Stand_Exam_Technical_Spec_Final.pdf

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS for STAND EXAMS

1. DEFINITIONS

Borderline Tree Is a tree that cannot be easily identified as being located inside or outside of a sample variable plot when measured with a wedge prism or angle gauge. When a borderline tree is encountered, the limiting distance of that tree must be calculated to determine the in/out status.

Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)

Is the outside bark diameter at 4.5 feet above the forest floor on the uphill side of a tree. See the Common Stand Exam User’s Guide for special situations where measurement methods may differ.

Calendar Days

Every day shown on the calendar, Sundays and holidays included.

Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

Is the on-site contract administrator for the Contracting Officer. The duties and responsibilities of the COR are defined in the letter of designation issued by the Contracting Officer

Limiting Distance

Is the maximum distance that the center of a tree can be from plot center and still be within the variable plot. Limiting distance is a function of the actual DBH of the tree as measured by a diameter tape and the Plot Radius Factor (PRF).

Plot Radius Factor (PRF)

An angle gauge constant calculated by dividing 8.696 by the square root of the Basal Area Factor (BAF) of the angle gauge.

Quality Assurance

The actions taken by the Government to assess the results to determine that they meet contract requirements. The methods for quality assurance are described in the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP).

Quality Control

Those actions taken by a Contractor to control the production of outputs to ensure that they conform to the contract requirements. The methods for inspecting for quality control are described in the Contractor’s Quality Control Plan (QCP).

2. SPECIFICATIONS

A. Locating Plots -

a. Plot Location Determination. The Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) of the plot locations for each stand shall be provided for each task order. The contractor shall use a global position system (GPS) to locate the plots on the ground with datum and waypoint information provided by the government.

i. For standard data collection, a recreation grade GPS (e.g. Garmin, Magellan, etc…) is sufficient.

ii. For CFLR data collection, the Contractor shall use a sub-meter accuracy resource grade

GPS (e.g. Trimble GeoExplorer XT/XH) to locate plot center.

b. Sample plot locations to be measured within each stand have been marked on one of the provided topographical maps. Plot numbers have been pre-assigned for each plot in each stand.

c. Locating Plot Center. Upon arrival at the specified coordinates, the Contractor shall check the map to confirm that he/she is at the correct sample plot location. Installing plots in the wrong stand shall result in rejection of data.

i. If this is the initial plot survey, the Contractor shall identify the sample plot location on the ground.

ii. If this is a return visit for re-measurement, the Contractor shall locate the plot center monument or relocate the exact plot center using a combination of GPS and bearing trees, then remonument.

d. Non-functioning GPS.

i. For standard data collection, the contractor may elect to use traditional methods of plot location if the GPS is unable to acquire the necessary resolution to execute the traverse from waypoint data. In either case, the contractor must navigate to the location provided on the topo map.

ii. For CFLR data collection, the contractor must use a sub-meter accuracy resource grade GPS (e.g. Trimble GeoExplorer XT/XH) to locate or relocate the sample points.

Traditional methods are not acceptable.

B. Plot Center Identification/Flagging

For standard data collection, the Contractor shall identify sample plot centers with a marker that shall be a wire flag, wooden stake, or other marker as agreed upon at the pre-work conference. Sample plot center markers shall be firmly driven into the ground.

For the CFLR data collection, plot center shall be located and recorded using a resource grade GPS with sub-meter accuracy. The center shall be monumented with a wooden or metal stake. The location of the stake shall also be recorded by triangulating, using the three largest nearby trees (species, DBH, distance, and bearing of the trees shall be recorded in the remarks section of the plot from). The trees used for triangulation, shall be physically identified with one inch (1”) metal washers nailed to the base of the tree bole and a large X-shaped bark score at eye level. Metal stakes shall also be established to monument the ends of the two (2) fifty-foot Brown’s transects.

Upon inspection, the center point of the marker where it intersects the ground shall be used as plot center.

If the marker is not a wire flag, flagging shall be tied to the marker so that it is visible above the plot center.

The HUC6 watershed alias, stand and plot numbers shall be written legibly on the flagging or wire flag using a waterproof marker. If Brown’s transects are conducted, the azimuth of transect shall be written as well.

