Forest Inventory Update
As
part of our forest inventory work, we revisited 24 established forest
monitoring plots. Once the plots were located, we noted GPS coordinates,
took digital photos, and marked the perimeter at the north, south, east,
and west points to aid in gathering plot data.
A digital photo database will be used for visual comparison of the
plots over time. We then collected data including tree, shrub and
herbaceous species found, tree diameter, vigor, and cover class, presence
of ivy, amount of woody debris, number of snags, etc.
We compared our data to similar data collected in 1999 to determine
changes in forest condition.
See
pop-up map showing location of monitoring plots: HP
Inventory Map
Purposes of the
forest monitoring plots:
- Characterize current forest overstory and understory
conditions
- Gather information to provide clues to the successional
trajectory of the forest
- Provide an information base for developing different
management scenarios and outcomes
- Document extent and movement of noxious vegetation
(English ivy, herb-Robert, etc.)
- Document presence of snags and coarse woody debris
- Assess forest health and tree vitality
- Provide opportunity for long-term monitoring of
forest succession, effects of restoration efforts, forest health, tree
mortality, effects of cultural practices
Information gathered from forest
monitoring plots:
- Plot photos,
digital image database
- Live trees
- species type
- canopy class, e.g. dominant, codominant,
intermediate, or surpressed
- dbh - diameter at breast height
- vigor
- lean
- notes, e.g. if ivy is present or other
characteristics of the tree
- Invasive species, classing ground cover
- Tree and shrub cover
- Coarse woody debris, number of logs and large
branches on ground
- Dead trees and snags
- height
- decay class, e.g. recently dead - dead many
years
- notes of any unique characteristics
See: Sample data sheet
|
Download
Final Report
Issues at Hendricks Park
Project
Objectives
Project
Task List
Project Development
Educational Plant
Guide
Invasive Species Monitoring
Treatment Study
Encroachment Study
Forest Inventory
Update
Plot Photo
Database
Data Analysis
Misc. Project
Photos
Reference Sites
Presentations
Fall Term
Presentation 
Winter Term Presentation

Final Presentation
Online MS PowerPoint presentations work best with
Internet Explorer 4.0 or newer.
|