pp.

McCuneB.andJ.Peck.1994.LichenCommunitiesTrainingDocument.OregonStateUniversity,DepartmentofBotanyandPlantPathology,Corvallis,Oregon.

Pollard,J.E.;Palmer,C.J.1998.Foresthealthmonitoringplotcomponentqualityassuranceplan(national1998).ResearchTrianglePark,NC:U.S.DepartmentofAgricultureForestService,NationalForest Health Monitoring Program.

Smith,C.,L.Geiser,L.Gough,B.McCune,B.Ryan,andR.Showman.1993. Species and communities. Chapter 4 inLichenasBioindicatorsofAirQuality.USDAForestServiceGen.Tech.Rep.RM-224.

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2�

vanDobben,H.1993.Vegetationasamonitorfordepositionofnitrogenandacidity.PhDDissertation,UtrechtUniversity,Netherlands.214pp.(privatelypublished)

Vitt,D.H.,J.E.Marsh,andR.B.Bovey.1988.Mosses,LichensandFernsofNorthwestNorthAmerica.LonepinePublishing.296pp.

10.� ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSContactinformationfortheIndicatorAdvisorforthisindicatoris:SusanWill-Wolf,DepartmentofBotany,BirgeHall,UniversityofWisconsin,430LincolnDrive,Madison,[email protected]


P3 Soils2�

Section 11. Soil Measurements and Sampling

11.0 INTRODUCTION

TheobjectiveofthePhase3(P3)SoilsIndicatoristoassessforestecosystem health in terms of the physical and chemical properties of the soils. The soil resource is a primary component of all terrestrial ecosystems,andanyenvironmentalstressorthataltersthenaturalfunctionofthesoilhasthepotentialtoinfluencethevitality,speciescomposition,andhydrologyofforestecosystems.

Specifically,soilsdataarecollectedonP3plotstoassess(SantiagoDeclaration1995):

• thepotentialforerosionofnutrient-richtopsoilsandforestfloors.• factors relating to the storage and cycling of nutrients and water. • theavailabilityofnutrientsandwatertoplants(dependentupon

soilstructureandtexture).• carbonsequestration(theamountofcarbontiedupinsoilorganic

matter).• deposition of toxic metals from pollution.• acidificationofthesoilfromdepositionofpollutants.

Chemicalpropertiesofthesoilareanalyzedinordertodevelopindicesforplantnutrientstatus,soilorganicmatter,andacidification.Together,thesethreefactorslargelydeterminethefertilityandpotential productivity of forest stands. Soil nutrient status refers totheconcentrationofplantnutrients(e.g.,potassium,calcium,magnesium,andsodium)andisakeyindicatorofsitefertilityandspecies composition. The amount of organic matter in the soil largely determineswaterretention,carbonstorage,andthecompositionofsoilbiota.Lossofsoilorganicmatterasaresultofmanagementpractices can alter the vitality of forest ecosystems through diminished regenerationcapacityoftrees,lowergrowthrates,andchangesinspeciescomposition.Finally,increasedsoilacidityresultingfromdeposition of atmospheric pollutants has the capacity to reduce nutrient availability,decreaseratesofdecomposition,promotethereleaseoftoxicelementsintothesoilsolution(e.g.,aluminum),andalterpatternsand rates of microbial transformations.

Nutrient and water availability to forest vegetation is also dependent on thephysicalcapacityofrootstogrowandaccessnutrients,water,andoxygen from the soil. �n addition to playing an important role in plant nutrition,thephysicalpropertiesofthesoillargelydetermineforest

P3 Soils


30

hydrology,particularlywithregardstosurfaceandgroundwaterflow.Humanactivitiesthatresultinthedestructionofsoilaggregates,lossofporespace(compaction),anderosionmayincreaseratesofsurfacerunoffandalterhistoricpatternsofstreamflow.Insomeareas,thesechangesmayresultinfloodingand/ordewateredstreamsandcanreflectonboththehealthofaquaticecosystemsandthemanagementand conservation of associated forest and agricultural areas.

11.1 SUMMARY OF METHOD


The soil measurement and sampling procedures are divided into three parts:soilerosion,soilcompaction,andsoilchemistry.Datacollectionfor soil erosion assessment consists of estimating the percent of bare soil in each subplot. These measurements are combined with data from othersourcesandusedtoparameterizeestablishedmodelsforerosionpotential(RUSLE–RevisedUniversalSoilLossEquation,WEPP–WaterErosionPredictionProject).Soilcompactionmeasurementsconsist of an estimate of the percentage of soil compaction on each subplot along with a description of the type of compaction. Data are recordedusingahandheldcomputer(PDR)withapreloadeddatainput program.

The chemical and physical properties of the soil are assessed through thecollectionofsoilsamples,whicharethensubmittedtoaregionallaboratory for analysis. Soil samples are collected from the forest floor(subplots2,3,and4)andunderlyingmineralsoillayers(subplot2).Theentireforestfloorlayerissampledfromaknownareaaftermeasuringthethicknessoftheduff(humus)andlitterlayersatfourlocationsinasamplingframeofknownarea.Oncetheforestfloorhasbeenremoved,mineralororganicsoilsaresampledvolumetricallybycollectingcoresfromtwodepths:0to4inchesand4to8inches.Thetextureofeachlayerisestimatedinthefieldandcharacterizedasorganic,loamy,clayey,sandy,orcoarsesandy.Followingsoilsampling,thedepthtoanyrestrictivehorizonwithinthetop20inchesisestimatedusingasoilprobe.Inthecaseoforganicsoils(e.g.,wetlandsoils),samplesarecollectedfromthelitterlayerandthe0-4inchand4-8inchorganiclayers.

Physical and chemical properties of the soil are determined in the laboratory.Analysesofforestfloorsamplesincludebulkdensity,watercontent,totalcarbon,andtotalnitrogen.Analysesofmineralsoilsamplesincludebulkdensity,watercontent,coarsefragmentcontent,


P3 Soils31

totalorganicandinorganiccarbon,totalnitrogen,plantavailable(extractable)phosphorusandsulfur,exchangeablecations(calcium,magnesium,sodium,potassium,andaluminum),pH,andtracemetalssuch as manganese. These data are used to provide indexes of nutrientstatus,acidification,andcarbonsequestration.

11.2 DEFINITIONS

Cryptobiotic crustsAlayerofsymbioticlichensandalgaeonthesoilsurface(commoninaridregions)

Duff (Humus)A soil layer dominated by organic material derived from the decomposition of plant and animal litter and deposited on either an organic or a mineral surface. This layer is distinguished from the litter layerinthattheoriginalorganicmaterialhasundergonesufficientdecompositionthatthesourceofthismaterial(e.g.,individualplantparts)cannolongerbeidentified.

Forest floorTheentirethicknessoforganicmaterialoverlyingthemineralsoil,consistingofthelitterandtheduff(humus).

LitterUndecomposedoronlypartiallydecomposedorganicmaterialthatcanbereadilyidentified(e.g.,plantleaves,twigs,etc.) LoamThetexturalclassnameforasoilhavingamoderateamountofsand,silt,andclay.

Mineral soilA soil consisting predominantly of products derived from the weathering ofrocks(e.g.,sands,silts,andclays).

Organic soilForthepurposesofFIA,anorganicsoilisdefinedasanysoilinwhichtheorganichorizonisgreaterthan8inchesinthickness.Thesesoilsare prevalent in wetland areas such as bogs and marshes and may be frequentlyencounteredincertainregionsofthecountry(e.g.,Maine,northernMinnesota,coastalregions)

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Restrictive layer Any soil condition which increases soil density to the extent that it maylimitrootgrowth.Thislimitationmaybephysical(hardrock)orchemical(acidlayer)orboth.

Sampling frame Aframeusedtocollectforestfloorsamplesfromaknownarea.Abicycle tire 12 inches in diameter has been selected as the national standard.

Soil erosion Thewearingawayofthelandsurfacebyrunningwater,wind,iceorother geological agents.

Texture Therelativeproportionofsand,silt,andclayinasoil.

11.3 EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

Minimum required equipment is listed below. Field personnel may add equipmentasneededtoimproveefficiencyinsomeareas.

11.3.1 Field Gear Unique to the Soil Indicator

• Retractablemeasuringtape(inchintervals)formeasuringsoillayer depths.

• Frame for sampling known area of surface litter material. A small bicycletire(16x2.125intiresizewithaninternaldiameterof12in)hasbeenchosenasthestandardsize.

• Impact-drivensoilcore(2-indiameterx8-indepth)samplerwithtwo2-indiameterby4-inlongstainlesssteelcorelinersforobtaining mineral soil samples.

• Additionalbulkdensitysamplingequipment:crescentwrenchanduniversal slip wrench for disassembling bulk density sampler if stuck.

• Tileprobe(42in)formeasuringdepthtoarestrictivelayer.• Gardentrowelorhandshovelforsamplingforestfloorand

excavating soil sample hole where soil core sampler cannot be used.

• Smallknifewithsharpbladeforsamplingtheforestfloorlayers.• Pruningshears(veryusefulincuttingthroughrootsandlitter).• Plasticwaterbottleforuseinhand-texturingsoil.• Smallplastictarp(1ydx1yd)touseasaworkingsurface.• Indelibleinkmarkers(blackthin-line)formarkingsamplebags.


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• Cleaning cloths or tissues.• Soilsamplebags(9x12inorquartsize)formineralsoilsamples.• Soilsamplebags(10x18inorgallonsize)forforestfloor

samples.• Soil sample labels.

11.3.2 Optional Soils Equipment

• Supplementalsoilsamplingequipmentfororganicsoils:Dutchauger.

• Supplemental soil sampling equipment for saturated or wetland soils:mudaugerorpiston-typecoresampler.

• Garden gloves.• 1-indiametersoiltubeprobetotakesoilsamplesforhand-

texturing or where soil core sampler cannot be used.

11.3.3 Required Equipment not Unique to the Soil Indicator:

• Compass for locating sampling points.• Measuringtape-100ftloggerstapeformeasuringdistanceto

sampling locations.• Flagging for marking soil sample points.• Backpackforcarryingsamplingequipmenttothefield.• Clear plastic shipping tape to cover labels after they have been

filledout.

11.4 LABORATORY ANALYSES

Phase3forestfloorsamplesareanalyzedinthelaboratoryfor:

• Bulkdensity.• Water content.• Total carbon.• Total nitrogen.

Phase3mineralsoilsamplesareanalyzedfor:

• Bulkdensity,watercontent,andcoarsefragment[>0.08-in(>2-mm)]content.

• pH in water and in 0.01 M CaCl2.• Total carbon.• Total organic carbon.• Totalinorganiccarbon(carbonates)(pH>7.5soilsonly).• Total nitrogen.

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34

• Exchangeablecations(Na,K,Mg,Ca,Al,Mn).• Extractable sulfur and trace metals.• Extractablephosphorus(Bray1methodforpH<6soils,Olsen

methodforpH>6soils).

Methodsforpreparingandanalyzingthecollectedsoilsamplesareavailable in a separate document.

11.� QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA)

TheQAprogramforthesoilsindicatoraddressesbothfieldandlaboratorymeasurements.Forfieldmeasurements,QAprotocolsarethe same as those used for all other Phase 3 indicators. Tolerances have been established for each of the measurements. The tolerances areusedduringtraining,certificationandauditingtoassistwiththecontrolofdataquality.Periodicre-measurementsareundertakentoestablishdataqualityattributessuchasprecision,biasandcomparability.

ThisfieldguideonlyaddressesaspectsofQArelatedtothefieldportion of the program. Soil laboratories have another set of guidelines for ensuring data quality and are required to enroll in a national proficiencytestingprogram.DetailsofthelabQAprotocolmaybeobtained by contacting the regional lab directors.

11.�.1 Training And Certification

Fieldcrewsaretrainedtomakefieldmeasurementsaswellastakesoilsamples.Aftertraining,allfieldcrewmembersaretestedandcertifiedforsoilindicatormeasurements.Eachtrainedcrewmembermust demonstrate the ability to conduct soil measurements within established MQOs.

11.�.2 Hot Checks, Cold Checks, and Blind Checks

QA/QCforthefieldportionofthesoilindicatorconsistsofthreeparts:

Hot Check – an inspection normally done as part of the training process. The inspector is present on the plot with the trainee and provides immediate feedback regarding data quality. Data errors are corrected. Hot checks can be done on training plots or production plots.


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Cold Check – aninspectiondoneeitheraspartofthetrainingprocess,or as part of the ongoing QC program. Normally the installation crew is not present at the time of inspection. The inspector has the completed datain-handatthetimeofinspection.Theinspectioncanincludethe whole plot or a subset of the plot. Data errors are corrected. Discrepancies between the two sets of data may be reconciled. Cold checks are done on production plots only.

Blind Check–are-installationdonebyaqualifiedinspectioncrewwithoutproductioncrewdataonhand;afullre-installationoftheplotforthe purpose of obtaining a measure of data quality. The two data sets are maintained separately. Discrepancies between the two sets of data arenotreconciled.Blindchecksaredoneonproductionplotsonly.

11.�.3 Reference Plots

Remeasurementsoffieldobservationsbyregionaltrainercrewsoccuronroutineplotsrecentlyvisitedbyastandardfieldcrew(coldchecksorhotchecks)oronreferenceplots.Allerosionandsoilcompactionremeasurements can be taken on the subplots as described in the soil measurement methods. Reference plots should be selected with areas ofbareandcompactedsoiltoallowforanevaluationofacrew’sabilityto make these measurements.

11.�.4 Debriefing

Feedbackfromthefieldcrewsiscriticaltoidentifyingproblemswiththesoil indicator measurements and improving the program for subsequent fieldseasons.Crewmembersconductingsoilmeasurementsshouldfilloutadebriefingformandsubmitittotheregionalfieldcoordinatorpriortotheendofthefieldseason.Crewmembersshouldconsideritpartoftheirresponsibilitytoreportanyproblems,inconsistencies,orerrorsinthefieldguideorthemethod.

11.� SOIL EROSION AND COMPACTION

Erosionisdefinedasthewearingawayofthelandsurfacebyrunningwater,wind,orice.Erosionisanaturalprocessthatoccursonallnon-flatareasofthelandscape.However,humanactivity(suchastimberremovalorroad-building)canresultinacceleratedratesoferosionthatdegrade the soil and reduce the productivity of land. Extensive areas of soil erosion can have a major effect on the aquatic ecosystems associatedwithforests,recreationalopportunities,potablewatersuppliesandthelifespanofriverinfrastructure(e.g.,dams,levees).

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Onaverage,theU.S.losesabout5billiontonsofsoilannuallytowaterandwinderosion.Asthissoilisremovedfromthelandscape,itcarrieswith it all of the nutrients and organic matter that took decades to centuries(orlonger)tobuildup.Onhumantimescales,fertiletopsoilis not a renewable resource.

OnFIAplots,soilerosionpotentialisestimatedusingpublishedmodels,suchastheRevisedUniversalSoilLossEquation(RUSLE)andtheWaterErosionPredictionProject(WEPP).Thesemodelsarebasedonfactorsthatrepresenthowclimate,soil,topography,andlanduseaffectsoilerosionandsurfacerunoff.Generally,thesemodelsrequirethefollowingfactorsforanalysis:percentslope,slopelength,precipitationfactor,vegetationcover,andlittercover.Someofthesefactors are collected as part of the P2 mensuration data and other P3 indicators(percentslopeandvegetationcover),onefactorisobtainedfromoutsidesources(precipitationfactor),andtheremainingfactors(%cover,whichisgivenby100minus%BARESOIL,andSOILTEXTURE)aremeasuredoneachsubplotaspartofthesoilindicator.

Estimates of bare soil are made on all four subplots. Soil texture is measured at the soil sampling site adjacent to subplot 2 during the collection of mineral and organic soil samples.

Compaction refers to a reduction in soil pore space and can be caused by heavy equipment or by repeated passes of light equipment that compress the soil and break down soil aggregates. This compression increases the bulk density and reduces the ability of air and water to movethroughthesoil.Theseconditionsalsomakeitmoredifficultforplantrootstopenetratethesoilandobtainnecessarynutrients,oxygen,andwater.

Ingeneral,compactiontendstobeagreaterproblemonmoistsoilsandonfine-texturedsoils(clays).Theseeffectscanpersistforlongperiods of time and may result in stunted tree growth.

�nformation about compaction is collected on all subplots that are in a forested condition. Compaction data collected as part of the soil indicator include an estimate of the percent of each subplot affected by compactionandthetype(s)ofcompactionpresent.

11.�.1 PERCENT COVER OF BARE SOIL

Recordatwo-digitcodeindicatingthepercentageofthesubplotthat


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iscoveredbybaresoil(mineralororganic).Finegravel[0.08-0.20inch(2-5mm)]shouldbeconsideredpartofthebaresoil.However,donotincludelargerocksprotrudingthroughthesoil(e.g.,bedrockoutcrops)inthiscategorybecausethesearenoterodiblesurfaces.Forthepurposesofthesoilindicator,cryptobioticcrustsarenotconsideredbare soil.

Ifthesubplotincludesnon-forestedareas,multiplythe%COVEROFBARESOILintheforestedpartofthesubplotbythe%ofthesubplotthatisinforestedarea.Forexample,if50%ofthesubplotisforestedandthe%COVEROFBARESOILoftheforestedpartis30%,thenthe%COVEROFBARESOILfortheentiresubplotis15%.

WhenCollected:Whenanyportionofthesubplotcontainsatleastoneaccessible forested condition classFieldWidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-10%MQO:75%ofthetimeValues:

00 Absent 35 31-35% 75 71-75%01 Trace 40 36-40% 80 76-80%05 1to5% 45 41-45% 85 81-85%10 6-10% 50 46-50% 90 86-90%15 11-15% 55 51-55% 95 91-95%20 16-20% 60 56-60% 99 96-100%25 21-25% 65 61-65% 70 66-70%30 26-30%

11.�.2 PERCENT COMPACTED AREA ON THE SUBPLOT

Recordatwo-digitcodeindicatingthepercentageofthesubplotthatexhibits evidence of compaction. Soil compaction is assessed relative to the conditions of adjacent undisturbed soil. Do not include improved roads in your evaluation.

WhenCollected:Whenanyportionofthesubplotcontainsatleastoneaccessible forested condition classFieldWidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-15%MQO:75%ofthetime

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Values:

00 Absent 3531-35% 7571-75%01 Trace 4036-40% 8076-80%05 1to5% 4541-45% 8581-85%10 6-10% 5046-50% 9086-90%15 11-15% 5551-55% 9591-95%20 16-20% 6056-60% 9996-100%25 21-25% 6561-65%30 26-30% 7066-70%

11.�.3 TYPE OF COMPACTION - RUTTED TRAIL

Type of compaction is a rutted trail. Ruts must be at least 2 inches deep into mineral soil or 6 inches deep from the undisturbed forest litter surface. Record a “1” if this type of compaction is present; record a “0” if it is not present.

WhenCollected:WhenPERCENTCOMPACTEDAREAONTHESUBPLOT>00FieldWidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:75%ofthetimeValues:

1 Present0 Not present

11.�.4 TYPE OF COMPACTION – COMPACTED TRAIL

Typeofcompactionisacompactedtrail(usuallytheresultofmanypassesofheavymachinery,vehicles,orlargeanimals).Recorda“1”ifthis type of compaction is present; record a “0” if it is not present.




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11.�.� TYPE OF COMPACTION – COMPACTED AREA

Type of compaction is a compacted area. Examples include the junctionareasofskidtrails,landingareas,workareas,animalbeddingareas,heavilygrazedareas,etc.Recorda“1”ifthistypeofcompaction is present; record a “0” if it is not present.



11.�.� TYPE OF COMPACTION – OTHER

Type of compaction is some other form. Record a “1” if this type of compactionispresent;recorda“0”ifitisnotpresent.(Anexplanationmustbeenteredintheplotnotes).