3. SURVEY TECHNIQUE

Plots shall be located using waypoint navigation with a GPS unit. During the initial establishment of the plot, the plot center monument may vary +/- 30 feet of the true plot location listed. Recurring errors in the location of sample plots greater than the acceptable error shall make the stand survey unsatisfactory; relocation of sample plots and remeasurement shall be required.

For CFLR data collection, the coordinates recorded on the plot form, must have an accuracy of better than 2 meters. If the accuracy at the time of recording is worse, post processing through differential correction will be required.

In cases where government provided photo plot location differs from GPS location found on the ground the GPS location shall prevail.

4. RECORDING REQUIREMENTS

The data fields to be collected and recorded are enumerated in the Date collection Specifications paragraphs of this section. Each task order shall specifiy which of the following methods shall be used for electronic data collection:

Common Stand Exam option or Inventory and Monitoring option of the Government provided ExamsPDR program. The ExamsPDR program runs on several types of PDR style computers with the Windows based mobile operating system.

Common Stand Exam option or Inventory and Monitoring option of the Government provided

ExamsPC program. The ExamsPC data entry program runs on computers with the Windows 95/98/2000/XP/7 operating systems. This may require data to be recorded on paper forms in the field and then entered into the ExamsPC program at a later time.

Data recorded on paper forms shall NOT be accepted as the final data submission.

Government provided setting level R2 FSVeg Field Data Collection/Verification Form in the .TRU file format generated by the PIVEG program.

The contractor is responsible for providing the computer hardware necessary for running the software programs.

5. QUALIFICATIONS

The success of this field inventory is dependent primarily on the Contractor's professionalism and expertise. It is necessary that the Contractor's staff meet certain standards. A crew can consist of one or more individuals.

Minimum technical qualifications are specifically defined as follows:

1. Each crew shall have a crew leader with undergraduate courses in mensuration, tree identification, plant identification, silviculture, and ecology and a minimum of three (3) months prior experience collecting data for Forest inventory or vegetation classification.

2. Each crew leader shall also have the additional following minimum qualifications:

Proficient in the interpretation of aerial photography and associated maps.

a. Ability to distinguish between stand types both in the field, on original or photocopied aerial photographs and on Digital Ortho Quads (DOQs).

b. Knowledge in the use of hand held compass, pacing, and map measurements.

c. Ability to accurately identify necessary tree, shrub, forb, and grass species needed for identifying local habitat types or other plant survey requirements.

d. Knowledge of rating tree defects and parasitic plants.

e. Knowledge of common forest insect pests and diseases.

f. Familiar with habitat typing.

g. Proficient in the use of forest measurement equipment.

Specific technical experience may be substituted for a given educational requirement.

The Contractor shall designate crew leaders for each crew. The crew leader shall be the individual responsible for ensuring plot measurements are taken in accordance with the accuracy standards.

The Contractor, by signing this solicitation and subsequent award, agrees to use only personnel meeting these qualifications for performance of the work specified herein. The Government reserves the right to make determinations of employees' or subcontractor’s qualifications; any employee or subcontractor who does not meet the above described qualifications may be requested to leave the worksite with the Contractor responsible for the re-collection and resubmittal of any data supplied by that person. The Government may also request the removal of an employee or subcontractor with unsatisfactory past performance.

6. DATA COLLECTION SPECIFICATIONS

This section describes the data collection forms and the fields on each form to be completed.

Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each of the following data forms are found in the Common Stand Exam (CSE) User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). If the following contract specifications differ from the provided Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices, the contract specifications shall have precedent. Individual task orders may require less information than is required below. Each task order shall specify what will be required for that particular task order.

A. Setting Form (CSE)

A setting is normally a stand in which the stand exam is being done. Following is a list of data fields required for each setting. . Project name (Field 1) shall be supplied by the government.

As specified in a Task Order, the contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Setting Form for items that are set to “Yes” in the Required column below.

