EXHIBIT J RMRS_FIA_Field Procedures_2025.pdf

PDF 10 MB Posted Aug 26, 2025

Attached to: RMRS FIA-R1-All Conditions Inventory (ACI)
Solicitation number: 1240BG25Q0055
Issued by: Department of Agriculture Forest Service

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Written by GovTribe AI · Aug 26, 2025

This document is the Rocky Mountain Research Station Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA) Field Procedures manual for Version 9.40, dated February 2025. The comprehensive guide details precise protocols for conducting forest and non-forest land inventory across the Rocky Mountain Area States (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming). The manual provides extensive technical instructions for field crews on plot establishment, tree and vegetation sampling, GPS coordinate collection, plot monumentation, and data recording procedures, covering everything from plot center location to detailed measurements of trees, seedlings, and understory vegetation.

The field procedures are designed to systematically collect data on forest resources, including forest land area, wood fiber volume, tree growth, mortality, understory composition, recreation opportunities, and wildlife habitat. The manual specifies requirements for two-person minimum field crews, with additional safety recommendations for areas with potential wildlife risks like grizzly bears, mountain lions, and wolves. Crews will use standardized techniques to sample both forested and non-forested condition inventory plots, collecting detailed information on tree species, canopy cover, soil characteristics, and other ecological indicators using specific measurement protocols and data recording standards.

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EXHIBIT B 2025_RMRS_Scoresheet_.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Aug 26, 2025
EXHIBIT C NON DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT.pdf	PDF	Aug 26, 2025
Solicitation_1240BG25Q0055.pdf	PDF	Aug 26, 2025
Wage Determination - Multiple States.pdf	PDF	Aug 26, 2025
Performance Work Statement.pdf	PDF	Aug 26, 2025
EXHIBIT K RMRS Plot Location Non-Disclosure Policy (Contracts).pdf	PDF	Aug 26, 2025
EXHIBIT F - RMRS Plot Locations - Fuzzed Coordinates - ACI.xlsx	XLSX spreadsheet	Aug 26, 2025
EXHIBIT A - HARDWARE SOFTWARE AND DATA PROCESSING PROCEDURES.pdf	PDF	Aug 26, 2025
EXHIBIT E Map of ACI Locations - Fuzzed Coordinates.pdf	PDF	Aug 26, 2025
EXHIBIT D Landowner Contact Form.pdf	PDF	Aug 26, 2025

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN RESEARCH STATION

FOREST INVENTORY

& ANALYSIS

P2 FIELD PROCEDURES

February, 2025 (V9.40)

Printed Field Version

Rocky Mountain Forest Inventory and Analysis Field Procedures, Version 9.40 February, 2025

Table of Contentsi

Table of Contents

RM Changes from Manual Version 9.30 to 9.40� xvii

INTRODUCTION�� 2 RM Program Purpose�� 3 RM Field Organization�� 3 RM Quality Assurance�� 4 RM Personal Conduct and Safety�� 4 RM Equipment and Supplies�� 5 RM Everyday Considerations �� 5 Field Guide Layout�� 5 Data Element Name �� 6

0.0	GENERAL DESCRIPTION�� 7
0.1	PLOT SETUP�� 10
0.1.0RM	Finding the Plot Center�� 11
0.1.1RM	Land Owner/Management Agency Verification�� 11
0.1.2RM	Plot Packet Contents and Information�� 11
0.1.2.1RM	Plot Packet Label�� 12
0.1.2.2RM	Plot Packet Truck Distance�� 12
0.1.3RM	Planning Travel to the Vicinity of the Plot Center �� 13
0.1.4RM	Finding the Plot Center – New Locations�� 13
0.1.4.1RM	Establishing New Plot Locations with the GPS Receiver�� 13
0.1.5RM	Photo Work�� 14
0.1.6RM	Finding the Plot Center – Remeasurement Locations�� 15
0.1.6.1RM	RP Not Found�� 16
0.1.6.2RM	Lack of suitable RP�� 16
0.1.6.3RM	Plot Center Incorrectly Placed or Plot Not Found�� 16
0.1.6.4RM	Traversing to the PC �� 18
0.1.6.5RM	PC Verification�� 18
0.2	Plot Integrity�� 19
0.3RM	Field Procedure Overview�� 19
0.3.1RM	Circumstances Precluding Plot Establishment�� 20
0.3.2RM	Plots with Accessible Forest Land Present�� 22