11.7 SOIL SAMPLE COLLECTION

The chemical and physical properties of the soil are assessed through thecollectionofsoilsamples,whicharethensubmittedtoaregionallaboratory for analysis. Soil samples are collected from the forest floor(subplots2,3,and4)andunderlyingmineralsoillayers(subplot2).Theentireforestfloorlayerissampledfromaknownareaaftermeasuringthethicknessatthenorth,south,east,andwestedgesofasamplingframeofknownarea.Oncetheforestfloorhasbeenremoved,mineralandorganicsoilsaresampledvolumetricallybycollectingcoresfromtwodepths:0to4inchesand4to8inches.

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40

Thetextureofeachlayerisestimatedinthefieldandcharacterizedasorganic,loamy,clayey,sandy,orcoarsesandy.Followingsoilsampling,thedepthtoanyrestrictivehorizonwithinthetop20inchesisestimatedusingasoilprobe.Inthecaseoforganicsoils,samplesarecollected from the litter layer and the 0 to 4 inch and 4 to 8 inch organic layers.

Soil samples are collected within the annular plot along soil sampling linesadjacenttosubplots2,3,and4(Figure11-1).Duringthefirstvisittoaplotforsoilsampling,soilsampleswillbecollectedatthepointdenotedasSoilVisit#1.Onsubsequentvisitstoaplot,soilsamplingsitesvisit#2orlargerwillbesampled.Thesoilsamplingsitesarespacedat10-footintervalsalternatingonoppositesidesofsoil sampling site number 1.

Theinitialsamplingpoints(SoilVisit#1)arelocated: • Subplot2soilmeasurementsite:30feetduesouth(180o)fromthe

center of subplot 2. • Subplot3soilmeasurementsite:30feetnorthwest(300°)from

the center of subplot 3.• Subplot4soilmeasurementsite:30feetnortheast(60o)fromthe

center of subplot 4.

�f the soil cannot be sampled at the designated sampling point due to tramplingoranobstruction(e.g.,boulder,tree,standingwater),thesampling point may be relocated to any location within a radius of 5 feet.


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1 23 45 67 89

10ft.(3.05m)

SoilVisitNumber

4

18

3

2

1

1 1

8

89

9

9

Figure11-1.Locationofsoilsamplingsites

11.7.1 Forest Floor

Forestfloorsamplesarecollectedfromsoilsamplingsitesadjacenttosubplots2,3,and4.Samplesarecollectedif,andonlyif,thesoilsamplingsitesareforested.Theforestfloorissampledasacompleteunitusingasamplingframe(Figure11-2).

1. Place the sampling frame over the sampling point taking care not to compact the litter layer.

Locatethepointsduenorth,dueeast,duesouthandduewestonthe inside of the soil sampling frame and mark these with small vinylstakeflags.Carefullyremovethesamplingframe.

2. Measurethethicknessoftheentireforestfloortothenearest0.1inchatthefourflaggedlocations.Ateachsamplingpoint,alsomeasure the thickness of the litter layer.

3. Replacethesoilsamplingframe.Usingapairofclippers,carefullyremovealllivevegetationfromthesamplearea.Livingmossesshouldbeclippedatthebaseofthegreen,photosyntheticmaterial.

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42

4. Usingasharpknifeorapairofclippers,carefullycutthroughtheforestflooralongtheinnersurfaceoftheframetoseparateitfromthe surrounding soil.

5. Usinginwardscoopingmotions,carefullyremovetheentirevolumeoftheforestfloorfromwithintheconfinesofthesamplingframe.Discardallwoodydebris(includingpinecones,largepiecesofbark,anddecomposedwood)above0.25inchesindiameter(approximatelythediameterofapencil).Discardanyrocksorpebblescollectedwiththeforestfloormaterial.

6. Workingoverthetarp,placetheentireforestfloorlayersampleintoapre-labeledgallonsamplebag.Insomeareasmorethanonebagmightberequiredtoholdthesample.Ifso,labelthebagswithidenticalinformation,thenadd“1of2”and“2of2”respectively.

11.7.2 Assembly and Operation of Impact Driven Soil Corer (Bulk Density Sampler)

Theimpactdrivencoresampler(Figure11-3)isusedtocollectaknown volume of soil with a minimum of compaction and disturbance. Theweightofthiscoreisthenusedtodeterminebulkdensity(themassofsoilperunitvolume),animportantphysicalpropertyofthesoil.Althoughweusuallythinkaboutthesoilintermsofthemineralfraction,soilsareactuallyamatrixofsolids(mineralandorganic),water,andair.Theratiobetweenthesefractions(porespace)determinesthecapacityofthesoiltoprovidenutrients,air,andwatertoplantroots.Inaddition,bulkdensityisusedtoconvertthechemicalconcentrationsobtainedinthelabtoavolumetricbasis,whichismoremeaningfulinterms of plant nutrition.


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Figure11-3.DiagramofImpactDrivenSoilCorer

Assembly

• Thread the top cap of the soil coring head onto the slide hammer attachmentandtighten.Thisconnectionmustbetight;ifnot,thisconnection may be sheared off during use.

• Inserttwo2-indiameterx4-inlongstainlesssteelsoilcorelinersinto the soil coring head. �t may be helpful to number the core liners with an indelible marker in order to tell them apart after the sample has been collected.

• Thread the soil coring head onto the top cap and slide hammer attachment until the top rim of the coring head just contacts the topcap.Makesurethattheventholeinthetopcapiskeptopen,so that air displaced while the coring head is driven into the soil can escape from inside the coring head.

Maintenance

• Take care to clean and dry the inside and outside of the soil coring headaftereachsample.Moisturecancauserustbuild-upontheinsideofthecoreheadandmakeitdifficulttoinsertandremovethe liners.

• Useabrushandragtocleanboththeinsideandoutsideofthe

Slide hammerSlide hammer

Coring headCoring head

LinerLinerThreaded cap w/air holeThreaded cap w/air hole

Diagram of �mpact Driven Soil CorerDiagram of �mpact Driven Soil Corer

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44

core liners as well. Grit on the outside of the liner can cause damagetotheinsideofthecoringheadandmakeitdifficulttocollect samples.

• Nevertwist,pull,orputpressureonthecoresamplerwhilethehammer attachment is extended. This can cause the attachment to break or bend.

11.7.3 Mineral Soil

Twomineralsoilsamples0-4inchand4-8incharecollectedfromthesoil sampling site adjacent to subplot 2 only,andarecollectedif,andonlyif,thesoilsamplingsiteisforested(Figure11-2).

1. Mineral soil samples are collected from within the area of the samplingframeaftertheforestfloorhasbeenremoved.

2. Place the core sampler in a vertical position and drive the sampler into the soil until the top of the coring head is about 1 inch above themineralsoilsurface.Atthispoint,thesoilshouldbeevenwiththe top of the liner.

3. Withthehandleoftheslidehammerdown,rotatethesamplerin a circular motion. This motion breaks the soil loose at the bottom of the sampler and makes it easier to remove the core. Do not extend the sliding part of the slide hammer upwards to gain additional leverage as this may bend the attachment. Remove the core sampler from the ground by pulling the slide hammer upwards in a smooth vertical motion.

4. Ifacompleteandintactcorehasbeencollected,unscrewthecoring head from the top cap and carefully slide the core liners ontothetarp(seesection11.5.fortechniquesusedinhandlingproblemsoils).Ifnecessary,usethecrescentandslipwrenchesto separate the parts. Trim the top and bottom of the core even with the liner rims. Take care to avoid any loss of soil from the cores;ifanymaterialspills,youmustresample.

5. Usingaknife,slicethroughthesoilcoreattheinterfacebetweenthetwoliners(the4-inchdepth).Removethesoilfromthe0-4inchstainlesssteellinerandplaceitintoapre-labeledsoilsamplebag.Repeatforthe4-8inchcore.Besuretoplaceallofthematerialintheliner(includingcoarsefragments,roots,soil,etc.)into the sample bags.


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6. Foreachplot,youshouldhaveamaximumoffivesamples:

• Threelabeledgallonbagscontainingtheforestfloorsamplesfromthesamplingsitesadjacenttosubplots2,3,and 4. Additional bags may be needed for deep soils.

• Onelabeledquartbagcontainingthe0-4inchmineralsoilsample from the soil sampling site adjacent to subplot 2.

• Onelabeledquartbagcontainingthe4-8inchmineralsoilsample from the soil sampling site adjacent to subplot 2.

7. Clean all soil sampling equipment thoroughly before sampling soil at the next plot.

Figure11-2.Cross-sectionalviewsofsamplingsites(topviewandsideview).

11.7.4 Regulations Governing Sample Collection (National Historic Preservation Act)

TheNationalHistoricPreservationActof1966(asamended)providesfor the protection of historical and cultural artifacts. Due to the random placementofthePhase3monitoringdesign,apossibilityexiststhata Phase 3 plot may be located on a site of prehistoric or historical significance.

IfculturalartifactsareencounteredonaPhase3plot,donot take soil samples. Code the site as not sampled on the PDR and record a plot note explaining why soil samples were not taken.

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Ifneeded,archeologistsorculturalresourcespecialistsintheselandmanagement agencies will assist in obtaining permission to sample. Assistance is also available from State Historic Preservation Programs for state and private lands.

11.7.� Alternate Sampling Methods for “Problem” Soils

Insomecases,thesoilcoringprocedureoutlinedabovewillnotwork.Forexample,insaturatedorganicsoils,useofthecoresamplermaycausesignificantcompactionofthesample.Verysandysoilsordrysoilsmaytendtofalloutoftheliners,whileinsoilswithahighrockcontentorashallowdepthtobedrock,itmaynotbepossibletodrivethe core sampler into the ground. Approaches to handling these specificproblemsareaddressedinsection11.7.6.

Ingeneral,makeatleastthreeattemptstocollectasampleusingthecoresampler.Iftheseattemptsareunsuccessful,thenuseoneofthefollowing techniques to collect a sample.

1. Excavationmethod(handshovel)–Digashallowholewhosewidth is at least 1.5 times the length of your knife. Starting at the topofthemineralsoil,measuredown8inches.Makeamarkonthesideoftheholeat4and8inches.Useyourhandshoveltocollectmaterialfromthe0-4and4-8inchdepthincrements.Collectasufficientvolumeofsoilfromthesidesoftheholeateach depth increment to approximately equal the volume of a soil core liner and place each depth increment sample in separate soilsamplebags.Besuretocollectmaterialfromthroughouttheentire depth increment to avoid biasing the sample.

2. Tubeprobe–Removetheforestfloorfromanareaandusethetubeprobetocollectsamplesfromthe0-4inchdepthatanumberof locations. Composite these samples until you have a sample volume approximately equal to that of the soil core liner. Repeat thesub-samplingandcompositingforthe4-8inchlayerbyreturning to the points sampled previously and pushing the tube probe into the soil an additional 4 inches.

3. Dutchauger–Dutchaugerscanbeveryusefulinwetlandorsaturatedsoils.Inanareawheretheforestfloorhasbeenremoved,drillintothesoilwiththeaugeranduseatapemeasuretohelpyoucollectmaterialfromthe0-4and4-8inchdepthincrements.


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Forallofthesemethods,makesuretocollectapproximatelythesameamountofsoilmaterial[<0.08inch(<2mm)]thatwouldhavebeenneededtofillthecoreliner.Completionofthelaboratoryanalysesrequiresatleast5ounces(150g)ofmineralsoil.

Insoilswithalargenumberofsmallrocksandpebbles,thismeansthatyou will need to collect a larger amount of sample so that the lab will haveenoughmaterialtoanalyzeoncetherockshavebeenremoved.Inthesesoils,collectenoughmaterialtofilltwocoreliners.

Becertaintocircle“Other”onthelabelundersamplertype.

11.7.� Commonly Encountered Problems

�t may not always be possible to obtain soil core samples using the soil core sampler. The following section provides some suggestions on how to overcome these problems.

1. Rocky soils

Insoilscontainingahighpercentageofrocks,itmaynotbepossible to drive the core sampler in to the required depth of 8 inches.Ifthisoccurs,removeanysoilwithinthesampler,testfor the presence of an obstruction using a plot stake pin or the tileprobe,andmakeasecondattempteitherwithintheareawheretheforestfloorhasbeenremovedorwithintheavailablesoilsamplingarea(withina5-footradiusoftheoriginalsoilsamplinglocation).Makeamaximumoffiveattempts.Ifacompletesamplefromthe0-4inchdepthcanbeobtained,collectthatsample.Otherwise,usetheexcavationorsoiltubeprobeapproachesoutlinedabove(Section11.7.5).

2. Verysandysoils(orverydrysoils)–samplefallsoutofthecore

Ifthesoilwillnotstayinthecoreliner,usetheshoveltodigaround the soil coring head while it is still in place. Tilt the soil corer to one side and insert the blade of the shovel underneath thebaseofthecore.Usethebaseoftheshoveltoholdthesample in place as you remove the corer from the soil. Depending onthesoiltype,thistechniquemayrequiresomepracticeand/orthe use of a partner.

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3. Saturated or wetland soils.

Attempt to collect a sample using the soil corer. �f this is not possible,orifcompactionoccurs,use one of the three alternate methods outlined in Section 11.7.5.

4. Buried Soils

Inareaslocatedadjacenttoriversorotherbodiesofwater,sedimenttransportandperiodicfloodingmayresultintheformationofburiedsoils.Buriedsoilsmaybeidentifiedbyalternatinglayersofmineralsoilandforestfloormaterial.Toconfirmthepresenceofaburiedsoil,excavateasmallholenearthe soil sampling site with a shovel and look for the presence of forestfloorandlittermaterialsburiedbetweenlayersofmineralsoil.

Collect only the litter and organic matter currently on the soil surfaceasaforestfloorsamplefollowingthestandardprotocol.Attempttocollect0-4and4-8inchsamplesusingthebulkdensitycorer.Ifthisisnotpossible,orifthecoresdonotfillcompletely,collect a sample using a shovel following the excavation method outlined in 11.7.5. Place a star on the upper right corner of the samplinglabel,circle“Other”forsamplertype,andmakeaclearnote on the shipping form to indicate that this sample represents a buried soil.

5. Other situations in which a complete 8 inch core cannot be collected

Ifacompletecorecannotbeobtainedinonesample,butiscohesiveenoughtocollectasecondsamplefromthesamehole,try the following. Collect a partial sample and measure the length of the collected core. Reinsert the sampler and drive it into the soil to an additional depth close to the length of the collected core. Removethenewcorefromthesampler.Whenplacedtogether,thetwocoresshouldexceed8inchesinlength.Withaknife,cutthecoresatthe4-inchand8-inchlengths.Replacetheadditionalsoil into the soil hole.

Insomesoiltypes,the0-4inchcoremaynotfillcompletely,althoughthe4-8inchcoreappearstobefull.Inthisinstance,attempt to collect a second core by driving the core deeper intothesoil.Intermsofthesoilchemistry,itisbettertoslightly


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overcompactthesamplethantounderfillthecore.Makethreeattemptstocompletelyfillthecore,drivingthecorerdeepereachtime.Ifyouarestillunabletoobtainacomplete0-4inchcore,collectthe0-4inchsampleandmark“Other”undersamplertype.Anunderfilledcorecannotbeusedabulkdensitysample.Ifthe4-8inchsampleisfull,itshouldbecollectedasabulkdensitysample(mark“BulkDensity”undersamplertype)

11.7.7 Organic soils

Thesesoilsareprevalentincertainregionsofthecountry(e.g.,Maine,northernMinnesota,coastalregions)andpropersamplingrequiresmodificationoftheaboveprocedures.

• Duetothelargethicknessoftheunderlyingorganicsoil,samplingis restricted to the litter layer. Measure the entire thickness of theforestfloortoamaximumdepthof20inches.However,onlycollectasampleofthelitterlayer(seesection11.7.1).

• Attempt to collect a soil sample using the impact driven corer. �n manycases,thiswillnotbepossiblewithoutseverecompactionofthesample.Ifcompactionoccurs,orifyouhavedifficultyinobtainingacompletecore,samplesmaybecollectedatthe0-4inchand4-8inchdepthincrementsusingaDutchaugerorshovel(seesection11.7.5).

11.7.� SUBPLOT NUMBER

Record the number of the subplot adjacent to the soil sampling site.

WhenCollected:AllsoilsamplelocationsFieldWidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:2to4

11.7.� CONDITION CLASS

Record the condition class for the soil sampling site. �f the condition class for the soil sample is different from any recorded on the 4 subplots,enter“0”.

WhenCollected:AllsoilsamplelocationsFieldWidth:1digit

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Tolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast95%ofthetimeValues:0to9

11.7.10 VISIT NUMBER

Recordthenumberofthesoilsamplinglocation(Figure11-1)atwhichthe soil sample was collected.

WhenCollected:AllsoilsamplelocationsFieldWidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:1to9

11.7.11 SOIL SAMPLE STATUS

Recordwhetherornotaforestfloorormineralsoilsamplewascollectedatthesoilsamplinglocation.Forbothforestfloorandmineralsamples,itistheconditionofthesoilsamplingsitesintheannularplot that determines whether soil samples are collected. Samples are collectedif,andonlyif,thesoilsamplingsiteisinaforestedcondition(regardlessoftheconditionclassofthesubplot).Forexample,incases where the subplot has at least one forested condition class and thesoilsamplingsiteisnotinaforestedconditionclass,soilsamplesarenotcollected.Similarly,incaseswherethesoilsamplingsiteisina forested condition class and the subplot does not have at least one forestedconditionclass,soilsamplesarecollected.

WhenCollected:Mineralsoilonsubplot2andforestflooronsubplots2,3,and4FieldWidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:

1 Sampled2 Notsampled:non-forest

Thefollowingareforforestconditions:3 Notsampled:toorockytosample4 Notsampled:waterorboggy5 Notsampled:accessdenied6 Notsampled:toodangeroustosample


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7 Notsampled:obstructioninsamplingarea8 Notsampled:brokenorlostequipment9 Notsampled:other-enterreasoninplotnotes

11.7.12 FOREST FLOOR THICKNESS – NORTH

Recordthethickness(tothenearest0.1inch)oftheforestfloormeasured from the top of the litter layer to the boundary between the forestfloorandmineralsoil

Measure to a maximum depth of 20.0 inches. �f the thickness of the forestfloorisgreaterthan20.0inches,thencode“20.0”.Forlocationswherebaresoilorbedrockmaterialisexposed,enter“00.0”inchesdepth.Onorganicsoils,measuretheentirethicknessoftheforestfloor(to20.0inches)eventhoughyouwillonlysamplethelitterlayer.

WhenCollected:WhenSOILSAMPLESTATUS=1FieldWidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-2inMQO:90%ofthetimeValues:00.0to20.0

11.7.13 FOREST FLOOR THICKNESS – EAST

Recordthethickness(tothenearest0.1inch)oftheforestfloormeasured from the top of the litter layer to the boundary between the forestfloorandmineralsoil.

Measure to a maximum depth of 20.0 inches. �f the thickness of the forestfloorisgreaterthan20.0inches,thencode“20.0”.Forlocationswherebaresoilorbedrockmaterialisexposed,enter“00.0”inchesdepth.Onorganicsoils,measuretheentirethicknessoftheforestfloor(to20inches)eventhoughyouwillonlysamplethelitterlayer.

WhenCollected:WhenSOILSAMPLESTATUS=1FieldWidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-2inchesMQO:90%ofthetimeValues:00.0to20.0

11.7.14 FOREST FLOOR THICKNESS – SOUTH

Recordthethickness(tothenearest0.1inch)oftheforestfloormeasured from the top of the litter layer to the boundary between the

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forestfloorandmineralsoil.


WhenCollected:WhenSOILSAMPLESTATUS=1FieldWidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-2inMQO:90%ofthetimeValues:00.0to20.0

11.7.1� FOREST FLOOR THICKNESS – WEST

Recordthethickness(tothenearest0.1inch)oftheforestfloormeasured from the top of the litter layer to the boundary between the forestfloorandmineralsoil.


