Standard Operating Procedure #7: Trees, Version 20080919

Swan M and DeCoster J. 2008. Standard Operating Procedure #7: Trees, Version 20080919. Southern Colorado Plateau Network

This standard operating procedure (SOP) provides instructions for collecting data for overstory trees, saplings and canopy closure. This SOP is generally used in forests and woodlands but is also used in grassland and shrubland sites where trees have become established. The methods vary slightly depending on species composition and forest structure. Due to their shrubby, multi-stemmed growth form, individuals of Juniperus spp. are measured using diameter at root crown (DRC), as opposed to diameter at breast height (DBH). DBH is used for all other tree species. Because of this difference, a different datasheet is used for plots containing overstory juniper trees. In areas where trees are sparse, the tree plot is sometimes expanded to include the entire area between the transects, and the Expanded Tree Map Datasheet is used. Canopy closure is another tree measurement used in forests. Portions of this SOP were modified from the NPS Fire Monitoring Handbook (USDI National Park Service 2003). Equipment needs for this procedure are listed in SOP #1, Table 1-1. Five datasheets are associated with this SOP: Forest Tree Datasheet (note: also called Tree Plot Datasheet), Standard Tree Map Datasheet, Expanded Tree Map Datasheet, Canopy Closure Datasheet, and the Forest Tree Revisit Datasheet. (Note: data for Pinyon-Juniper plots were collected on Tree Plot Datasheet. The Expanded Tree Map Datasheet and Forest Revisit Datasheet were not developed in 2008. In expanded tree plots, trees were mapped on the Standard Tree Map Datasheet was modified. The Forest Tree Revisit Datasheet was not needed until 2013.

Type
Standard Operating Procedure
Authors
Swan, Megan; DeCoster, James
Date of Issue
2008-09-19
Publisher
Southern Colorado Plateau Network
Units
AZRU , BAND , CACH , CHCU , ELMA , ELMO , GLCA , GRCA , HUTR , MEVE , NAVA , PEFO , PETR , RABR , SAPU , SCPN , SUCR , WACA , WUPA , YUHO
Keywords
datasheets, Forests, Long-term monitoring, monitoring plots, Trees, Woodlands
Subjects
Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Shrubland Communities , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Forest/Woodland Communities

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