Core Optional: Plots with Accessible Nonforest Land Present (when doing nonforest

	land inventory)�� 22
0.3.3RM	Plots with No Accessible Forest Land Present �� 22
0.3.4RM	Remeasurement, All Condition Inventory plots (ACI), Soils�� 23
0.3.5RM	Reserved Lands/Wilderness Areas�� 24
0.4RM	Tree Sampling Procedures�� 25
0.4.1RM	Sampling Procedures�� 27
0.4.2RM	Subplot Tree Tally�� 27
0.4.3RM	Microplot Sapling Tally �� 29
0.4.4RM	Seedling Counts�� 29

1.0	PLOT LEVEL DATA�� 31
1.1	STATE�� 31
1.2	COUNTY�� 31
1.3	PLOT NUMBER�� 31

Table of Contents

February, 2025 ii

1.4	PLOT STATUS�� 31
1.5	NONFOREST SAMPLING STATUS�� 32
1.6	NONFOREST PLOT STATUS�� 32
1.7	PLOT NONSAMPLED REASON�� 32
1.8	NONFOREST PLOT NONSAMPLED REASON �� 33
1.9	SUBPLOTS EXAMINED�� 34
1.10	SAMPLE KIND�� 34
1.10.1RM	REGIONAL SAMPLE KIND�� 34
1.11	PREVIOUS PLOT NUMBER�� 35
1.12	FIELD GUIDE VERSION�� 35
1.13	CURRENT DATE�� 35
1.13.1	YEAR�� 35
1.13.2	MONTH�� 35
1.13.3	DAY�� 35
1.14	DECLINATION (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 36
1.15	HORIZONTAL DISTANCE TO IMPROVED ROAD�� 36
1.16	WATER ON PLOT�� 36
1.17	QA STATUS �� 37
1.18	CREW NUMBER �� 37
1.18.1RM	4 X 4�� 37
1.18.2RM	ATV�� 37
1.18.3RM	LOCKED GATE�� 37
1.18.4RM	PLOT PHOTOS TAKEN�� 37
1.18.5RM	NEW MAP DRAWN�� 38
1.19	GPS Coordinates�� 38
1.19.1	GPS Unit Settings, Datum, and COORDINATE SYSTEM�� 38
1.19.2	Collecting Readings�� 38
1.19.3	GPS UNIT (RM GPS TYPE)�� 39
1.19.4	GPS SERIAL NUMBER�� 39
1.19.5	GPS ENTRY METHOD�� 39
1.19.6	GPS DATUM�� 39
1.19.7	COORDINATE SYSTEM�� 40
1.19.8	Latitude�� 40
1.19.8.1	LATITUDE DEGREES�� 40
1.19.8.2	LATITUDE MINUTES�� 40
1.19.8.3	LATITUDE SECONDS�� 40
1.19.9	Longitude�� 40
1.19.9.1	LONGITUDE DEGREES�� 40
1.19.9.2	LONGITUDE MINUTES�� 41
1.19.9.3	LONGITUDE SECONDS�� 41
1.19.10	UTM ZONE�� 41
1.19.11	EASTING (X) UTM�� 41
1.19.12	NORTHING (Y) UTM�� 41
1.19.13	Correction For “Offset” Location�� 41
1.19.14	AZIMUTH TO PLOT CENTER�� 41
1.19.15	DISTANCE TO PLOT CENTER�� 41
1.19.16	GPS ELEVATION �� 42
1.19.17	GPS ERROR�� 42
1.19.18	NUMBER OF READINGS�� 42
1.19.19	GPS FILENAME (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 42

