A06_Attachment_A_Plant_Density.pdf

Appendix: Supplemental Method for ESR/Fuels AIM plots

Plant Density

Equipment:

• Basic AIM equipment

• 1 – 1.0m x 1.0m sampling square (1m2) OR 2m+ folding ruler

Method

1. The start point for the first quadrat is at the 0 mark for each transect. The remaining quadrats will be placed at 5m intervals.

2. Place the 1m2 sampling frame adjacent to the transect tape and forming a right angle with the side nearest the plot center and lined up with the determined start point on the transect tape (Figure 3).

3. Search the quadrat and record all perennial grass, perennial and native annual forb, and shrub species present.

Also include all seeded species regardless of native vs. non-native. Do not include cheatgrass (BRTE).

a. This will reduce time per quadrat as it eliminates the need to look for species while counting plants.

4. Count the number of each living, rooted plant species as described in #3 in the 1m2 quadrat. All plants must be identified to species.

a. Boundary rule: For plants with bases that are both rooted inside and outside of the quadrat, any plant whose boundary touches the side of the quadrat adjacent to the transect tape and the side nearest the plot center will be counted as “inside”. Plants that touch the other two sides of the quadrat will be counted as “outside” and will not be included in density measures (Elzinga et al. 1998).

b. Individual plants are distinguished as being greater than 20cm between each instance where the plant roots into the ground.

c. Count only living plants. Plants are considered alive if they are growing, or have grown, in the current growing season.

d. For recently burned areas: Assess if plants are sprouting from the burned crown of a plant base or a new seedling. Record “Resprout” or “Seedling” for each species found in the quadrat. In unburned areas, plants are considered resprouts if they are firmly rooted and cannot be easily pulled out of the ground. This is especially important for any seeded species.

Diagram of the boundary rule for counting plant density.

Calibration

1. Observers should be within ±2 plants/m2 averaged across 5 quadrats on a transect for each species (when multiple observers are present).

Calculation

1. Sum density counts by individual species across all quadrats on transect and divide by number of quadrats for the estimated mean density for each transect.

2. Divide number of transects to get the mean density by species for each transect. Sum density by transect and divide by number of transects to get mean density by plot.

Positioning of the 1m2 density quadrats along a 25m transect line. IThe start point is always 0m. The first two quadrat positions at 0-1m and 5-6m are shown. Ignore the cover quadrats.

PERENNIAL PLANT DENSITY DATA SHEET

Plot ID: _______________________ Date: ______ Observer: _______________ Recorder: _________________

Transect Length: ___________ Quadrat Size: ___m2 Quadrats per Line: ___ Page ____ of ____

Boundary rule: Any plant that touches the side of the quadrat adjacent to the transect tape and the side nearest the plot center will be counted as “inside”. Plants that touch the other two sides of the quadrat will be counted as “outside” and not included.

Individuals: Individual plants are distinguished as being greater than 20cm between each instance where the plant roots into the ground.

NOTES:

Data entry _____________ Date ___________ Error check _____________ Date ___________

SPECIES

(RS = Resprout)

(SD = Seedling)

LINE #: ____

AZIMUTH: _____

LINE #: ____

AZIMUTH: _____

LINE #: ____

AZIMUTH: _____

QUADRAT QUADRAT QUADRAT

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5

___m ___m ___m ___m ___m ___m ___m ___m ___m ___m ___m ___m ___m ___m ___m