Mid-Atlantic Network Forest Vegetation Monitoring Program

Comiskey, James

The Inventory and Monitoring Program’s Mid-Atlantic Network has identified forest vegetation and several associated vital signs as high priority for long-term monitoring. The forest vegetation monitoring project assesses the status and trends of forest plant communities, and the impacts of stressors such as white-tailed deer, invasive exotic plants, exotic plant diseases and pathogens, and native forest pests, as well as the effect of acid deposition on forest soils. Evaluation of snags and downed woody debris provides information on additional important habitat for wildlife. Specific objectives include: 1.) Determine the status and trends in forest structure, composition, and dynamics of canopy and understory woody species. 2.) Determine the status and trends in the density and composition of tree seedlings and selected herbaceous species that are indicators of deer browse. 3.) Detect and monitor the presence of invasive exotic plants, exotic plant diseases and pathogens, and forest pests. 4.) Determine the status and trends in forest coarse woody debris and the availability of snags. 5.) Determine the status and trends in soil Ca: Al and C:N ratios to asses the extent of base cation depletion, increased aluminum availability, and/or nitrogen saturation impacting MIDN forest soils. Management applications include: 1.) Assess changes in forest communities and determine the need for management and restoration efforts. 2.) Determine the need for deer management to reduce the impact of this species on vegetation communities. 3.) Identify the need and location for exotic plant and animal management efforts.

Mid-Atlantic Network Forest Vegetation Monitoring Program

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