Table of Contentsiii

1.20	MACROPLOT BREAKPOINT DIAMETER (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 42
1.20.1RM	FUTURE FOREST POTENTIAL �� 42
1.21	PLOT NOTES�� 43
1.22	P2 Vegetation Sampling Options – Plot-Level Variables�� 43
1.22.1	P2 VEGETATION SAMPLING STATUS�� 43
1.22.2	LEVEL OF DETAIL�� 43
1.23	INVASIVE PLANT SAMPLING STATUS (Plot-level variable)�� 44
1.24	INVASIVE PLANT SPECIMEN COLLECTION RULE (Plot-level variable)�� 44
1.25	Plot-Level Variables for DWM Protocol�� 44
1.25.1	DWM SAMPLING STATUS (BASE)�� 44
1.25.2	DWM NUMBER OF SUBPLOTS (BASE)�� 45
1.25.3	DWM NUMBER OF TRANSECTS ON SUBPLOT (BASE)�� 45
1.25.4	DWM TRANSECT LENGTH (BASE)�� 45
1.25.5	DWM SUBPLOT LIST (BASE)�� 45
1.25.6	DWM NOTES (BASE)�� 45
1.26	Plot Level Variables for High Performance GNSS (HPGNSS)�� 46
1.26.1	HPGNSS REQUIRED�� 46
1.26.2	HPGNSS COLLECTED�� 47

2.0	CONDITION CLASS�� 49
2.1	DETERMINATION OF CONDITION CLASS�� 51
2.1.1	Step 1: Recognize the CONDITION CLASS STATUS on the
	subplots/macroplots �� 51
2.1.2	Step 2: Further subdivide Accessible Forest Land by 6 delineation
	variables �� 54
2.1.3	Step 3: When inventorying Nonforest Land (NONFOREST
	SAMPLING STATUS = 1), delineate accessible Nonforest Land
	by 3 delineation
	variables �� 55
2.2	CONDITION CLASS STATUS DEFINITIONS�� 55
2.3	CONDITION CLASS ATTRIBUTES�� 60
2.3.1	Forest Land�� 60
2.3.2	Nonforest Land�� 60
2.4	DELINEATING CONDITION CLASSES DIFFERING IN CONDITION
	CLASS STATUS:�� 61
2.4.1	CONDITION CLASS NUMBER�� 66
2.4.2	CONDITION CLASS STATUS�� 66
2.4.3	FOREST LAND CONDITION STATUS CHANGE�� 67
2.4.4	CONDITION NONSAMPLED REASON�� 68
2.4.5	NONFOREST CONDITION CLASS STATUS�� 69
2.4.6	NONFOREST CONDITION NONSAMPLED REASON�� 69
2.5	Delineating condition classes within accessible forest land�� 70
2.5.1	RESERVED STATUS�� 74
2.5.2	OWNER GROUP�� 75
2.5.2.1RM	ADMINISTRATIVE FOREST CODE�� 75
2.5.3	FOREST TYPE�� 77
2.5.4	STAND SIZE CLASS�� 77
2.5.5	REGENERATION STATUS�� 79
2.5.6	TREE DENSITY�� 80

