Field data for the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of Russell Cave National Monument

This reference is an assemblage of field data collected as part the baseline vegetation inventory for the park unit. Typical files here are vegetation plot data, accuracy assessment data, field photos, PDF showing locations of vegetation plots and accuracy assessment data, and other data for this type. we identified priority areas of the park for additional plot establishment and species inventory. In 2002-2004, we established nine plots on the grid system and an additional three plots off of the grid in habitats not covered by any of the grid points. In addition, ecologists established one observation point/quickplot inside the park boundary. Using the GPS Garmin III+ and V units, we attempted to position ourselves within at least five meters of the “real” map location (the hypothetical location that we created in the lab prior to visiting the site). Once we were within five meters, we monumented each plot with a one foot piece of iron conduit and a small blue anodized aluminum tag with a distinctive number attached to an adjacent distinctive tree. General written directions to each permanent plot exist on the vegetation plot sheets filled out during the course of fieldwork and can also be found in the Access database archive of plot information held by the National Park Service. Due to variation in signal strength, accuracy may be less than five meters in some cases. In 2003 and 2004, we recorded additional data at each point, visiting each point a second time at a different time of year to ensure that we had the most complete species list possible for each permanent plot.