Exhibit 1 - Priority_Management_Area_Forest_Inventory_Field_Guide.docx
DOCX document 284 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 12444525Q0044
- Issued by
-
Department of Agriculture Forest Service
About this file
The provided document is a field guide detailing sampling protocols for a forest inventory project for the Hoosier National Forest. The guide specifies a precise methodology for establishing and measuring forest survey plots, including: (1) coring a representative site tree at 4.5 feet and determining its age based on species-specific adjustments, (2) recording plot location aspect, and (3) using a prism (10 BAF or 20 BAF in pine stands) to document tree species, status, and diameter at breast height (DBH) for woody stems 2 inches or larger.
The detailed protocol further instructs field technicians to record trees moving clockwise from due north, estimate snag height and decay class, and conduct regeneration plot sampling by establishing a 4.45-foot radius area around the plot center. This field guide is directly related to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service solicitation (12444525Q0044) for a Priority Management Area Forest Inventory, which requires locating, establishing, measuring, and recording data for common stand exam plots and ground cover plots within the Hoosier National Forest.
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Text version
Sampling Protocol Plot locations should be placed and marked following information in the contract SOW.
At each plot location complete the following steps:
1. Once within each stand, core a representative tree for use as a site tree
a. Tree should be cored at 4.5’
b. Determine tree age by taking the cored age and adding one of the following values, depending upon site tree species:
i. 2 – Green Ash, Cottonwood, Sweetgum
ii. 3 –Oaks, Tulip Poplar, Silver Maple, Eastern White Pine
iii. 4 –Elm, Basswood, Black Cherry, White Ash, Beech, Sugar Maple, Red Maple
iv. 5 – Shortleaf
v. 6 – Hickories
2. Record the aspect of the plot location
3. Using a 10 BAF prism (or a 20 BAF prism in pine stands), record the species, status (living/dead), and DBH of all woody stems ≥2” DBH within the variable radius plot.
a. The first tree recorded will be the first tree that is observed when moving clockwise from due north.
b. For snags, estimate the height to the nearest 5’ and the decay class
4. Once all “in” trees have been measured, move to step 5.
Regeneration Plot Sampling
5. Using the plot location as the center, measure out 4.45’ (4’ 5.5”) in each cardinal direction from the plot center
6. Within the marked area, tally all woody stems <2” DBH and between 0.5’ and 4.5’, by species, in 1’ height classes – for example:
a. 0.5’ – 1.5’ / 1’ height class
b. 1.6’ – 2.5’ / 2’ height class
c. 2.6’ – 3.5’ / 3’ height class
d. 3.6’ – 4.5’ / 4’ height class
7. For any stems over 4.5’ record the appropriate height class and the DBH
8. Once complete, either move to step 9 (if completing both CSE and ground cover plots) or move to the next plot and restart at step 1 or 2 Ground Cover Plot Sampling
9. Within the same area used for the regeneration plot, record the percent ground cover, by species, of all species present that are under 3’ tall.
a. Additionally, record the ground cover of “fine fuels” (litter and downed woody debris [DWD] <2” in diameter), “course fuels” (DWD 2”- 5” in diameter) and “large fuels” (DWD >5” in diameter).
i. Diameter of fuels should be measured at the largest point within the plot.
10. Once completed, move to the next plot location and re-start with step 1 or 2 (if completing both CSE and ground cover plots) or step 4.
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