WhenCollected:SOILSAMPLESTATUS=1FieldWidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-2inMQO:90%ofthetimeValues:00.0to20.0

11.7.1� THICKNESS OF THE LITTER LAYER - NORTH

Recordthethicknessofthelitterlayer(tothenearest0.1inch)atthe north location within the sampling frame. The bottom of the litter layercanbedistinguishedastheboundarywhereplantparts(suchasleavesorneedles)arenolongerrecognizableassuchbecauseofdecomposition. Another criterion is that the organic layer may contain plantroots,butthelitterlayerwillprobablynot.Atsomelocations,thedepthoftheforestfloorandthelitterlayermaybethesame.Forlocationswherebaresoilorbedrockmaterialisexposed,enter“00.0”inches depth.


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11.7.17 THICKNESS OF THE LITTER LAYER - EAST

Recordthethicknessofthelitterlayer(tothenearest0.1inch)atthe east location within the sampling frame. The bottom of the litter layercanbedistinguishedastheboundarywhereplantparts(suchasleavesorneedles)arenolongerrecognizableassuchbecauseofdecomposition. Another criterion is that the organic layer may contain plantroots,butthelitterlayerwillprobablynot.Atsomelocations,thedepthoftheforestfloorandthelitterlayermaybethesame.Forlocationswherebaresoilorbedrockmaterialisexposed,enter“00.0”inches depth.


11.7.1� THICKNESS OF THE LITTER LAYER - SOUTH

Recordthethicknessofthelitterlayer(tothenearest0.1inch)atthe south location within the sampling frame. The bottom of the litter layercanbedistinguishedastheboundarywhereplantparts(suchasleavesorneedles)arenolongerrecognizableassuchbecauseofdecomposition. Another criterion is that the organic layer may contain plantroots,butthelitterlayerwillprobablynot.Atsomelocations,thedepthoftheforestfloorandthelitterlayermaybethesame.Forlocationswherebaresoilorbedrockmaterialisexposed,enter“00.0”inches depth.


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11.7.1� THICKNESS OF THE LITTER LAYER - WEST

Recordthethicknessofthelitterlayer(tothenearest0.1inch)atthe west location within the sampling frame. The bottom of the litter layercanbedistinguishedastheboundarywhereplantparts(suchasleavesorneedles)arenolongerrecognizableassuchbecauseofdecomposition. Another criterion is that the organic layer may contain plantroots,butthelitterlayerwillprobablynot.Atsomelocations,thedepthoftheforestfloorandthelitterlayermaybethesame.Forlocationswherebaresoilorbedrockmaterialisexposed,enter“00.0”inches depth.


11.7.20 DEPTH TO RESTRICTIVE HORIZON

Insertthetileprobeintofivelocationswithinthesoilsamplingarea(center,north,east,southandwestedges)toidentifyifarestrictivehorizonexists.Recordthemediandepthtoarestrictivelayer(tothenearest0.1inch).Themaximumdepthfortestingforarestrictivehorizonis20.0inches.Ifarestrictivelayerisencounteredwithinthe20.0inches,recordthemediandepth(tothenearest0.1inch)totherestrictivehorizonofthefivelocationsprobed.Record:20.0ifarestrictivehorizonisnotencountered.00.0ifsuperficialbedrockispresent.99.9 if too many rock fragments or cobbles prevent inserting soil probe.

WhenCollected:SOILSAMPLESTATUS=1FieldWidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-6inMQO:90%ofthetimeValues:00.0to20.0,99.9

11.7.21 SOIL TEXTURE IN THE 0-4 INCH LAYER

Recordthecodeforthesoiltextureofthe0-4inchlayer.Toestimatetextureinthefield,collectasampleofthesoilfromtheappropriatehorizonandmoistenitwithwatertotheconsistencyofmodelingclay/wetnewspaper;thesampleshouldbewetenoughthatalloftheparticlesaresaturatedbutexcesswaterdoesnotfreelyflowfrom


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thesamplewhensqueezed.Attempttorollthesampleintoaball.Ifthesoilwillnotstayinaballandhasagrainytexture,thetextureiseithersandyorcoarsesandy.Ifthesoildoesformaball,squeezethesamplebetweenyourfingersandattempttoformaself-supportingribbon. Samples which form both a ball and a ribbon should be coded as clayey; samples which form a ball but not a ribbon should be coded as loamy.

Insomesoils,tellingthedifferencebetweenthebottomoftheforestfloorandthetopofanorganic-richmineralhorizoncanbedifficult.Ifuncertain:

• Lookforevidenceofplantparts(e.g.,leaves,needles).Ifyoucanseethemdecomposinginplace,you’restillintheforestfloor.

• Rubthesoilbetweenyourfinger.Doesitcrumble(organicforestfloor)orfeelmorelikemodelingclay(trypinchingintoaribbon).

• Lookforshinyflecksofmicaorquartz(won’thelpinallsoils).

• Lookforasubtlechangeincolor.Organichorizonstendtobeblack;amineralhorizonwilltendtobemorebrownish.

• Wetasampleofthematerialandpressitbetweenyourfingers.Notethecoloroftheliquidthatrunsout.Theblackerthecolor,the higher the organic content.

• Checkforachangeindensity(mineralsoilsaredenser).

WhenCollected:SOILSAMPLESTATUS=1andSUBPLOTNUMBER=2FieldWidth:1digitTolerance:+/-1classMQO:80%ofthetimeValues: 0 Organic1 Loamy2 Clayey3 Sandy4 Coarse Sand9 Notmeasured–makeplotnote

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11.7.22 SOIL TEXTURE IN THE 4-� INCH LAYER

Recordthecodeforthesoiltextureofthe4-8inchlayer(seethedirectionsforSOILTEXTUREINTHE0-4INCHLAYER).

WhenCollected:SOILSAMPLESTATUS=1andSUBPLOTNUMBER=2FieldWidth:1digitTolerance:+/-1classMQO:80%ofthetimeValues:

0 Organic1 Loamy2 Clayey3 Sandy4 Coarse Sand9 Notmeasured–makeplotnote

11.� SAMPLE LABELS

Pre-printedlabelswillbeprovidedtoeachfieldcrew.Completionofallitems on the soil label is essential for proper processing of the sample bythelaboratories.Inpastyears,numeroussampleshavehadtobe discarded due to mistakes or inconsistencies on the labels. �f you encounter a situation where you need to make additional notes on thesample(e.g.,asamplewhichwasparticularlyunusualorrequiredsignificantdeviationfromthestandardmethods),placeastarontheupper right corner of the label and make a note on the sample shipping form.AnexamplelabelispresentedinFigure11-4.

Soil Sample Collected by Regular Field Crew State:«State» County:«county»P2Plot:«FIAHex» P3Hex:«FHMHex»P3Plot#:_SoilVisit#:_Crew #: ___________Date:____/____/____ Subplot#:2 3 4

Layer: ForestFloor 0–4in 4–8in

Figure11-4.Examplesoillabel


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STATEThe2-digitFIPS(FederalInformationProcessingStandard)codefortheState(seeAppendix1intheP2fieldguide).Thiswillbeusedbythesoilanalysislaboratoryforbatchingofsamples(shouldbepre-printedonlabels).

COUNTYThe3-digitFIPS(FederalInformationProcessingStandard)codeidentifyingthecounty,parish,orborough(orunitinAK).SeeAppendix1intheP2fieldguide.Thiswillbeusedbythesoilanalysislaboratoryforbatchingofsamples(shouldbepre-printedonlabels).

PLOT NUMBERTheP2plotnumber(shouldbepre-printedonlabel)

P3 HEXAGON NUMBERThe seven digit P3 hexagon number for the plot. This must be the sameasthatenteredonthePDR(shouldbepre-printedonlabel).

P3PLOTNUMBER:Thisnumberwillusuallybe“1.”However,ifmorethanonePhase3plotislocatedwithinahexagon,thenenterthenumberoftheplot.Sincemostlabelsarepreprinted,thenumber“1”mayalreadybeprintedonthelabel.Ifincorrect,crossthroughthisvalueandwritethecorrectplotnumberabove.Ifuncertain,checkwithyourfieldsupervisor.

SOILVISITNUMBER:RecordthesoilvisitnumberasdescribedinFigure11-1.Forthefirstsoilsamplecollectedalongasoilsamplingline,thisnumberwillbe“1”.All subsequent visits to a plot will have higher numbers.

DATE SAMPLED:Enter the date that soils were sampled on this plot.

CREW NUMBEREnteryourfieldcrewidentificationnumber.Ifyouhavenotbeenassignedanumber,enteryourlastname.

LAYERTYPE:Circle the type of sample collected and the depth increment of the sample.

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SUBPLOTNUMBER:Circle the subplot adjacent to the soil sampling site.

Subplot 2 Soil sample is from a soil sampling site adjacent to subplot 2



SAMPLER:Formineralororganicsoils,circlethemethodusedtocollectthesample

Bulkdensity-Impact-drivensoilcoresamplerOther-Soiltubeprobe,excavationmethod,mudauger,orDutchauger

11.� SAMPLE SHIPPING

Aftersampleshavebeencollected,changesintheoxygenandmoisturecontentwithinthebagcancausesignificantalterationofsamplechemistry.Topreventthisfromoccurring,samplesaretobeshipped on a weekly basis to the regional soil lab designated for your state. Do not keep soil samples longer than a week unless they can be stored in a refrigerated area. Ship samples using the most economical rate. There is no need to ship soil samples using expensive overnight delivery rates.

11.�.1 Shipping Forms

All crews will be provided with shipping forms for forwarding soil samples to a regional laboratory that has been approved to receive soil samples from regulated areas. The addresses for the regional labs are listed at the bottom of the shipping form. An example shipping form is providedinFigure11-5.

Forms may be submitted either in hard copy or electronically. Electronic versions are preferred by the lab since this greatly increases theefficiencyofsampleinventory.

The hard copy version of the shipping form consists of a triplicate copy. Priortoshippingsamples,crewsshouldcompletelyfillouttheshippingformand:


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• Send the original with the soil samples to the laboratory.• Mail one copy immediately to the laboratory in a separate

envelopealongwithacopyoftheshipping(tracking)informationfrom the shipping service. The separate mailing of shipping forms will serve to notify the laboratory if a shipment of samples has been misplaced during transport.

• Sendthethirdcopytotheregionalfieldsupervisorfortheirrecords.

Electronicversionsmaybefilledoutonacomputerandelectroniccopiessenttothelabandyourregionalfieldsupervisor.Labemailaddresses are provided at the bottom of the shipping form. Print out a hard copy of the form and enclose this in the box prior to shipping. The hard copy is required as a QA check on sample inventory.

A separate line must be completed for each sample collected. �nformation on the sample shipping form is used by the laboratory to createaninventoryofsamples,toassignlabnumbers,andtohelpresolve inconsistencies on the sample label. A complete and accurate inventoryofsamplesiscriticaltoefficientandcost-effectiveprocessingof samples.

F�A Phase 3 Soil Samples Shipping Form

Name:_________________________ShippedVia:_________________________Signature:______________________TrackingNumber:_____________________Date:__________________________Crew#:______________ QAStatus: □Standard□Audit

State CountyP2

PlotNumber

P3HexagonNumber

DateSampled

Layer Type(ForestFloor,

0-4in,or4-8in)

SubplotNumber(2,3,or4)

Bags/Sample(noteifmore

than 1 such as for large forest floorsamples)

Total Number of Bags Sent __________Figure11-5FIAPhase3soilsamplesshippingform.

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PleaseprovideallinformationandshipsamplesWEEKLYtotheappropriate lab for the region in which the samples were collected.Westernstates: Soil & Water Analysis ForestrySciencesLab 860 N. 1200 E. Logan,UT84321 Phone:435-755-3560

Instructions: 1. Fill out form completely. Make certain all soil sample bag labels

are correct and complete.2. Send white copy with soil samples.3. Mail yellow copy in separate envelope to lab.4. Keep pink copy.5. Regularfieldcrews:Pleasecheck“Standard”boxattopofform.6. QAcrews:PleaseuseaseparateformforQAauditsamplesand

check “Audit” box above.

SHIPPED VIA:Enterthemethodusedtoshipthesample(e.g.,UPS,Prioritymail,regularmail).

SIGNATURE:Sign your name here.

TRACKING NUMBER:Enter the tracking number assigned to the shipment. This information is used by regional supervisors and the laboratories to locate lost or missing shipments.

STATE CODE:Enterthetwo-digitFIPScodeforthestateinwhichthesampleswerecollected.

DATE:Enter the date on which samples were shipped.

CREWNUMBER:Ifyouhavebeenassignedacrewnumber,enterithere.

QA STATUS:�ndicate whether this sample was collected as part of a standard plot or aspartofanaudit/QAplot.Unlessyouareconductingahot,cold,or


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blindcheck,theoptionfor“standard”shouldbechecked.

P3 HEXAGON NUMBER:Enter the seven digit P3 hexagon number for the plot. This must be thesameasthatenteredonthePDR(shouldbepre-printedonsamplelabel).

STATEThe2-digitFIPS(FederalInformationProcessingStandard)codefortheState(seeAppendix1intheP2fieldguide).Thiswillbeusedbythesoilanalysislaboratoryforbatchingofsamples(shouldbepre-printedonlabels).

COUNTYThe3-digitFIPS(FederalInformationProcessingStandard)codeidentifyingthecounty,parish,orborough(orunitinAK).SeeAppendix1intheP2fieldguide.Thiswillbeusedbythesoilanalysislaboratoryforbatchingofsamples(shouldbepre-printedonlabels).

PLOT NUMBERTheP2plotnumber(shouldbepre-printedonlabel).

DATE SAMPLED:Enter the date that the soil sample was collected.

LAYER TYPE:�ndicate the soil layer from which this sample was collected. Choices are:forestfloor,0-4inches,and4-8inches.

SUBPLOT NUMBER:Enter the subplot adjacent to the soil sampling line from which this sample was collected.

BAGS/SAMPLEEnter the number of bags associated with a sample. For some forest floorsamples,morethan1bagmaybeneededtocollectallofthematerial. The lab uses this information to make certain that samples consisting of multiple bags are processed together.

TOTAL NUMBER OF BAGS SENT:Enter the total number of bags contained in the shipment. The laboratory staff will compare the number on this shipping form to the number of bags that they receive in order to make sure that no samples are missing.

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11.�.2 Government Regulations For Pest-Regulated States (Southern Region, NY, AZ, NM, CA, and HI )

Inordertolimitthemovementofagriculturalpests(e.g.,fireant,corncystnematode,goldennematode,witchweed,andMexicanfruitfly),theshipmentofsoilsamplesacrossstateboundariesisstrictlyregulatedbytheUSDA.StateswiththesepestsareprimarilylocatedinthesouthernUnitedStatesandincludeAL,AR,FL,GA,LA,MD,MS,NC,OK,SC,TN,andTX);soilshipmentsarealsoregulatedinAZ,NM,CA,HI,andNY.Inordertoreceiveapermittoacceptsoilsamplesfromtheseareas,thesoillabshavehadtosignacomplianceagreement with the Plant Protection and Quarantine program of the USDAAnimalandPlantHealthInspectionService(APHIS)andpassan inspection.

TheburdenformeetingAPHISshippingregulationsfallsonthefieldcrews.Crewsmust:

• Double bag or enclose all samples from a shipment within a larger plasticbag(i.e.,trashbag).

• Attach a shipping label to the outside of the box .• Attacharegulatedsoilslabelshowingtheregionallab’sAPHIS

permit number to the box.

Afteranalysis,allsoilsamplesmustbestoredordisposedofintheprescribed manner.

11.10 TASKS THAT CAN BE PERFORMED BY OTHER CREW MEMBERS

Inordertomaximizeefficiencyontheplot,crewmembersnottrainedin the soil indicator may be asked to assist with certain tasks related to samplecollection.Thesetasksinclude:

• Locatingthesamplingsite(withinstructionfromtrainedcrewmember).

• Assembling the impact driven corer.• Fillinginbaglabelsandsampleshippingforms(Note:these

should be checked by trained crew member prior to leaving the plottoensurecompletenessandaccuracy).

• Cleaning the core liners and the coring head.• Disassembling the impact driven corer.


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11.11 REFERENCES

BritishColumbiaMinistryofForestry.1997.Soilconservationsurveysguidebook.http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/tasb/legsregs/fpc/fpcguide/SOILSURV/soil-toc.htm

Kern,J.S.,M.L.Papp,J.J.Lee,andL.J.Blume.1988.SoilSamplingManualfortheDirect/DelayedResponseProjectMid-AppalachianSoilSurvey.U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,Corvallis,OR.

NCAS�. 1983. Field Study Program Elements to Assess the Sensitivity of Soils to Acidic Deposition �nduced Alterations in Forest Productivity. TechnicalBulletinNo.404.NationalCouncilofthePaperIndustryforAirandStreamImprovement,Inc.,NewYork.

Riitters,K.,M.Papp,D.Cassell,andJ.Hazard(eds.).1991.ForestHealthMonitoringPlotDesignandLogisticsStudy.U.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgency,ResearchTrianglePark,NC.

Santiago Declaration. 1995. Criteria and indicators for the conservation andsustainablemanagementoftemperateandborealforests:TheMontreal process.

SoilandWaterQuality:AnAgendaforAgriculture.1993.CommitteeonLong-RangeSoilandWaterConservation,BoardofAgriculture,NationalResearchCouncil.NationalAcademyPress,Washington,DC.

UnitedNationsEconomicCommissionForEurope,ConventiononLong-rangeTransboundaryAirPollution.1994.ManualonMethodsandCriteriaforHarmonizedSampling,Assessment,MonitoringandAnalysis of the Effects of Air Pollution on Forests. 3rd ed.

USDA-SoilConservationService.1992c.SoilSurveyManual.Title430-V-SSM,U.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice,Washington,DC.

11.12 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

TheWestAdvisorforthisindicatormaybecontactedat:MichaelAmacher,USDAForestService,RockyMountainResearchStation,860N.1200E,LoganUT84321,viaphoneat(435)755-3560orviaemail at [email protected]. The East Advisor may be contacted at:CharlesH.(Hobie)Perry,USDAForestService,NorthCentralResearchStation,1992FolwellAvenue,St.PaulMN55108,viaphoneat(651)[email protected] .

mailto:[email protected]


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11.13 EXAMPLE DATA SHEETSSoil Data Sheet 1F�A Phase 3 Soil Sampling Site MeasurementsState:______ County:_________ P2Plot#:____________P3Hexagon#:_____________________ Plot#:___SoilVisit#:___Date:___/___/_____ CrewMember(s):______________________________ ______________________________

Soil Sampling Site Information

Soil Sampling Sampling Codes Site Adjacent Condition Sampling Sampler 1=Sampled To: Class Code Min 1 Min 2 2=Notsampled:non-forest 3=Notsampled:toorockySubplot2: ______ ______ ____ ____ 4=Notsampled:waterSubplot3:______ ______ ____ ____ 5=Notsampled:accessdeniedSubplot4: ______ __________ ____ 6=Notsampled:toodangerous 7=Notsampled:obstructionin Sampler sample area1=Bulkdensity8=Notsampled:brokenorlost2=Otherequipment 9=Notsampled:other(enterreasoninplotnotes)

Forest Floor Thickness (inches) __N____E____S___W__Subplot2SoilSamplingSite: _____ _____ _____ _____Subplot3SoilSamplingSite: _____ _____ _____ _____Subplot4SoilSamplingSite: _____ _____ _____ _____

Litter Layer Thickness (inches)__N________E____S____W__

Subplot2SoilSamplingSite: _____ _____ _____ _____Subplot3SoilSamplingSite: _____ _____ _____ _____Subplot4SoilSamplingSite: _____ _____ _____ _____Depth to Subsoil Restrictive Layer (inches)

Subplot2SoilSamplingSite: _____Subplot3SoilSamplingSite: _____Subplot4SoilSamplingSite: _____Field Texture DeterminationSoil Texture CodesSubplot2SoilSamplingSite: Mineral1(0-4in) _____ 0=Organic Mineral2(4-8in) _____1=LoamySubplot3SoilSamplingSite: Mineral1(0-4in) _____ 2=Clayey Mineral2(4-8in) _____ 3=SandySubplot4SoilSamplingSite: Mineral1(0-4in) _____ 4=Coarsesandy Mineral2(4-8in) _____

Notetoregularfieldcrews:Collectmineral1andmineral2samplesfromforestedsamplingsitesadjacentto subplot 2 only


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Soil Data Sheet 2F�A Phase 3 Soil Erosion and Compaction Measurements

State:______ County:_________P2Plot#:____________P3Hexagon#:_____________________Plot#:___SoilVisit#:___

Date:___/___/_____CrewMember(s):________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SoilErosionMeasurements:

Subplot BareSoila(%)

1

2

3

4

a Percent area estimate for forested portion of subplot

SoilCompactionMeasurements:

Measurement Subplot 1 Subplot 2 Subplot 3 Subplot 4

% Forested Area Compacted

Type-RuttedTrail

Type-CompactedTrail

Type-CompactedArea

Type-Other(Explain)*

*Explanations:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Crowns�7

Section 12. Crowns: Measurements and Sampling

12.1 OVERVIEW

Crown indicators are designed to be used together. Each indicator comprises a piece of information that can be used individually or as a factorincombinationwithotherindicators.Eachvariable,aloneorincombinationwithothers,addstotheoverallratinggiveneachtree.Itisimportanttorealizethatmodelsaredesignedtoratetreesonhowtheylook,fromthrivingtoalmostdeadandtohelppredictfutureconditionsof trees and forest ecosystems.

