NCRN Forest Vegetation Monitoring

Matthews, Elizabeth; Schmit, John; Brolis, Andrejs

The NCRN is monitoring 400 forest plots. Each year 100 of the plots are monitored. After four years the cycle is repeated. Trees are marked, identified and basal area is recorded. Shrubs are similarly measured on microplots within each plot. Seedlings are counted in 12 small quadrats within each plot. Coarse woody debris is measured along three transects in each plot. The national parks in the NCRN provide places to preserve natural forests, to preserve or recreate historic conditions, to protect watersheds, and to provide recreation. Park managers serve as stewards and work to maintain the forests and their natural conditions. Managers require long-term data to understand the condition and changes in the forests and to determine if management practices are achieving desired conditions. Forest health monitoring provides this long-term data. Monitoring will not only provide information on current forest vegetation condition but will also provide useful information in the face of future unforeseen changes in forest vegetation. Along with forest health monitoring, the NCRN monitors other vital signs such as bird populations, amphibian populations and deer populations. Together, this information will provide managers with the information necessary to appropriate management decisions and provide for the long-term preservation of the forests in the region.The objectives of this protocol are to determine the status of forest plant communities including the abundance and basal area of trees and shrubs, seedling density, species diversity and the amount of course woody debris. We also aim to determine the population trends, including mortality and recruitment rates, of forest trees and shrubs.

NCRN Forest Vegetation Monitoring

Program

Products

Collections