A04_-_Attachment_A_-_Oak_Savanna_Monitoring_Standard_Operating_Procedures_-_Revised_Draft_4-8-22_1.pdf

Draft Oak Savanna Monitoring Standard Operating Procedures:

For Field Testers

April 1, 2022 Joint effort of USFWS, USFS, USGS

Table of Contents Oak Savanna Monitoring Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

SOP 1: Meandering Walk

Attributes measured

Equipment and supplies

Survey timing and schedule

Sources of error

Establishment of sampling units

Data collection procedures

SOP 2: Tree Macro Plots

Attributes measured

Equipment and supplies

Survey timing and schedule

Sources of error

Establishment of sampling units

Data collection procedures

SOP 3: Nested Frequency Plots

Attributes measured

Equipment and supplies

Survey timing and schedule

Sources of error

Establishment of sampling units

SOP 4: Data collection procedures

SOP 5: Tree Sapling, Shrub and Vine Microplot

Attributes measured

Equipment and supplies

Survey timing and schedule

Sources of error

Establishment of sampling units

Data collection procedures

SOP 6: Oak Seedling Microplots

Attributes measured

Equipment and supplies

Survey timing and schedule

Sources of error

Establishment of sampling units

Data collection procedures

SOP 7: Using the NRCS Web Soil Survey to Identify Soil Drainage Classes Within a Survey Area

A) Visualizing soil moisture categories online

B) Downloading soils data from NRCS Web Soil Survey

C) Using ArcMap to incorporate soils data

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Oak Savanna Monitoring Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

SOP 1: Species Richness Meandering Walk

The meandering walk is used to track the progress of a monitoring area by attempting to record all species expressed and general conditions in the management unit in a given year and through time. The observer strives to develop as complete a plant species list (herbaceous and woody) as possible for a monitoring area during each meandering walk. This list will be larger than would be possible using a plot- or transect-based method. Expression of exotic and/or invasive species can provide insights about threats through time. In addition, canopy coverage or light levels provide insights about the capacity to support understory savanna flora and changes through time.

Attributes measured

• Species encountered (presence)

• General abundance (sparse, occasional, frequent, very common)

• General distribution (localized, widespread)

• General herbaceous cover (bare, sparse, moderate, dense)

• Woody density (sparse, moderate, dense)

• Duration of the survey (hours, minutes)

• Area surveyed (hectares)

Equipment and supplies

• Map showing management area boundary and soil moisture type boundaries if applicable; satellite imagery or topography is helpful

• GPS unit with map, if used

• Survey protocol

• Datasheets or mobile device equipped for data entry

• Clipboard

• Pencils/pens

• Watch/clock

• List of species observed in prior surveys (if any), if desired

• Field references, such as field guides or cheat sheets (hard copy or digital)

• Hand lens

• Plastic bags/cooler and/or plant press for specimen collection

• Camera to photograph unknown plants and notable characteristics such as tree condition or erosional or natural features.

Survey timing and schedule Meandering walks are typically done annually and based on phenological cues. In some cases, two walks may be conducted each year to pick up ephemeral and cool-season species early in the year and then warm-season and late blooming species later in the season. Conduct the walk according to the phenological timing and frequency determined for the survey by confirming with the Site Survey Coordinator or by checking archived data for dates and frequency of sampling during previous monitoring visits. Vernal surveys may record greatest species richness, especially when the area is in a highly degraded condition with extensive woody encroachment.

Sources of error A brief list of sources of error to consider is:

• Inconsistent application of survey methods

• Observer bias in estimations

• Plant misidentification

• Overlooking rare or cryptic plants, especially when not in bloom

Establishment of sampling units Each discrete monitoring area delineated by soil moisture type (if more than one moisture type exists within the overall management area) is the sampling unit that should be searched. Use the map you created, as well as a GPS unit, to search the area.

Care should be used when monitoring near the boundary of adjacent monitoring areas, because there may be a region of overlap (or a gap in application) of management in a given unit. If monitoring areas are highly interspersed (e.g., with bluff and lowland topography) or if management is applied in very patchy or complicated ways such that monitoring them separately would be impractical, they may be monitored as one area and treated as a single sample unit.

Savanna units often include a mosaic of brightly lit areas with few to no trees (eg: fully sunlit areas embedded as an opening within or on the edge of a wooded area), moderately lit areas with dappled sunlight (eg: primarily with open grown oaks), and more densely shaded oak woodlands or other combination of light levels.

Data collection procedures Within each monitoring area, do a “botanist’s walk” to create a full species list for the area including relative abundance and distribution category for each species. (see Data field details).

This entails traversing all noticeable vegetation zones, including parts of the site with distinctively different light levels (from canopy closure, or from openings along trails, roads, utility rights-of-way, areas of different land use history, etc.) moisture types, topography, or other characteristics that could yield unique species. Aerial photos can provide insights about areas with different light levels and potentially different species compositions based on tree density and presence of open grown oaks apparent from the photos. The botanist’s walk and the woody species walk (SOP 2) should generally match. The botanist should be alert to any special characteristics such as concentrations of indicator species characteristic of deep shade (woodland species like columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)), dappled sun as filters through oak trees in a spotted or patchy pattern to the understory (savanna species like purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurescens)) and full sun (prairie species like lead plant (Amorpha canescens)). Note that these species may be marooned in areas that have suboptimal light levels for their growth needs.

