Standard Operating Procedure #7: Trees, Version 20090626

Swan M and DeCoster J. 2009. Standard Operating Procedure #7: Trees, Version 20090626. Southern Colorado Plateau Network

This standard operating procedure (SOP) provides instructions for collecting data for overstory trees, saplings, canopy closure and tree canopy cover. 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. There are 2 ways to measure canopy in this SOP: canopy closure and canopy cover. Canopy closure is generally used in forests, while canopy cover is generally used in woodlands. 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. Eight datasheets are associated with this SOP: Forest Tree Datasheet (note: also called Tree Plot Datasheet), Standard Tree Map Datasheet, Expanded Tree Map Datasheet, Pinyon-Juniper Tree Datasheet (note: also called PJ Tree Plot Datasheet), Canopy Closure Datasheet, Forest Tree Revisit Datasheet, Pinyon-Juniper Tree Revisit Datasheet and the Tree Canopy Cover Datasheet. (Note: data for Pinyon-Juniper plots were sometimes collected on Tree Plot Datasheet).

Type
Standard Operating Procedure
Authors
Swan, Megan; DeCoster, James
Date of Issue
2009-06-26
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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