VIGORCLASS,UNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIO,CROWNLIGHTEXPOSUREandCROWNPOSITIONaredeterminedforeachsapling.FoliagebelowthepointusedforUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOisnotconsideredinVIGORCLASSdetermination.All sapling measurements are done during plot establishment and whenever plot remeasurement occurs.

Crownevaluations,includingUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIO,LIGHTEXPOSURE,POSITION,DENSITY,DIEBACK,andTRANSPARENCYaremadeonalltreeswithDBH/DRC(DRCintheWest)5.0inchesorlarger.TreeswithhighscoresforUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOandDENSITY,andlowscoresforDIEBACKandFOLIAGETRANSPARENCYhaveincreasedpotentialforcarbonfixation,nutrientstorageandincreasedpotentialforsurvivalandreproduction. Crown evaluations allow for the quantitative assessment of current tree conditions and provide an integrated measure of site conditions,standdensityandinfluenceofexternalstresses.Allcrownmeasurements are taken during plot establishment and whenever plot remeasurement occurs.

Note:ThisindicatorisCOREOPTIONALforallphase2plots.

Two persons make all crown measurements. �ndividuals should be ½ to 1 tree length from the base of the tree to obtain a good view of the crown. Move away from each other at least 10 feet to take these measurements. A position of 90 degrees to each other from the tree baseisideal(Figure12.3).Whenestimatesmadebytwoindividualsdisagree,theyshoulddiscussthereasonsfortheirratingsuntilanagreementisreached,orusethemethodsbelowtoresolvethesituation.

Crowns


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�f the numbers for a crown measurement estimated by two crew membersdonotmatch,arriveatthefinalvalueby:(1)takinganaverage,ifthenumbersdifferby10percent(2classes)orless;(2)changingpositions,ifthenumbersdifferby15percentormoreandattempting to narrow the range to 10 percent or less if crew members cannotagree;or(3)averagingthetwoestimatesforthosetreesthatactuallyhavedifferentratingsfromthetwoviewingareas(ratingsof30and70wouldberecordedas50).

12.2 CROWN DEFINITIONS

Crown ShapeCrownshapeisthesilhouetteofatree,drawnfrombranchtiptobranchtip,whichcontainsallofatree’sfoliageasitgrowsinastand.Exclude abnormally long branches beyond the edge of the crown for thissilhouette.Normally,silhouettesarederivedfromvigorous,opengrowntreesandtendtobespecies-specific.ForPhase3purposes,silhouettesvarywithageandspacing.Treecrownstendtoflattenoutwith age and be more slender when growing in crowded conditions. CrownshapeisimportantwhenmeasuringCROWNDENSITYandisused to estimate crown biomass. Crown shape is used as an outline for the sides of the tree.

Crown TopThecrowntopisthehighestpointofastandingtree.Youngtreesusuallyhavemoreconical-shapedcrownsandthemainterminalisthetop.Oldertreesandmanyhardwoodshavegloboseandflat-toppedcrowns,wherealateralbranchisthehighestpoint.Forsomemeasurements the highest live foliage is considered the live crown top. Other measurements include a dead top. Some crown measurements assess how much of the expected crown is present and include broken or missing tops.

DiebackThisisrecentmortalityofbrancheswithfinetwigs,whichbeginsattheterminal portion of a branch and proceeds toward the trunk. Dieback is only considered when it occurs in the upper and outer portions of thetree.Whenwholebranchesaredeadintheuppercrown,withoutobvioussignsofdamagesuchasbreaksoranimalinjury,assumethat the branches died from the terminal portion of the branch. Dead branches in the lower portion of the live crown are assumed to have died from competition and shading. Dead branches in the lower live crownarenotconsideredaspartofcrowndieback,unlessthereiscontinuous dieback from the upper and outer crown down to those


Crowns��

branches.

EpicormicShootgrowth,fromlatentorsuppressedbuds,thatarisesfromoldbranches,fromthetrunkornearlargebranchwoundsorbreaks.Epicormicsremainepicormicsuntiltheyregainthesizeofpreviousbranches for trees with no branches 1.0 inch or larger in diameter at the base above the swelling. For trees that had 1.0 inch or larger brancheswhentheepicormicsformed,epicormicsbecomebranchesonce they reach 1.0 inch in diameter.

Live BranchAlivebranchisanywoodylateralgrowthsupportingfoliage,andis1.0 inch or larger in diameter at the base above the swelling where it joins a main stem or larger branch. Small trees or certain tree species greaterthan5.0inchesDBH/DRCmayhaveonlylivetwigswhichhave not yet reached 1.0 inch or larger at the point of attachment. �f thedeathoflargerbranchesisnotthecauseofthesetwigs,thetwigsare considered branches for these smaller branched trees until the tree matures to a point where twigs have attained 1.0 inch or larger in diameter at the base above the swelling where it joins a main stem or larger branch.

Live Crown BaseThelivecrownbaseisanimaginaryhorizontallinedrawnacrossthetrunk from the bottom of the lowest live foliage of the “obvious live crown” for trees and from the lowest live foliage of the lowest twig for saplings. The “obvious live crown” is described as the point on the tree wheremostlivebranches/twigsabovethatpointarecontinuousandtypicalforatreespecies(and/ortreesize)onaparticularsite.Includemostcrownbranches/twigs,butexcludeepicormictwigs/sprigsandstragglerbranchesthatusuallydonotcontributemuchtothetree’sgrowth.Thebaseofthelivebranch/twigbearingthelowestfoliagemay be above or below this line.

Fortrees5.0inchesDBH/DRCorgreater,ifanylivebranchiswithin5feetbelowthis“obviouslivecrown”line,anewhorizontallineisestablished. Create the new line at the base of live foliage on that branch. Continue this evaluation process until no live branches are foundwithin5feetofthefoliageofthelowestqualifyingbranch(Figure12-1).

Occasionally,alloriginalmajorcrownbranches/twigsaredeadorbrokenandmanynewtwigs/sprigsdevelop.Thesesituationsarelikely

Crowns


70

tooccurinareasofheavythinning,commercialclearcutsandsevereweatherdamage:

• Trees that had an "obvious live crown" with live branches now have no crown to measure until the new live twigs become live branches.Whenthesenewlivebranchesappear,drawthenewlive crown base to the live foliage of the lowest live branch that nowmeetsthe5-footrule.

• Saplings and small trees that had only live twigs should establish the crown base at the base of the live foliage on the new lowest livetwig.Ifnolivetwigsarepresent,thereisnocrowntomeasure.

Overstory Canopy ZoneThe area delineated by the average live crown height determined from theUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOofoverstorytrees.Thebottomoftheoverstorycanopyzoneistheaverageheightofthelivecrownbases.Thetopofthezoneistheaverageheightforthelivecrown tops.

Snag BranchA dead upper crown branch without twigs or sprigs attached to it. A lower branch on woodland trees such as juniper is not considered

Figure 12-1. Determining the base of the live crown.


Crowns71

asnagbranchunlessthebranchreachesintotheuppercrown,orreached into the upper crown when the branch was alive. A branch that died due to shading in any crown is not a snag branch.

SprigAnywoodyornon-woodylateralgrowth,withoutsecondarybranching,less than 1.0 inch in diameter at the base above the swelling at the point of attachment to a branch or crown stem.

TwigAnywoodylateralgrowth,withsecondarybranching,lessthan1.0inchin diameter at the base above the swelling at the point of attachment to a branch or crown stem.

12.3 CROWN DENSITY-FOLIAGE TRANSPARENCY CARD

Front

Back

Figure12-2. Density-Transparencycard

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72

Thecrowndensity-foliagetransparencycard(Figure12-2)shouldbe used as a training aid until crew personnel are comfortable with all ratings. White areas of the card represent skylight visible through the crown area and black areas represent a portion of the tree that is blockingskylight.Aftertraining,usethecardtocalibrateyoureyesatthestartofeachdayandratethosetreesthatdonotfitintoanobviousclass.ForCROWNDENSITY,holdthecardsothat“CrownDensity”isright-sideup(“FoliageTransparency”shouldbeupsidedown).Usethenumbersthatareright-sideup.Conversely,forFOLIAGETRANSPARENCY,makesurethat“FoliageTransparency”isright-sideup.CrewsshouldrefertospecificCROWNDENSITYorFOLIAGETRANSPARENCYsectionsforadefinitionofaspectsthatareincludedin the crown rating.

Thebackofthecrowndensity-foliagetransparencycardhastwouses:forCROWNDENSITYwhenaportionofthecrownismissingandageneralscaleforestimatingUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIO.CrewsshouldrefertotheCROWNDENSITYandUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOsectionsfortheuseofthisside of the card.

12.4 CROWN RATING PRECAUTIONS

Crewsmustbeespeciallycarefulwhenmakingevaluations,andpayspecial attention to certain factors that may affect measurements in the field.Thesefactorsinclude:

- Distance and slope from the tree- View of the crown- Climatic conditions- Heavy defoliation- Leaningtrees- Treeswithno“crown”bydefinition

Distance and slope from the tree-Crewsmustattempttostayatleast1/2to1treelengthfromthetreebeing evaluated. Some ratings change with proximity to the tree. �n somesituations,itisimpossibletosatisfythisstep,butthecrewshoulddo the best it can in each case. All evaluations are made at grade (sameelevationasbaseofthetree)orupslopefromthetree.Thismay not be possible in all cases but evaluating trees from the down slope side should be avoided.


Crowns73

View of the crown -Crew members should evaluate trees when standing at an angle to eachother,strivingtoobtainthebestviewofthecrown.Theidealpositionsareat90degreestoeachotheronflatterrain(Figure12-3).Ifpossible,neverevaluatethetreefromthesamepositionorat180degrees.Inathickcanopyforest,gettingagoodperspectiveofthecrownbecomesdifficult.Overlappingbranches,backgroundtreesandlack of a good viewing area can cause problems when rating some trees. Crews need to move laterally to search for a good view. Take special care when rating such trees.

Figure12-3.Crewpositionsforviewingcrowns.

Climatic conditions-Cloudyorovercastskies,fog,rainandpoorsunanglesmayaffectthe accuracy of crown estimates. Crews need to be especially careful during poor lighting conditions to obtain the best possible view of the crown for the given climate conditions.

Figure 12-3. Crew positions for viewing crowns.Figure 12-3. Crew positions for viewing crowns.

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74

Heavy defoliation-Duringheavydefoliation,CROWNDIEBACKmaybeoverestimatedandFOLIAGETRANSPARENCYmaybeunderestimatedduetothedifficultyindifferentiatingdeadtwigsfromdefoliatedtwigs.Theuseofbinoculars may help in separating dead twigs from defoliated twigs.

Leaning trees-So that crown dimensions are measured consistently on both leaning anduprighttrees,UNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOandCROWNDENSITYforleaninganddowntreesmustberatedinrelationtotheactuallengthofthetreebole(asopposedtoheightabovetheground).CROWNPOSITIONandCROWNLIGHTEXPOSUREshouldstillbeestimatedrelativetothetree’sactuallocationinthecanopy.FOLIAGETRANSPARENCYwillrarelybeaffectedbyleanangle.PlaceanoteinthePDRTREENOTESfieldthatthetreeisleaningifitis leaning more than 45 degrees from vertical.

Trees with no “crown” by definition (epicormics or sprigs only)-Afterasuddenreleaseordamage,atreemayhaveverydensefoliage,butnocrown.Thesesituationsarecodedasfollows:UNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIO=00,CROWNLIGHTEXPOSURE=0,CROWNPOSITION=3,CROWNDENSITY=00,CROWNDIEBACK=99,FOLIAGETRANSPARENCY=99.Thiscombinationofcodesisaflagfor trees with no crowns.

Afterasuddenreleaseordamage,asaplingmayhaveverydensefoliage,butnocrownasitonlyhassprigs.Thesesituationsarecodedasfollows:UNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIO=00,CROWNLIGHTEXPOSURE=0,CROWNPOSITION=3,saplingVIGOR=3.Thiscombinationofcodesisaflagforsaplingswithnocrowns.

12.� UNCOMPACTED LIVE CROWN RATIO

UNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOisapercentagedeterminedbydividingthelivecrownlengthbytheactualtreelength(Figure12-5).RecordtheUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOtothenearest1%.

Saplings

DeterminesaplingUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIObydividingthelivecrownlengthbyactualtreelength,thenentertheappropriatecodeintothePDR.Livecrownlengthisthedistancebetweenthetoplivefoliage(diebackanddeadbranchesarenotincluded)andthelowestlivefoliageonthelowestlivetwigforsaplings.Besureto


Crowns7�

eliminate vine foliage as best you can when determining the live crown. Thelivecrownbaseforsaplingsisdifferentfromtrees5.0inchesDBH/DRCandlarger.The5-foot/1-inchruledoesnotapplyinthiscase.Donot include sprigs or leaves on the main stem below the lowest live twig (Figure12-4).

Whenthetwoestimatesdonotagree,followtheguidelineslistedattheend of section 12.1 Overview.

Figure12-4.SaplingUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOdeterminationexamples.

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7�

Trees

Livecrownlengthisthedistancefromthelivecrowntop(diebackintheupperportionofthecrownisnotpartofthelivecrown)tothe“obviouslivecrown”base(Figure12-6).Manytimesthereareadditionallivebranches below the “obvious live crown”. These branches are only included if they have a basal diameter greater than 1.0 inch and are within5.0feetofthebaseoftheobviouslivecrown(Figure12-1).Thelive crown base becomes that point on the main bole perpendicular to the lowest live foliage on the last branch that is included in the live crown. The live crown base is determined by the live foliage and not by thepointwhereabranchintersectswiththemainbole.Occasionally,smalltreesorcertainspeciesmaynothave1.0-inchdiameterbranches.Ifthisoccurs,usethe5.0-footrule,andapplyittobranchesthatyoufeelcontributesignificantlytotreegrowth.

AnindividualcanusetheUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOscaleonthebackofthecrowndensity-foliagetransparencycardto

Figure12-5.UNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOexamples.


Crowns77

helpestimateratios(Figure12-2).Holdthecardinonehand,parallelto the trunk of the tree being evaluated and move the card closer or farther from your eye until the 0 is at the live crown top and the 99 is at thebaseofthetreewhereitmeetstheground.Thenplaceyourfingerat the live crown base. A clinometer can also be used to verify the UNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIObydeterminingthevaluesofboth lengths and determining the ratio of the two values.

Whenestimatesbetweencrewmembersdonotagree,followtheguidelines listed at the end of section 12.1 Overview.

Figure12-6.UNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOoutlineandratingexamples

Whencollected:Alllivetrees>1.0inDBH/DRCFieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-10%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:00to

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7�

12.� CROWN LIGHT EXPOSURE

RatetheUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOforeachsideofthetreeseparatelyusingthecriteriaforestimatingtotalUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIO.Visuallydividethecrownverticallyintofourequalsides.Inorderforasidetoqualifyfortally,thesidemusthavean uncompacted live crown ratio of at least 35 percent. Additionally forasidetoqualify,acontinuousportionoflivecrown35percentormore in length must be completely exposed to direct light. For this measurement,atreecannotshadeitself(e.g.,umbrellashapedtrees).Try to divide the crown in such a way that as many sides as possible receive full light. Count the number of sides that would receive direct light if the sun were directly above the tree. Add one if the tree receivesdirectlightfromthetop(Figure12-7).

Figure12-7.Dividingthecrown.

Note:Theentireside(25percentofthecrowncircumference)mustbereceiving full light to qualify. A sliver of a side receiving light does not qualify. Trees with all sides having less than a 35 percent UNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOcanhaveamaximumcrownexposure of one. �ndividual sides with less than 35 percent UNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOshouldnotbecounted(Figure12-8).


Crowns7�

Figure12-8.CROWNLIGHTEXPOSURE.

Whencollected:Alllivetrees>1.0inDBH/DRCFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:within1if>0MQO:Atleast85%ofthetimeValues:

Code Definition0 The tree receives no full light because it is shaded by

trees,vines,orothervegetation;thetreehasnocrownbydefinition.

1 The tree receives full light from the top or 1 side.2 Thetreereceivesfulllightfromthetopand1side(or2sides

withoutthetop).3 Thetreereceivesfulllightfromthetopand2sides(or3

sideswithoutthetop).4 The tree receives full light from the top and 3 sides.5 The tree receives full light from the top and 4 sides.

12.7 CROWN POSITION

Determine the relative position of each tree in relation to the overstory canopyzone(Figure12-9).Codes1-3shouldbeusedinstandswherethetreecrowncoverisclosed(>50percentcover).Ifthetreecrownsarenotclosed(<50percentcover)andtheareaisgreaterthan1acreinsize,thenassigncode4.Whencode4isused,itisassignedtoalltreesinthestandexcepttreeswithnocrownbydefinition.Code4istypicallyusedinthefollowingcases:

• Treesandsaplingsinstands,over1acreinsize,wherecrowncover is less than 50 percent.

• Treesandsaplingsinclumpslessthan1acreinsize(i.e.,notaconditionclass)whentheoverallforest(theconditionclass),over

Crowns


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1acreinsize,isapatchworkofopenareasandclumpsoftrees.

Code 1 is not used for saplings.

Figure12-9.CROWNLIGHTEXPOSUREandCROWNPOSITION.

Whencollected:Alllivetrees>1.0inDBH/DRCFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast85%ofthetimeValues:


Crowns�1

Code Definition

1 Superstory. The live crown top must be two times the height ofthetopoftheoverstorycanopyzone.Thetreeisopengrown because most of the crown is above the overstory canopyzone(pioneers,seedtrees,whips,remnantsfrompreviousstands,etc.).NOTUSEDFORSAPLINGS.

2 Overstory. The live crown top is above the middle of the overstorycanopyzone.

3 Understory.Thelivecrowntopisatorbelowthemiddleoftheoverstorycanopyzone,ortreehasnocrownbydefinition.

4 OpenCanopy.Anoverstorycanopyzoneisnotevidentbecause the tree crowns in this condition are not fully closed(<50%cover).Mostofthetreesinthisstandarenotcompeting with each other for light.

12.� CROWN VIGOR CLASS

SeeFigure12-10foravisualdescriptionofthesaplingCROWNV�GOR classes.