Record significant species or patches with GPS, on a map or on a data sheet if GPS is unavailable.

Isolated individuals or patches of invasive species of special management concern can be noted with GPS or other mapping techniques.

Botanists are encouraged to follow their instincts with cues from the landscape about where additional species might be found to obtain the most complete species list. Light levels and thus species expression may change dramatically through time. The biologist or manager may want to guide technicians to be sure to visit certain parts of the monitoring area known to be of interest.

Each soil moisture category that occurs in the monitoring area should be searched and species recorded separately. During the meandering walk, special features or conditions such as rock outcroppings, streams/rivers, erosion, seeps, slumping soil, trash dumps, utility lines etc. should be noted and mapped with GPS or alternative mapping techniques in the first year observed.

Thereafter, watch for changes in condition (such as a deepening erosion incision) if they occur since the last meandering walk. Photographs will be helpful if different people conduct the walk in different years.

The amount of time a walk takes can vary among years but should be recorded. In some years, some species may be more apparent than in other years or species expression may occur in different areas, and thus species lists among years can be different. Monitoring should generally cover the same area and be done with relatively the same amount of intensity among years.

However, areas heavily encroached by woody species may take less time to walk through after woody species thinning and prescribed fire has occurred. Conversely, increase in species richness with management may cause an associated increase in needed monitoring effort in some phases of savanna restoration. A GPS in tracking mode can be carried during the meandering walk to create a record of routes taken over time. Previous meandering walk routes can be useful in understanding where species richness data specifically originated, but the botanist is encouraged to intuitively search for plant species instead of attempting to follow former routes.

All species encountered whether native or non-native should be recorded along with general abundance and distribution within each soil moisture type. Example data sheets are in SM 1.

Data field details OVERALL SITE: Record the name of the overall site.

MANAGEMENT UNIT: Record the name of the management unit (the larger savanna unit if there is one).

MONITORING AREA: Record the name of the savanna monitoring area. This can be a subunit of the larger management unit and is the area targeted by the meandering walk.

SOIL MOISTURE TYPE: Record “dry,” “mesic,” or “wet,” as defined by the soil drainage class(es) within the search area (SOP 7). If more than one category occurs in each monitoring area, provide the approximate percent of the area in each moisture category, and search each moisture category separately. Write a comment if what is indicated in the soil survey appears different from what is found on the ground.

DATE: Record the date of the survey as yyyy/mm/dd.

OBSERVER(S): Record each observer’s name.

START TIME: Record the time at the start of observations using a 24-hr clock (e.g., 14:32 = 2:32 pm).

END TIME: Record the time at the end of observations using a 24-hr clock (e.g., 17:02 = 5:02 pm).

TOTAL TIME: Record the total amount of time in hours and minutes spent conducting the meandering walk (end time − start time).

AREA SEARCHED: Record the approximate total area searched in hectares. This should coincide with the area of the delineated polygon(s) created on your map or with GIS.

SPECIES: During the search, record each native and non-native species encountered using current scientific name. Any abbreviations, codes, or names used should be referenced to a master list of corresponding scientific names and the authority (source of the scientific names, such as USDA Plants, Flora of North America, or ITIS) used. If you cannot identify a plant to species, collect or photograph a specimen for future identification, and note genus, if possible, in comments. If possible, flag an unknown plant species, and return later when diagnostic characteristics are apparent. Track unknown plants without enough information to distinguish from other species by coding them discretely until they can be properly identified. Record very small seedlings that cannot be identified with confidence as “unknown forb seedling”, “unknown grass seedling” “unknown sedge seedling” or “unknown woody seedling”.

ABUNDANCE: Record the general abundance of each species within each moisture category as “sparse,” “occasional,” “frequent,” or “very common” relative to the size of the site surveyed, according to the definitions below (Table SOP 1.1). Evaluate trees as a separate category.

Though subjective, these indications can be useful, particularly to the site manager through time.

Definitions of species abundance categories for the meandering walk.

Abundance Category Definition

Sparse Seldom occurring and usually occurring as an isolated plant; few total individuals observed

Occasional Scattered plants in low numbers; sometimes occur in small clumps

Frequent Many plants observed; species is regularly seen but rarely becomes dominant

Very Common Species occurring in large numbers; can be dominant

DISTRIBUTION: Record the general distribution of each herbaceous and woody species as “localized” or “widespread.” A localized species is found in one or a few discrete spots in the area searched. A widespread species is dispersed broadly throughout the area. While many localized species will also be sparse, a frequent species could possibly be localized (e.g., one solid patch of reed canarygrass). Conversely, individuals of a sparse species might be found in several separate places (i.e., widespread). Record GPS points or map locations for notable indicator species, for concentrations of prairie, savanna or woodland species or invasive species.

COMMENTS: Record any relevant comments.

SOP 2: Woody Species Meandering Walk

The meandering walk is used to establish baseline initial conditions and track the progress of a monitoring area by recording relative densities of woody species present and general conditions in the area in a given year and through time. Canopy density or light levels provide insights about the capacity to support understory flora and changes through time. The observer strives to record tree species abundance, oak tree health, light availability to the understory and general abundance of herbaceous vegetation (not by species) within polygons during each meandering walk. Prior to monitoring, polygons are developed based on differences in tree densities or other characteristics as indicated by aerial photographs, and on prior knowledge of the site.