Field Number

Field Description

Required Data

Source

Comments 1 Project Name YES Government Assigned during prework conference 2 Region YES Government Always “02” 3 Proclaimed Forest YES Government Provided at prework conference 4 District YES Government Provided at prework conference 5 Location/Watershed Alias YES Site List Survey Stand List 6 Stand YES Site List Survey Stand List 7 Owner YES Always “USFS” 8 State YES Provided at prework conference 9 County YES Provided at prework conference 10 Admin Forest YES Provided at prework conference 11 Admin Region YES Always “02” 12 Date YES Contractor Format is MM/DD/YYYY 13 Photo ID NO Contractor Not Collected 14 Exam Level YES Government Assigned based on task order requirements 15 Exam Purpose YES Government Always ‘SE’ 16 Stratum N/A Not collected 17 Existing Vegetation YES SAF 18 Potential Veg Ref YES Contractor Provided at prework conference 19 Potential Vegetation YES Contractor 20 Structure YES Contractor 21 Capable Grow Area NO Not collected 22 Fuel Model NO Contractor 23 Elevation NO Not collected 24 Aspect NO Not collected 25 Slope NO Not collected 26 Slope Position NO Not collected 27 Acres YES Survey Stand List, if required in task order 28 Radial Growth Interval YES Always “10” 29 Radial Growth Interval 2 N/A Not collected 30 Height Growth Interval YES Always “5” 31 Fuel Photo Reference YES Contractor GTR-INT-122and RMRS-GTR-153 32 Precision Protocol YES Always “CSE” 33 Examiner YES Contractor First and Last Name 34 Remarks YES Contractor 35 Damage Category NO Contractor 36 Damage Agent NO Contractor 37 Damage Severity NO Contractor 38 Species of Management Interest NO Contractor Species of Management Interest 39 User Code YES If specified in Task Order

40 Sketch Map NO Contractor If GPS errors arise or specified in Task Order 41 Traverse Notes YES Contractor If GPS-related errors arise

All Setting Form fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the setting form provided in each Task Orders. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

B. Sample Design Form (CSE)

Sample Designs will be provided with the Task Order and Site List. Sample Designs may be Variable Plot or Fixed Plot to sample large trees (live or dead). Small trees will be sampled with a fixed area plot.

Unless specified in the Task Order, the Contractor shall determine the size of the fixed plot or which Basal Area Factor (BAF) to use to sample the large trees. To determine the BAF or fixed plot size, a minimum of 5.0 trees per plot (greater than 5.0 inches DBH/DRC) average must be obtained on the plots in the stand. For BAF, allowable factors are 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, or 60. If a BAF of 10 is used, the

5.0 trees per plot average will be waived.

Where a BAF of 10 is used, the contractor shall use a plot size of 1/50 on all small tree fixed plots unless otherwise specified in the task order. The same BAF and/or fixed plot sizes shall be used throughout the stand.

The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Sample Design Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the Required column. The contractor shall use the Sample Design form for all plots.

For CFLR data collection, the Contractor shall use a BAF of 10 for all variable plots. Three -1/300 fixed radius small tree subplots shall be established as described in each Task Order. The data from the subplots shall be summed and recorded as a 1/100 acre plot.

Required

Region YES Government Proclaimed Forest YES Government District YES Government Location/Watershed Alias YES Site List Stand Number YES Site List 1 Sample Selection Method YES Government Sample Design Form 2 Sample Expansion Factor YES Contractor or Government Survey Stand List/Field 3 Starting Azimuth N/A Not collected 4 Subpop Filter YES Government Sample Design Form 5 Selection Criteria Number YES Government Sample Design Form 6 Subpop Variable YES Government Sample Design Form 7 Subpop Minimum Value YES Government Sample Design Form 8 Subpop Maximum Value YES Government Sample Design Form 9 Remarks YES Contractor If needed

All sample design fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the design form provided in each Task Order. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

C. Plot Form (CSE)

As specified in a Task Order, the following items are required to be recorded at each plot on the Plot form. Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data item are found in the Common Stand Exam Users Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property). The contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Plot Data Form for all data items that are set to “YES” in the Required column

Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, and Plot Data with the following:

Capable Grow Area Percent. Based on a 1/10th acre plot, ocular estimate and record the percent of the area that can support tree growth. If the plot has no trees present and is not capable of supporting tree growth (nonstockable), record a 0 percent. If a portion of the plot is capable of supporting trees (stockable), record the percent of the plot area that is capable of supporting trees.

