3. CSE Field Guide - Hoosier.docx

Hoosier Common Stand Exam (CSE) Field Guide & Data Protocol

· Data collection on the Hoosier National Forest follows the Natural Resource Information System (NRIS) Field Sampled Vegetation Common Stand Exam Field Guide Region 9.

· The following guide is information specific to data collection on the Hoosier National Forest

· Setting Form

· Proclaimed Region = 09

· Proclaimed National Forest = 12

· State = IN

· Administrative Forest = 12

· District

· County

· Sample Design

· Each CSE plot will require a variable radius plot and an embedded fixed radius plot following this information:

· Use a 10 Basal Area Factor (BAF) prism in hardwood forest types to tally all live or dead deciduous and coniferous trees ≥ 2.0” DBH or use a 20 BAF prism in conifer forest types to tally all live or dead coniferous and deciduous trees ≥ 2.0” DBH for each stand. Trees will be recorded individually and in order starting with the tree to the right of 0˚ azimuth, moving clockwise.

· Install a 1/700 acre (4.45 foot radius) fixed subplot size used in tallying trees ≤ 1.99” DBH. The fixed radius subplot tallies all live conifer and deciduous trees 0.1” DBH to 1.99" DBH and all live conifer and deciduous trees 0.5’ height to 4.5’ height. Trees may be recorded in groups of same species and heights. Only heights are required for trees less than 4.5’. Both DBH and height are required for trees over 4.5’.

Form Type

Method Expansion Factor

Az

Condition Subpop Filter

Variable

OR

Form Type

Method Expansion Factor

Az

Condition Subpop Filter

Variable

AND

Form Type

Method Expansion Factor

Az

Condition Subpop Filter

Variable

20 BAF

10 BAF

· The number of CSE plots per stand will be determined using the following information

· Plot Data

· Latitude/Longitude (Required)

· Degrees – maximum of three digits. A leading zero may be entered (i.e. 090).

· Minutes – two digits.

· Seconds – four digits. Seconds shall be rounded to the nearest hundredth (i.e. 17.36).

· Aspect (Required)

· General direction from North in degrees towards which the plot faces

· 0 = Flat

· 183 =183

· 999 = Indeterminate/Undulating

· Slope (Optional)

· Angle of the slope across the plot

· Tree Data

· Tree Status. The following tree class codes shall be used.

· Site/Growth Trees. A minimum of one-site tree shall be recorded per stand. A distance and azimuth from the nearest plot center (or GPS waypoint) shall be provided for off-plot site trees

· Total height must be recorded for each site tree.

· Age is determined from cored tree. To get total age follow these general guidelines:

· Cored Age (Add years)

· 2 – Green Ash, Cottonwood, Sweetgum

· 3 –Oaks, Tulip Poplar, Silver Maple, Eastern White Pine

· 4 –Elm, Basswood, Black Cherry, White Ash, Beech, Sugar Maple, Red Maple

· 5 – Shortleaf

· 6 - Hickories

· Tree Species. Tree list will be included with the .cse file provided by the Hoosier National Forest.

· Tree Count. Trees ≤ 1.00” to 4.99” DBH may be grouped by DBH class and species. Trees ≥ 5.0” DBH shall be tallied individually. Tree count is based on variable radius BAF for each plot. If necessary, the distance measurement should be taken from the face of the tree to plot center and compared to tables in Appendix J of the CSE Users Guide. A tree within the limiting distance is “in” and beyond the limiting distance is “out”.

· DBH. The following size classes (in inches) shall be used. The accuracy standard (option 1) is required unless specifically modified in the solicitation where more accuracy is required (option 2 will be used in that case).

· Snag/Decay Class: The following table is from the CSE Field Guide and should be recorded with a rating from 1-5.

Decay

Breakage

Since Death

· Regeneration Plot Only

· Plot size is 1/700 acre (4.45 ft radius). Follow the chart below to determine radius on areas with greater slope than flat: