http //fs.fed.us/rm/ogden/data-collection/pdf/iwfia_p2_60.pdf

INTERIOR WEST FOREST INVENTORY

& ANALYSIS

P2 FIELD PROCEDURES

January, 2013 (V6.00)

Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis Field Procedures, Version 6.00

Table of Contentsi

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

RM Program Purpose RM Field Organization RM Quality Assurance RM Personal Conduct and Safety RM Equipment and Supplies RM Everyday Considerations Field Guide Layout Data Element Name

0.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

0.1 PLOT SETUP

0.1.0RM Finding the Plot Center 0.1.1RM Land Owner/Management Agency Verification 0.1.2RM Planning Travel to the Vicinity of the Plot Center 0.1.3RM Finding the Plot Center – New Locations 0.1.3.1RM Establishing PC with the Garmin GPS Receiver 0.1.4RM Photo Work 0.1.5RM Finding the Plot Center – Remeasurement Locations 0.1.5.1RM RP Not Found 0.1.5.2RM Lack of suitable RP 0.1.5.3RM Plot Center Incorrectly Placed or Not Found 0.1.5.4RM Traversing to the PC 0.1.5.5RM PC Verification 0.1.5.6RM Moving the Pinprick

0.2 Plot Integrity

0.3.0RM Field Procedure Overview 0.3.1RM Circumstances Precluding Plot Establishment 0.3.2RM Plots with Accessible Forest Land Present 0.3.3RM Plots with No Accessible Forest Land Present 0.3.4RM Remeasurement, P3, Accounting, and All Condition Inventory plots (ACI) 0.3.5RM Reserved Lands/Wilderness Areas 0.4RM Tree Sampling Procedures 0.4.1RM Sampling Procedures 0.4.2RM Subplot Tree Tally 0.4.3RM Microplot Sapling Tally 0.4.4RM Seedling Counts

1.0 PLOT LEVEL DATA

1.1 STATE

1.2 COUNTY

1.3 PLOT NUMBER

1.4 PLOT STATUS

1.6 NONFOREST PLOT STATUS

1.7 PLOT NONSAMPLED REASON

1.7.1RM CONDITION CLASS CHANGE

Table of Contents

January, 2013 ii

1.9 SUBPLOTS EXAMINED

1.10 SAMPLE KIND

1.10.1RM REGIONAL SAMPLE KIND

1.11 PREVIOUS PLOT NUMBER

1.12 FIELD GUIDE VERSION

1.13 CURRENT DATE

1.13.1 YEAR

1.13.2 MONTH

1.13.3 DAY

1.14 DECLINATION (CORE OPTIONAL)

1.15 HORIZONTAL DISTANCE TO IMPROVED ROAD

1.16 WATER ON PLOT

1.17 QA STATUS

1.18 CREW NUMBER

1.18.5RM PREVIOUS NUMBER OF POINTS MEASURED

1.18.6RM POINTS ACCOUNTED

1.18.7RM PREVIOUS NUMBER OF MICROPLOTS MEASURED

1.18.8RM MICROPLOTS ACCOUNTED

1.18.9RM ACCOUNTING LAND USE

1.19 GPS Coordinates

1.19.1 GPS Unit Settings, Datum, and COORDINATE SYSTEM

1.19.2 Collecting Readings

1.19.3 GPS UNIT (RM GPS TYPE)

1.19.4 GPS SERIAL NUMBER

1.19.5 GPS ENTRY METHOD

1.19.6 GPS DATUM

1.19.7 COORDINATE SYSTEM

1.19.10 UTM ZONE

1.19.11 EASTING (X) UTM

1.19.12 NORTHING (Y) UTM

1.19.13 Correction For “Offset” Location

1.19.14 AZIMUTH TO PLOT CENTER

1.19.15 DISTANCE TO PLOT CENTER

1.19.16 GPS ELEVATION

1.19.17 GPS ERROR

1.19.18 NUMBER OF READINGS

1.19.19 GPS FILENAME (CORE OPTIONAL)

1.20 MACROPLOT BREAKPOINT DIAMETER (CORE OPTIONAL)

1.20.1RM FUTURE FOREST POTENTIAL

1.21 PLOT NOTES

2.0 CONDITION CLASS

2.0.1RM CONDITION CLASS INTRODUCTION

2.1 DETERMINATION OF CONDITION CLASS

2.1.1 Step 1: Delineate the plot area by CONDITION CLASS STATUS

2.1.2 Step 2: Further subdivide Accessible Forest Land by 6

delineation variables

2.1.3 Step 3: When inventorying Nonforest Land, delineate accessible Nonforest Land by 3 delineation variables

Table of Contentsiii

2.2 CONDITION CLASS STATUS DEFINITIONS

2.3 CONDITION CLASS ATTRIBUTES

2.3.1 Forest Land

2.3.2 Nonforest Land

2.4 DELINEATING CONDITION CLASSES DIFFERING IN

CONDITION CLASS STATUS:

2.4.1 CONDITION CLASS NUMBER

2.4.2 CONDITION CLASS STATUS

2.4.3 CONDITION NONSAMPLED REASON

2.4.4 NONFOREST CONDITION CLASS STATUS

2.4.5 NONFOREST CONDITION NONSAMPLED REASON

2.5 DELINEATING CONDITION CLASSES WITHIN ACCESSIBLE

FOREST LAND:

2.5.1 RESERVED STATUS

2.5.2 OWNER GROUP

2.5.3 FOREST TYPE

2.5.4 STAND SIZE CLASS

2.5.5 REGENERATION STATUS

2.5.6 TREE DENSITY

2.5.7 OWNER

2.5.8 OWNER CLASS

2.5.9 OWNER SUB-CLASS (CORE OPTIONAL)

2.5.10 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIVELY WITHDRAWN STATUS

(CORE OPTIONAL)

2.5.11 ADMINISTRATIVELY WITHDRAWN AREA NAME

2.5.12 ADMINISTRATIVELY WITHDRAWN NOTES (CORE OPTIONAL)

2.5.13 RESERVED AREA NAME

2.5.14 ARTIFICIAL REGENERATION SPECIES

2.5.15 STAND AGE

2.5.15.1RM CONDITION HABITAT TYPE

2.5.15.2ACI RANGE TYPE

2.5.16 DISTURBANCE 1

2.5.17 DISTURBANCE YEAR 1

2.5.18 DISTURBANCE 2

2.5.19 DISTURBANCE YEAR 2

2.5.20 DISTURBANCE 3

2.5.21 DISTURBANCE YEAR 3

2.5.22 TREATMENT 1

2.5.23 TREATMENT YEAR 1

2.5.24 TREATMENT 2

2.5.25 TREATMENT YEAR 2

2.5.26 TREATMENT 3

2.5.27 TREATMENT YEAR 3

2.5.28 PHYSIOGRAPHIC CLASS

2.5.29 LAND COVER CLASS

2.5.30 PRESENT NONFOREST LAND USE

2.5.30.1RM LAND USE

2.5.30.2RM PERCENT BARE GROUND

2.5.31 CANOPY COVER SAMPLE METHOD

January, 2013 iv

2.5.31.1RM CROWN COVER

2.5.32 LIVE CANOPY COVER

2.5.33 LIVE PLUS MISSING CANOPY COVER

2.5.34 CURRENT AFFORESTATION CODE

2.5.35 PREVIOUS AFFORESTATION CODE

2.5.36 TOTAL STEMS

2.5.37 CHAINING CODE

2.6RM CONDITION STATUS CHANGE

3.0 SUBPLOT INFORMATION

3.1 SUBPLOT NUMBER

3.2 SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT STATUS

3.3 SUBPLOT NONSAMPLED REASON

3.4 NONFOREST SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT STATUS

3.5 NONFOREST SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT NONSAMPLED REASON ...99

3.6 SUBPLOT CENTER CONDITION

3.7 MICROPLOT CENTER CONDITION

3.8 SUBPLOT SLOPE

3.9 SUBPLOT ASPECT

3.10 SNOW/WATER DEPTH

3.11 SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT CONDITION LIST

3.11.1RM ROOT DISEASE SEVERITY RATING (Collected only in Region 1 in ID and MT)

3.11.2ACI GROUND SURFACE COVER TRANSECTS

3.11.3RM COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION FOR SPECIMEN LABEL

4.0 BOUNDARY REFERENCES

4.1 REFERENCE PROCEDURE

4.2 BOUNDARY DATA

4.2.1 SUBPLOT NUMBER

4.2.2 PLOT TYPE

4.2.3 BOUNDARY CHANGE

4.2.4 CONTRASTING CONDITION

4.2.5 LEFT AZIMUTH

4.2.6 CORNER AZIMUTH

4.2.7 CORNER DISTANCE

4.2.8 RIGHT AZIMUTH

5.0 TREE AND SAPLING DATA

5.1 SUBPLOT NUMBER

5.2 TREE RECORD NUMBER

5.3 CONDITION CLASS NUMBER

5.4 AZIMUTH

5.5 HORIZONTAL DISTANCE

5.6 PREVIOUS TREE STATUS

5.7 PRESENT TREE STATUS

5.7.1 RECONCILE

5.7.2 STANDING DEAD

5.7.3 MORTALITY (CORE OPTIONAL)

Table of Contentsv

5.8 SPECIES

5.9 DIAMETER

5.9.1 PREVIOUS DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT

5.9.2 DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH)

5.9.3 PREVIOUS DIAMETER AT ROOT COLLAR

5.9.4 DIAMETER AT ROOT COLLAR (DRC)

5.9.4.1 DRC STEM DIAMETER

5.9.4.2 DRC STEM STATUS

5.10 PAST NUMBER OF STEMS

5.11 CURRENT NUMBER OF STEMS

5.12 DIAMETER CHECK

5.13 ROTTEN/MISSING CULL (CORE OPTIONAL)

5.14 TOTAL LENGTH

5.14.1RM PAST TOTAL TREE LENGTH

5.14.2RM ABNORMAL TERMINATION

5.15 ACTUAL LENGTH

5.15.1RM PAST ACTUAL TREE LENGTH

5.16 LENGTH METHOD

5.17 CROWN CLASS

5.18 UNCOMPACTED LIVE CROWN RATIO

5.19 COMPACTED CROWN RATIO

5.20 TREE DAMAGE (CORE)

5.20.1 DAMAGE AGENT 1

5.20.2 DAMAGE AGENT 2

5.20.3 DAMAGE AGENT 3

5.21 CAUSE OF DEATH

5.22 MORTALITY YEAR (CORE OPTIONAL)

5.23 DECAY CLASS

5.24 LENGTH TO DIAMETER MEASUREMENT POINT

(CORE OPTIONAL)

5.24.1RM PERCENT VOLUME MISSING TOP

5.25 ROUGH CULL (CORE OPTIONAL)

5.25.1RM SOUND DEAD

5.25.2RM FORM DEFECT

5.25.3RM PAST TREE CLASS

5.25.4RM CURRENT TREE CLASS

5.25.5RM RADIAL GROWTH/ AGE CODE

5.25.6RM RADIAL GROWTH and

5.25.7RM TREE AGE

5.25.8RM RADIAL GROWTH AND TREE AGE CHECK

5.26 DWARF MISTLETOE CLASS (CORE OPTIONAL)

5.27 TREE NOTES

6.0 SEEDLING DATA

6.1 SUBPLOT NUMBER

6.2 SPECIES

6.3 CONDITION CLASS NUMBER

6.4 SEEDLING COUNT

6.4.1RM COUNT CHECK

January, 2013 vi

6.4.2RM SEEDLING AGE

6.4.3RM TOTAL SEEDLING AGE

7.0 SITE TREE INFORMATION

7.1 SITE TREE SELECTION

7.1.1RM Site Tree Requirements 7.1.2RM Site Tree Selection

7.2 SITE TREE DATA VARIABLES

7.2.0RM TREE RECORD NUMBER

7.2.1 CONDITION CLASS LIST

7.2.2 SPECIES

7.2.3 DIAMETER

7.2.4 SITE TREE LENGTH

7.2.4.1RM SITE TREE

7.2.4.2RM RADIAL GROWTH AND TREE AGE CHECK

7.2.5 TREE AGE AT DIAMETER

7.2.6 SITE TREE NOTES

7.2.7 SUBPLOT NUMBER (CORE OPTIONAL)

7.2.8 AZIMUTH (CORE OPTIONAL)

7.2.9 HORIZONTAL DISTANCE (CORE OPTIONAL)

8.0 PHASE 2 (P2) VEGETATION PROFILE (CORE OPTIONAL)

8.1 Vegetation Sampling Design

8.2 General definitions

8.3 P2 Vegetation Sampling Options – Plot-Level Variables

8.3.1 P2 VEGETATION SAMPLING STATUS

8.3.2 LEVEL OF DETAIL

8.4 Vegetation Data Collection Location – Subplot-Level Variables

8.4.1 SUBPLOT NUMBER

8.4.2 P2 VEG SUBPLOT SAMPLE STATUS

8.4.3 VEGETATION NONSAMPLED REASON

8.4.4 CONDITION CLASS NUMBER

8.4.5 VEGETATION SUBPLOT NOTES

8.5 Vegetation Structure

8.5.1 TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 1

8.5.2 TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 2

8.5.3 TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 3

8.5.4 TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 4

8.5.5 TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER – AERIAL VIEW

8.5.6 NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 1

8.5.7 NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 2

8.5.8 NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 3

8.5.9 NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 4

8.5.10 NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER – AERIAL VIEW

8.5.11 SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER LAYER 1

8.5.12 SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER LAYER 2

8.5.13 SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER LAYER 3

8.5.14 SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER LAYER 4

8.5.15 SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER—AERIAL

Table of Contentsvii

VIEW

8.5.16 FORB COVER LAYER 1

8.5.17 FORB COVER LAYER 2

8.5.18 FORB COVER LAYER 3

8.5.19 FORB COVER LAYER 4

8.5.20 FORB COVER—AERIAL VIEW

8.5.21 GRAMINOID COVER LAYER 1

8.5.22 GRAMINOID COVER LAYER 2

8.5.23 GRAMINOID COVER LAYER 3

8.5.24 GRAMINOID COVER LAYER 4

8.5.25 GRAMINOID COVER—AERIAL VIEW

8.6 Species Composition

8.6.1 SPECIES GROWTH HABIT

8.6.2 SPECIES CODE

8.6.3 UNIQUE SPECIES NUMBER

8.6.4 SPECIES CANOPY COVER

8.6.5 SPECIES VEGETATION LAYER

8.6.6 SPECIMEN OFFICIALLY COLLECTED

8.6.6.1RM Community Description for Specimen Label

8.6.7 SPECIMEN LABEL NUMBER

8.6.8 P2 SPECIMEN NOT COLLECTED REASON CODE

8.6.9 VEGETATION SPECIES NOTES

9.0 INVASIVE PLANTS (CORE OPTIONAL)

9.1 Invasive species sample design

9.2 Species Records

9.3 INVASIVE PLANT SAMPLING STATUS (Plot-level variable)

9.4 SUBPLOT NUMBER

9.5 INVASIVE PLANT SUBPLOT SAMPLE STATUS

(Subplot-level variable)

9.6 INVASIVE PLANT NONSAMPLED REASON

(Subplot-level variable)

9.7 INVASIVE PLANT DATA NOTES

9.8 CONDITION CLASS NUMBER

9.9 SPECIES CODE

9.10 UNIQUE SPECIES NUMBER

9.11 SPECIES CANOPY COVER

9.12 INVASIVE PLANT SPECIMEN COLLECTION RULE

(Plot-level variable)

9.13 INVASIVE SPECIMEN COLLECTED

9.14 SPECIMEN LABEL NUMBER

9.15 INVASIVE PLANT NOTES

9.16 References

10 DOWN WOODY MATERIALS (Phase 2 – CORE OPTIONAL)

10.0 Introduction

10.1 Definition of Down Woody Materials

10.2 Locating and Establishing Line Transects

10.2.1 CWD Transects

January, 2013 viii

10.2.2 FWD Transects

10.3 Plot-Level Variables for DWM Protocol

10.3.1 DWM SAMPLING STATUS (BASE)

10.3.2 DWM NUMBER OF SUBPLOTS (BASE)

10.3.3 DWM NUMBER OF TRANSECTS ON SUBPLOT (BASE)

10.3.4 DWM TRANSECT LENGTH (BASE)

10.3.5 DWM NOTES (BASE)

10.4 Optional Fuels Variables for DWM Protocol

10.4.1 CONDITION FUELBED TYPE (OPTIONAL)

10.5 Transect Line Segmenting

10.5.1 SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE)

10.5.2 TRANSECT (BASE)

10.5.3 SEGMENT CONDITION CLASS NUMBER (BASE)

10.5.4 SEGMENT BEGINNING DISTANCE (BASE)

10.5.5 SEGMENT ENDING DISTANCE (BASE)

10.5.6 DWM TRANSECT SEGMENT SAMPLE STATUS (BASE)

10.5.7 DWM TRANSECT SEGMENT NONSAMPLED REASON (BASE)

10.6 Sampling Methods for COARSE WOODY DEBRIS (CWD)

10.6.1 Tally Rules for Coarse Woody Debris (CWD)

10.6.2 Marking CWD (OPTIONAL)

10.6.3 Recording Procedures for CWD

10.6.3.1 SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE)

10.6.3.2 TRANSECT (BASE)

10.6.3.3 CWD CONDITION CLASS (BASE)

10.6.3.4 PIECE ON SUBPLOT OR ANNULAR PLOT? (BASE)

10.6.3.5 CWD HORIZONTAL DISTANCE (WILDLIFE OPTION)

10.6.3.6 CWD DECAY CLASS (BASE)

10.6.3.7 SPECIES (BASE)

10.6.3.8 Diameters

10.6.3.8.1 DIAMETER AT POINT OF INTERSECTION (BASE)

10.6.3.8.2 DIAMETER OF HOLLOW AT POINT OF INTERSECTION (BASE) ..236

10.6.3.8.3 DIAMETER AT THE SMALL END (WILDLIFE OPTION)

10.6.3.8.4 DIAMETER AT THE LARGE END (WILDLIFE OPTION)

10.6.3.9 Length Measurements

10.6.3.9.1 CWD LENGTH >= 3 FEET (BASE)

10.6.3.9.2 CWD TOTAL LENGTH (WILDLIFE OPTION)

10.6.3.10 IS THE PIECE HOLLOW? (OPTIONAL)

10.6.3.11 PIECE INCLINATION (OPTIONAL)

10.6.3.12 CWD HISTORY (OPTIONAL)

10.6.3.13 PERCENT OF LOG CHARRED BY FIRE (OPTIONAL)

10.6.3.14 LARGE END DIAMETER CLASS (OPTIONAL)

10.7 SAMPLING RESIDUE PILES

10.7.1 PILE SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE)

10.7.2 PILE TRANSECT (BASE)

10.7.3 PILE CONDITION CLASS NUMBER (BASE)

10.7.4 PILE BEGINNING DISTANCE (BASE)

10.7.5 PILE ENDING DISTANCE (BASE)

10.7.6 COMPACTED HEIGHT OF CWD IN PILE (BASE)

10.7.7 PILE DECAY CLASS (BASE)

Table of Contentsix

10.7.8 PILE SPECIES (BASE)

10.8 Sampling Methods for Fine Woody Debris (FWD)

10.8.1 FWD SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE)

10.8.2 FWD TRANSECT (BASE)

10.8.3 FWD CONDITION CLASS NUMBER (BASE)

10.8.4 FWD TRANSECT SEGMENT SAMPLE STATUS (BASE)

10.8.5 FWD TRANSECT SEGMENT NONSAMPLED REASON (BASE)

10.8.6 SMALL FWD COUNT (BASE)

10.8.7 MEDIUM FWD COUNT (BASE)

10.8.8 LARGE FWD COUNT (BASE)

10.8.9 HIGH COUNT REASON (BASE)

10.9 DUFF AND LITTER DEPTH MEASUREMENTS

10.9.1 Definitions

10.9.2 Overview of Measurements

10.9.3 DUFF/LITTER SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE)

10.9.4 DUFF/LITTER TRANSECT (BASE)

10.9.6 DUFF/LITTER SAMPLE STATUS (BASE)

10.9.7 DUFF/LITTER NONSAMPLED REASON (BASE)

10.9.8 DUFF DEPTH (BASE)

10.9.9 LITTER DEPTH (BASE)

10.9.10 DUFF AND LITTER METHOD (BASE)

10.10 References

10.11 Contact Information

11.0RM ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES

11.0.1RM Plot Layout 11.0.2RM Variable-Radius Plots 11.1RM Fixed-radius plots 11.1.1RM Sampling Methods 11.2RM Plot and Tree Data