Attributes measured

• General herbaceous abundance (sparse, occasional, frequent, very common)

• Tree and shrub abundance (sparse, occasional, frequent, very common)

• Tree canopy cover (0, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100)

• Oak condition (healthy, unhealthy)

• Duration of the survey (hours, minutes)

• Area surveyed (hectares)

• Map showing monitoring area boundary and soil moisture type boundaries if applicable;

remote imagery is used to create polygons

• Polygons derived from recent and previous monitoring year’s remote imagery to delineate areas with distinctive characteristics (eg: tree densities, unique forms or aggregations of oaks or other types of trees)

• GPS unit with map, if used

• Laminated reference charts, codes and photos for data entry

• Survey protocol

• Datasheets or mobile device equipped for data entry

• Clipboard

• Pencils/pens

• Watch/clock

• Field references, such as field guides or cheat sheets (hard copy or digital)

• Hand lens

• Plastic bags/cooler and/or plant press for specimen collection

• Camera for photopoints and to photograph unknown plants and notable characteristics such as tree condition or erosional or natural features

• Metric measuring tapes

• Compass

Survey timing and schedule Woody species meandering walks are typically done annually and based on phenological cues. A walk may be performed any time when trees are fully leafed-out, but observers should use the same phenological cue to guide timing of the walk among years (eg: when full leaf-out is initially achieved in spring). Conduct the walk according to the phenological timing and frequency determined for the survey by confirming with the Site Survey Coordinator or by checking archived data for dates and frequency of sampling during previous monitoring visits.

Sources of error A brief list of sources of error to consider is:

• Inconsistent application of survey methods

• Observer bias in estimations

• Plant misidentification

Each discrete monitoring area delineated by soil moisture type (if more than one moisture type exists within the overall area) is the sampling unit that should be searched. Use the map you created as well as a GPS unit, to search the area.

Care should be used when monitoring near the boundary of adjacent monitoring areas, because there may be a region of overlap (or a gap in application) of management in a given unit. If areas are highly interspersed with unique features (e.g., with bluff and lowland topography) or if management is applied in very patchy or complicated ways such that monitoring them separately would be impractical, they may be monitored as one management area and treated as a single sample unit. Management units often include a mosaic of brightly lit areas with few to no trees (eg: fully sunlit areas embedded as an opening within or on the edge of a wooded area) and moderately lit areas with dappled sunlight (eg: primarily with open grown oaks) characteristic of savannas, and more densely shaded woodlands.

Data collection procedures Within each monitoring area, do a walk to evaluate tree relative abundance and distribution for the area within each tree density/cover polygon that was delineated on an aerial photograph prior to monitoring. (see Data field details). Different polygons may have different numbers of stopping points; data from the stops is intended to provide a snapshot of conditions in the year monitored and the number of stops is at the discretion of the Survey Coordinator but should be consistent among years. If management actions lead to notable differences in conditions in areas within a polygon and addition of points is desired, make note of changes in numbers and locations of points. The route of the woody species walk (SOP 2) should generally match the route of the botanist’s walk (See SOP 1). This entails traversing all distinct vegetation zones, including parts of the site with different light levels (from canopy closure, or from openings along trails, roads, utility rights-of-way etc.) moisture types, topography, or other characteristics that could yield additional plant species. Isolated individuals or patches of invasive species of special management concern should be noted with GPS or other mapping techniques.

Light levels, tree densities and thus herbaceous expression may change dramatically through time. The biologist or manager may want to guide technicians to be sure to visit certain parts of the area known to be of interest. Special features or conditions such as rock outcroppings, streams/rivers, eroded areas, seeps, soil slumps, trash dumps, utility lines etc. should be noted and mapped with GPS or alternative mapping techniques in the first year observed. Thereafter, watch for changes in condition (such as a deepening erosion incision) if they occur since the last woody species meandering walk.

Condition of woody species including trees, shrubs and vines should be observed and noted (see Data field details). In particular, note general oak condition or special characteristics such as growth pattern (broadly spreading or predominantly upward branching; shade pruned or dead lower limbs; cut stumps) of oaks. Take note of oak species that are most desirable or most vulnerable to disturbance.

The amount of time a walk takes can vary among years but should be recorded. In some years, some characteristics may be more apparent than in other years or herbaceous expression may occur in different areas, and thus observations among years can be different. This trend indicates progress toward recovery in savanna remnants that are virtually devoid of herbaceous vegetation as they begin to produce more biomass, and can indicate increasing ability to burn an area given the need for contiguous fine fuels. Monitoring should generally cover the same area and be done with relatively the same amount of intensity among years. However, areas heavily encroached by undesirable woody species may eventually take less time to walk through after woody species thinning and prescribed fire has occurred. Likewise, changes in tree density can result in changes in light levels and thus, in herbaceous understory vegetation expression so monitoring should be done at least after every management event or natural event that causes changes in woody species density and condition. A GPS in tracking mode can be carried during the meandering walk to create a record of routes taken over time. The woody species meandering walk should be conducted initially and at pre-determined time steps or whenever a management action within a polygon is taken that can change woody species and related understory composition. In the latter case, it may not be necessary to monitor all polygons, but only those affected by management, until the time step occurs to conduct SOP 2 in the entire area.

