Vegetation and soil monitoring protocol for the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network, Version 2
Perles S, Finley J, Marshall M. 2010. Vegetation and soil monitoring protocol for the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network, Version 2. NPS/ERMN/NRR—2010/183. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
This protocol outlines the justification, objectives, and procedures developed for long-term monitoring of vegetation and soil throughout the National Parks Service’s (NPS) Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network (ERMN) within the Inventory and Monitoring Program. Included in this protocol are: (1) background, rationale, and objectives for monitoring of vegetation and soil, (2) sampling design, (3) field methods, (4) data management, analysis, and reporting, (5) personnel requirements and training, and (6) operational requirements. Detailed Standard Operating Procedures that describe how all aspects of the protocol are implemented are included at the end of this document. Monitoring of vegetation and associated components provides information on several high-priority vital signs in the ERMN parks. The Forest, Woodland, Shrubland, and Riparian Vegetation vital sign was ranked as the highest priority in the vital signs selection process. This protocol primarily details how the Vegetation vital sign will be monitored. However, the protocol will also collect information on two other vital signs: Soil Function and Dynamics; and Status and Trends of Invasive/Exotic Plants, Animals, and Diseases. This protocol draws on the U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis program and the vegetation monitoring protocols of four other Inventory and Monitoring programs in the eastern United States. The overall goal of this protocol is to monitor indicators of ecological integrity to provide information on the condition of the parks’ vegetation and how this condition is changing over time. The locations of the permanent vegetation monitoring plots are determined in each ERMN park through a random, spatially-balanced sampling design. Plots are sampled on a four-year panel design, in which one panel containing one-fourth of a park’s total plots is sampled each year. In the field, data are collected on vegetation composition, structure, tree vigor, forest pests and pathogens, tree regeneration, shrubs, groundstory diversity, herbaceous plants sensitive to browse, coarse woody debris, and soils. The field methods and data handling procedures are described in detail in 11 standard operating procedures located in Appendix A.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Perles, Stephanie; Finley, James; Marshall, Matthew
- Date of Issue
- 2010-03
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- ERMN , IMDP , NRSS
- Keywords
- Deer, exotic plant species, Forest, Forest Health, herbaceous vegetation, Invasive Species, Long Term Monitoring, Monitoring, Plant diversity, Protocol, Soil, Soil Chemistry, Trees, Vegetation, White-Tailed Deer
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Soil Quality | Soil Function and Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Invasive Species | Invasive/Exotic plants , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Infestations and Disease | Insect Pests , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Infestations and Disease | Plant Diseases , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Forest/Woodland Communities
Other versions
- Vegetation and soil monitoring protocol for the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network, Version 3
- Vegetation and Soil Monitoring Protocol for the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network, Version 2 Draft
- Vegetation Monitoring Protocol for the Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network, Version 1.0