Field Number

Region YES Government Always “02” Proclaimed Forest YES Government Provided at prework conference District YES Government Provided at prework conference

Location/Watershed Alias YES Site List Survey Stand List Stand Number YES Site List Survey Stand List 1 Plot Number YES Site List Survey Stand List 2 Latitude YES Contractor GPS - format dd mm ss.s 3 Longitude YES Contractor GPS - format dd mm ss.s 4 Capable Grow Area YES Contractor Measured on a 1/10 ac plot 5 Aspect YES Contractor If required on Task Order 6 Slope YES Contractor If required on Task Order 7 Slope Position YES Contractor If required on Task Order 8 Slope Horz Shape N/A Not collected 9 Slope Vert Shape N/A Not collected 10 Elevation YES Contractor If required on Task Order 11 Existing Vegetation N/A Not collected 12 Potential Vegetation YES Contractor Provided at prework conference 13 Fuel Model YES Derived from GTR-INT-122; RMRS-GTR-153 14 Residual Description Code YES Contractor If required on Task Order 15 Dist Seed Wall N/A Not collected 16 History YES Contractor If required on Task Order 17 History Date YES Contractor If required on Task Order 18 User Code YES If required on Task Order 19 Plot Remarks YES Contractor Borderline tree DBH and Limiting Distance

All plot data fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the plot data form provided in each Task Order. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

The Plot Number field shall be changed such that it corresponds to the assigned plot number in each task order for any given plot location.

For CFLR Data Collection, Field 2 and 3. Latitude and longitude shall be collected with a sub-meter accuracy resource grade GPS. If the accuracy level at the time of recording is lower than two (2) meters, differential correction through post processing shall be required.

D. Tree Form (CSE)

Begin recording standing tree data on the Tree form at azimuth 360 (North), progressing in a clockwise direction around plot center. Trees shall be recorded in the following order:

a. Growth Sample Trees located on the variable radius plot or large fixed radius plot or small fixed radius plot (if required).

b. Live Trees trees located on the variable radius plot or large fixed radius plot.

c. Dead Standing trees located on the variable radius plot or large fixed radius plot, if sampling design is separate.

d. Live Trees trees located on the small fixed radius plot.

e. Site trees that are located off plot.

Unless otherwise specified in the task order, for the small fixed plot surveys, group trees of the same species with DBH less than 5 inches into one of four diameter classes as described in the table below.

Enter an average height for the trees that fall into each category.

Diameter Class Contains trees with DBH of: Comments

0 0 Only for trees shorter than 4.5’

0.5 0.01 – 0.99 2 1.00 – 2.99 4 3.00 – 4.99

For CLFR Data Collection:

Diameter Class Contains trees with DBH of: Comments

0 0 Group by height in 2’ categories

0.5 0.1 – 0.99

1.5 1.00 – 1.99

2.5 2.00 – 2.99

3.5 3.00 – 3.99

4.5 4.00 – 4.99

Amend Common Stand Exam User Guide, Chapter 4, and Tree Data with the following:

Field 4: Site/Growth Trees. A minimum of three (3) site trees will be sampled per stand. Site trees species selected shall be representative of the species comprising the cover type of the stand.

Acceptable site tree species are listed in each Task Order -- List of Acceptable Site Tree Species.

Field 9: DRC. For multi-stemmed trees, calculate using the three (3) largest stems. Identify the measured stems with flagging or a scratch mark on the bole.

Field 10: Height. Heights shall be required for all trees recorded.

Field 21, 22, 24: Damage. The presence or absence of Dwarf mistletoe shall be checked on all pine species and Douglas fir. Always record if present regardless of what other damages have been recorded. For all other damages, only record significant damages that are most affecting tree growth and/or longevity. For all trees, a maximum of three (3) damages shall be recorded. If a tree has no significant damage, record no damages for that tree.

The table below shows the maximum amount tree data fields that could be collected for each type of exam. Unless otherwise specified in individual task orders the contractor shall be responsible for collecting and filling out the Tree Data Form for all data items that are set to “X” in the Required column for the specified exam level. See the Common Stand Exam Users Guide for accuracy standards for each type of exam.

Detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data field are found in the Common Stand Exam User Guide and Appendices (see Government Furnished Property).