A simple user guide will be provided for electronic data entry using Survey123 or other application, and when available, it will be located in our monitoring ServCat site.

All species encountered whether native or non-native should be recorded along with general abundance and distribution within each soil moisture type. A sample blank datasheet and an example filled out datasheet are attached to this protocol (SM 1).

Data field details DATE: Record the date of the survey as yyyy/mm/dd.

OBSERVER(S): Record each observer’s name.

OVERALL SITE: Record the name of the overall site as it will appear in the Database

MANAGEMENT UNIT: Record the name of the management unit (the larger savanna unit if there is one).

MONITORING NAME: Record the name of the savanna monitoring area. This can be a subunit of the larger management unit and is the area targeted by the woody species meandering walk.

https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/144051

POLYGON NAME: Record the name of each polygon delineated from an aerial photograph that is being examined. There can be several polygons in each monitoring area. Note the tree characteristic(s) that define each polygon (general tree density, presence of open grown oaks, unidentifiable dense trees, or landmarks).

SOIL MOISTURE TYPE: Record “dry,” “mesic,” or “wet,” as defined by the soil drainage class(es) within the search area (SOP 7). If more than one category occurs in each area, provide the approximate percent of the area in each moisture category, and search each moisture category separately. Write a comment if what is indicated if the soil survey appears different from what is found on the ground.

START TIME: Record the time at the start of observations using a 24-hr clock (e.g., 14:32 = 2:32 pm).

END TIME: Record the time at the end of observations using a 24-hr clock (e.g., 17:02 = 5:02 pm).

TOTAL TIME: Record the total amount of time in hours and minutes spent conducting the meandering walk (end time − start time).

AREA SEARCHED: Record the approximate total area searched in hectares. This should coincide with the area of the delineated polygon(s) created on your map or with GIS.

HERBACEOUS ABUNDANCE: Record the general abundance of herbaceous vegetation within each moisture category and within each polygon as “sparse,” “occasional,” “frequent,” or “very common”, according to the definitions below (Table SOP 2.1). Evaluate trees as a separate category. Though subjective, these indications can be useful, particularly to the site manager through time.

Definitions of herbaceous vegetation abundance categories for the woody species meandering walk.

Abundance Category Definition

Sparse Isolated plants or small patches observed, but mostly there is unvegetated, bare ground

Occasional Scattered plants or patches of vegetation occur; patches are mostly small; bare ground dominates

Frequent Many plants are observed existing in discontinuous but often large patches throughout much of the area

Very Common Vegetation occurs in large portions of the savanna and is generally contiguous; bare ground is generally rare or does not apparently exist

TREE ABUNDANCE: Record the general abundance of trees within each moisture category and within each polygon as “sparse,” “occasional,” “frequent,” or “very common” relative to the size of the site surveyed, according to the definitions below (Table SOP 2.2).

Definitions of tree and shrub abundance categories for the woody species meandering walk.

Abundance Category Definition

Sparse Seldom occurring or absent but usually occurring as an isolated tree/shrub or a few total individuals

Occasional Scattered trees/shrubs in low numbers; sometimes occur in small clumps; light easily reaches most of the understory

Frequent Many trees/shrubs observed and are fairly ubiquitous; can be evenly distributed or clumpy but moderate light reaches the understory in much of the area

Dense Trees/shrubs occurring in large numbers; can be dominant, significantly impeding light reaching the understory

TREE SIZE: Record size of tree within each moisture category and within each polygon as “small”, “intermediate”, “large”, “mixed” relative to the size of the site surveyed, according to the definitions in Table SOP 2.2.

Definitions of tree size categories for the woody species meandering walk.

Size Category Definition

Small Most trees with trunk diameters between 2.5 and 10 cm (1 and 4 inches); dominated by young trees.

Intermediate Trunk diameter mostly between 10 to 25 cm (4-10 inches)

Large

Very Large

Most trees > 25 cm (10 inches) in diameter; dominated by mature trees.

Trees with trunks diameters of 46 cm (18 inches)

Mixed Tree diameters include a wide range of diameters; no size category dominant

SHRUB ABUNDANCE: Record the general abundance of shrubs within each moisture category and within each polygon as “sparse,” “occasional,” “frequent,” or “dense” relative to the size of the site surveyed, according to the definitions in Table SOP 2.2.

TREE CANOPY COVER: Record estimated canopy cover within each moisture category as (0, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100) using a laminated version (for field use) of Figure SOP 2.1. This can be done at the same interval as tree structural class and abundance determination.

Canopy cover chart used to guide estimation of canopy cover (0, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100 percent) including variations depending on degree of dispersion or patchiness.

OAK CONDITION: Observations on oak condition are important for evaluating tree health, potential longevity of overstory trees, wildlife habitat, restoration treatment effects and trends in tree condition. These observations are useful, for example, for making decisions about oak regeneration needs to sustain desired tree density and assessing adequacy and quality of wildlife habitat such as snags or den/cavity trees. During the initial meandering walk event, record the proportion of overstory oaks as healthy or unhealthy (SOP Figure 2.2), outward or upward branching form (SOP Figure 2.3) and dead trees by species. If species of dead tree cannot be determined, then identify as a member of either the white or black oak group. If this cannot be done, assign them to the dominant oak species. Record proportion of trees healthy versus unhealthy to the nearest ten percent. Oak condition observations can be done at the same time as structural class determination. Additional overstory oaks can be opportunistically observed and recorded in the comments along the meandering walk between formal observations if desired.