ANCILLARY (NON-DELINEATING) VARIABLES�� 81

February, 2025 iv

2.5.7	OWNER CLASS�� 81
2.5.8	OWNER SUB-CLASS (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 82
2.5.9	PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIVELY WITHDRAWN STATUS (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 82
2.5.10	ADMINISTRATIVELY WITHDRAWN AREA NAME (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 82
2.5.11	ADMINISTRATIVELY WITHDRAWN NOTES (CORE OPTIONAL) �� 82
2.5.12	RESERVED AREA NAME �� 82
2.5.13	ARTIFICIAL REGENERATION SPECIES�� 82
2.5.14	STAND AGE�� 82
2.5.14.1RM	CONDITION HABITAT TYPE �� 83
2.5.14.2ACI	RANGE TYPE �� 84
2.5.15	DISTURBANCE 1�� 84
2.5.16	DISTURBANCE YEAR 1�� 85
2.5.17	DISTURBANCE 2�� 85
2.5.18	DISTURBANCE YEAR 2�� 86
2.5.19	DISTURBANCE 3�� 86
2.5.20	DISTURBANCE YEAR 3�� 86
2.5.21	TREATMENT 1�� 86
2.5.22	TREATMENT YEAR 1�� 87
2.5.23	TREATMENT 2�� 87
2.5.24	TREATMENT YEAR 2�� 87
2.5.25	TREATMENT 3�� 87
2.5.26	TREATMENT YEAR 3�� 87
2.5.27	PHYSIOGRAPHIC CLASS�� 87
2.5.28	COVER CLASS�� 89
2.5.29	PRESENT NONFOREST LAND USE�� 92
2.5.29.1RM	LAND USE�� 94
2.5.29.2RM	PERCENT BARE GROUND�� 95
2.5.30	Canopy Cover Variables Overview�� 96
2.5.30.1	CANOPY COVER SAMPLE METHOD�� 98
2.5.30.1.1RM	CROWN COVER �� 102
2.5.30.2	LIVE CANOPY COVER�� 103
2.5.30.3	LIVE PLUS MISSING CANOPY COVER�� 106
2.5.31	CURRENT AFFORESTATION CODE�� 108
2.5.32	PREVIOUS AFFORESTATION CODE�� 109
2.5.33	TOTAL STEMS (RM NUMBER OF LIVE STEMS)�� 109
2.5.34	CHAINING CODE�� 109
2.6	Optional Fuels Variables for DWM Protocol�� 109
2.6.1	CONDITION FUELBED TYPE (OPTIONAL)�� 109

3.0	SUBPLOT INFORMATION��111
3.1	SUBPLOT NUMBER��111
3.2	SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT MONUMENT FOUND (CORE OPTIONAL)��111
3.3	MICROPLOT MONUMENT FOUND (CORE OPTIONAL)��111
3.4	SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT STATUS��111
3.5	SUBPLOT NONSAMPLED REASON�� 112
3.6	NONFOREST SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT STATUS�� 113
3.7	NONFOREST SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT NONSAMPLED REASON�� 113
3.8	SUBPLOT CENTER CONDITION�� 114
3.9	MICROPLOT CENTER CONDITION�� 114
3.10	SUBPLOT SLOPE�� 114

Table of Contentsv

3.11	SUBPLOT ASPECT�� 114
3.12	SNOW/WATER DEPTH�� 115
3.13	SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT CONDITION LIST�� 115
3.13.1RM	ROOT DISEASE SEVERITY RATING (Collected only in Region 1
	in ID and MT)�� 116
3.13.2ACI	GROUND SURFACE COVER TRANSECTS �� 117
3.13.3RM	COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION FOR SPECIMEN LABEL�� 120
3.14	P2 VEG SUBPLOT SAMPLE STATUS�� 120
3.15	VEGETATION NONSAMPLED REASON�� 120
3.16	VEGETATION SUBPLOT NOTES�� 121
3.17	INVASIVE PLANT SUBPLOT SAMPLE STATUS (Subplot-level variable)�� 121
3.18	INVASIVE PLANT NONSAMPLED REASON (Subplot-level variable)�� 121
3.19	INVASIVE PLANT DATA NOTES�� 122
3.20	UNLISTED TREE PRESENT�� 122
3.21	UNLISTED TREE GENUS�� 125
3.22	UNLISTED TREE SPECIES�� 125
3.23	UNLISTED TREE SPECIES COUNT�� 125
3.24	UNLISTED TREE SPECIMEN COLLECTED �� 125
3.25	SPECIMEN LABEL NUMBER �� 125
3.26	UNLISTED TREE NOTES�� 125