Field

Number

Field Description

Required by Exam Level Data Source

Required for:

Intensive Extensive Quick Plot

Location/Watershed Alias

X X X Site List

Stand Number X X X Site List

1 Plot Number X X X Government

2 Tag ID X X X Contractor

3 Tree Status X X X Contractor

4 Tree Class Contractor

5 Site/GST Site & Growth Site trees Contractor

6 Species X X X Contractor

7 Tree Count X X X Contractor

8 DRC Number Stems

X X X Contractor DRC species only

9 DBH/DRC X X X Contractor Trees > 4.5’ tall.

10 Height X X X Contractor All trees

11 Height to Crown X X Contractor All live trees > than 4.5’ in height

12 Radial Growth X Contractor Growth sample trees >3+inches DBH or DRC

13 Radial Grow 2 N/A N/A N/A Not collected

14 Height Growth X Contractor Growth sample trees < 3 inches DBH/DRC or < 4.5’ in height

15 Age X Contractor Site & growth sample trees

16 Crown Ratio X X Contractor All live trees > than 4.5’ in height

17 Crown Class X Contractor All live trees > than 4.5’ in height

18 Crown Width X Contractor All live trees > than 4.5’ in height

19 Wildlife Use X X Contractor All trees

20 Log/Snag Decay X X Contractor All standing and down dead trees

21 Cone Serotiny X Contractor Lodgepole pine trees 1+ inches

DBH

22 Damage Category X X Contractor All trees with damage.

Record 3 most severe.

23 Damage Agent X Contractor Required if damage category is not blank

24 Damage Part X Contractor

25 Damage Severity X X Contractor Required if damage category is not blank

26 Tree Remarks X Contractor When applicable

27 User Determined X X Contractor If specified in Task Order

All tree data fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the tree data form provided in each Task Order. Fields not specifically required by each task order are to be skipped on the form.

For CFLR data collection, Field 27: User defined. Each tree shall be classified and recorded as OLD (old), MOD (transitional), or YNG (young) as described in the report RMRS-GTR-110.

E. Vegetation Composition Form (CSE)

If required by a specific task order, vegetation composition forms 1-4 may be collected on a plot size of 1/10 acre (37.2 foot radius) and recorded on the vegetation composition form. Form 4 (ground surface cover) shall be collected on 1/100 acre (11.8 foot radius) plot.

The required exam levels and species lists will be provided with the individual Task Orders.

Form 4: The sum of all ground cover types must equal 100%. Foliar canopy cover above the soil surface plane is not considered ground surface cover.

Exam Level

Interested in Obtaining

Species to record Subpop.

Min.

Subpop.

Max.

Form 1 Form 2 Form 3 Form 4

TES, NOX, and/or the dominant four species Only specific species

See Task Order

100 Yes Yes Task Order Task Order

3 All species All species to a specified % See Task

Order 100 Yes Yes Task Order Task Order

All species, including TES and NOX to trace

All species to a specified %, but species on a list to trace

See Task Order

100 Yes Yes Task Order Task Order

For CFLR Data Collection, vegetation composition forms 3 and 4 will be collected on five – 1/750 acre subplots (4.3 foot radius), the data from which shall be averaged for each form and entered as a 1/150 acre plot. The subplots shall be distributed around plot center as described in each Task Order.

For CLFR Data Collection, Form 3: Record the canopy cover percent of all species of management interest that are present in the subplots to the nearest 1%. Use 0.1% for species present but less than 1%. No species may exceed 100% but total cover for all species may exceed 100% if crowns overlap The following items are required at each plot, detailed information and lists of valid codes for each data item are found in the Common Stand Exam Users Guide and Appendices:

Form Type

Data Source

Remarks Form 1 Form 2 Form

Form

Region Yes Yes Yes Yes Government Proclaimed Forest Yes Yes Yes Yes Government District Yes Yes Yes Yes Government Location/Watershed Alias Yes Yes Yes Yes Site List Stand Number Yes Yes Yes Yes Site List Plot Num Yes Yes Yes Yes Contractor Life Form Yes Yes Yes NA Contractor Layer Yes Yes No NA Contractor Layer Code Yes Yes No NA Contractor Species Na Yes Yes NA Contractor Canopy cover Yes Yes Yes NA Contractor Predominant height Yes Yes No NA Contractor For Trees only Predominant dbh/drc Yes Yes No NA Contractor For Trees only Predominant age NA No No NA Contractor Maturity NA No No NA Contractor Shrub Form NA No No NA Contractor For Shrubs only User defined data No No No NO Contractor Remarks No No No NO Contractor Surface Cover Type NA NA NA Yes Contractor Cover % NA NA NA Yes Contractor

All vegetation composition data, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the vegetation composition form provided in each Task Order. Fields not specifically required by the Task Order are to be skipped on the form. All ground surface cover data, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the Ground Surface Cover Form provided in each Task Order. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

F. Down Woody Form (CSE)

Down woody material data may be collected by either a piece count on a fixed area plot (method 1B, Common Stand Exam Users Guide) or by Brown’s Protocol, as specified for individual Task Orders.