11.2.1RM MONTH

11.2.3RM DAY

11.2.4RM YEAR

11.2.5RM PREVIOUS NUMBER OF POINTS MEASURED

11.2.6RM POINTS ACCOUNTED

11.2.7RM NON ACCOUNTED REASON

11.2.8RM PREVIOUS NUMBER OF MICROPLOTS MEASURED

11.2.9RM MICROPLOTS ACCOUNTED

11.2.10RM ACCOUNTING LAND USE

11.2.11RM CO-LOCATED

11.2.12RM POINT NUMBER

11.2.13RM TREE RECORD NUMBER

11.2.14RM AZIMUTH

11.2.15RM DISTANCE

11.2.16RM PREVIOUS TREE STATUS

11.2.17RM CURRENT TREE STATUS

11.2.18RM RECONCILE

11.2.19RM SPECIES

11.2.20RM PAST DBH/DRC

January, 2013 x

11.2.21RM CURRENT DBH/DRC

11.2.22RM DBH/DRC CHECK

11.2.23RM PAST NUMBER OF STEMS

11.2.24RM CURRENT NUMBER OF STEMS

11.2.25RM PAST TOTAL TREE LENGTH

11.2.26RM CURRENT TOTAL TREE LENGTH

11.2.27RM CAUSE OF DEATH

11.2.28RM PAST TREE CLASS

11.2.29RM CURRENT TREE CLASS

12.0RM FIELD LOCATION REFERENCE FORM and PLOT

MONUMENTATION RECORDS

12.1RM MONUMENT TYPE

12.1.1RM Truck/ATV/Camp Site/Helispot/Other 12.1.1.1RM Travel Directions 12.1.2RM Reference Point (RP) 12.1.3RM PC Witness Trees/Landmarks 12.1.4RM Lack of Suitable Witness Trees/Landmarks 12.1.5RM Subplot/Microplot Monumentation 12.2RM Depending on MONUMENT TYPE chosen, items 12.2.1RM – 12.2.17RM may have to be entered into the PDR

12.2.1RM SUBPLOT REFERENCED

12.2.2RM AZIMUTH

12.2.3RM HORIZONTAL DISTANCE

12.2.4RM SLOPE DISTANCE

12.2.5RM REFERENCE TYPE

12.2.6RM SPECIES

12.2.7RM OTHER REFERENCE

12.2.8RM DIAMETER

12.2.9RM GPS TYPE (GPS UNIT): See Section 1.19.3 12.2.10RM GPS ERROR: See Section 1.19.17 12.2.11RM NUMBER OF READINGS: See Section 1.19.18 12.2.12RM LATITUDE DEGREES: See Section 1.19.8.1 12.2.13RM LATITUDE MINUTES: See Section 1.19.8.2 12.2.14RM LATITUDE SECONDS: See Section 1.19.8.3 12.2.15RM LONGITUDE DEGREES: See Section 1.19.9.1 12.2.16RM LONGITUDE DEGREES: See Section 1.19.9.2 12.2.17RM LONGITUDE SECONDS: See Section 1.19.9.3 12.3RM GPS distance from the Truck to the PC

12.4RM OWNER INFORMATION

12.7RM LOCKED GATE

12.8RM Photographing the Plot Location

12.8.1RM PLOT PHOTO TAKEN

12.9RM Editing – Field Location Reference record only 12.10RM Field Location and Boundary Map

Appendix 1. State and County, Parish, or Borough FIPS Codes Appendix 2. FIA FOREST TYPE Codes Appendix 3. FIA Tree Species Codes

Table of Contentsxi

Appendix 6. Glossary Appendix 7. Tolerance / MQO / Value / Units Table Appendix 8. Tree Coding Guide Appendix 9. Invasive Plant List Appendix 10. Unknown Plant Specimen Collection Appendix 11. Damage Codes Appendix 12. Reserved and Administratively Withdrawn Status by Owner and Land Designation

Appendix 13. Ownership Prefield Procedures A13.1 Introduction

A13.2 STATE

A13.3 COUNTY

A13.4 PLOT NUMBER

A13.5 INVYEAR

A13.6 OWNERSHIP TYPE

A13.6.1 OWNERSHIP CONDITION LIST

A13.7 PLOT CENTER OWNER (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.8 OWNER SHORT NAME

A13.9 AGENCY

A13.10 COMPANY

A13.11 MANAGEMENT UNIT

A13.12 NAME

A13.13 ATTENTION

A13.14 ADDRESS LINE 1

A13.15 ADDRESS LINE 2

A13.16 ADDRESS LINE 3

A13.17 ADDRESS CITY

A13.18 ADDRESS STATE

A13.19 ADDRESS PROVINCE

A13.20 ADDRESS POSTAL CODE

A13.21 ADDRESS COUNTRY

A13.22 OWNERSHIP PHONE NUMBER 1 (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.23 OWNERSHIP PHONE NUMBER 1 EXTENSION

(CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.24 OWNERSHIP PHONE NUMBER 1 TYPE (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.25 OWNERSHIP PHONE NUMBER 2 (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.26 OWNERSHIP PHONE NUMBER 2 EXTENSION

(CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.27 OWNERSHIP PHONE NUMBER 2 TYPE (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.28 OWNERSHIP E-MAIL ADDRESS (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.29 DATA SOURCE (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.30 DATA SOURCE OTHER (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.31 MERIDIAN (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.32 TOWNSHIP (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.33 RANGE (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.34 SECTION (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.35 QUARTER SECTION (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.36 QUARTER QUARTER SECTION (CORE OPTIONAL)

January, 2013 xii

A13.37 QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER SECTION (CORE OPTIONAL) ...337

A13.38 MAP NUMBER (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.39 BLOCK NUMBER (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.40 PARCEL NUMBER (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.41 TRACT SIZE (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.42 TRACT PERCENT FOREST COVER (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.43 OWNER NOTES

A13.44 OWNERSHIP CONTACT NAME (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.45 OWNERSHIP CONTACT ATTEMPT NUMBER

(CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.46 OWNERSHIP CONTACT DATE (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.47 OWNERSHIP CONTACT METHOD (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.48 LAND POSTED (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.49 ACCESS GRANTED (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.50 ACCESS GRANTED DATE (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.51 ACCESS GRANTED BY (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.52 ACCESS NOTES (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.53 OWNERSHIP REQUESTS NOTICE (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.54 OWNERSHIP REQUESTS INFORMATION (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.55 INFORMATION REQUEST DETAILS (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.56 INFORMATION REQUEST FULFILLED (CORE OPTIONAL)

A13.57 Supplemental Information for Ownership Prefield Procedures A13.57.1 FIA Ownership Data Recording Examples A13.57.2 Two-letter Abbreviations for U.S. States, Territories, and Protectorates A13.57.3 Country Codes A13.57.4 Meridian Codes

RM Appendix A. Field Forms A.1 Field Location Reference Record A.2 Field Location Map and Condition Boundary Map A.3 Field Location and Subplot Description Record A.4 Condition Class Description Record A.5 Tree Data A.6 Sapling and Seedling Data A.7 P2 Vegetation Structure A.7a P2 Veg Species Composition A.8 Multistemmed Woodland Species Tally A.9 Crown/Ground Cover Supplemental Data Form A.10 Accounting Tree Data Record A.11 DWM Data Form A.12 DWM Data Form cont’d A.13 Invasive Plants A.14 ACI Ground Surface Cover Transects Form

RM Appendix B. Tree Data Techniques RM Appendix B.1 Diameter Measurement Techniques for Timber Species RM Appendix B.2 Boring for Radial Growth and Age RM Appendix B.3 Determining Tree Height

Table of Contentsxiii

RM Appendix B.4 – DEFECT CHART and GUIDELINES Examples of Defect Chart Use:

Defect Chart Guidelines

RM Appendix C. Garmin Operating Instructions C.1RM Verify Garmin Settings C.1.1RM Settings for the Garmin GPSmap 76s:

C.1.2RM Settings for the GPSmap 62s:

C.2RM Data Collection C.2.1RM Obtaining an averaged location on the GPSmap 76s:

C.2.2RM Obtaining an averaged location on the GPSmap 62s:

C.2.3RM Obtaining GPS ERROR (GPSmap 62s) C.2.4RM Obtaining NUMBER OF READINGS (GPSmap 62S) C.3RM Using Waypoints:

C.3.1RM Using the MARK key (both units) C.3.2RM Manually entering Waypoints – both GPS units (also see Editing Waypoints) C.3.3RM Acquiring Distance and Azimuth between two waypoints (GPSmap 76s) C.3.4RM Acquiring Distance and Azimuth between two waypoints (GPSmap 62s) C.3.5RM Using Waypoints for Navigation (GPSmap 76s) C.3.6RM Using Waypoints for Navigation (GPSmap 62s) C.3.7RM Editing Waypoints (GPSmap 76s) C.3.8RM Editing Waypoints (GPSmap 62s) C.4RM Projecting a Waypoint (GPSmap 62s only) – Finding the location of a subplot if the PC is inaccessible:

RM Appendix D. Laser 200 Instructions D.1RM Overview D.2RM Basic operation D.3RM Settings D.4RM Filter and Reflectors D.5RM Distances and % slope D.6RM Tree heights D.7RM Gates D.8RM Cumulative distances

RM Appendix E. All Conditions Inventory (ACI) E.1ACI Types of ACI Locations E.2ACI General Overview E.3ACI Establishing the Plot and Selecting a Reference Point:

E.4ACI Field Location Reference Form E.5ACI Intermountain Region References for Identifying Habitat Types E.5.1ACI Habitat Type Reference Bibliography (detailed reference citation): Literature Cited E.6ACI Habitat Type Manual Selection Procedure for Region 1 E.6.1ACI Habitat Type Reference Bibliography (detailed reference citation)

January, 2013 xiv

RM Appendix F. P3 Soil Measurements and Sampling

F.0 INTRODUCTION

F.1 SUMMARY OF METHOD

F.2 DEFINITIONS

F.3 EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

F.3.1 Field Gear Unique to the Soil Indicator F.3.2 Optional Soils Equipment F.3.3 Required Equipment not Unique to the Soil Indicator:

F.4 LABORATORY ANALYSES

F.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA)

F.5.1 Training And Certification F.5.2 Hot Checks, Cold Checks, and Blind Checks F.5.3 Reference Plots F.5.4 Debriefing F.6 Plot Information

F.6.1 CURRENT DATE

F.6.1.1 YEAR

F.6.1.2 MONTH

F.6.1.3 DAY

F.6.2 CREW NUMBER

F.6.3 QA STATUS

F.6.4 NOTES

F.6.1 PERCENT COVER OF BARE SOIL

F.6.2 PERCENT COMPACTED AREA ON THE SUBPLOT

F.7 SOIL EROSION AND COMPACTION

F.7.3 TYPE OF COMPACTION - RUTTED TRAIL

F.7.4 TYPE OF COMPACTION – COMPACTED TRAIL

F.7.5 TYPE OF COMPACTION – COMPACTED AREA

F.7.6 TYPE OF COMPACTION – OTHER

F.8 SOIL SAMPLE COLLECTION

F.8.1 Forest Floor F.8.3 Mineral Soil F.8.5 Alternate Sampling Methods for “Problem” Soils F.8.6 Commonly Encountered Problems F.7.7 Organic soils

F.8.8 SUBPLOT NUMBER

F.8.9 VISIT NUMBER

F.8.10 SOIL SAMPLE STATUS

F.8.11 CONDITION CLASS NUMBER

F.8.12 FOREST FLOOR THICKNESS – NORTH

F.8.13 FOREST FLOOR THICKNESS – EAST

F.8.14 FOREST FLOOR THICKNESS – SOUTH

F.8.15 FOREST FLOOR THICKNESS – WEST

F.8.16 THICKNESS OF THE LITTER LAYER - NORTH

F.8.17 THICKNESS OF THE LITTER LAYER - EAST

F.8.18 THICKNESS OF THE LITTER LAYER - SOUTH

F.8.19 THICKNESS OF THE LITTER LAYER - WEST

F.8.20 DEPTH TO RESTRICTIVE HORIZON

F.8.21 SOIL TEXTURE IN THE 0-4 INCH LAYER

Table of Contentsxv

F.8.22 SOIL TEXTURE IN THE 4-8 INCH LAYER

F.9 SAMPLE LABELS

F.10 SAMPLE SHIPPING

F.9.1 Shipping Forms

F.12 REFERENCES

F.13 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

F.13 EXAMPLE DATA SHEETS

RM Index

Section 0 – General Description1

FOREST INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS

NATIONAL CORE FIELD GUIDE

(With Interior West Regional Additions)

VOLUME I: FIELD DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES FOR PHASE 2 PLOTS

Version 6.0 (RM 6.00)

Version History:

1.1 March 1999 (first version implemented, Maine, 1999)

1.2 August 1999

1.3 September 1999 (revised from Bangor, ME Data Acquisition Band meeting, Aug 1999)

1.4 February 2000 (revised from Charleston, SC Data Acquisition Band meeting, Dec 1999)

1.5 January 2001 (revised from Portland, OR Data Acquisition Band meeting, Sept 2000)

1.6 March 2002 (revised from Tucson, AZ Joint Band meeting, Jan

2002)

1.7 February 2003 (revised from Charleston, SC Joint Band Meeting, Feb 2003)

2.0 April 2003 (revised from Atlantic City, NJ, Data Acquisition Band

Meeting, Mar 2003) October 2003 (revised from Anchorage, AK, Data Acquisition Band

Meeting, Aug. 2003) January 2004 (revised from Data Acquisition Band conference calls with FIA Management Team Approval) August 2004 (revised from Asheville, NC, Data Acquisition Band

Meeting, Aug. 2004)

3.0 October 2005 (revised from change management process, change proposals approved by FIA Management Team, from Asheville, NC, Data Acquisition Meeting, Aug. 2004, and from Las Vegas, NV, Data Acquisition Meeting, Mar. 2005)

4.0 October 2007 (revised from change management process, change proposals approved by FIA Management Team, from Flagstaff, AZ, Data Acquisition Band Meeting, Sept. 2006, and from multiple Data Acquisition Band conference calls)

5.0 July 2009 (revised from change management process, change proposals approved by FIA Management Team, from Charleston, SC, Data Acquisition Band Meeting, Mar. 2009, and from multiple Data Acquisition Band conference calls)

October 2010 (revised from change management process and from Portland, OR, Data Acquisition Band Meeting, Feb. 2010 and subsequent conference calls)

RM 5.00 January, 2011 – Regional Field Guide Version updated to reflect regional changes made through the change proposal process and to fix mistakes discovered after previous printing.

Section 0 – General Description2

6.0 October 2012 (revised from change management process, change proposals approved by FIA Management Team; from Portland, OR, Data Acquisition Band Meeting, Feb. 2011; and multiple Data Acquisition Band conference calls)

Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

INTRODUCTION

This document describes the standards, codes, methods, and definitions for Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) field data items. The objective is to describe CORE FIA field procedures that are consistent and uniform across all FIA units. This CORE is the framework for regional FIA programs; individual programs may add variables, but may not change the CORE requirements.

