Ecological assessment of aspen communities in the Klamath Network: a problem analysis (Prospectus)
McCullough S and Tate KW. 2007. Ecological assessment of aspen communities in the Klamath Network: a problem analysis (Prospectus)
"This study will evaluate the loss of plant diversity from aspen stands which are in decline due to conifer encroachment at Lassen Volcanic National Park, California. It will quantify the amount and overall rate of conifer encroachment into 36 aspen stands from aerial photographs taken in 1952 and 2005 using remote sensing methods. We will block by enrolling 12 stands from each of the three major aspen areas at Lassen (n=12 per strata, N=36). We will stratify the blocks by cover class, and randomly select stands to represent the gradient of conifer cover occurring within the area (e.g., 25 to 100% conifer cover). During the summer of 2007 we will measure conifer cover and understory diversity within each aspen stand using a modified Whittaker plot design (1000m2). We will then attempt to correlate current plant diversity to: 1) change in conifer density and area from 1952 to 2005; and 2) current conifer cover. These measures will describe the current resource that is at risk of loss, and the rate at which it is changing. It will provide managers with the information needed to maintain aspen stands and the understory diversity associated with them."
- Type
- Unpublished Report
- Authors
- McCullough, Sarah; Tate, Kenneth
- Date of Issue
- 2007-04-24
- Units
- KLMN , LAVO
- Keywords
- aspen (Populus), aspen groves, Forest Communities, keystone, KLMN Assessment, photointerpretation, Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides), understory diversity, Vegetation Inventory