Piece Count on Fixed Area Plot: Plot size may either be selected by the Government or the Contractor, depending on the Task Order. Minimum diameter and piece length will be specified in the Sample Design in the Task Order. See Chapter 4 of the Common Stand Exam User Guide for detail on methods.

Brown’sPlanar Intercept Method -. See Chapter 4 of the Common Stand Exam User Guide for detailed information and valid codes for each data field. Transect lengths will be provided with the Sample Design for each Task Order.

Collect Brown’s Planar Intercept data along a 0 degree azimuth. If landscape features make this impossible (e.g. cliff edge), then collect transect data along a 180 degree azimuth. Record the azimuth of the transect on the plot center marker.

For CFLR Data Collection- At each plot, collect Brown’s Planar Intercept data along two- 50 foot transects as described in each Task Order. Data from each transect will be summed and recorded.

Source

Comments

Region YES Government Proclaimed Forest YES Government District YES Government Location/Watershed Alias YES Site List Stand Number YES Site List 1 Plot Number YES Contractor 2 First Duff YES Contractor 3 Second Duff YES Contractor 4 Fuel Depth YES Contractor 5 First Litter YES Contractor 6 Second Litter YES Contractor 7 Twig 1 (0-.24) YES Contractor 8 Twig 2 (.25-.99) YES Contractor 9 Twig 3 (1.0-2.99) YES Contractor 10 Piece Count YES Contractor 11 Decay Class YES Contractor 12 Diameter YES Contractor 13 Diameter Large End NO Contractor 14 Diameter Small End NO Contractor 15 Piece Length NO Contractor 16 Volume 1 NO Contractor 17 Weight 1 NO Contractor 18 Volume 2 NO Contractor 19 Weight 2 NO Contractor 20 Volume 3 NO Contractor 21 Weight 3 NO Contractor 22 Volume 4 NO Contractor 23 Weight 4 NO Contractor

All down woody fields, whether required by this contract or not, are included on the down woody form provided in each Task Order. Fields not specifically required by this contract are to be skipped on the form.

G. R2 FSVEG Spatial Polygon Vegetation Attributes Form.

This form shall be completed for each stand that is included in the task order unless otherwise noted in the task order. The field crew shall walk through the entire stand before completing the form. Detailed information and lists of valid codes are in the R2 Supplement to the FSVEG Spatial User Guide.

The contractor will be responsible for collecting and filling out the ‘R2 FSVEG SPATIAL POLYGON VEGETATION ATTRIBUTES FORM’ for each polygon listed in task orders, and will complete all data items that are set to “YES” in the required column:

Item Description Required Data Source Comments

POLYGON INFORMATION

Setting ID (16 digits) YES Government Survey Stand List in task order Region, Forest, District code YES Government Survey Stand List in task order Location YES Government Survey Stand List in task order Polygon ID YES Government Survey Stand List in task order Species Survey Method YES Government Unless otherwise specified, use the CROWN method Recorder YES Contractor First, MI, Last Prev Cover Type YES Contractor If the polygon does not currently have a total of 25% crown cover of trees, but was previously tree cover, enter the previous SAF tree cover type. (Refer to code list)

Stocking Flag YES

SAMPLE INFORMATION

Date YES Contractor mm/dd/yyyy Purpose code YES Government Always record ‘WV’ Horizontal Diversity YES Contractor Enter ‘P’ or ‘C’

(Refer to code list definitions) Tree condition YES Contractor Enter ‘A’, ‘P’, ‘D’, or ‘S’

(Refer to code list definitions) Habitat Structural Stage NO Government Will be calculated by the government from the data collected Tree Canopy Closure YES Contractor Used for the CROWN survey method only. Record the total crown cover of trees within the polygon on one plane looking down, corrected for overlap. Codes 1-100.