4.0	BOUNDARY REFERENCES�� 127
4.1	REFERENCE PROCEDURE�� 127
4.2	BOUNDARY DATA�� 129
4.2.1	SUBPLOT NUMBER�� 129
4.2.2	PLOT TYPE�� 130
4.2.3	BOUNDARY CHANGE�� 130
4.2.4	CONTRASTING CONDITION�� 130
4.2.5	LEFT AZIMUTH�� 130
4.2.6	CORNER AZIMUTH�� 130
4.2.7	CORNER DISTANCE�� 131
4.2.8	RIGHT AZIMUTH�� 131

5.0	TREE AND SAPLING DATA�� 133
5.1	SUBPLOT NUMBER�� 134
5.2	TREE RECORD NUMBER�� 134
5.3	CONDITION CLASS NUMBER�� 135
5.4	AZIMUTH�� 136
5.5	HORIZONTAL DISTANCE�� 136
5.6	PREVIOUS TREE STATUS�� 137
5.7	PRESENT TREE STATUS�� 137
5.7.1	UTILIZATION CLASS CODE�� 138
5.7.2	RECONCILE�� 138
5.7.3	STANDING DEAD�� 141
5.7.4	MORTALITY (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 145
5.22	MORTALITY YEAR (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 146
5.8	SPECIES�� 146
5.9	DIAMETER�� 150
5.9.1	PREVIOUS DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT�� 155
5.9.2	DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH)�� 155

February, 2025 vi

5.9.3	PREVIOUS DIAMETER AT ROOT COLLAR�� 173
5.9.4	DIAMETER AT ROOT COLLAR (DRC)�� 173
5.9.4.1	DRC STEM DIAMETER�� 177
5.9.4.2	DRC STEM STATUS�� 177
5.10	PAST NUMBER OF STEMS�� 177
5.11	CURRENT NUMBER OF STEMS�� 177
5.12	DIAMETER CHECK�� 177
5.26	LENGTH TO DIAMETER MEASUREMENT POINT �� 178
5.13	ROTTEN/MISSING CULL �� 178
5.14	ABNORMAL TERMINATION�� 179
5.15	TOTAL LENGTH�� 179
5.15.1RM	PAST TOTAL TREE LENGTH�� 180
5.16	ACTUAL LENGTH�� 181
5.16.1RM	PAST ACTUAL TREE LENGTH �� 181
5.17	LENGTH METHOD�� 182
5.18	CROWN CLASS�� 182
5.19	UNCOMPACTED LIVE CROWN RATIO �� 183
5.20	COMPACTED CROWN RATIO�� 185
5.21	CROWN DIEBACK (CORE OPTIONAL P2 CORE P3)�� 188
5.22	TREE DAMAGE (CORE)�� 188
5.22.1	DAMAGE AGENT 1�� 189
5.22.2	DAMAGE AGENT 2�� 201
5.22.3	DAMAGE AGENT 3�� 201
5.23	CAUSE OF DEATH�� 201
5.24	MORTALITY YEAR �� 202
5.25	DECAY CLASS�� 202
5.26	LENGTH TO DIAMETER MEASUREMENT POINT�� 203
5.26.1RM	PERCENT VOLUME MISSING TOP�� 203
5.27	ROUGH CULL (CORE OPTIONAL) �� 203
5.27.1RM	SOUND DEAD�� 203
5.27.2RM	FORM DEFECT�� 204
5.27.3RM	CONE PRESENCE 1�� 204
5.27.4RM	CONE PRESENCE 2�� 205
5.27.5RM	CONE PRESENCE 3�� 205
5.27.6RM	MAST CODE�� 205
5.27.7RM	PAST TREE CLASS�� 206
5.27.8RM	CURRENT TREE CLASS �� 206
5.27.9RM	RADIAL GROWTH/ AGE CODE�� 207
5.27.10RM	RADIAL GROWTH and �� 207
5.27.11RM	TREE AGE �� 207
5.27.12RM	RADIAL GROWTH AND TREE AGE CHECK �� 211
5.27.13RM	SPECIES INDENTIFICATION CODE�� 211
5.28	DWARF MISTLETOE CLASS (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 212
5.29	TREE NOTES�� 213