Healthy trees may have:

• full, normal density crowns,

• fully expanded green leaves in summer

Healthy trees lack:

• major cavities

• massive limb breakage

• large or multiple fire or mechanical scars that are not recovering

• signs of decay of inner wood

• major dieback of branch tips in the upper crown.

Unhealthy or declining trees may have:

• less dense and abnormally small crowns,

• discolored leaves,

• dieback of major and terminal branches throughout and below the crown

• absence of sections of the crown due to stem or trunk breakage

• large cavities

• damage to or breakage of the main trunk

Note that healthy trees can have remnant dead branches within or at the base of the crown or along the trunk, but large dead horizontal branches can indicate intense shading or tree decline.

Frequent fire combined with dry conditions can result in small, gnarled oak trees with twisted trunks and asymmetric canopies characteristic of oak openings. This form can therefore be desirable and appropriate in savannas. In savannas experiencing frequent, hot fires, oak trees can be reduced to a bushy form originating from a basal caudex. This form, called a grub, was reported historically and is normal in some savanna types. In addition, savanna oaks can live for hundreds of years and many of these old oak trees will show signs of damage, recovery or tolerance of injury through time including scars that have partially or completely healed over and hollow trunks surrounded by healthy live tissue that supports the tree. These and other signs can be characteristic of a normal savanna tree. However, rapid or massive cumulative signs of disease or decline, large numbers of dead trees, or isolated incidences of disease caused by invasive organisms or adjacent land use are cause for concern.

Examples of healthy (top row) and unhealthy oak trees (bottom row).

Oaks grown primarily in full or nearly full sunlight with outward branching pattern (top row) including some horizontal limbs and limb scars that occurred due to canopy closure and shading.

Note that in oak openings, savanna oak trees may be diminutive and gnarled with stout trunks, twisted branching, and lopsided canopy. Trees growing densely and in high competition for light have tall straight boles free of large limbs along the lower trunk with canopies developed in the upper third of the tree generally in an upward branching pattern (bottom row).

OAK SEEDLING/SPROUT ABUNDANCE: Record abundance of seedlings or sprouts within each moisture category and within each polygon as “sparse,” “occasional,” “frequent,” or “very common” relative to the size of the site surveyed, according to the definitions below (Table SOP 2.2).

Definitions of oak seedling/sprout abundance categories for the woody species meandering walk.

Abundance Category Definition

Sparse Seldom occurring or absent

Occasional Scattered seedlings or sprouts occur in low numbers or sometimes in small isolated patches

Frequent Many seedlings/sprouts observed; can be evenly distributed or clumpy

Very Common Seedlings/sprouts generally occur in large numbers throughout much of the area

One year-old pin oak seedling (left), note acorn still attached and intact original stem;

bur oak sprout (center and right), note multiple older, dead stems in contrast to two live sprouts that emerged in the current year

COMMENTS: Record any relevant comments including presence and GPS or map locations of special features such as rock outcroppings, streams/rivers, erosion, seeps, slumping soil, trash dumps, archaeological sites, buildings, utility lines etc. in the first year observed. Record changes in condition (such as a deepening erosion incision) if they occurred since the last meandering walk. Record comments about types of disease or decline in oaks or other savanna trees.

SOP 3: Tree Macroplots

In tree macroplots, the observer records living and dead (> 12.7 cm DBH) mature trees by species using the variable radius plot method. The macroplot also provides a geospatial framework within which herbaceous nested plots, sapling, shrub and vine, oak seedling and sprout microplots are located. Tree macroplots provide quantitative data for comparison of tree species composition, structure and general health across monitoring areas or over time to assess oak tree regeneration and recruitment into the overstory canopy layer. Tree species diversity and evenness is also calculated. Only trees greater than 12.7 cm in diameter are considered in the tree macroplots.

A Monitoring Macroplot Site Diagram (Appendix A) visually illustrates how SOPs 3-6 are spatially integrated. A Monitoring SOP Checklist (Appendix B) is a guide to conducting tasks in an efficient order in the field when SOPs 3-6 are used together and it helps minimize impact of trampling prior to data collection for more sensitive metrics like herbaceous vegetation.

Attributes measured

• Site character (photopoint)

• Canopy cover (spherical densiometer reading at N, E, S, W)

• Mature tree species richness

• Diameter at breast height (in cm at 1.37 m = breast height, or inches at 4.5 feet)

• Tree density (as m2/ha or ft2/ac)

• Crown condition (healthy, light decline, moderate decline, severe decline, dead)

• Tree form (outward or upward)

• Tree height to live crown ratio (<10, 10-25, 26-50, 51-75, 75-100 percent)

• Tree crown light exposure (codes 1-5)

• Basal scars scar aspect (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW), type (fire or mechanical) and measurement (height, width, depth; measurement is optional)

Equipment and supplies

• Map showing savanna boundary, soil moisture type boundaries if applicable, and sampling point locations; remote imagery or topography is especially useful