PHOTO FLIGHT ID

Photo Project NO Date NO

SPECIES ATTRIBUTES

Lifeform/GSC YES Contractor Refer to code list definitions Layer YES Contractor 0, 1, 2, 3 (Refer to code list definitions) Species YES Contractor National Plants Database plant codes Cover % (Live) YES Contractor Record the % live cover based on the cover method used – 1-100 Size Class YES Contractor Record the size of tree and shrub lifeforms (Refer to code list definitions) Tree Dead % (Standing Dead) YES Contractor Record the % of live cover lost to dead – 1-100

H. CFLR Data Collection Specifications

CFLR data must be collected in two stages. The first stage of data collection will occur prior to the implementation of vegetation treatments by the Government. The second stage of data collection will involve re-measurement after the vegetation treatments are complete. Second stage data collection shall occur at the exact same plot locations established during the first stage. The Contractor shall be required to relocate the plot centers that were monumented during the first stage of data collection using a sub-meter accuracy resource grade GPS and triangulation from previously established bearing trees. Failure to relocate the plots may make the survey unsatisfactory.

The original data may be resubmitted in cases where there is no change (i.e. Setting Form, Sample Design Form, and Plot Form). Where some change is expected, the original files may be edited to reflect changes caused by the Government’s vegetation treatment (i.e. Large Tree Form, Small Tree Form, Vegetation Composition Form, and Brown’s transect) and then resubmitted.

I. Field Protocol for Digital Images (CFLRP plots and lynx cover board photos)

For CFLR Data Collection -Five photographic images shall be taken at each plot center. The photos shall be taken in the following order:

1) A legible image of the GPS screen showing the GPS coordinates.

2) An image facing North (0/360 degrees) with horizontal cover board at 33 feet from plot center.

3) An image facing East (90 degrees) with horizontal cover board at 33 feet from plot center.

4) An image facing South (180 degrees) with horizontal cover board at 33 feet from plot center.

5) An image facing West (270 degrees) with horizontal cover board at 33 feet from plot center.

Each image shall be taken at the widest camera angle setting and at a minimum resolution of 1280x960 pixels per inch. The camera settings shall be adjusted for weather conditions (e.g. glare, poor lighting) to provide a correctly exposed image. Photos shall be in focus and may not diverge by more than 20 degrees from each magnetically corrected cardinal direction. If tree limbs or boles obscure greater than 30% of the image, the Contractor shall move up to 6 feet to the left or right to obtain an unobstructed view.

Lynx Cover Board Photos – If specified in the Task Order, five photographic images shall be taken from each plot center. The photos shall be taken in the following order:

1) A legible image of an 8.5 x 11” sheet of paper with Location/Stand, plot numbers, and percent slope.

2) An image facing North (0/360 degrees) with cover board at 36.7 feet (11.2m) from plot center.

3) An image facing East (90 degrees) with cover board at 36.7 feet from plot center.

4) An image facing South (180 degrees) with cover board at 36.7 feet (11.2 m)from plot center.

5) An image facing West (270 degrees) with cover board at 36.7 feet (11.2 m)from plot center.

The cover board should rest on the ground/substrate surface. Photos should be taken from plot center and should INCLUDE any visual obstructions present (i.e. do not move from plot center if tree boles or other obstructions are obscuring the cover board). Photos should be taken at eye level, be in focus, and taken using a normal lens angle (do not zoom in). Minimum camera requirements are 4 megapixels with the ability to produce a clear 8.5 x 11” photo. Photos will be submitted on a CD- R/DVD with each submitted data block.

J. Format Data is to be Provided

Data recorded on paper forms shall not be accepted (except stand sketches and traverse notes where applicable). Data shall be provided to the Government in electronic files on CD-R disks, DVD-R disks, a portable USB flash drive, portable flash memory card, or via contractor provided FTP site. An email with a zipped attached file shall also be acceptable. The file shall be zipped to help avoid data corruption. With any electronic media, data must be readable by the Government’s computers (Windows 7 operating system). Adjustments shall not be made for software or hardware errors that result in data error or loss of data.

Unless otherwise specified, the R2 FSVEG Spatial Polygon Vegetation Attributes Form data shall be submitted in the .TRU file format for each stand in a Task Order. Specific electronic file naming conventions shall be outlined during the prework conference. A listing of all settings and plots contained in each submitted data file shall also be provided.