Dendroecological data for forested parks in the National Capital Region Network
Elmore AJ, Brosi SL, Guinn SM, Matthews E, Schmit JP, Brolis A, Foster JR. 2023. Dendroecological data for forested parks in the National Capital Region Network. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/NCRN/NRDS—2023/1393. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2297322
Dendroecological records are useful tools for establishing forest stand age and inferring tree species response to climate variability and disturbance. This report describes dendroecological data collected for these purposes from permanent vegetation monitoring plots spanning the National Park Service’s National Capital Region Network. Tree cores were collected 2016-2018 using standard protocols and subsequently measured for ring width (including early and late wood when available) from 36 different tree species. The species selected were representative of co-dominant and intermediate trees at each monitoring plot suitable for establishing stand age, and for other dendroecological applications. Ring widths were cross dated by park unit using standard methods. The resulting database contains complete records for 2695 measured cores taken from 1518 trees. Cores were collected from 408 plots that spanned 11 park units. Widths were measured from 221994 rings (mean ring width was 2.71mm). The oldest tree cored was a Quercus alba at Prince William Forest Park that was 239 years old in 2022, and the mean tree age across all trees cored was 90 years. To facilitate interpretation and enable future studies of forest dynamics, we include in this record climate and remote sensing canopy reflectance data for each plot. In this report, we describe how the data were collected, database organization, and key summary statistics that will support future data use.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Elmore, Andrew; Brosi, Sunshine; Guinn, Steven; Matthews, Elizabeth; Schmit, John; Brolis, Andrejs; Foster, Jane
- Date of Issue
- 2023-04
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2297322
- Units
- NCRN , NRSS
- Keywords
- Forest monitor, NCRN periodical