• GPS unit preloaded with coordinates of sampling points or appropriate map if not using a

GPS

• Survey protocol

• Metric = 2 BAF prism (each plot tree represents 2m2/ha of basal area); English = 10 BAF prism (each plot tree represents 10 ft2/ac of basal area)

• Logger’s tape or other cloth measuring tape

• Laminated cover category chart

• Survey pins

• Clinometer

• Datasheets or mobile device equipped for data entry

• Clipboard

• Pencils/pens

• List of species observed in prior surveys (if any), if desired

• Field references, such as field guides or cheat sheets (hard copy or digital)

• Hand lens

• Compass

• Binoculars

• Clippers for accessing trees and for collecting unknowns (if roots are not required)

• Narrow hand trowel or gardener’s knife for collecting unknowns with roots (from outside the plot)

• Small ruler for fire scar measurement

• Range finder to aid in determining tree distance

• Plastic bags/cooler and/or plant press for specimen collection

• Camera to photograph unknown trees and for photopoints

• Calculator

The macroplots should be monitored after any major restoration action such as tree thinning or after storms that significantly damage trees, and thereafter at least every 3-5 years. Monitoring should occur when leaves are fully expressed and before senescence, and using phenological cues to guide when monitoring happens each year.

Sources of error A brief list of sources of error to consider is:

• Inconsistent application of survey methods

• Tree misidentification

• Missing species

• Inaccurately measuring tree diameter

• Inaccurately determining which trees are inside each macroplot

• Inaccurately evaluating crown condition

• Inaccurately measuring overstory crown cover

• Improperly using canopy cover cards

Each plot will be located using a GPS unit with preloaded coordinates. Use appropriate GPS protocols to navigate to the monumented center point of the plot. If using an alternative non-GPS method of locating points, indicate this in the comments field, and make sure your methods are well documented.

Care should be used when monitoring near the boundary of adjacent savanna areas, because there may be a region of overlap (or a gap in application) of management. If areas are highly interspersed (e.g., with bluff and lowland topography) or if management is applied in very patchy or complicated ways such that monitoring them separately would be impractical, they may be monitored together and treated as a single sample unit.

Data collection procedures Using a handheld GPS, or map and compass, navigate to each monumented sample location.

Conduct a tree inventory (of trees > 12.7 cm) using a BAF 2m prism to determine trees to be sampled and to estimate tree density. The monumented point is the center of the sampling area, not the viewer’s eye. In other words, the prism is held over the monumented point and is rotated around it; it does not move with the body or head of the viewer. The prism should be held in a vertical position and looking through the flat side which is held at right angles to the line of sight when looking at a tree to determine if a tree is “in” or “out” of the sampling plot (Figure SOP 3.1). Observations are made on “in” trees only. Using the prism, determine “in” trees by rotating it within a 360˚ arc around the permanent plot center and sighting in on each tree.

Using the prism to determine sample “in” trees in variable plot sampling. “In” trees are trees for which the trunk overlaps when looking through the prism. “Out” trees are trees for which the trunk does not touch when looking through the prism. “Borderline” trees are trees that touch but do not overlap. (photos courtesy of: https://www.uhcl.edu/environmental-institute/texas-envirothon/documents/study-guide/forestry-how-to-use-a-prism.pdf Accessed on March 28, 2022)

Schematic of variable plot sampling. Shaded circles represent “in” trees and white circles represent “out” trees”

For trees that lean to the left or the right of the observer, if the tree appears “out” with an unrotated prism, then it is “out”. Otherwise, rotate the prism so that the vertical axis of the prism parallels the axis of the leaning tree, i.e., the sides of the prism should parallel the sides of the tree. Trees that lean severely toward or away from the observer and appear questionable should be checked by measuring the tree DBH (to nearest 0.1 cm) and horizontal distance to the face of the tree at the groundline (to nearest 0.01 meter). When vegetation obscures the observer’s line of sight to the tree, two options are available including 1) move the sample point so that the tree can be viewed (care must be taken to ensure the distance from the tree to the sample point remains the same) or 2) sight the tree at a visible point higher on the tree’s stem. In the second option, if the tree is “in” at this height, it is also “in” at breast height, unless the tree leans heavily toward the sampling point. If this is the case, or it appears slightly out or borderline, then it is best to measure the tree dbh and distance from sample point to the tree to determine if it is to be sampled (see how to do this below).

https://www.uhcl.edu/environmental-institute/texas-envirothon/documents/study-guide/forestry-how-to-use-a-prism.pdf https://www.uhcl.edu/environmental-institute/texas-envirothon/documents/study-guide/forestry-how-to-use-a-prism.pdf https://www.uhcl.edu/environmental-institute/texas-envirothon/documents/study-guide/forestry-how-to-use-a-prism.pdf

Borderline trees occur when a tree cannot be easily determined as in or out when using a prism.

Borderline trees occur only when the distance from the sampling point to the face of the tree is equal to the DBH times plot radius factor (PRF). The PRF is determined based on the type of prism being used. The PRF for a BAF 2 prism is 0.3486 (meter per cm of DBH) for measurement from plot center to the face of the tree. See other PRFs for different BAF prisms in Table SOP 3.1.

Plot radius factors for specified metric and English BAF prisms when sighting to the tree face from plot center.