6.0	SEEDLING DATA�� 215
6.1	SUBPLOT NUMBER�� 215
6.2	SPECIES�� 215
6.3	CONDITION CLASS NUMBER�� 215
6.4	SEEDLING COUNT�� 215

Table of Contentsvii

6.4.1RM	COUNT CHECK �� 216
6.4.2RM	SEEDLING AGE�� 216
6.4.3RM	TOTAL SEEDLING AGE�� 216
6.4.4RM	SPECIES INDENTIFICATION CODE�� 217

7.0	SITE TREE INFORMATION�� 219
7.1	SITE TREE SELECTION�� 219
7.1.1RM	Site Tree Requirements�� 219
7.1.2RM	Site Tree Selection�� 220
7.2	SITE TREE DATA VARIABLES�� 220
7.2.0RM	TREE RECORD NUMBER�� 220
7.2.1	CONDITION CLASS LIST�� 220
7.2.2	SPECIES�� 221
7.2.3	DIAMETER�� 223
7.2.4	SITE TREE LENGTH�� 223
7.2.4.1RM	SITE TREE METHOD�� 223
7.2.4.2RM	SITE TREE�� 223
7.2.4.3RM	RADIAL GROWTH AND TREE AGE CHECK�� 223
7.2.5	TREE AGE AT DIAMETER�� 223
7.2.6	SITE TREE NOTES�� 224
7.2.7	SUBPLOT NUMBER (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 224
7.2.8	AZIMUTH (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 224
7.2.9	HORIZONTAL DISTANCE (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 224

8.0	PHASE 2 (P2) VEGETATION PROFILE (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 225
8.1	Vegetation Sampling Design�� 225
8.2	General Definitions�� 226
8.3	Vegetation Data Collection Location – Subplot-Level Variables�� 231
8.3.1	SUBPLOT NUMBER�� 231
8.3.2	CONDITION CLASS NUMBER�� 231
8.4	Vegetation Structure �� 231
8.4.1	TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 1�� 233
8.4.2	TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 2�� 233
8.4.3	TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 3�� 233
8.4.4	TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 4�� 233
8.4.5	TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER – AERIAL VIEW�� 233
8.4.6	NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 1�� 233
8.4.7	NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 2�� 234
8.4.8	NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 3�� 234
8.4.9	NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 4�� 234
8.4.10	NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER – AERIAL VIEW�� 234
8.4.11	SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER LAYER 1�� 234
8.4.12	SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER LAYER 2�� 234
8.4.13	SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER LAYER 3�� 234
8.4.14	SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER LAYER 4�� 234
8.4.15	SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER—AERIAL VIEW�� 234
8.4.15.1RM	DEAD SHRUB COVER - AERIAL�� 235
8.4.16	FORB COVER LAYER 1�� 235
8.4.17	FORB COVER LAYER 2�� 235
8.4.18	FORB COVER LAYER 3�� 235

February, 2025 viii

8.4.19	FORB COVER LAYER 4�� 235
8.4.20	FORB COVER—AERIAL VIEW�� 235
8.4.21	GRAMINOID COVER LAYER 1�� 235
8.4.22	GRAMINOID COVER LAYER 2�� 235
8.4.23	GRAMINOID COVER LAYER 3�� 235
8.4.24	GRAMINOID COVER LAYER 4�� 236
8.4.25	GRAMINOID COVER—AERIAL VIEW�� 236
8.5	Species Composition�� 236
8.5.1	SPECIES GROWTH HABIT�� 238
8.5.2	SPECIES CODE�� 240
8.5.2.1RM	Unknown Plant Collecting and Identification�� 241
8.5.3	UNIQUE SPECIES NUMBER�� 242
8.5.4	SPECIES CANOPY COVER�� 242
8.5.5	SPECIES VEGETATION LAYER�� 242
8.5.6	SPECIMEN OFFICIALLY COLLECTED�� 243
8.5.6.1RM	Community Description for Specimen Label�� 243
8.5.7	SPECIMEN LABEL NUMBER�� 244
8.5.8	P2 SPECIMEN NOT COLLECTED REASON CODE�� 244
8.5.9	VEGETATION SPECIES NOTES�� 244