Unless otherwise noted, the items in this field guide are considered CORE, that is, the information will be collected by all FIA units as specified. Items or codes specified as CORE OPTIONAL are not required by individual units; however, if the item is collected or coded, it will be done as specified in this field guide.

It is expected that on average all items in this guide (Volume I of the FIA field methods guide) can be measured by a two-person field crew in less than one day, including travel time to and from the plot.

The FIA program is in transition, changing in response to legislation and new customer demands. One of these demands is for increased consistency, which this field guide begins to address. Another change was the merger of the FIA program with the field plot component of the Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) program’s Detection Monitoring. A systematic grid was established that includes some, but not all former FIA plots. This grid contains the Phase 2 plots, the annual survey plots that are designed for measurement on a rotation such that a portion of the plots are measured each year. The rotation length varies by region. The former FHM Detection Monitoring field plots are the Phase 3 plots, a subset of the Phase 2 plots. The same basic plot and sampling designs are used on all the plots.

The focus of Volume I is on data that are collected in the field on all Phase 2 plots in the FIA sample. The methods in Volume I are also used on Phase 3 plots except when specifically noted otherwise in the methods text. Volume II of the series describes an additional, expanded suite of data collected on the Phase 3 subset of plots. Volume II contains methods for the following indicators: ozone bioindicator plants; lichen communities; soils (physical and chemical characteristics); crown condition; and vegetation diversity and structure. Note that the down woody materials field procedures are now included only in Volume I. Volume III of the series (in preparation) will document the office procedures including data elements measured in the office, data from other sources that are merged into the FIA database, and CORE compilation and analysis algorithms. When complete, the three-volume set will describe the CORE FIA program field data, all of which are measured consistently across the country.

Section 0 – General Description3

RM Program Purpose The information obtained through the inventory is used to estimate forest land area, wood fiber, tree volume, growth, mortality, understory composition, recreation opportunities, wildlife habitat, and other related resources. This information provides annual and periodic analysis of renewable resource situations, including current conditions, use trends, and the potential production of forest resources of the Rocky Mountain Area States (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming). Findings of the inventories are published and available to resource planners, managers, and the public.

RM Field Organization Field work is conducted by Interior West Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA), contract crews and state cooperators. The Interior West is divided up into geographic sections where an equal number (approximate) of crews are assigned to an Area Leader. An Area Leader is responsible for coordinating the field effort for the crews in their area, administrative duties including timesheets, travel, and performance evaluations, training, and Quality Control/ Assurance.

One-to-four person field crews conduct fieldwork. The crew leader directs the work of the field crew, but all crew members are responsible for accurate and efficient work, and for ensuring that the field crew has the proper equipment, maps, aerial photographs, field forms, and supplies before beginning each day’s work.

RM Quality Assurance The goal of the quality assurance program is to ensure that all resource inventory data are scientifically sound, of known quality, and thoroughly documented. Measurement quality objectives (MQO) are established as standards to define data quality and are specified with each data item throughout this manual.

The role of quality control is to determine if the measured data meet the quality standards and to correct measurement or procedure errors. Because each plot sample represents approximately 6,000 acres of land, it is critical that crews exercise necessary care and effort to maintain the standards of accuracy in their work. Individual measurements will be expanded to describe and classify land and vegetation; because of the importance of these data, quality is critical. In addition, because of the effort and cost associated with extensive inventories, data collection efficiency is also critical.

Quality control crews conduct periodic on-site inspections of plots to ensure that the field work is being performed with the required accuracy and precision.

Field checking is also conducted for the following reasons:

1. To obtain uniform and consistent interpretation and application of field instructions among all field crews.

2. To hold technique errors to a minimum.

Section 0 – General Description4

3. To check the performance of each individual crew member.

4. To reveal inadequacies in the instructions and in the training program.

5. To assess and document the quality (accuracy, precision, completeness) of field data.

RM Personal Conduct and Safety While establishing plots, there will be frequent opportunities for contacts with National Forest personnel, private landowners, and others interested in the work conducted by field crews. Field crew members, as representatives of the USDA Forest Service, are expected to act courteously and diplomatically in all their contacts with the public and other agencies. Field crews are expected to project a professional image; this includes general cleanliness and a neat appearance (t-shirts with alcohol ads, torn or “ratty” field clothing, etc., are unacceptable).

It is required prior to access that field crews obtain permission to enter or pass through private land. Be careful to not trespass or cause any property damage, respect private property rights, and leave all gates as they are found.

Field personnel are subject to many hazards in the course of their work. Each person is expected to use care, common sense, and judgment in their work to avoid injuries to themselves and fellow workers.

SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S FIRST PRIORITY.

Read and study carefully the applicable sections of the Forest Service Health and Safety Code Handbook and the Driver-Operator Handbook, and observe the precautions given.

Regulation hard hats must be worn on all field plots and while hiking to and from field plots when overhead hazards exist. Appropriate footwear, such as all-leather boots, and other protective clothing must be worn while on the job

– NO EXCEPTIONS.

Immediately report all injuries to the Area Leader or COR.

RM Equipment and Supplies Each individual will be issued the necessary field equipment and supplies.

Individuals will be responsible for the use and care of equipment assigned to them.

RM Everyday Considerations The goal of the inventory is to collect the best quality data possible, in a safe and efficient manner. All field personnel must consider their actions with regard to what is safe, efficient, and proper. If it is not safe –– don’t do it.

Follow these suggestions:

1. Before leaving the motel, duty station, or campsite, plan the travel route to

Section 0 – General Description5 the plot. Always take two or more extra plots each day.

2. If the plot is located far from a road, plan to camp out if necessary.

3. Forest Service employees only: Record the plot destination(s) in the Field

Crew Check-out program on the laptop before the required time given by the Area Leader every morning. If unable to complete the Field Crew Check-in or if plans change after check-in, notify the Ogden office. Be sure to check-in once safely back to the final destination by completing the “Done for the Day” procedure on the laptop or call the Answering Service if there is no computer access.

4. Be sure to have all the necessary equipment before leaving the duty station, campsite or motel: field gear, plot packets, data recorder, GPS, satellite phone, first aid kit, metal stakes, nails, lunch, water, rain gear, etc.

5. Be sure to have all the necesary equipment needed to conduct the field inventory when leaving the truck.

6. Perform a thorough plot edit before leaving the location. Check for missing data items as well as field gear.

7. Do not travel through the woods after dark. If lost, do not panic, but settle down some place and try to make radio/satellite/cell phone contact with the Area Leader or with another agency. Know how to use all the communication equipment.

8. Bring a first aid kit, keep it supplied, and know how to use it.

Field Guide Layout Each section of the field guide corresponds to one of the following sections:

0 General Description 1 Plot Level Data 2 Condition Class 3 Subplot Information 4 Boundary References 5 Tree Measurements and Sapling Data 6 Seedling Data 7 Site Tree Information 8 Phase 2 (P2) Vegetation Profile (core optional) 9 Invasive Plants (core optional) 10 Down Woody Materials (core optional) 11 RM Accounting Procedures 12 RM Field Location Reference

Each section begins with a general overview of the data elements collected at that level and background necessary to prepare field crews for data collection.