Metric English

Basal Area

Factor

Plot Radius Factor

Basal Area

Factor

Plot Radius Factor

Basal Area

Factor

Plot Radius Factor

Tree Face

Tree Face

Tree Face

2 0.3486 13 0.1337 5 3.847 3 0.2837 14 0.1286 10 2.708 4 0.2450 15 0.1241 15 2.203 5 0.2186 16 0.1200 20 1.902 6 0.1991 18 0.1129 25 1.697

6.25 0.1950 20 0.1068 30 1.546 7 0.1840 20.25 0.1061 35 1.428 8 0.1718 24 0.0971 40 1.333 9 0.1617 25 0.0950 50 1.188

10 0.1531 30.25 0.0859 60 1.081 11 0.1458 32 0.0834 12 0.1393 64 0.0575

When a tree is borderline, a series of measurements and calculations must be made to determine if the tree is in or out. The horizontal distance from the sampling point to the face of the tree must be measured along with the DBH of the tree. The DBH should then be multiplied by the PRF, which will give a horizontal limiting distance (HLD). If the measured horizontal distance from plot center to the face of the tree is less than or equal to this HLD, then the tree is counted as in. If it is greater than the HLD, it is out.

Adjusting for slope In point sampling, corrections must be made when the slope is ≥ 10%. Trees located on the contour with the sampling point need no adjustment for slope, they are in fact at 0% slope.

Adjustments for slope can be done in the field in one of two ways:

Method one – rotation of the prism (Figure SOP 3.3):

• If a tree on a slope appears “in” or “borderline” with an unrotated prism, it can be tallied as “in”, otherwise

• Measure the slope from the observer’s eye to tree at breast height with an instrument such as a clinometer

• Rotate the prism as if turning a steering wheel, an amount equal to the slope angle, keeping it perpendicular with the line of sight

• Sight the tree in question at breast height to determine if it is “in” or “out”

Method two - measurement and comparison to horizontal limiting distance:

• Measure the DBH to the 0.1 cm

• Determine the horizontal limiting distance from the face of the tree (HLD = PRF X DBH); PRF is 0.3486 for a BAF 2 m prism when measuring to the face of the tree.

• Determine the percent of slope from the face of the tree at breast height to the sampling point using an instrument such as a clinometer.

• If the slope is 10% or greater, correct the horizontal limiting distance to slope limiting distance (SLD). To obtain the slope limiting distance, multiply the HLD by the appropriate slope correction factor (SCF) (Table SOP 3.2. (SLD = HLD X

SCF)

• Use a tape graduated in centimeters, decimeters, and meters to measure the distance from the face of the tree at breast height to plot center. The plot center is where the surveyors pin or wooden stake enters the ground. These are two exact points that can be measured "to" and "from". If the measured distance is equal to or less than the slope limiting distance, the tree is "in" and is sampled. If no slope correction is needed, the horizontal limiting distance is compared to the measured distance.

Correcting for slope with the prism to identify sample trees (illustration from https://www.uhcl.edu/environmental-institute/texas-envirothon/documents/study-guide/forestry-how-to-use-a-prism.pdf accessed on March 28, 2022) https://www.uhcl.edu/environmental-institute/texas-envirothon/documents/study-guide/forestry-how-to-use-a-prism.pdf https://www.uhcl.edu/environmental-institute/texas-envirothon/documents/study-guide/forestry-how-to-use-a-prism.pdf

Slope correction factors for slopes of different degrees and percents.

Degrees slope Percent slope Correction factor Degrees slope Percent slope Correction factor

0-4 0-9 1.00 34 68-69 1.21 5-9 10-17 1.01 35 70 1.22

10-12 18-22 1.02 71-72 1.23 13-14 23-26 1.03 36 73-74 1.24 15-16 27-30 1.04 37 75 1.25 17-18 31-33 1.05 76-77 1.26 19-20 34-36 1.06 38 78-79 1.27

21 37-39 1.07 80 1.28 22 40-42 1.08 39 81-82 1.29

23-24 43-44 1.09 83 1.30 25 45-47 1.10 40 84-85 1.31 26 48-49 1.11 86 1.32 27 50-51 1.12 41 87-88 1.33 28 52-53 1.13 89 1.34 29 54-55 1.14 42 90-91 1.35 30 56-57 1.15 92 1.36

58-59 1.16 43 93-94 1.37 31 60-61 1.17 95 1.38 32 62-63 1.18 44 96-97 1.39 33 64-65 1.19 98 1.40

66-67 1.20 45 99-100 1.41

Observations to make on all sample “in” trees:

For all “in” trees (≥12.7 cm DBH) record:

• Species

• DBH with diameter tape (to nearest 0.1 cm) of trees, 12.7 cm (Figure SOP 3.4)

• Tree crown condition (Table SOP 3.3 for definitions)

• Tree live crown ratio (the ratio of the vertical length of live crown to the total tree height)

• Tree crown light exposure code (Figures SOP 3.8; Table SOP 3.4 for definitions)

• Lower trunk fire scar height, width, and depth to nearest 0.1 cm, and percent of tree trunk circumference scarred using the greatest width of the scar (Figure SOP 3.9.)

Locating DBH measurement point on a tree On single-stemmed trees, DBH is measured 1.37 m above the groundline to the nearest 0.1 cm.