Figure 12-10. Sapling CROWN VIGOR classes.

Figure 12-10. Sapling CROWN VIGOR classes.

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Whencollected:Alllivetrees>1.0inDBH/DRCand<5.0inDBH/DRCFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast90%ofthetime

Values:

Class/Code Definition1 Saplings musthaveanUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWN

RAT�O of 35 or higher,havelessthan5percentDIEBACK(deer/rabbitbrowseisnotconsideredasdiebackbutisconsideredmissingfoliage)and80percent or more of the foliage present is normal or at least 50 percent of each leaf is not damaged or missing. Twigs and branches that are dead because of normal shading are not included.

2 Saplings do not meet Class 1 or 3 criteria. They may haveanyUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIO,mayormaynothaveDIEBACKandmayhavebetween21and100percentofthefoliageclassifiedasnormal.

3 SaplingsmayhaveanyUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWN RAT�O and have 1 to 20 percent normal foliage or the percent of foliage missing combined with the percent of leaves that are over 50 percent damaged or missing should equal 80 percent or more of the live crown. Twigs and branches that are dead because of normal shading are not included. Code is also used for saplingsthathavenocrownbydefinition.

12.� CROWN DENSITY

CROWNDENSITYestimatescrownconditioninrelationtoatypicaltreeforthesitewhereitisfound.CROWNDENSITYalsoservesasanindicatorofexpectedgrowthinthenearfuture.CROWNDENSITYistheamountofcrownbranches,foliageandreproductivestructuresthat blocks light visibility through the crown. Each tree species has a normalcrownthatvarieswiththesite,genetics,treedamage,etc.

Todeterminethecrownshape,selectthecrownbaseonthestemusedforUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIO.Projectafull“mirrorimage”crownbasedonthattree’sshape.Includemissingordead


Crowns�3

tops.Projecthalf-sidedtreesasfullcrownsbyusingthe“mirrorimage”of the existing half of the crown. Foliage below the crown base is not included(Figure12-1).IncludeCROWNDIEBACKandopenareasinthisoutline(Figures12-11and12-12).

Afterdeterminingthecrownshape,eachpersonshouldusethecrowndensity-foliagetransparencycard(Figure12-2).Alongthelineofsight,estimatewhatpercentageoftheoutlinedareaisblockingsunlight.Incaseswhereportionsofthetreemaybemissing,i.e.,half-sidedtrees,itmaybeeasiertodeterminethepercentofthecrownshapemissingandtheactualdensityofthetree’sremainingportion.Thenusethetableonthebackofthecrowndensity-foliagetransparencycardtoarriveatthefinalCROWNDENSITY.Whentwoindividualsdisagreewiththeirestimates,followtheguidelineslistedatthe end of section 12.1 Overview. The estimate is placed into one of 21 percentage classes.

Figure12-11.CROWNDENSITYratingoutlineexamples.

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Figure12-12.Crowndensityoutlineandratingexamples

Whencollected:Alllivetrees>5.0inDBH/DRCFieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-10%(2classes)MQO:Atleast90%ofthetime

Values:


00 No crown 35 31-35% 70 66-70%

05 1-5% 40 36-40% 75 71-75%

10 6-10% 45 41-45% 80 76-80%

15 11-15% 50 46-50% 85 81-85%

20 16-20% 55 51-55% 90 86-90%

2� 21-2�% �0 ��-�0% �� 1-��%

30 2�-30% �� 1-��% �� -100%Note: Class code is the percentage of the upper limits of the class, i.e., Code 10 is �% to 10%, etc


Crowns��

12.10 CROWN DIEBACK

CROWNDIEBACKestimatesreflecttheseverityofrecentstressesonatree.EstimateCROWNDIEBACKasapercentageofthelivecrownarea,includingthediebackarea.ThecrownbaseshouldbethesameasthatusedfortheUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIOestimate.Assumetheperimeterofthecrownisatwo-dimensionaloutlinefrombranch-tiptobranch-tip,excludingsnagbranchesandlargeholesorgapsinthecrown(Figures12-13and12-14).

Projectatwo-dimensionalcrownoutline,blockinthediebackandestimate the dieback area. When two individuals disagree with their estimates,followtheguidelineslistedattheendofsection12.1Overview. The estimate is placed into one of 21 percentage classes.

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Figure 12-13. CROWN DIEBACK rating outline examples.


Crowns�7

Whencollected:Alllivetrees>5.0inDBH/DRCFieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-10%(2classes)MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:


00 0% 35 31-35% 70 66-70%

05 1-5% 40 36-40% 75 71-75%

10 6-10% 45 41-45% 80 76-80%

15 11-15% 50 46-50% 85 81-85%

20 16-20% 55 51-55% 90 86-90%

25 21-25% 60 56-60% 95 91-95%

30 2�-30% �� 1-��% �� -100%Note: Class code is the percentage of the upper limits of the class, i.e., Code 10 is �% to 10%, etc.

Figure 12-14. Dieback outline and rating examples.

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12.11 FOLIAGE TRANSPARENCY

Foliagetransparencyistheamountofskylightvisiblethroughthelive,normallyfoliatedportion(whereyouseefoliage,normalordamaged,orremnantsofitsrecentpresence)ofthecrown.Arecentlydefoliatedtree except for one or two live leaves should have a transparency rating of99not0!!Checkwithbinocularstoassesswhichbranchesarealiveand should have foliage.

Differenttreespecieshaveanormalrangeoffoliagetransparency,which may be more or less than that of other species. Changes in foliage transparency can also occur because of current defoliation or stresses during the current or preceding years.

EstimateFOLIAGETRANSPARENCYusingthecrowndensity-foliagetransparencycard(Figure12-2).Excludevinefoliagefromthetransparency estimate as best you can. Dead branches in the lower livecrown,snagbranches,crowndiebackandmissingbranchesorareas where foliage is expected to be missing are deleted from the estimate(Figure12-15).

Whendefoliationissevere,branchesalonewillscreenthelight,butyou should exclude the branches from the foliage outline and rate the areaasifthelightwaspenetratingthosebranches.Forexample,an almost completely defoliated dense spruce may have less than 20percentskylightcomingthroughthecrown,butitwillberatedashighly transparent because of the missing foliage. Old trees and some hardwoodspecies,havecrownswithdenselyfoliatedbranchesthatare widely spaced. These spaces between branches should not be includedintheFOLIAGETRANSPARENCYrating.WhenFOLIAGETRANSPARENCYinonepartofthecrowndiffersfromanotherpart,theaverageFOLIAGETRANSPARENCYisestimated.

Projectatwo-dimensionalcrownoutline.Determinethefoliatedareawithin the crown outline and estimate the transparency of the normally foliated area.


Crowns��

Figure 12-1�. FOLIAGE TRANSPARENCY rating outline examples.

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Whencollected:Alllivetrees>5.0inDBH/DRCFieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-10%(2classes)MQO:Atleast90%ofthetime

Values:


00 0% 35 31-35% 70 66-70%

05 1-5% 40 36-40% 75 71-75%

10 6-10% 45 41-45% 80 76-80%

15 11-15% 50 46-50% 85 81-85%

20 16-20% 55 51-55% 90 86-90%

25 21-25% 60 56-60% 95 91-95%

30 26-30% 65 61-65% 99 96-100%Note: Class code is the percentage of the upper limits of the class, i.e., Code 10 is �% to 10%, etc.

12.12 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ContactinformationfortheNationalAdvisorforthisindicatoris:MichaelSchomaker,5400VardonWay,FortCollins,[email protected] .



Down Woody Material�1

Section 14. Down Woody Materials

14.0 INTRODUCTIONDownwoodymaterials(DWM)areanimportantcomponentofforestecosystems across the country. DWM is dead material on the ground invariousstagesofdecay.Wildlifebiologists,ecologists,mycologists,foresters,andfuelsspecialistsaresomeofthepeopleinterestedinDWMbecauseithelpsdescribethe:• Quality and status of wildlife habitats.• Structural diversity within a forest.• Fuelloadingandfirebehavior.• Carbonsequestration–theamountofcarbontiedupindead

wood.• Storageandcyclingofnutrientsandwater–importantforsite

productivity.

DownwoodycomponentsandfuelsestimatedbytheFIAprogramare:coarsewoody,finewoody,litter,herb/shrubs,slash,duff,andfuelbeddepth. Any crew member can learn to collect down woody materials data.Ifuntrainedmembersofthecrewareavailabletohelp,theycanlocate,measure,andflagtransectlinesandrecordtheconditionclassinformation for the transect segments.

DWM is only sampled in accessible forest conditions intersected by the transect.Ifatransectcrossesanonforestcondition,theboundariesoftheconditionarerecorded(seesection14.3)butnoDWMorfuelsmeasurements are taken along this portion of the transect. The majority of DWM in the inventory is sampled using the line intersect samplingmethod(alsocalledplanarinterceptmethod).Inthismethod,transectsareestablished,andindividualpiecesofCWDorFWDaretallied if the central axis of the piece is intersected by the plane of the transect.Inaddition,eachpiecemustmeetspecifieddimensionsandother criteria before being selected for tally. Special procedures apply whenaCWDpiecelaysacrossaconditionclassboundary(section14.2).TransectswillalwaysbeusedtosampleFWD.Transectswillbe used to sample CWD when crews are able to see and measure individual pieces.

The line intersect method is not practical for sampling CWD when it is partofmachine-piledwindrowsorslashpiles,orpartoflog“jumbles”atthebottomofsteep-sidedravines.Inthesesituations,individualpiecesare impractical to tally separately and are labeled as “residue piles”. A different sampling method is used to tally and measure CWD residue piles(seesection14.8,SamplingResiduePiles).

Down Woody Material


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14.1 DEFINITION OF DOWN WOODY MATERIALSCWD–Inthisinventory,CWDincludesdowned,deadtreeandshrubboles,largelimbs,andotherwoodypiecesthatareseveredfromtheiroriginal source of growth and on the ground. CWD also includes dead trees(eitherself-supportedbyroots,severedfromroots,oruprooted)thatareleaning>45degreesfromvertical.Alsoincludedarenon-machine processed round wood such as fence posts and cabin logs. Formulti-stemmedwoodlandtreessuchasjuniper,onlytallystemsthataredead,detached,andontheground;ordeadandleaning>45degrees from vertical.

CWDdoesnotinclude:1. Woodypieces<3.0inchesindiameteratthepointofintersection

with the transect.2. Dead trees leaning 0 to 45 degrees from vertical.3. Deadshrubs,self-supportedbytheirroots.4. Trees showing any sign of life.5. Stumpsthatarerootedintheground(i.e.,notuprooted).6. Deadfoliage,barkorothernon-woodypiecesthatarenotan

integralpartofaboleorlimb.(Barkattachedtoaportionofapieceisanintegralpart).

7. Roots or main bole below the root collar.

FWD–Inthisinventory,FWDincludesdowned,deadbranches,twigs,andsmalltreeorshrubbolesthatarenotattachedtoalivingorstandingdeadsource.FWDcanbeconnectedtoalargerbranch,aslong as this branch is on the ground and not connected to a standing deadorlivetree.Onlythewoodybranches,twigs,andfragmentsthatintersectthetransectarecounted.FWDcanbeconnectedtoadown,deadtreeboleordown,deadshrub.FWDcanbetwigsfromshrubsand vines. FWD must be no higher than 6 feet above the ground to be counted.

FWDdoesnotinclude:1. Woodypieces>3.0inchesindiameteratthepointofintersection

with the transect.2. Dead branches connected to a live tree or shrub; or to a standing

dead tree or dead shrub.3. Deadfoliage(i.e.,pineorfirneedles,orleafpetioles).4. Barkfragmentsorothernon-woodypiecesthatarenotanintegral

partofabranch,twig,orsmallbole.5. Smallpiecesofdecomposedwood(i.e.,chunksofcubicalrot)



14.2 LOCATING AND ESTABLISHING LINE TRANSECTSTransects are established on each subplot if the subplot center is accessible(i.e.,notcensuswater,accessdenied,orhazardous),andthere is at least one forest land condition class mapped within the 24.0-footradiussubplot(CONDITIONCLASSSTATUS=1).Transectsbegin at the subplot center and extend 24.0 feet to the edge of the subplot. The location of condition class boundaries are recorded along the transect. �t is extremely important to lay out the transect in a straight line to avoid biasing the selection of pieces and to allow the remeasurement of transect lines and tally pieces for future change detection.

Transectlinesshouldbemarkedwithapinorsmallpieceofflaggingattheendoftheline(24.0feet,horizontaldistance)tohelptheQAstaffidentifythepathofthetransectduringthecheck-plotprocedure.Becausethetoleranceforthetransectazimuthis+/-2degrees,the line might have been laid down in a slightly different direction fromthecheck-plotcrew.Thiscouldaffectthelocationofdiametermeasurements for CWD pieces as well as identifying whether a CWD piece is a valid tally piece. �t is also helpful to mark the point where the FWDtransectbegins(14feet,slopedistance).

14.2.1 CWD transects

Three transects are established that originate at the subplot center andextendout24.0feethorizontaldistance(theradiusofthesubplot)atazimuthsof30,150,270degrees(Figure14-1).Thistransectconfigurationwaschosentoavoidsamplingbiasonslopedland,where it is possible that CWD may be oriented in one direction. This configurationoftransectsshouldpickupCWDlogsthatarelyingparalleltotheslope,perpendiculartotheslope,andacrossslope.

14.2.2 FWD transects

Onetransectisestablishedoneachsubplot,alongthe150degreeazimuth.FWDistalliedwithin3sizeclasses.BecauseFWDisgenerallypresentinhigherdensities,ashortertransectwillpickupanacceptableamountoftally.Thetransectbeginsat14feet(slopedistance)fromthesubplotcenterandextendsouteither6or10feet(slopedistance)dependingontheFWDsizeclass,asfollows:

Down Woody Material


�4

Category of FWD

SizeClass

Diameter range Transect length(slopedistance)

Transect location(slopedistance)

Small FWD 1 0 in to 0.24 in 6 feet 14 to 20 feetMedium FWD 2 0.25 in to 0.9 in 6 feet 14 to 20 feetLargeFWD 3 1.0 in to 2.9 in 10 feet 14 to 24 feet

NotethattheFWDtransectsareslopedistancenothorizontaldistance.The formulas used to estimate biomass from the data contain an adjustmentforslope.Itishelpfultohaveasizegaugeavailableuntilyoureyeis‘trained’torecognizethe3sizeclasses.Examplesincludeaplasticorcardboardcardwith3notchescutforeachsizeclass,orasetof3dowelsrepresentingeachsizeclass.

Figure14-1.PlotlayoutforsamplingCWD,FWD,andfuels.

14.3 TRANSECT LINE SEGMENTINGTransect lines are segmented to determine the length of transect that occurs within each mapped condition class intersecting the line. A segment is a length of transect that is in one condition. Segments areidentifiedbyrecordingtheBEGINNINGDISTANCEandENDINGD�STANCE of the slope from subplot center out to the end of the subplot.Intheoffice,thesegmentingdatawillbecombinedwithCWD distances to determine which condition class each piece fallsin(conditionclassesarenotassignedtoCWDpiecesinthefield).IfmorethanoneconditionisfoundontheFWDtransects,


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the segmenting information recorded here will provide the length of transect in each condition.

Startingatthesubplotcenterandworkingtowardsthefixedradiusplotboundary,eachsegmentoftransectlineinadifferentconditionclassisdelineatedandrecordedasaseparaterecord.Oneachrecord,theBEGINNINGDISTANCEandENDINGDISTANCEoftheslopearerecordedforeachconditionclassencountered.ThefirstrecordforeachtransectwillhaveaBEGINNINGDISTANCEof0feet.Ifonlyoneconditionclassoccursonthetransectline,onlyonesegmentisrecorded.Thetransectmustextendatotalof24.0feethorizontaldistance.Iftheentire24.0-footsubplotisnonforest,entercodesforSUBPLOTNUMBER,TRANSECT,CONDITIONCLASSNUMBER,followedbyzerosintheremainingfields.

On subplots where a transect intersects a boundary between condition classes,thetransectcontinuesacrosstheboundaryintotheadjacentclass(Figure14-2).AlthoughDWMisonlysampledinaccessibleforestconditions,allCONDITIONCLASSBOUNDARIES(BEGINNINGDISTANCEandENDINGDISTANCE)arerecordedoneachtransect.

�ndividual pieces of DWM intersected by a transect are tallied or countediftheymeetthetallyrulesforCWDorFWDspecifiedinthesections that follow. �t is expected that the majority of FWD transects willbeinonecondition,butiftheconditionclasschangesalongthetransect,acountisrecordedforeachcondition.Again,thesegmentingdata recorded here will identify which condition class is associated with each count.

Old growth

Clearcut

Second growth

Old growth

Saplings

Cropland

Hardwood forest

Figure14-2.Transectsareinstalledacrossconditionclassboundaries.

14.3.1 SUBPLOT NUMBERRecord the code indicating the subplot center from which the transect originates.

Whencollected:AlltallysegmentsFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetime

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Values:1to4

1 Center subplot2 North subplot3 Southeast subplot4 Southwest subplot

14.3.2 TRANSECTRecord the code indicating the transect on which a condition class isbeingdelineated.Thethreetransectsusedare30degrees,150degrees,and270degrees.Thesetransects,whenbeinginstalled,haveatoleranceof+/-2degrees.

WhenCollected:AlltallysegmentsFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:030 Transect extends 30 degrees from subplot center150 Transect extends 150 degrees from subplot center270 Transect extends 270 degrees from subplot center

14.3.3 CONDITION CLASS NUMBERRecord the code indicating the number of the condition class for the transectsegment.Usethesamecodeassignedtotheconditionclassonthesubplotorelsewhereontheplot.ThefirstsegmentrecordedforeachtransectwillhavethesameCONDITIONCLASSNUMBERasassigned to the subplot center.

Whencollected:AlltallysegmentsFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:1to9

14.3.4 BEGINNING DISTANCERecordthelocation(usingslopedistance)onthetransectlinewherethe transect intersects the boundary with the adjacent condition class nearertothesubplotcenter.ThefirstrecordforeachtransectwillhaveaBEGINNINGDISTANCEof00.0ft.EachsubsequentrecordwillhaveaBEGINNINGDISTANCEequaltotheENDINGDISTANCEofthe previous record. Measure to the nearest 0.1 ft.



Whencollected:AlltallysegmentsFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-1.0ftMQO:Atleast95%ofthetimeValues:00.0to99.9

14.3.� SLOPE PERCENTRecord the code indicating the average slope percent along the transect within the condition class being segmented. When only one conditionclassispresentonatransect,slopepercentistheaverageslope percent along the entire transect. Measure to the nearest 5%.

Whencollected:AlltallysegmentsFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-10%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:005to155

14.3.� ENDING DISTANCERecordthelocation(usingslopedistance)onthetransectlinewherethe transect exits the condition class being delineated and intersects the boundary with a different condition class further away from the subplotcenter.Ifnootherconditionclassesareencountered,recordthelocation(usingslopedistance)oftheendofthetransectline.Measure to the nearest 0.1 foot.

Whencollected:AlltallysegmentsFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-1.0ftMQO:Atleast95%ofthetimeValues:00.1to99.9

14.4 SAMPLING METHODS FOR COARSE WOODY DEBRIS (CWD)

14.4.1 Tally Rules for Coarse Woody Debris (CWD)1. Coarsewoodydebris(CWD)issampledinaccessibleforest

land conditions only. Tally a piece if its central longitudinal axis intersectsthetransect,andtheconditionclassisaccessibleforestlandatthepointofintersection(Figure14-3).Theentirepiece is assigned to this condition.

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2. Tallydeadtreesandtallstumpsthatareleaning>45degreesfrom vertical. Do not tally live trees or standing dead trees and stumpsthatarestilluprightandleaning<45degreesfromvertical. Follow the same rules for down trees as outlined in section5.0‘TreeandSaplingData’fromtheP2fieldguide.MostCWD will be laying on the ground.