Data elements labeled with “RM” refer to Rocky Mountain Area regional variables collected only in the Interior West. Data elements labeled with “ACI” are variables only collected for the All Conditions Inventory. Descriptions of data elements follow in this format:

Data Element Name Brief Variable Description:

Section 0 – General Description6

When collected: <when data element is recorded> Field width: <X digits> Tolerance: <range of measurement that is acceptable> MQO: <measurement quality objective> Values: <legal values for coded variables>

Data elements, descriptions of when to collect the data elements, field width, tolerances, MQO’s, and values, apply to both Phase 2 plots (formerly called FIA plots) and Phase 3 plots (formerly called FHM Detection Monitoring plots) unless specifically noted. Field width designates the number of columns (or spaces) needed to properly record the data element.

Tolerances may be stated in ± terms or number of classes for ordered categorical data elements (e.g., ± 2 classes); in absolute terms for some continuous variables (e.g., ± 0.2 inches); or in terms of percent of the value of the data element (e.g., ± 10 percent of the value). For some data elements, no errors are tolerated (e,g., PLOT NUMBER).

MQO’s state the percentage of time that the collected data are required to be within tolerance. Percentage of time within tolerance is generally expressed as “at least X percent of the time,” meaning that crews are expected to be within tolerance at least X percent of the time.

PLOT NOTES will be available on every PDR screen for ease in recording notes.

UNITS OF MEASURE

The field guide will use ENGLISH units as the measurement system.

Plot Dimensions:

Subplot:

Radius = 24.0 feet Area = 1,809.56 square feet or approximately 0.04 acre or approximately 1/24-acre

Microplot:

Radius = 6.8 feet Area = 145.27 square feet or approximately 0.003 acre or approximately 1/300 acre

Macroplot:

Radius = 58.9 feet Area = 10,899 square feet or 0.25 acre (ac) or 1/4 acre

Annular plot:

Radius = from 24.0 feet to 58.9 feet Area = 9088.4 square feet or approximately 0.21 acre or 5/24 acre

Section 0 – General Description7

The distance between subplot centers is 120.0 feet horizontal.

The minimum area needed to qualify as accessible forest land is 1.0 acre.

The minimum width to qualify as accessible forest land is 120.0 ft

Tree Limiting Dimensions:

breast height 4.5 ft stump height 1.0 ft cubic merchantable top 4.0 in DOB* board foot merchantable top softwoods 7.0 in DOB board foot merchantable top hardwoods 9.0 in DOB merchantable top for woodland 1.5 in DOB* minimum conifer seedling length 0.5 ft minimum hardwood seedling length 1.0 ft seedling/sapling DBH/DRC break 1.0 in DOB* sapling/tree DBH/DRC break 5.0 in DOB*

*DOB refers to Diameter Outside Bark

0.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The CORE field plot consists of four subplots approximately 1/24-acre in size with a radius of 24.0 feet. The center subplot is subplot 1. Subplots 2, 3, and 4 are located 120.0 feet horizontal (± 7 feet) at azimuths of 360, 120, and 240 degrees from the center of subplot 1, respectively (see Figure 1).

Throughout this field guide, the use of the word ‘plot’ refers to the entire set of four subplots. ‘Plot center’ is defined as the center of subplot 1. As a CORE OPTION, the field plot may also include macroplots that are ¼ acre in size with a radius of 58.9 feet; each macroplot center coincides with the subplot’s center.

Macroplots are numbered in the same way as subplots.

If the macroplots are not installed, the subplots are used to collect data on trees with a diameter (at breast height, DBH, or at root collar, DRC) of 5.0 inches or greater. If the macroplots are installed, then subplots are used to collect data on trees from a diameter 5.0 inches to the breakpoint diameter and the macroplot is used to collect data on trees with diameter greater than the breakpoint diameter.

Each subplot contains a microplot of approximately 1/300 acre in size with a radius of 6.8 feet. The center of the microplot is offset 90 degrees and 12.0 feet horizontal (± 1 foot) from each subplot center. Microplots are numbered in the same way as subplots. Microplots are used to select and collect data on saplings (DBH/DRC of 1.0 inch through 4.9 inches) and seedlings (DBH/DRC less than 1.0 inch in diameter and greater than 0.5 foot in length [conifers] or greater than 1.0 foot in length [hardwoods]).

As a CORE OPTION for a Phase 2 plot that is not part of the Phase 3 subset, data for one or more of the Phase 3 indicators may be collected on the plot.

If a region exercises the option to collect one or more Phase 3 indicator(s) on a Phase 2 only plot, the entire suite of measurements for the particular indicator(s) described in the appropriate chapter must be collected for the data

Section 0 – General Description8 for that indicator to be core optional.

Each unit may choose which Phase 3 indicators to collect as core optional on a Phase 2 plot that is not a Phase 3 plot. They may choose no indicators, all indicators or a subset. If they choose to collect data for a Phase 3 indicator, all the procedures for the indicator must be followed for that indicator to be considered core optional (data in the National Information Management System [NIMS]). If a subset of measurements for an indicator are collected, that is considered a regional enhancement and the data will be in the regional database.

Macroplots may be used to provide a better sample of rare population elements, such as very large trees.

The annular plot may be used for destructive sampling such as collecting soil samples. Also the term annular plot will be used for instructions in the field guide, for example, instructions on numbering trees when the macroplots are installed.

Data are collected on field plots at the following levels:

Plot Data that describe the entire cluster of four subplots.

Subplot Data that describe a single subplot of a cluster.

Condition Class A discrete combination of landscape attributes that describe the environment on all or part of the plot.

These attributes include CONDITION CLASS STATUS, RESERVED STATUS, OWNER GROUP, FOREST TYPE, STAND SIZE CLASS, REGENERATION STATUS, and

TREE DENSITY.

Boundary An approximate description of the demarcation line between two condition classes that occur on a single subplot, microplot, or macroplot. There is no boundary recorded when the demarcation occurs beyond the fixed-radius plots. (RM Boundaries occurring on subplots , microplots, or macroplots [when macroplots are being established] must be distinct and abrupt.)

Tree Data describing saplings with a diameter 1.0 inch through

4.9 inches, and trees with diameter greater than or equal to 5.0 inches

Seedling Data describing trees with a diameter less than 1.0 inch and greater than or equal to 0.5 foot in length (conifers) or greater than or equal to 1.0 foot in length (hardwoods).

Site Tree Data describing site index trees.

Section 0 – General Description9

Figure 1. FIA Phase 2 plot diagram. See individual Phase 3 chapters for Phase 3 plot Figures.

0.1 PLOT SETUP

Plots will be established according to the regional guidelines of each FIA unit.

When the crew cannot occupy the plot center because safety hazards exist, or the plot center is inaccessible or out of the sample, the crew should check the other subplots. If any subplot centers can be occupied and are in the sample, the subplots that can be occupied should be established and sampled following normal procedures. When a subplot center or microplot center cannot be occupied, no data will be collected from that subplot or microplot; instead, the entire subplot or microplot should be classified according to the condition preventing occupancy.

The following table provided can assist in locating subplot 2-4 from a subplot other than subplot 1.