For trees on slopes, DBH is measured on the uphill side of the tree. Common problems occur when measuring a tree’s DBH at or near a fork or swelling of the trunk. Figure SOP 3.4 shows how to measure DBH when you encounter common abnormalities. For more complicated situations in measuring DBH, we refer you to the US Forest Service FIA field manual pp. 80-94 (https://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/field-guides-methods-proc/docs/2019/core_ver9- 0_10_2019_final_rev_2_10_2020.pdf accessed September 17, 2020).

https://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/field-guides-methods-proc/docs/2019/core_ver9-0_10_2019_final_rev_2_10_2020.pdf https://www.fia.fs.fed.us/library/field-guides-methods-proc/docs/2019/core_ver9-0_10_2019_final_rev_2_10_2020.pdf

A

B

C

D

The 1.37m distance is measured along the underside face of the trunk.

Measuring a tree’s DBH (diameter at breast height (1.37 m) with a diameter tape) under varying conditions. A. Trees forked below 0.3 m are treated as distinctly separate trees. DBH is measured for each stem at 1.37 m above the ground. When stems originate from pith (the center of the tree trunk) intersections below 0.3 m, it is possible for some stems to be within the limiting distance of the plot, and others to be beyond the limiting distance. Distances from plot center to the face of the tree are measured individually to the center of each stem where it splits from the stump. B. Trees forked between 0.3 m and

1.37 m are also counted as separate trees. The DBH of each fork is measured at a point 1.1 m above the pith intersection. When forks originate from pith intersections between 0.3 and 1.37 m, the limiting distance is the same for all forks--they are either all on, or all off the plot. C. Tree with butt-swell or bottleneck (left): Measure these trees 0.46 m above the end of the swell or bottleneck if the swell or bottleneck extends 0.91 m or more above the ground. Trees with irregularities at DBH (middle and right):

On trees with swellings, bumps, depressions, and branches at DBH, diameter will be measured immediately above the irregularity at the place it ceases to affect normal stem form. If the diameter point is out of reach above the irregularity, the diameter will be measured below the irregularity at the best repeatable location. If normal stem form does not exist, the diameter will be estimated at the prescribed location. D. Leaning tree: Measure diameter at the point that is 1.37 m from the base of the tree along the trunk.

Measuring DBH Diameter of all “in” trees should be measured. To measure DBH, wrap a diameter tape around the tree at breast height, making sure the tape is level and not twisted. Read the diameter measurement where the tape overlaps with the zero marker. If the tree is leaning, then measure at an angle perpendicular to the axis of the tree. If the tree is forked, measure it as one tree if the fork occurs above DBH, or two trees if the fork is below DBH.

Crown Condition - Health Observe crown condition from various vantage points and classify using categories in the table (Table SOP 3.3) below:

Tree crown condition classes.

Code Condition Definition 1 Healthy < 10% of crown with branch or twig dieback or damage*, foliage discoloration, or dwarf leaves

2 Light decline 10 to 25% of crown with branch or twig dieback or damage, foliage discoloration, or dwarf leaves

3 Moderate decline 26 to 50% of crown with branch or twig dieback or damage, foliage discoloration, or dwarf leaves

4 Severe decline Tree alive but > 50% of crown with branch or twig dieback or damage, foliage discoloration, or dwarf leaves

5 Dead Standing dead tree, a snag

* crown dieback includes recent dead branches with fine twigs that occur in the outer portions of the tree crown. Dieback begins at the extremities of the crown and progresses toward the trunk until the entire branch is dead. Damage refers to broken branches or tree trunk resulting in loss of significant portions of the crown and major wounds that could accelerate wood decay development.

Tree Form Observe growth form of each oak tree and classify as generally “outward” or predominantly “upward” (Figure SOP 3.5) branching form. Trees with an outward branching pattern have grown in an open environment with high exposure to sunlight for most of their lives. They have large, lower, horizontal branches that sometimes occur relatively close to the ground and their crowns are often semicircular in profile. With intense shading from adjacent trees horizontal branches may die, break off, or eventually be reduced to stubs or knobs with bark growing over the wound. These features indicate that past light levels were sufficient to support a more open growth form. Trees with these characteristics are classified as having an “outward” branching form. The branches, stubs or knobs (Figure SOP 3.6) are noted as “shade-pruned”

Trees with an upward form have grown in dense competition with other trees and consistently exhibit a tall bole clear of major branches and a crown that is V-shaped (SOP 2.4).

Trees sometimes exhibit outward branching only on one side of the tree where light was abundant, but upward branching on a side that was heavily shaded by adjacent trees. When both outward and upward branching occurs on the same tree, they are included in the “outward” branching category.

Oaks grown in abundant light in open stand conditions with an outward branching tree form (top row). Note horizontal branches and dead limbs or limb scars that indicate the tree grew in more open conditions in the past. Trees grown with intense competition for light (bottom row) have sharply upward branching tree form and a general absence of lower limbs.

Oaks with dead branches, and stubs or knobs where branches once existed. Note rounded areas where bark has nearly completely obscured the site of a former limb.

Tree height to live crown ratio Tree height to live crown ratio is the ratio of the vertical height of live crown to the total tree height. This does not include dead branches that exist above the live crown top. The base of the live crown is defined by the lowest live foliage that is included in the live crown.