3. The minimum length of any tally piece is 3.0 feet. When CWD pieces are close to 3 feet total length measure the length to thenearest0.1foottodetermineifitis>3.0feet.CWDTOTALLENGTH(14.4.3.7)isthelengthofthepiecethatliesbetweenthepiece’srecordedDIAMETERATTHESMALLENDANDDIAMETERATTHELARGEEND(14.4.3.6.2&14.4.3.6.3).

4. Decay class of the piece determines whether or not the piece is tallied(seesection14.4.3.4).

Fordecayclasses1to4:tallyapieceifitis>3.0inchesindiameteratthepointofintersectionwiththetransect.Thepiecemustbe>3.0feetinlengthand>3.0inchesormoreindiameteralongthatlength.Iftheintersectdiameteriscloseto3.0inches,measurethediametertothenearest0.1inchtodetermineifthepiecequalifies(Figure14-4).


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Figure14-4.CWDtallyrulesfordecayclasses1-4.

Fordecayclass5:tallyapieceifitis>5.0inchesindiameteratthepointofintersectionand>5.0incheshighfromtheground.Thepiecemustbe>3.0feetinlengthand>5.0inchesormoreindiameteralongthat length. The reason for treating decay class 5 pieces differently isbecausetheyaredifficulttoidentify,especiallywhenheavilydecomposed. Only pieces that still have some shape and log form are tallied—humps of decomposed wood that are becoming part of the duff layer are not tallied.

5. Tallypiecescreatedbynaturalcauses(examples:naturalbreakageoruprooting)orbyhumanactivitiessuchascuttingonlyifnotsystematicallymachine-piled.Donotrecordpiecesthatarepartofmachine-piledslashpilesorwindrows,orthatarepartofalog“jumble”atthebottomofasteep-sidedravineinwhichindividualpiecesareimpracticaltotallyseparately.Instead,samplethesepiles according to instructions in section 14.8 ‘Sampling Residue Piles’.Aslashpileorwindrowconsistsofbrokenlogs,limbs,andother vegetative debris.

6. Tally a piece only if the point of intersection occurs above the ground.Ifoneendofapieceisburiedinthelitter,duff,ormineralsoil,thepieceendsatthepointwhereitisnolongervisible.Measure the diameter and length at this point.

7. �f the central longitudinal axis of a piece is intersected more than onceonatransectlineorifitisintersectedbytwotransectlines,tallythepieceeachtimeitisintersected(uncommonsituation,seeFigure14-5).

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Figure14-5.CWDtallyrules:intersections.

8. Tally a piece only once if the subplot center falls directly on the central longitudinal axis of the piece. Tally the piece on the 30 degree transect and record the CWD Distance as 001.

9. Ifapieceisfracturedacrossitsdiameterorlength,andwouldpullapartatthefractureifpulledfromeitherendorsides,treatitastwoseparatepieces.Ifjudgedthatitwouldnotpullapart,tallyasone piece. Tally only the piece intersected by the transect line.

10. Do not tally a piece if it intersects the transect on the root side of the root collar. Do not tally roots.

11. When the transect crosses a forked down tree bole or large branchconnectedtoadowntree,tallyeachqualifyingpieceseparately.Tobetallied,eachindividualpiecemustmeettheminimum diameter and length requirements.

12. Inthecaseofforkedtrees,considerthe“mainbole”tobethepiece with the largest diameter at the fork. Variables for this fork suchasTOTALLENGTHandDECAYCLASSshouldpertaintothe entire main bole. For smaller forks or branches connected to amainbole(evenifthemainboleisnotatallypiece),variablespertain only to that portion of the piece up to the point where it attachestothemainbole(seeFigure14-6).

13. Ifatransectintersectsanonforestcondition(e.g.,aroad),noCWD is tallied.


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Figure14-6.CWDtallyrulesforforkedtrees.

14.4.2 Marking CWD

Marking CWD is optional. Marked CWD is an aid to future crews returning to the plot for a QA check or to remeasure the plot at the next remeasurement period. Nails can be used to mark the location of the pointofintersection,ifthepieceisindecayclass1,2,or3.Positionthenailontopofthepiece,andifpossible,drivethenailintothepiece so that about 1 inch of the nail is left exposed. Stop driving the nail if the next blow means breaking the piece or seriously disturbing thelocationofthepiece.Pleaseseesection14.3TransectLineSegmenting,forinformationontherequiredmarkingofthetransectline.

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14.4.3 Recording Procedures for CWD

Thetoleranceforthetotalnumberofpieces(>3inches,transectdiameter)talliedacrossalltransectsontheplotis:+/-2pieceor+/-5%,whicheverisgreaterfortheplot.Note:alwaysrounduptoawholepiece count when using the 5% option.

14.4.3.1 SUBPLOT NUMBERRecord the code indicating the number of the subplot center from which the transect originates.

Whencollected:AlltallypiecesFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:1to4


14.4.3.2 TRANSECTRecordthecodeindicatingtheazimuthofthetransectonwhichthepiece is sampled.

WhenCollected:AlltallypiecesFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:

030 Transect extends 30 degrees from subplot center150 Transect extends 150 degrees from subplot center270 Transect extends 270 degrees from subplot center

14.4.3.3 CWD SLOPE DISTANCERecord the code indicating the slope distance from the subplot center to the point where the transect intersects the longitudinal center of the piece.Iftwoormorepieceshavethesameslopedistances,recordthetoppiecefirst.Measureandrecordtothenearest0.1feet.CWDSLOPEDISTANCEisanimportantitembecauseitwillbeusedtoassign the CWD piece to a condition class by comparing the recorded distancetothepiecewiththerecordedBEGINNINGDISTANCEand



ENDINGDISTANCEtotheconditionclassboundary.CWDSLOPED�STANCE is also used to locate the piece for QA and remeasurement in future inventories. WhenCollected:AlltallypiecesFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-1.0ftMQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:00.1to99.9

14.4.3.4 CWD DECAY CLASSRecorda1-digitcodeindicatingthedecayclassofthepiece.CodethedecayclasswhichpredominatesalongtherecordedCWDTOTALLENGTH(14.4.3.7)ofthepiece.UsetheguidebelowtodetermineCWDDECAYCLASS.

WhenCollected:AlltallypiecesFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:+/-1classMQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:

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DecayClass

StructuralIntegrity

Texture ofRotten Portions

Color ofWood

InvadingRoots

Branches and Twigs

1 Sound,freshlyfallen,intactlogs

Intact,norot;conks of stem decay absent

Original color Absent �f branches arepresent,finetwigsare still attached and have tight bark

2 Sound Mostly intact; sapwood partly soft(startingtodecay)butcan’tbe pulled apart by hand

Original color Absent �f branches arepresent,manyfinetwigs are gone and remaining finetwigshave peeling bark

3 Heartwood sound; piece supports its own weight

Hard,largepieces; sapwood can be pulled apart by hand or sapwood absent

Reddish-brown or original color

Sapwood only

Branchstubs will not pull out

4 Heartwood rotten; piece does not support its ownweight,but maintains its shape

Soft,smallblocky pieces; a metal pin can be pushed into heartwood

Reddish or light brown

Through-out

Branchstubs pull out

5 None,pieceno longer maintains itsshape,itspreads out on ground

Soft; powdery when dry

Red-browntodark brown

Through-out

Branchstubs and pitch pockets have usually rotted down

Note:CWDDECAYCLASS5piecescanbedifficulttoidentifybecause they often blend into the duff and litter layers. They must still resemblealog,therefore,thefirsttallyruleisthattheymustbe>5.0inchesindiameter,>5.0inchesfromthesurfaceoftheground,andatleast3.0feetlong.Decomposedlogsthatareslightlyelevated‘humps’on the ground are not tallied.


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CWDDECAYCLASS:ThechartabovewasdevelopedprimarilyforDouglas-firinthePacificNorthwest.Atthepresenttime,thereareno other charts available to use to describe decay classes for other species or locations. Concentrate on the structural integrity and texture when estimating a decay class for CWD logs. Ifalogiscasehardened(hard,intactoutersapwoodshell)buttheheartwoodisrotten,codethislogasaCWDDECAYCLASS2withaHOLLOWPIECEcodeof1.CWDDECAYCLASS1shouldbereservedfor‘freshlyfallen’logsthatarecompletelyintact(i.e.,recentwindfalls,orharvest).

14.4.3.� SPECIESRecord the code indicating the species of the piece. Species codes arethesameasthoseusedinP2(seeAppendix3oftheP2fieldguide).BecauseCWDincludesthetallyoflargeshrubbolesandwoodyvines,enteracodeof‘0001’forSPECIESifthetallypieceisashrub or vine.

Speciesidentificationmaybeuncertainforsomepieces.Thepiece’sbark(eitherattachedorsloughedandlayingbesidethepiece),branchingpattern(ifthebranchesarestillpresent),orheartwoodsmell(particularlyifcedars,Douglas-fir,orwesternhemlock)mayprovideclues.Onremeasurementplots,seewhattreespeciesweretallied in past inventories. One way to distinguish hardwoods from softwoods is by the type of decay present. Hardwoods usually have awhiteorgrayishstringyrot,whilesoftwoodsusuallyhaveareddish-brownblockyrot.Ifitisnotpossibletoidentifythespecies,attempttoestimate if it is softwood or hardwood. Enter code 0299 for unknown coniferor0998forunknownhardwood.Ifallelsefails,entertheunknownSPECIEScode(0999).

WhenCollected:CWDDECAYCLASS=1to4Fieldwidth:4digitsTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast80%ofthetimeValues:SeespeciescodesinAppendix3oftheP2fieldguide.

14.4.3.� DiametersThe diameter is most commonly measured by holding a tape above the log,atapositionperpendiculartothelength(Figure14-7).Itisusefulto carry a steel carpenters retracting tape to measure diameters. Other methodsincludewrappingatapearoundtheboleifpossible,holdingastraight-edgerulerabovethepiece,orusingcalipers.

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Figure14-7.Diametermeasurements

Forpiecesthatarenotroundincross-sectionbecauseofmissingchunksofwoodor“settling”duetodecay,measurethediameterintwodirections and take an average. Estimate the longest and shortest axis ofthecross-section(“A”and“B”inFigure14-8),andentertheaverageinthediameterfield.Thistechniqueappliestointersect,small-end,andlarge-enddiameters.

Figure14-8.Estimatingthediameterofpiecesthatarenotroundincross-section.



�f the transect intersects the log at the decayed or splintered end (Figure14-9)(i.e.,theportionwherewedonotconsideritpartofthelogbecauseitisfallingapart),recordthediameteratthislocationastheintersectdiameter,butrecordthelargeendandsmallenddiameteraccordingtoourestablishedrules(i.e.,atthepointswheretheybestrepresentthelogvolume).Ifthesplinteredendappearstobetwoseparatepieces(i.e.,amajorsplitlocatedjustattheend)–inthissituationtreatitasonelogandtakeadiameteraroundtheend(taketwomeasurementsifitisoddshaped).Lengthwouldbemeasuredbetween the large and small end diameters.

Figure14-9.Exampleofdecayedendintersectingthetransect

14.4.3.�.1 DIAMETER AT POINT OF INTERSECTIONRecordthecodeindicatingthepiece’sdiameteratthepointwherethetransect intersects the longitudinal center of the piece. �f the diameter iscloseto3inches,measurethediametertothenearest0.1inchtodetermineifthepieceisactually>3.0inchesandavalidtallypiece.The diameter is recorded to the nearest inch.

WhenCollected:AlltallypiecesFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance: Pieces<20.0indiameter:+/-3in Pieces>20.0indiameter:+/-20%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:003to200

14.4.3.�.2 DIAMETER AT THE SMALL ENDRecordthecodeindicatingthediameteratthepiece’ssmallend.The diameter is recorded to the nearest inch. The D�AMETER AT THESMALLENDoccurseitherat(1)theactualendofthepiece,iftheendhasadiameter>3.0inches,or(2)atthepointwherethepiece tapers down to 3.0 inches in diameter. �f the end is splintered or decomposing(sloughingoff),measurethediameteratthepointwhereitbestrepresentstheoveralllogvolume.Usethesamemeasuring

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proceduresdescribedin14.4.3.6.1(seeFigure14-7).

WhenCollected:CWDDECAYCLASS=1to4Fieldwidth:3digitsTolerance Pieces<20.0indiameter:+/-2in Pieces>20.0indiameter:+/-10%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:003to200

14.4.3.�.3 DIAMETER AT THE LARGE ENDRecordthecodeindicatingthediameteratthepiece’slargeend.Thediameter is recorded to the nearest inch. The large end will occur eitheratabrokenorsawnend,atafracture,orattherootcollar.Iftheendissplinteredordecomposing(sloughingoff),measurethediameteratthepointwhereitbestrepresentstheoveralllogvolume.Usethesame measuring procedures used for 14.4.3.6.1.

WhenCollected:CWDDECAYCLASS=1to4Fieldwidth:3digitsTolerance: Pieces<20.0indiameter:+/-2in Pieces>20.0indiameter:+/-15%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:003to200

14.4.3.7 CWD TOTAL LENGTH Recordthecodeindicatingthetotallengthofthepiece.CWDTOTALLENGTHisthelengthofthepiecethatliesbetweenthepiece’srecordedDIAMETERATTHESMALLENDANDDIAMETERATTHELARGEEND(14.4.3.6.2&14.4.3.6.3).ForDECAYCLASS=5,DIAMETERATTHESMALLENDANDDIAMETERATTHELARGEENDarenotrecordedforalog,thereforethelengthismeasuredbetweenthetwophysicalendsofthelog.Forcurvedlogs,measurealong the curve. The minimum log length is 3.0 feet before it is a valid tallylog.Whenthelengthiscloseto3.0feet,measurethelengthtodetermineifthepieceisactually>3.0feet.CWDTOTALLENGTHisrecorded to the nearest foot.

WhenCollected:AlltallypiecesFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-20%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:003to250



14.4.3.� IS THE PIECE HOLLOW?Recordthecodeindicatingwhetherornotthepieceishollow(seeFigure14-10).

Figure14-10.Determiningifthepieceishollow

WhenCollected:CWDDECAYCLASS=1to4Fieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:

Y Apieceisconsideredhollowifacavityextendsatleast2feetalongthecentrallongitudinalaxisofthepiece,andthediameteroftheentrancetothecavityisatleast1/4ofthediameterofthepiece where the entrance occurs. The entrance occurs at the pointwherethecircumferenceofthecavityiswhole--thepointwhere wood is present completely around the circumference of the cavity. The length of the cavity begins at this point.

N Does not meet criteria for being a hollow log

14.4.3.� CWD HISTORYRecord the code that indicates whether or not the piece of CWD is on the ground as a result of harvesting operations or as a result of natural circumstances. One objective of this item is to identify those pieces that are considered logging residue. �f the piece appears to have fallen to the ground as a result of natural causes such as decomposition or

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windfall,enteracodeof1.Thiscategorywouldincludeblownouttops,snappedoffboles,wind-fallentreesonclearcutedges,andtreesthatbasically collapsed and fell over due to decomposition.

Ifthepieceisonthegroundasaresultofrecent(sincelastannualremeasurement;iftheplotisnew,thetimebetweenthepanelremeasurements)harvestingactivity,eitherbecausethetreewascutdownwithachainsaw(orotherdevice)orpushedoverbyharvestingequipment(bulldozer),enteracodeof2.Acodeof2wouldbeconsideredloggingresidue(usuallyyouareinthemiddleofarecentclearcut).Ifthepieceisonthegroundasaresultofolder(morethan15years)harvestingactivity,enteracodeof3.Thiswouldbeasituationwhereyoutallyanolddecomposinglogthathasasawnend–ifitappearsthatthelogwascutandleftonsite,thenenteracodeof“3”.

Ifapieceisonthegroundasaresultofincidentalharvest(suchasastandingtreewascutforfirewoodorsmallclearing),enteracodeof“4”. �ncidental harvest involves a few trees and is not a part of a major organizedharvestingoperation.

IfthecrewcannotdecidethehistoryoftheCWDlog,classifyitas“unknown”,andgiveitacodeof“5”.

WhenCollected:CWDDECAYCLASS=1to4Fieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast90%ofthetime

Values:1 CWD piece is on the ground as a result of natural causes 2 CWD piece is on the ground as a result of major recent harvest

activity(<=15yrsold)3 CWDpieceisonthegroundasaresultofolderharvestactivity(>

15yrsold)4 CWD piece is on the ground as a result of an incidental harvest

(suchasfirewoodcutting)5 ExactReasonUnknown

14.� SAMPLING METHODS FOR FINE WOODY DEBRIS (FWD)

1. FineWoodyDebris(FWD)issampledinaccessibleforestlandconditions. The length of FWD transects are measured in slope distance--nocorrectionisappliedtoobtainahorizontaldistance.



The FWD transects start at 14.0 feet slope distance and extend for 6.0 or 10.0 feet slope distance. Estimates of FWD biomass calculatedintheoffice,willincludeaslopecorrectionfactorobtained from the transect segmenting data on the subplot.

2. Only sample FWD that intersects a plane from the ground to a height of 6 feet.

3. FWDissampledinthreesizeclasses,onthe150degreeazimuthtransect.TwooftheFWDsizeclasses(0.01to0.24inchesand0.25to0.9inches)arecountedona6-foottransect,from14to20feet.Piecesinthethirdsizeclass(1.0to2.9inches)arecountedona10-foottransect,from14to24feet(seesection14.2fordetailsontransects).Thesetransectsoverlap.Note:individualdiameters are not recorded for FWD.

4. CountapieceofFWDifitintersectsthetransect,andthecondition class is accessible forest land at the point of intersection. Onlycountapieceifthetwig,branch,woodfragment,orshrub/treebolearewoody.Donotcountpineorfirneedlesornon-woody parts of a tree or shrub.

5. Accumulatethenumberofpiecescountedwithineachsizeclassandenterthetotalcountononerecordforthesubplot(unlessthereare>1conditionclasses).Ifthereisnotallyonatransect,enterzerosforthecount.

6. AccuratecountsofFWDcanbeconductedefficientlyuptoabout50piecesforsmallandmediumsizeclasses,andupto20piecesforthelargesizeclass.Afterthat,crewscanbeginestimatingcounts in a systematic fashion. Transects that fall on very dense FWDwherecountingisnearlyimpossible,canbesubsampledandcalculated.Forexample,anaccuratecountcanbeconductedona2.0-footsectionofthetransectandthenmultipliedby3toprovideanestimateforthe6foottransect,aslongasthecrew feels that the remaining transect has a similar density of FWD pieces.

7. Ifatransectintersectsalargepileofmaterialsuchasawoodrat’snestorarecentlyfallentree(withmanyattachedfinebranches),crewsshouldestimateacountbasedon#6above,butalsoenteracodeindicatingthatthisisanunusualsituation(seesection14.5.6).

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8. Ifrocks,logs,orotherobstructionsarepresentalongthetransect(14-to24-footsection)includeanyFWDthatispresentontop of these obstructions in the respective FWD counts. �f the obstructionsaresolarge(hugeboulder)thatthetopsurfacecannotbeseen,assumethecountiszerointhisarea,andcontinue counting if there is transect line beyond the boulder.

9. �f a residue pile intersects the FWD transect at any point along the14-to24-footsection,donotmeasureFWDonthistransect.Itistoosubjectivedeterminingexactboundariesofthepile,andhow they relate to the exact point on the transect line. To identify thissituation,code1inRESIDUEPILEONTRANSECTwhichindicates that a residue pile has intersected the transect line.

10. Ifatransectcrossesaconditionclassboundary,recordtheCONDITIONCLASSNUMBERandenteracountforeachcondition on separate records. Transect lengths within each condition class will be obtained from the transect segmenting data entered for the subplot.