Macroplot:

58.9 ft radius

Subplot:

24.0 ft radius

Annular ring (shaded)

Distance between subplot centers is

120.0 ft horizontal

Microplot:

6.8 ft radius center is

12.0 ft horizontal @ 90° azimuth from the subplot center

Azimuth 1-2 = 360° Azimuth 1-3 = 120° Azimuth 1-4 = 240°

Section 0 – General Description10

From Subplot

To Subplot

Azimuth (degrees)

Back Azimuth (degrees)

Distance (feet)

2 3 150 330 207.8 3 4 270 90 207.8 4 2 30 210 207.8

If a subplot was installed incorrectly (RM ± 7 feet) at the previous visit, the current crew should remeasure the subplot in its present location and contact the Area Leader. (RM Obtaining trend data is better than replacing the subplot.

In this situation, contact the Area Leader and make a plot level note). In cases where individual subplots are lost (cannot be relocated), use the following procedures:

• Assign the appropriate present CONDITION CLASS STATUS Code(s) to the new subplot (usually CONDITION CLASS STATUS = 1 or 2)

• Assign TREE STATUS = 0 to all downloaded trees (RM trees listed in the historic file) (e.g., incorrectly tallied at the previous survey)

• Assign RECONCILE codes 3 or 4 (e.g., missed live or missed dead) to all trees on the new subplot.

• Assign the next TREE RECORD NUMBER.

0.1.0RM Finding the Plot Center This section provides instructions for finding the Plot Center (PC) which is designated as subplot center 1 of the field sample. The PC is based on the intersection of map grid lines and is located in the field using past inventory location reference information, global positioning system receivers, and/or photo baseline techniques.

0.1.1RM Land Owner/Management Agency Verification Prior to the establishment of any plot, the ownership or managing agency of the plot must be verified. All plots except National Forest and Bureau of Land Management require written permission. If not sure about the permission status for a plot check the Ownership database or call the Area Leader or prefield person to verify that permission has been granted. Prior to the field season, the Area Leader will designate a field crew to verify the managing agency and to obtain private land ownership information (name, address, phone number).

First, check to see which counties in a state have an on-line database. The County Courthouses of counties without on-line database must be visited to verify the managing agency and to obtain private land ownership information.

Land management agencies must be contacted to obtain lessee information.

Record all land ownership information on the Private Land Ownership form and in the Ownership database. Also record private land ownership on the Field Location Description and as described in Appendix 13.

It is required that field crews contact private land owners or lessees to obtain permission to enter or pass through private land. Information about best travel route, locked gates, etc., may also be obtained. If the crew is unable to make contact (no permission letter received, unable to reach owner by phone

Section 0 – General Description11 or by visiting ranch house, etc.), the location will be classified as “access denied.”

0.1.2RM Planning Travel to the Vicinity of the Plot Center As an aid in planning travel and in finding a plot, field crews are supplied with forest and highway maps, a GPS Receiver, and a plot packet. Each packet contains a USGS 7.5 minute topographic map. On the topographic map, the PC of a plot is indicated by the intersection of designated map grid lines. Each packet also contains current aerial photographs or a Digital Orthoquad (DOQ).

For new plot locations, one of the photos has a circle around the area in which the PC should be located. Remeasurement locations also have photos (with the PC pinpricked), a copy of the previous plot data, and road directions used in the previous inventory. Do not exclusively rely on previous travel directions for previously established plots. Roads change, roadless areas can be established, and crews can make errors.

0.1.3RM Finding the Plot Center – New Locations It is the responsibility of the field crew to physically locate the PC on the ground. The following procedure describes how to find the PC.

Provide a description and record reference point (RP) traverse information (described below) on the Field Location Reference form under “Reference Point Description and Traverse Info. to PC”. Record traverse information on the back of the aerial photograph containing the PC pinprick. Use a ball-point pen for all photo work (do not use pencil or felt-tip pen), and use a ruler or other straight edge for drawing lines (protractor edges are not necessarily straight) Note: See 0.1.5.5RM PC Verification for plot placement tolerances.

0.1.3.1RM Establishing PC with the Garmin GPS Receiver

See Appendix C for detailed instructions on the Garmin use.

Use the GPS Receiver to help establish new locations whenever possible. Use Ground-Photo and Map-Photo baseline techniques if accurate readings from the Garmin cannot be obtained (e.g. malfunctioning GPS, heavy canopy cover, dead batteries, poor satellite reception, etc.). Proper planning and knowledge of basic functions will allow use of the GPS in almost any situation encountered by crews.

1. Verify GPS Settings The proper initial GPS settings are critical for positioning and navigational accuracy. Once the GPS settings are selected, they become the default value each time the GPS is turned on. Refer to Appendix C.

2. Select a Suitable RP

• Designate a reference point (RP) readily identifiable on both the ground and the photograph/DOQ. The RP should be close to the plot center, but at least 100 feet from the PC, if possible. Select a

Section 0 – General Description12 landmark such as a prominent tree or large boulder, a sharp bend in a road or drainage ditch, a fence corner, etc. When selecting a tree, choose one not likely to die or be removed within the next 10- 15 years (Note: do not select an RP next to features that may affect GPS or compass readings such as metal objects like barbed-wire fences or high power transmission lines.)

• The RP selection is critical. The more unique and obvious the RP on both the photos and the ground, the better the chance crews will be able to relocate the plot in the future should significant change occur over time. If possible, choose an RP with a view of the southern sky to allow for optimum satellite reception. Elevate the GPS receiver off of the ground and remove all obstructions that may block reception and use the external antenna if necessary.

• Pinprick the RP on the aerial photograph with the PC pinprick, circle and label the pinpricked RP on the back of the photograph, and provide a detailed description of it on the Field Location Reference form. Refer to section 12 – Field Location Reference for instructions on tagging the RP.

3. Find the Position of the RP Tolerance: EHE ≤ 70 feet.

Use the “Averaging” option in the GPS to provide coordinates for the position of the RP using Latitude and Longitude. If the estimated error is > 70 feet after the sample confidence reaches 100%, check map datum, GPS settings, and battery life, then try again. Refer to Appendix C for more information.

4. Traversing from the RP to the PC Record the distance and azimuth from the RP to the PC waypoint obtained from the GPS. Use a chaining tape and compass for chaining from the RP to PC and correct for slope when chaining. Refer to Appendix C.

5. PC Verification Tolerance: ±6 feet per 100 feet chained. ± 30 foot maximum error.

Upon arrival at the PC, put a stake in the ground and use the Average function of the GPS to collect the latitude and longitude for the PC.

For correct placement of the PC, chaining error should be no more than ±6 feet per 100 feet of chaining distance up to ± 30 feet. See 0.1.5.5RM for GPS plot placement tolerances.

Check photos and the averaged GPS coordinates to verify the PC Position. If the PC pinprick and GPS placement disagree by more than

0.1 inches, re-pinprick the photo, and begin referencing the plot. Use the “Moving the Pinprick” procedures described in Section 0.1.5.6RM.

0.1.4RM Photo Work Upon verification of the PC, carefully draw a line with a ball point pen on the back of the photo, using the RP and PC as guides for the ruler. Do not draw through the pinpricks. Put an arrow at the end of the line indicating the azimuth direction and write the azimuth next to the arrow. Label and circle both the PC and RP.