9.0	INVASIVE PLANTS (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 245
9.1	Invasive species sample design�� 245
9.2	Species Records�� 246
9.3	SUBPLOT NUMBER�� 246
9.4	CONDITION CLASS NUMBER�� 246
9.5	SPECIES CODE�� 246
9.6	UNIQUE SPECIES NUMBER�� 247
9.7	SPECIES CANOPY COVER�� 247
9.8	INVASIVE SPECIMEN COLLECTED �� 248
9.9	SPECIMEN LABEL NUMBER�� 248
9.10	INVASIVE PLANT NOTES�� 249
9.11	References�� 249

10	DOWN WOODY MATERIALS (Phase 2 – CORE OPTIONAL)�� 251
10.0	Introduction�� 251
10.1	Definition of Down Woody Materials�� 253
10.2	Locating and Establishing Line Transects�� 254
10.2.1	CWD Transects�� 255
10.2.2	FWD Transects�� 255
10.3	Transect Line Segmenting�� 256
10.3.1	SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE)�� 257
10.3.2	TRANSECT (BASE)�� 257
10.3.3	SEGMENT CONDITION CLASS NUMBER (BASE)�� 257
10.3.4	SEGMENT BEGINNING DISTANCE (BASE)�� 257
10.3.5	SEGMENT ENDING DISTANCE (BASE)�� 258
10.3.6	DWM TRANSECT SEGMENT SAMPLE STATUS (BASE)�� 258
10.3.7	DWM TRANSECT SEGMENT NONSAMPLED REASON (BASE)�� 258
10.4	Sampling Methods for COARSE WOODY DEBRIS (CWD)�� 258
10.4.1	Tally Rules for Coarse Woody Debris (CWD)�� 258
10.4.2	Marking CWD (OPTIONAL)�� 262