14.�.1 SUBPLOT NUMBERRecord the code indicating the subplot center from which the transect originates.



14.�.2 CONDITION CLASS NUMBERRecord the code indicating the number of the condition class that pertains to the FWD count.




14.�.3 SMALL FWD COUNTRecordthenumberofpiecescountedinthissizeclass(0.01to0.24-inchdiameter)alongthetransectsegment.Anaccuratecountshouldbeconductedupto50pieces.Ifthecountexceeds50,thetransectcan be subsampled to estimate a total count for the transect segment (see14.5,#6)

Whencollected:Onthe150degreetransectinCONDITIONCLASSSTATUS=1Fieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:0to50=+/-20%ofthetotalcountforthetransect 51to100=+/-25%ofthetotalcountforthetransect 100+=+/-50%ofthetotalcountforthetransectMQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:000to999

14.�.4 MEDIUM FWD COUNTRecordthenumberofpiecescountedinthissizeclass(0.25to0.9-inchdiameter)alongthetransectsegment.Anaccuratecountshouldbeconductedupto50pieces.Ifthecountexceeds50,thetransectcan be subsampled to estimate a total count for the transect segment (see14.5,#6)

Whencollected:Onthe150degreetransectinCONDITIONCLASSSTATUS=1Fieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-20%ofthetotalcountforthetransectMQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:000to999

14.�.� LARGE FWD COUNTRecordthenumberofpiecescountedinthissizeclass(1.0to2.9inchdiameter)alongthetransectsegment.Anaccuratecountshouldbeconductedupto20pieces.Ifthecountexceeds20,thetransectcanbesubsampledtoestimateatotalcountforthetransectsegment(seesection14.5,#6).

Whencollected:Onthe150degreetransectinCONDITIONCLASSSTATUS=1Fieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-20%ofthetotalcountforthetransectMQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:000to500

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14.�.� HIGH COUNT REASONEnter a code that applies to the situation encountered on the transect. Enter a code if any of the counts on a transect are greater than 100 pieces.

WhenCollected:Whenanycountonthetransect>100Fieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:

0 FWD is not unusually high1 High count is due to an overall high density of FWD across the transect2 WoodRat’snestlocatedontransect3 Tree or shrub laying across transect 4 Other reason

14.�.7 RESIDUE PILE ON TRANSECTEnter a code that indicates whether a residue pile intersects the FWD transect segment. The default is always 0; crews will enter a 1 if the situation is encountered on the transect.

WhenCollected:OnallFWDtransects(between14and24ft)Fieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:0 No1 Yes

14.� DUFF, LITTER, and FUELBED DEPTH MEASUREMENTSDepth measurements are sampled in accessible forest land conditions. Thedepthofthedufflayer,litterlayer,andoverallfuelbedareimportantcomponentsoffiremodelsusedtoestimatefirebehavior,firespread,fireeffects,andsmokeproduction.Thesemeasurementsaretakenatthe24-footlocationoneachtransect.Anaveragedepthwillbecalculatedintheofficeandstoredwithotherinformationabouttheconditionclassontheplot.Ifaresiduepile,log,rock,orotherobstructionintersectsthetransectatthe24-ftlocation,donotmeasurethedufforlitterdepth.But,domeasurethefuelbeddepthiftheobstruction is a log or residue pile.



14.�.1 Definitions

1. Litteristhelayeroffreshlyfallenleaves,needles,twigs

(<0.25inchindiameter),cones,detachedbarkchunks,deadmoss,deadlichens,detachedsmallchunksofrottedwood,deadherbaceousstems,andflowerparts(detachedandnotupright).Litteristhelooseplantmaterialfoundonthetopsurfaceoftheforestfloor.Littledecompositionhasbeguninthislayer.

Litterisflashfuel–sothinkaboutitastheloosematerialthatisexposedtotheair,capableofignitingquicklyandcarryingafireacrossthesurfaceoftheforestfloor.

Litterdoesnotincludebarkthatisstillattachedtoadownlog,orrotten chunks of wood that are still inside a decaying log or log end(i.e.,ifadecayedlogendhasalotofrottencubesorpieceslayingonalogsurfaceandexposedtoair,theyareconsideredpartofthelogandnotlitter–firewouldburndifferentlyifithitapileofrottenpunkywoodchips,cradledbytheunrottedsapwoodshell).Iftheserottenchunkshavespilledouttothegroundandareactuallyonthegroundsurface,thentheywouldbeincludedinthe litter layer.

Litterdoesnotincludeanimalmanure.

Microplotestimates:Asyoulookdownonthemicroplot,litteristhematerialthatyouseecoveringthesurfaceareaofthe6.8-footradius plot.

2. Duff is the layer just below litter. �t consists of decomposing leavesandotherorganicmaterial.Youshouldseenorecognizableplantparts,thedufflayerisusuallydarkdecomposedorganicmatter.Whenmossispresent,thetopofthe duff layer is just below the green portion of the moss. The bottomofthislayeristhepointwheremineralsoil(Ahorizon)begins.

3. Thefuelbedistheaccumulatedmassofdead,woodymaterialonthesurfaceoftheforestfloor.Itbeginsatthetopofthedufflayer,andincludeslitter,FWD,CWD,anddeadwoodyshrubs.Inthisdefinition,thefuelbeddoesnotincludedeadhangingbranchesfrom standing trees.

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14.�.2 Overview of Measurements

Depthmeasurementswillbetakenatthe24-foot(slopedistance)locationoneachtransect.Ifalog,rockorotherobstructionoccursatthesamplelocation,donotmeasuredufforlitterdepth,regardlessofwhatisontopoftheobstruction.However,iftheobstructionisalog,proceed with the fuelbed depth estimate.

TheDUFF,LITTER,ANDFUELBEDSAMPLEvariablehasthreeoptionsforindicatingifduff,litter,and/orfuelbedweremeasuredateachsamplelocation.Thedefaultvalueforthisvariableis1,indicatingthatallthreevariablesweremeasured(duff,litter,andfuelbed).Avalueof0isenteredifduffandlitterwerenotsampled(obstruction),but fuelbed was sampled. A value of 2 is entered if none of the three (duff,litter,andthefuelbed)weresampled(i.e.,submergedpartofplot).

14.�.2.1 Duff and Litter

ThedufflayeristheorganicmateriallayerbetweentheA-horizon(oruppermostsoilmineralhorizon)andthelitterlayer.Theduffisasoillayer dominated by organic material derived from the decomposition ofplantandanimallitter(pinestraw,leaves,twigs,etc)anddepositedon either an organic or a mineral surface. This layer is distinguished from the litter layer in that the original organic material has undergone sufficientdecompositionthatthesourceofthismaterial(e.g.,individualplantparts)cannolongerbeidentified.Litterisdefinedasundecomposed or only partially decomposed organic material that canbereadilyidentified(e.g.,plantleaves,twigs,etc.).Asageneralrule,duffdepthshouldrarelyexceedafewinches.Crewsshouldbeabsolutelysuretheyaremeasuringdeepduffdepths,insteadofmineral soil layers or parts of the litter layer. Duff can easily weigh morethan6timesthatoflitter.Ifunsureofthebottomofthedufflayer,crews should feel the texture of the suspect material in their hand. Rub thesoilbetweenyourfingers.Doesitcrumble(duff)orfeelmorelikemodelingclay(mineral).

Carefullyexposeashallowprofileoftheforestfloorbydiggingoutanareaatthesamplepointusingaknife,hatchet,orothertool.Estimatethe depth of each layer with a ruler to the nearest 0.1 inch. �f there is a log,rock,orotherobstructiononthesurfaceatthesamplepoint,donotmeasurethelitterorduffdepth(recordDUFF,LITTER,ANDFUELBEDSAMPLE=0or2,dependingiffuelbedcanbesampled);avalueof99.9willbeenteredbytheTALLYprogramforeachdepth.



Asyoudigtheholeforthismeasurement,ifyouencounterarock,root,orburiedlog–stopthedepthmeasurementatthispoint.

The height of the litter should be measured at the top of the loose material located at the sample point on the transect. Try to preserve theconditionsofthislocationbywalkingaroundthispoint,sotheQAstaff will measure the same height as the original crew.

14.�.2.2 Fuelbed

Measure the height of the fuelbed from the top of the duff layer (justbelowthelitter)tothehighestpieceofwoodydebrisfoundatthe transect point. Round to the nearest 0.1 foot. �f a rock or other obstruction(otherthanalog)occursatthe24.0-footsamplelocation,do not measure fuelbed depth.

14.�.3 SUBPLOT NUMBERRecord the code indicating the number of the subplot center from which the transect originates.



14.�.4 TRANSECTRecordthecodeindicatingtheazimuthofthetransect.

Whencollected:AlltallysegmentsFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetime

Values:030 Transect extends 30 degrees from subplot center150 Transect extends 150 degrees from subplot center270 Transect extends 270 degrees from subplot center

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14.�.� DUFF, LITTER, and FUELBED SAMPLERecord the code indicating if the depth of the duff and litter layer was measured.

Whencollected:At24.0ftoneachtransectFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:

0 Duff and litter depth not sampled; Fuelbed is sampled1 Allsampled:Duff,litter,andfuelbed2 Nothingsampled;Duff,litter,fuelbedarenotsampled

14.�.� DUFF DEPTHRecord the code indicating the depth of the duff layer to the nearest 0.1 inch.

Whencollected:At24.0ftoneachtransectFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-0.5inchMQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:00.0to99.9

14.�.7 LITTER DEPTHRecord the code indicating the depth of the litter layer to the nearest 0.1 inch.

Whencollected:At24.0ftoneachtransectFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-0.5inchMQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:00.0to99.9

14.�.� FUELBED DEPTHRecordthecodeindicatingthedepthofthefuelbedlayer,tothenearest0.1foot.Ifthefuelbeddepthis>0and<0.1footenter0.1foot.Inthissituationfinerdepthresolutionwillbeobtainedfromtheduffandlitter measurements.

Whencollected:At24.0ftoneachtransectFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-20%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetime



Values:00.0to99.9

14.7 FUEL LOADING ON THE MICROPLOTAnother component of the total fuel loading on a plot is the biomass of liveanddeadunderstorymaterial.The6.8-footradiusmicroplotwillbeusedtoestimatethepercentcoverandheightofliveanddeadshrubs,liveanddeadherbs(includesgrasses)andlitter.Fuelloadingisestimated in accessible forest land conditions on the microplot. Enter one value for all forested conditions combined.

Shrubsareplantswithwoodystems,includingwoodyvines.Herbsarenon-woodyherbaceousplants,butalsoincludeferns,mosses,lichens,sedges,andgrasses.Althoughmanyforbsandgrasseswilldiebytheendofthegrowingseason,anestimateofliveanddeadbiomassonagivendatewillhelpfiremodelerspredictthephenologyofherbaceousmaterialduringtheyear,allowingthemtoestimatefiredangerpatternsacross the landscape.

Percentcoverisestimatedforeachofthefivefuelcategories(liveshrubs,deadshrubs,liveherbs,deadherbs,andlitter)in10-percentclasses for the accessible forested conditions of the microplot. For livefuels,estimatethepercentofthemicroplotareathatiscoveredbyliveplantmaterial.Includewholeplantsthatareentirelygreen(oralive)andthelivebranchesonplantsthatareamixtureofliveanddead plant parts. �nclude live branches or leaves that extend into the microplot area from a plant that is actually rooted outside of the microplot.Donotincludeherbaceousmaterialabove6feet(i.e.,moss,ferns,lichens,epiphytesthataregrowingintreebranchesabove6feet).

Fordeadfuels,estimatethepercentcoverusingthesameproceduresaslivefuels,butincludeplantsthatareentirelydeadandbranchesor leaves that are dead but still attached to a live plant. Dead plant material must be clearly visible. Do not include dead material that hasfallentotheground.Coverestimatesaremadebyvisualizinganoutlinearoundthedeadmaterial(withall‘air’spaceincluded)andaccumulating this across the forested microplot area.

An estimate of the total height of the shrub and herbaceous layers is also needed to calculate biomass and fuel loadings. Record a height estimateforeachfuelcategory,exceptlitter.Heightisestimatedforthe tallest shrub on the microplot.

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MicroplotCoverEstimationGuide(Hint:8.5”x11”=about0.5%coverage)

14.7.1 SUBPLOT NUMBERRecord the code indicating the number of the subplot center from which the transect originates.

Whencollected:AllmicroplotswithatleastoneCONDITIONCLASSSTATUS=1Fieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:1to4


14.7.2 LIVE SHRUB PERCENT COVERRecord the code for the cover class that indicates the percent cover of the forested microplot area covered with live shrubs.

Whencollected:AllmicroplotswithatleastoneCONDITIONCLASSSTATUS=1Fieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-1classMQO:Atleast85%ofthetime

% area (sq ft) radius (ft) square (ft)1 1.45 0.68 1.20

10 14.52 2.15 3.8120 29.04 3.04 5.3930 43.56 3.72 6.6040 58.08 4.30 7.6250 72.60 4.81 8.5260 87.12 5.27 9.3370 101.64 5.69 10.0880 116.16 6.08 10.7890 130.68 6.45 11.43

100 145.2 6.80 12.05



Values:

00 Absent01 Trace(<1%cover)10 1–10%20 11-20%30 21-30%…. 90 81-90%99 91-100%

14.7.3 LIVE SHRUB HEIGHTRecord the code indicating the height of the tallest shrub to the nearest 0.1foot.Measureheights<6feetandestimateheights>6feet.

Whencollected:AllmicroplotswithatleastoneCONDITIONCLASSSTATUS=1Fieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-0.5ftMQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:00.0to99.9

14.7.4 DEAD SHRUBS PERCENT COVERRecord the code for the cover class that indicates the percent cover of the forested microplot area covered with dead shrubs and dead branches attached to live shrubs if visible from above.

Whencollected:AllmicroplotswithatleastoneCONDITIONCLASSSTATUS=1Fieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-1classMQO:Atleast85%ofthetimeValues:


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14.7.� DEAD SHRUB HEIGHTRecord the code indicating the height of the tallest dead shrub to the nearest0.1foot.Measureheights<6feetandestimateheights>6feet.


14.7.� LIVE HERBS PERCENT COVERRecord the code for the cover class that indicates the percent cover of the forested microplot area covered with live herbaceous plants.



14.7.7 LIVE HERBS HEIGHTRecordthecodeindicatingtheheight(atthetallestpoint)oftheliveherbaceous layer to the nearest 0.1 foot. Maximum height is 6 feet.




14.7.� DEAD HERBS PERCENT COVERRecord the code for the cover class that indicates the percent cover of the forested microplot area covered with dead herbaceous plants and dead leaves attached to live plants if visible from above.



14.7.� DEAD HERBS HEIGHTRecordthecodeindicatingtheheight(atthetallestpoint)ofthedeadherbaceous layer to the nearest 0.1 foot. Maximum height is 6 feet.


14.7.10 LITTER PERCENT COVERRecord the code for the cover class that indicates the percent cover oftheforestedmicroplotareacoveredwithlitter.Litteristhelayeroffreshlyfallenleaves,twigs,deadmoss,deadlichens,andotherfineparticlesoforganicmatterfoundonthesurfaceoftheforestfloor.Decomposition is minimal.

Whencollected:AllmicroplotswithatleastoneCONDITIONCLASSSTATUS=1Fieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-1classMQO:Atleast85%ofthetime

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Values:


14.� SAMPLING RESIDUE PILESThe line transect method is not practical when sampling CWD within piles and windrows. Piles and windrows will be located and sampled onthesubplotplot,regardlessofwhethertheyintersectatransect.Piles and windrows created directly by human activity and log piles atthebottomofsteep-sidedravinesinwhichindividualpiecesareimpossibletotallyseparately,aremoreefficientlysampledbyusingthefollowinginstructions.However,looseCWDinpilescreatedbywindthrow,landslides,fires,andothernaturalcausesshouldbetalliedusingline transects unless it is physically impossible to measure the pieces in the natural pile.

Forapiletobetalliedonasubplotthatcontainsforestland,allofthefollowingcriteriamustbemet(Figure14-11):• Thepile’scentermustbewithin24.0horizontalfeetofsubplot

center,• Thepile’scentermustbeinanaccessibleforestland conditionclass,and• ThepilecontainspiecesofCWD>3inchesdiameterthatwould

be impossible to tally separately.

UsethePILEDENSITYvariabletoestimatethepercentofthepilethatcontainswoodymaterial>3inches.The pile is assigned to the condition class in which the pile center lies.

Applythefollowingstepstodeterminethecenterofapileorwindrow:1. Determine the longest axis of a pile.2. Determine the midpoint of this axis.3. Project a line through this midpoint that is perpendicular to the

axis determined in step 1.4. Determine the midpoint of the segment of this projected line that

crosses the pile.5. This is the center of the pile.



Pilesthatcrossthe24.0-footfixed-radiussubplotboundary:Ifthecenterofapileiswithin24.0horizontalfeetofsubplotcenter,tallythepile,recordingthedimensionsoftheentirepileevenifpartofthepileisbeyond24.0feet.Ifthecenterofapileismorethan24.0horizontalfeetofsubplotcenter,donottallythepileoranyportionofthepile.

14.�.1 SUBPLOT NUMBERRecord the code indicating the subplot number.

Whencollected:RecordforallsampledresiduepilesFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:1to41 Center subplot2 North subplot3 Southeast subplot4 Southwest subplot

14.�.2 CONDITION CLASSRecord the code indicating the number of the condition class to which the pile is assigned.

Whencollected:RecordforallsampledresiduepilesFieldWidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast99%ofthetimeValues:1to9

Figure14-11.Residuepileselectionexamples.

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14.�.3 PILE AZIMUTHRecordthecodeindicatingtheazimuthfromthesubplotcentertothepile.Thisazimuthcentersonthepilesothatitcanberelocated.Use360 for north.

Whencollected:AllsampledresiduepilesFieldwidth:3digitsTolerance:+/-10MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:001to360

14.�.4 PILE SHAPERecord the code indicating the shape of the pile. Determine which ofthefourshapesdiagrammedinFigure14-12mostresemblesthepile and record the dimensions. Pile dimensions should be ocularly smoothed out when making estimates. Average the unevenness of protruding pieces.

Whencollected:AllsampledresiduepilesFieldwidth:1digitTolerance:NoerrorsMQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:1to4

Figure14-12.PILESHAPEcodes.

14.�.� PILE LENGTH 1Record the code indicating the length of the sides of the pile. Estimate tothenearestfoot.PILELENGTH1mayoftenequalPILELENGTH2.

Whencollected:AllsampledresiduepilesandPILESHAPE=2,3,4Fieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-10%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:01to99



14.�.� PILE LENGTH 2Record the code indicating the length of the sides of the pile. Estimate tothenearestfoot.PILELENGTH1mayoftenequalPILELENGTH2.

Whencollected:AllsampledresiduepilesandPILESHAPE=4Fieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-10%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:01to99

14.�.7 PILE WIDTH 1Record the code indicating the width of the sides of the pile. Estimate tothenearestfoot.PILEWIDTH1mayoftenequalPILEWIDTH2.

Whencollected:Allsampledresiduepiles,andPILESHAPE=1,2,3,4Fieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-10%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:01to99

14.�.� PILE WIDTH 2Record the code indicating the width of the sides of the pile. Estimate tothenearestfoot.PILEWIDTH1mayoftenequalPILEWIDTH2.

Whencollected:Allsampledresiduepiles,andPILESHAPE=3,4Fieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-10%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:01to99

14.�.� PILE HEIGHT 1Record the code indicating the height of either end of the pile. Estimatetothenearestfoot.PILEHEIGHT1mayoftenequalPILEHE�GHT 2.

Whencollected:Allsampledresiduepiles,andPILESHAPE=1,2,3,4Fieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-10%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:01to99

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14.�.10 PILE HEIGHT 2Record the code indicating the height of either end of the pile. Estimatetothenearestfoot.PILEHEIGHT1mayoftenequalPILEHE�GHT 2.

