Northeast Temperate Network long-term forest monitoring protocol: 2022 revision
Tierney G, Mitchell B, Miller K, Comiskey J, Kozlowski A, Faber-Langendoen D. 2022. Northeast Temperate Network long-term forest monitoring protocol: 2022 revision. Natural Resource Report. NPS/NETN/NRR—2022/2434. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2293861
The Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program's Northeast Temperate Network (NETN) has identified forest vegetation, and several associated vital signs, as high priority for long-term monitoring. The NETN long-term forest monitoring protocol was adapted from methods developed by the U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis program and was developed in collaboration with other eastern forest I&M networks. The NETN forest monitoring protocol assesses the status and trends in structure, function, and composition of forested ecosystems, along with the impacts of stressors such as white-tailed deer, invasive exotic plants, exotic pests and pathogens, and effects of acid deposition on forest soils. A set of Standard Operating Procedures are shared with the Mid-Atlantic Network's forest vegetation monitoring protocol. The current protocol has been designed to sample 350 plots in forested areas of NETN parks. Plot locations are randomly chosen using a spatially balanced design (generalized random-tessellation stratified). Each plot consists of a 20 x 20 m square (15 x 15 m square in Acadia National Park) where all trees with a diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥10 cm are identified, measured, tagged, marked, mapped, and their condition assessed. Trees with a dbh ≥1 cm are identified and measured in each of three microplots. Number of tree seedlings by height class and percent cover of shrubs ≥30 cm tall are also recorded in each of three microplots. Percent cover of all vascular plant species is estimated by species in eight 1 m2 quadrats. Coarse woody debris is measured along three 15 m transects. Data collected by the NETN forest monitoring protocol are used to inform management decisions affecting forested systems in NETN parks.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Tierney, Geri; Mitchell, Brian; Miller, Kate; Comiskey, James; Kozlowski, Adam; Faber-Langendoen, Don
- Date of Issue
- 2022-07
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2293861
- Units
- NETN , NRSS
- Keywords
- x#forestHealth, x#narrative, x#NETN, x#protocols
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Forest/Woodland Communities