Table of Contentsix

10.4.3	Recording Procedures for CWD�� 262
10.4.3.1	SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE)�� 262
10.4.3.2	TRANSECT (BASE)�� 262
10.4.3.3	CWD CONDITION CLASS (BASE)�� 263
10.4.3.4	PIECE ON SUBPLOT OR ANNULAR PLOT? (BASE)�� 263
10.4.3.5	CWD HORIZONTAL DISTANCE (WILDLIFE OPTION)�� 263
10.4.3.6	CWD DECAY CLASS (BASE)�� 263
10.4.3.7	SPECIES (BASE)�� 265
10.4.3.8	Diameters�� 265
10.4.3.8.1	DIAMETER AT POINT OF INTERSECTION (BASE)�� 267
10.4.3.8.2	DIAMETER OF HOLLOW AT POINT OF INTERSECTION (BASE)�� 267
10.4.3.8.3	DIAMETER AT THE SMALL END (WILDLIFE OPTION)�� 267
10.4.3.8.4	DIAMETER AT THE LARGE END (WILDLIFE OPTION)�� 267
10.4.3.9	Length Measurements�� 267
10.4.3.9.1	CWD LENGTH >= 3 FEET (BASE)�� 268
10.4.3.9.2	CWD TOTAL LENGTH (WILDLIFE OPTION)�� 268
10.4.3.10	IS THE PIECE HOLLOW? (OPTIONAL)�� 268
10.4.3.11	PIECE INCLINATION (OPTIONAL)�� 269
10.4.3.12	CWD HISTORY (OPTIONAL)�� 269
10.4.3.13	PERCENT OF LOG CHARRED BY FIRE (OPTIONAL)�� 269
10.4.3.14	LARGE END DIAMETER CLASS (OPTIONAL)�� 269
10.5	SAMPLING RESIDUE PILES�� 269
10.5.1	PILE SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE)�� 271
10.5.2	PILE TRANSECT (BASE)�� 271
10.5.3	PILE CONDITION CLASS NUMBER (BASE)�� 272
10.5.4	PILE BEGINNING DISTANCE (BASE)�� 272
10.5.5	PILE ENDING DISTANCE (BASE)�� 272
10.5.6	COMPACTED HEIGHT OF CWD IN PILE (BASE)�� 272
10.5.7	PILE DECAY CLASS (BASE)�� 272
10.5.8	PILE SPECIES (BASE)�� 272
10.6	Sampling Methods for Fine Woody Debris (FWD)�� 273
10.6.1	FWD SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE)�� 274
10.6.2	FWD TRANSECT (BASE)�� 274
10.6.3	FWD CONDITION CLASS NUMBER (BASE)�� 274
10.6.4	FWD TRANSECT SEGMENT SAMPLE STATUS (BASE)�� 274
10.6.5	FWD TRANSECT SEGMENT NONSAMPLED REASON (BASE)�� 275
10.6.6	SMALL FWD COUNT (BASE)�� 275
10.6.7	MEDIUM FWD COUNT (BASE)�� 275
10.6.8	LARGE FWD COUNT (BASE)�� 275
10.6.9	HIGH COUNT REASON (BASE)�� 275
10.7	DUFF AND LITTER DEPTH MEASUREMENTS�� 276
10.7.1	Definitions�� 276
10.7.2	Overview of Measurements�� 277
10.7.3	DUFF/LITTER SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE)�� 277
10.7.4	DUFF/LITTER TRANSECT (BASE)�� 278
10.7.8	DUFF DEPTH (BASE)�� 279
10.7.9	LITTER DEPTH (BASE)�� 279
10.7.10	DUFF AND LITTER METHOD (BASE)�� 279
10.8	References�� 279
10.9	Contact Information�� 279

February, 2025 x

11.0	Soil Measurements and Sampling – Introduction (CORE OPTIONAL)�� 281
11.1	SUMMARY OF METHOD�� 282
11.2	DEFINITIONS�� 282
11.3	EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES�� 283
11.3.1	Field Gear Unique to the Soil Indicator�� 283
11.3.2	Optional Soils Equipment�� 284
11.3.3	Required Equipment not Unique to the Soil Indicator:�� 284
11.4	LABORATORY ANALYSES�� 284
11.5	QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA)�� 285
11.5.1	Training And Certification�� 285
11.5.2	Hot Checks, Cold Checks, and Blind Checks�� 285
11.5.3	Reference Plots�� 286
11.5.4	Debriefing�� 286
11.6	Plot Information�� 286
11.6.1	CURRENT DATE�� 286
11.6.1.1	YEAR�� 286
11.6.1.2	MONTH�� 286
11.6.1.3	DAY�� 286
11.6.2	CREW NUMBER�� 286
11.6.3	QA STATUS �� 286
11.6.4	NOTES�� 286
11.7	Soil Erosion and Compaction �� 287
11.7.1	PERCENT COVER OF BARE SOIL �� 287
11.7.2	PERCENT COMPACTED AREA ON THE SUBPLOT �� 288
11.7.3	TYPE OF COMPACTION - RUTTED TRAIL�� 289
11.7.4	TYPE OF COMPACTION – COMPACTED TRAIL�� 289
11.7.5	TYPE OF COMPACTION – COMPACTED AREA�� 289
11.7.6	TYPE OF COMPACTION – OTHER�� 289
11.8	SOIL SAMPLE COLLECTION�� 290
11.8.1	Forest Floor�� 291
11.8.3	Mineral Soil�� 294
11.8.5	Alternate Sampling Methods for “Problem” Soils�� 295
11.8.6	Commonly Encountered Problems�� 296
11.8.7	Organic soils �� 297
11.8.8	SUBPLOT NUMBER �� 297

This is the start of the file's text. The full file is on GovTribe.

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated Aug 26, 2025.