Whencollected:Allsampledresiduepiles,andPILESHAPE=3,4Fieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-10%MQO:Atleast90%ofthetimeValues:01to99

14.�.11 PILE DENSITYRecord the code estimating the percent of the pile that consists of wood.UsethePILEDENSITYvariabletoestimatethepercentofthepilethatcontainswoodymaterial>3inches.Air,soil,rock,plants,etc,shouldbefactoredoutoftheestimate.Estimatetothenearest10percent.

Whencollected:AllsampledresiduepilesFieldwidth:2digitsTolerance:+/-20%MQO:Atleast75%ofthetime

Values:00 Absent01 Trace(<1%cover)10 1–10%20 11-20%30 21-30%…. 90 81-90%99 91-100%

14.� ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSContactinformationfortheNationalAdvisorforthisindicatoris:ChrisWoodall,USDAForestService,NorthCentralResearchStation,1992FolwellAve,St.Paul,MN55108,[email protected],http:\\ncrs2.fs.fed.us\4801\DWM.



APPENDIX. DATA SHEETS

DOWN WOODY MATERIALS – TRANSECT SEGMENT DATA FORM

HEX # ________________ DATE ____/____/____

CWM TRANSECT SEGMENTSSUBPL T CC SLP DIST1

(0.1ft)SLP DIST2

(0.1ft)SLPPCT

HOR DIST(0.1ft)

xx Xxx x xxx.y xxx.y xxx xxx.y

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FWM DATA FORM

HEX # ________________ DATE ____/____/____

CWD TRANSECT SEGMENTSSUBPLOT COND�T�ON

CLASSSMALLFWD0.1” TO 0.25”

MED FWD0.25” TO 1”

LARGEFWD 1” TO 3”

REASON FOR HIGHCOUNT

RESIDUEPILEON

TRANSECT?x X xxx Xxx xxx x x



FWM DATA FORM

HEX # ________________ DATE ____/____/____

FINE WOODY DEBRIS COUNT

SUBPLOT COND�T�ON CLASS

SMALLFWD 0.1” TO 0.25”

MED FWD0.25” TO 1”

LARGEFWD1” TO 3”

REASON FOR HIGHCOUNT

RESIDUEPILEON

TRANSECT?x X xxx Xxx xxx x x

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COARSE WOODY DEBRIS DATA FORM

HEX # ________________DATE ____/____/____PAGE ____ OF____

SUB TRAN

CWDSPC

TRAN SML LRG TOTAL DECAYHOL?

CWDPLT DIST DIAM DIAM DIAM LENGTH CLASS HIST

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11x xxx xx.y xxx xxx xxx xxx xx x x x



FUELS ASSESSMENT DATA FORM

HEX # ________________ DATE ____/____/____

MICROPLOT FUEL LOADING

SUBPLOT

LIVESHRUB

%

LIVESHRUB

HT

DEAD SHRUB

%

DEAD SHRUB

HT

LIVEHERB

%

LIVEHERB

HT

DEAD HERB

%

DEAD HERB

HT

LITTER%

xx xx.y xx xx.y xx xx.y xx xx.y xx1

2

3

4

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DWM Combined Data Form

Date Hexagon #FIA Plot # P-3 Plot #

Transect Segment DataSub plot Trans. Cond.

Dist Start

Dist End Slope

xx xxx xxxx.y (ft)

xxx.y (ft) xxx(%)

Duff, Litter and Fuelbed Depths

Trans. Sample Duff Lit. Fuel.

x xx.y(in)xx.y (in)

xx.y (ft)

1 30

1

15z0

1 270

2 30

2 150

2 270

3 30

3 150

3 270

4 30

4 150

4 270 CWD FormSub Plot Trans. Dist Spec.

Tran. Dia

Sm. End

Lg. End Length Decay Hol. Hist.

xx xxxxx.y (ft) xxx xxx(in) xxx(in)

xxx (in) xxx(ft) x x x



FWD Form

0.00 - .25

.25 - 1.00

1.00 - 3.00

H. Count Res. History

Microplot Cover

Sub Plot Cond. Small Med Large Reason Pile

x xxx xxx xxx x x 1 Natural 0 None1 2 <=15 yrs. 1 Trace

2 3 >15 yrs. 10 1-10

3 4 Firewood 2011

- 20

4 5 Unknown 9991

- 100

Microplot Fuel LoadingSub Plot

Live Shrub Height

Dead Shrub Height

Live Herb Hght.

Dead Herb Hght.

Lit.%

xx(%)xx.y (ft) xx(%) xx.y(ft) xx(%)

xx.y (ft) xx(%) xx.y(ft)

xx (%)

1

2

3

4

Residue PileSub Plot Cond. Az.

PILE Shape

Length 1

Length 2

Width 1

Width 2 Hght. 1

Hght. 2 Dens.

xx xx(%)xxx (deg) x xx(ft) xx(ft) xx(ft) xx(ft) xx(ft) xx(ft)

xx (%)

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DUFF, LITTER, FUELBED ASSESSMENT DATA FORM

HEX # ________________ DATE ____/____/____

DUFF, LITTER, & FUELBED DEPTHS

SUBPLOT TRANSECT DL_SAMP DUFFLITTERDEPTH

LITTERDEPTH

FUELBEDDEPTH

x xxx X xx.y xx.y xx.y



RESIDUE PILE DATA FORM

HEX # ________________ DATE ____/____/____

RESIDUE PILES

SUBPL CC PILE

AZM SHP LNG1(ft)

LNG2(ft)

W�D1(ft)

W�D2(ft)

HT1(ft)

HT2(ft)

PILEDENS

xx x xxx X xx xx xx xx xx xx Xx


�ndex13�

RM Index

AABUNDANCE 17Alternate Sampling Methods for “Problem” Soils 46Assembly and Operation of �mpact Driven Soil Corer 42AssistanceFromPersonsNotCertifiedForLichens 11

CClimatic conditions 73COARSEWOODYDEBRISDATAFORM 132Cold Checks 34COLLECTIONNUMBER 17Commonly Encountered Problems 47CONDITIONCLASS 49,125CONDITIONCLASSNUMBER 96,112Consumable Supplies 6CROWN DEF�N�T�ONS 68

Crown Shape 68Crown Top 68Dieback 68Epicormic 69LiveBranch 69LiveCrownBase 69Overstory Canopy Zone 70SnagBranch 70Sprig 71Twig 71

CROWNDENSITY 82CROWNDENSITY-FOLIAGETRANSPARENCYCARD 71CROWNDIEBACK 85CROWNLIGHTEXPOSURE 78CROWN POS�T�ON 79CROWNRATINGPRECAUTIONS 72

Climatic conditions 73Distance and slope from the tree 72Heavy defoliation 74Leaningtrees 74Treeswithno“crown”bydefinition(epicormicsorsprigsonly) 74View of the crown 73

Crown Shape 68CROWNS OVERV�EW 67Crown Top 68

�ndex


140

CROWNVIGORCLASS 81Cryptobiotic crusts 31CWDDECAYCLASS 103CWDHISTORY 109CWDSLOPEDISTANCE 102CWDTOTALLENGTH 108CWD transects 93CWD TRANSECT SEGMENTS 130

DDATAELEMENTNAME 2DEADHERBSHEIGHT 123DEADHERBSPERCENTCOVER 123DEADSHRUBHEIGHT 122DEADSHRUBSPERCENTCOVER 121Debriefing 35DEFINITIONOFDOWNWOODYMATERIALS 92DEPTH TO RESTR�CT�VE HOR�ZON 54D�AMETER AT PO�NT OF �NTERSECT�ON 107DIAMETERATTHELARGEEND 108DIAMETERATTHESMALLEND 107Diameters 105Dieback 68Down Woody Materials 91BEGINNINGDISTANCE 96CONDITIONCLASSNUMBER 96CWDDECAYCLASS 103CWDHISTORY 109CWDSLOPEDISTANCE 102CWDTOTALLENGTH 108DEFINITIONOFDOWNWOODYMATERIALS 92D�AMETER AT PO�NT OF �NTERSECT�ON 107DIAMETERATTHELARGEEND 108DIAMETERATTHESMALLEND 107Diameters 105END�NG D�STANCE 97INTRODUCTION 91ISTHEPIECEHOLLOW? 109LOCATINGANDESTABLISHINGLINETRANSECTS 93Marking CWD 101Overview of Measurements 116Recording Procedures for CWD 102SAMPLINGMETHODSFORFINEWOODYDEBRIS(FWD) 110SLOPEPERCENT 97


�ndex141

SPEC�ES 105SUBPLOTNUMBER 95,102TRANSECT 102

DUFF 114,118DUFF,LITTER,ANDFUELBEDDEPTHMEASUREMENTSDefinitions 115DUFF,LITTER,ANDFUELBEDSAMPLE 118DUFFDEPTH 118Fuelbed 117FUELBEDDEPTH 118LITTERDEPTH 118Overview of Measurements 116SUBPLOTNUMBER 117TRANSECT 117

DuffandLitter 116DUFFDEPTH 118

EEND�NG D�STANCE 97Epicormic 69erosion,Soil 32EXAMPLEDATASHEETS 64

FFEATURESIMPORTANTFORHIGH/LOWLICHENDIVERSITY 23FIAPLOTNUMBER 15FieldGearUniquetotheSoilIndicator 32FieldGuideLayout 2FINEWOODYDEBRISCOUNT 131FOLIAGETRANSPARENCY 88Forest Floor 41FORESTFLOORTHICKNESS–EAST 51FORESTFLOORTHICKNESS–NORTH 51FORESTFLOORTHICKNESS–SOUTH 51FORESTFLOORTHICKNESS–WEST 52Fuelbed 117DUFF,LITTER,ANDFUELBEDSAMPLE 118SUBPLOTNUMBER 117TRANSECT 117

FUELBEDDEPTH 114,118FUELBEDSAMPLE 118FUELLOADINGONTHEMICROPLOT 119DEADHERBSHEIGHT 123

�ndex


142

DEADHERBSPERCENTCOVER 123DEADSHRUBHEIGHT 122DEADSHRUBSPERCENTCOVER 121LITTERPERCENTCOVER 123LIVEHERBSHEIGHT 122LIVEHERBSPERCENTCOVER 122LIVESHRUBHEIGHT 121LIVESHRUBPERCENTCOVER 120SUBPLOTNUMBER 120

FUELSASSESSMENTDATAFORM 133FWD transects 93FWM DATA FORM 130

CWD TRANSECT SEGMENTS 130FINEWOODYDEBRISCOUNT 131

GGap 22GovernmentRegulationsForPest-RegulatedStates 62

HHeavy defoliation 74HIGHCOUNTREASON 114Hot Checks 34

IIMPORTANTSUBSTRATESPECIESNOTONSUBPLOTS 22�ntroduction 1ISTHEPIECEHOLLOW? 109

LLABORATORYANALYSES 33LARGEFWDCOUNT 113Leaningtrees 74LichenCommunities 5%COVERLICHENPLOTCONIFERS 19%COVERLICHENPLOTHARDWOODS 20%COVERLICHENPLOTTALLSHRUBS 21% GAP 22ABUNDANCE 17ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 28AssistanceFromPersonsNotCertifiedForLichens 11COLLECTIONNUMBER 17Consumable Supplies 6


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COUNTY 16CREWMEMBERNAME 17CREWTYPE 17DATACOLLECTION1:SAMPLEPROCUREMENT 11DATACOLLECTION2:PDRANDWRITTENDATA 14DATE 16Equipment and Apparatus 7Equipment and Supplies 6FEATURESIMPORTANTFORHIGH/LOWLICHENDIVERSITY 23FIAPLOTNUMBER 15Gap 22IMPORTANTSUBSTRATESPECIESNOTONSUBPLOTS 22LICHENPROJECT 16LICHENSCOLLECTED 18MOSTIMPORTANTTREEANDSHRUBSPECIES 21OVERV�EW 5,14P3HEXAGONNUMBER 15Procedure 8QASTATUS 18RECENT 22REFERENCES 27Safety 11SAMPLEMAILING 25SAMPLEPRESERVATION,STORAGE,ANDMAILING 25SAMPLINGISSUESORPROBLEMS 24Scope and Application 5SIZECLASSOF3LARGESTTREESENCOUNTEREDONTHELICHEN

PLOT 23STATE 15Summary of Method 6TALLSHRUBS 23TIMELICHENSAMPLINGBEGAN 19TIMELICHENSAMPLINGENDED 19

LICHENPROJECT 16LICHENSCOLLECTED 18LICHENSPECIMENMAILINGFORM 26LITTER 114,118Litter 31LITTERDEPTH 118LITTERPERCENTCOVER 123LiveBranch 69LiveCrownBase 69LIVEHERBSHEIGHT 122LIVEHERBSPERCENTCOVER 122

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LIVESHRUBHEIGHT 121LIVESHRUBPERCENTCOVER 120Loam 31LOCATINGANDESTABLISHINGLINETRANSECTS 93

MMarking CWD 101MEDIUMFWDCOUNT 113Mineral Soil 44MOSTIMPORTANTTREEANDSHRUBSPECIES 21

OOptional Soils Equipment 33Organic soil 31Organic soils 49Overstory Canopy Zone 70

PP3HEXAGONNUMBER 15PERCENTCOMPACTEDAREAONTHESUBPLOT 37PERCENTCOVEROFBARESOIL 36PILEAZIMUTH 126PILEDENSITY 128PILEHEIGHT1 127PILEHEIGHT2 128PILELENGTH1 126PILELENGTH2 127PILESHAPE 126PILEWIDTH1 127PILEWIDTH2 127Procedure 8

QQASTATUS 18QUALITYASSURANCE(QA) 34

RRecording Procedures for CWD 102CWDDECAYCLASS 103CWDHISTORY 109CWDSLOPEDISTANCE 102CWDTOTALLENGTH 108


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D�AMETER AT PO�NT OF �NTERSECT�ON 107DIAMETERATTHELARGEEND 108DIAMETERATTHESMALLEND 107Diameters 105ISTHEPIECEHOLLOW? 109SPEC�ES 105SUBPLOTNUMBER 102TRANSECT 102

Reference Plots 35REFERENCES 27,63RegulationsGoverningSampleCollection(NationalHistoricPreservationAct) 45RequiredEquipmentnotUniquetotheSoilIndicator 33RESIDUEPILEDATAFORM 137RESIDUEPILEONTRANSECT 114RESIDUEPILES 124CONDITIONCLASS 125PILEAZIMUTH 126PILEDENSITY 128PILEHEIGHT1 127PILEHEIGHT2 128PILELENGTH1 126PILELENGTH2 127PILESHAPE 126PILEWIDTH1 127PILEWIDTH2 127SUBPLOTNUMBER 125

Restrictive layer 32

SSafety 11SAMPLELABELS 56SAMPLEMAILING 25SAMPLEPRESERVATION 25SAMPLESHIPPING 58Sampling frame 32SAMPLINGISSUESORPROBLEMS 24SAMPLINGMETHODSFORCOARSEWOODYDEBRIS(CWD) 97SAMPLINGMETHODSFORFINEWOODYDEBRIS(FWD) 110CONDITIONCLASSNUMBER 112HIGHCOUNTREASON 114LARGEFWDCOUNT 113MEDIUMFWDCOUNT 113SMALLFWDCOUNT 113SUBPLOTNUMBER 112

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SAMPLINGRESIDUEPILES 124Saplings 74Scope and Application 5Shipping Forms 58SIZECLASSOF3LARGESTTREESENCOUNTEREDONTHELICHENPLOT 23SMALLFWDCOUNT 113SnagBranch 70Soil erosion 32SOILEROSIONANDCOMPACTION 35Soil Measurements and Sampling

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 63Alternate Sampling Methods for “Problem” Soils 46Assembly and Operation of �mpact Driven Soil Corer 42Commonly Encountered Problems 47CONDITIONCLASS 49Debriefing 35DEF�N�T�ONS 31

Cryptobiotic crusts 31Duff (Humus) 31Forestfloor 31Litter 31Loam 31Mineral soil 31Organic soil 31Restrictive layer 32Sampling frame 32Soil erosion 32Texture 32

DEPTH TO RESTR�CT�VE HOR�ZON 54EQUIPMENTANDSUPPLIES 32EXAMPLEDATASHEETS 64FieldGearUniquetotheSoilIndicator 32Forest Floor 41FORESTFLOORTHICKNESS–EAST 51FORESTFLOORTHICKNESS–NORTH 51FORESTFLOORTHICKNESS–SOUTH 51FORESTFLOORTHICKNESS–WEST 52GovernmentRegulationsForPest-RegulatedStates (Southern

Region,NY,AZ,NM,CA,andHI) 62HotChecks,ColdChecks,andBlindChecks 34INTRODUCTION 29LABORATORYANALYSES 33Mineral Soil 44


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Optional Soils Equipment 33Organic soils 49PERCENTCOMPACTEDAREAONTHESUBPLOT 37PERCENTCOVEROFBARESOIL 36Reference Plots 35REFERENCES 63RequiredEquipmentnotUniquetotheSoilIndicator 33SAMPLELABELS 56SAMPLESHIPPING 58Shipping Forms 58SOILEROSIONANDCOMPACTION 35SOILSAMPLECOLLECTION 39SOILSAMPLESTATUS 50SOILTEXTUREINTHE0-4INCHLAYER 54SOILTEXTUREINTHE4-8INCHLAYER 56SUBPLOTNUMBER 49SUMMARYOFMETHOD 30TASKSTHATCANBEPERFORMEDBYOTHERCREW MEM-

BERS 62THICKNESSOFTHELITTERLAYER-EAST 53THICKNESSOFTHELITTERLAYER-NORTH 52THICKNESSOFTHELITTERLAYER-SOUTH 53THICKNESSOFTHELITTERLAYER-WEST 54TrainingAndCertification 34TYPEOFCOMPACTION-RUTTEDTRAIL 38TYPEOFCOMPACTION–COMPACTEDAREA 39TYPEOFCOMPACTION–COMPACTEDTRAIL 38TYPEOFCOMPACTION–OTHER 39VISITNUMBER 50

SOILSAMPLECOLLECTION 39SOILSAMPLESTATUS 50SOILTEXTUREINTHE0-4INCHLAYER 54SOILTEXTUREINTHE4-8INCHLAYER 56Sprig 71SUBPLOTNUMBER 49,95,102,112,117,120,125

TTALLSHRUBS 23TallyRulesforCoarseWoodyDebris(CWD) 97TASKSTHATCANBEPERFORMEDBYOTHERCREW 62Texture 32THICKNESSOFTHELITTERLAYER-EAST 53THICKNESSOFTHELITTERLAYER-NORTH 52THICKNESSOFTHELITTERLAYER-SOUTH 53

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THICKNESSOFTHELITTERLAYER-WEST 54TIMELICHENSAMPLINGBEGAN 19TIMELICHENSAMPLINGENDED 19TrainingAndCertification 34TRANSECT 96,102,117TRANSECTLINESEGMENTING 94BEGINNINGDISTANCE 96CONDITIONCLASSNUMBER 96END�NG D�STANCE 97SAMPLINGMETHODSFORCOARSEWOODYDEBRIS(CWD) 97SLOPEPERCENT 97SUBPLOTNUMBER 95TRANSECT 96

Treeswithno“crown”bydefinition(epicormicsorsprigsonly) 74Twig 71TYPEOFCOMPACTION-RUTTEDTRAIL 38TYPEOFCOMPACTION–COMPACTEDAREA 39TYPEOFCOMPACTION–COMPACTEDTRAIL 38TYPEOFCOMPACTION–OTHER 39

UUNCOMPACTEDLIVECROWNRATIO 74

Saplings 74

VView of the crown 73

Documents

INTERIOR WEST FOREST INVENTORY & ANALYSIS P3 FIELD … · RM Introduction This document describes the standards, codes, methods, and definitions for Forest Inventory andAnalysis (FIA)