EXHIBIT J RMRS FIA P2 Field Procedures.pdf

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Rocky Mountain Research Station Forest Inventory & Analysis Federal contract opportunity
Solicitation number
1284LL26Q0032
Issued by
Department of Agriculture Forest Service

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This is a Field Procedures Manual (Version 9.50, February 2026) for the Rocky Mountain Research Station's Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program, providing comprehensive guidance for conducting forest inventory field work across the Rocky Mountain region.

The manual establishes standardized protocols for FIA plot data collection, covering plot setup and location procedures, condition class delineation, subplot measurements, tree and sapling data collection, seedling counts, site tree information, Phase 2 vegetation profiles, invasive plant sampling, down woody materials assessment, and soil measurements. Key operational elements include GPS coordinate collection using NAD83 datum, plot monumentation requirements for remeasurement locations, and quality assurance procedures. The manual specifies measurement tolerances and minimum quality objectives (MQO) across all data variables, with particular emphasis on tree diameter measurements (±0.1 inch per 20-inch increment for live trees and decay classes 1-2), subplot slope and aspect recording, canopy cover assessment, and disturbance/treatment documentation. Regional Rocky Mountain-specific modifications address habitat type classifications, administrative forest codes for National Forest lands, specialized procedures for reserved lands and wilderness areas, and regional sample kind definitions distinguishing between initial establishment, remeasurement, and replacement plots. The document includes detailed instructions for handling various plot scenarios including inaccessible areas, denied access situations, nonforest land conditions, and All Conditions Inventory (ACI) plots on National Forest lands in Region 1 and Region 4. Appendices provide tree species codes, forest type classifications, habitat type guidance, field forms, and a comprehensive glossary of technical forestry terminology used throughout FIA operations.

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Attachment 1 Performance Work Statement.pdf PDF
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1284LL26Q0032_Amend0001.pdf PDF
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EXHIBIT E - Maps Fuzzed Plots.pdf PDF
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EXHIBIT G.1 Plot Information and Target Species by State.docx DOCX document
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ROCKY MOUNTAIN RESEARCH STATION

FOREST INVENTORY

& ANALYSIS

P2 FIELD PROCEDURES

February, 2026 (V9.50)

Office Version

Rocky Mountain Forest Inventory and Analysis Field Procedures, Version 9.50 February, 2026

Table of Contentsi

Table of Contents

RM Changes from Manual Version 9.40 to 9.50......................................................................xvii

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

0.0GENERAL DESCRIPTION��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7
0.1PLOT SETUP................................................................................................ 10
0.1.0RMFinding the Plot Center.................................................................................. 10
0.1.1RMLand Owner/Management Agency Verification.............................................. 10
0.1.2RMPlot Packet Contents and Information........................................................... 11
0.1.2.1RMPlot Packet Label........................................................................................... 11
0.1.2.2RMPlot Packet Truck Distance............................................................................ 12
0.1.3RMPlanning Travel to the Vicinity of the Plot Center .......................................... 12
0.1.4RMFinding the Plot Center – New Locations...................................................... 12
0.1.4.1RMEstablishing New Plot Locations with the GPS Receiver.............................. 13
0.1.5RMPhoto Work.................................................................................................... 14
0.1.6RMFinding the Plot Center – Remeasurement Locations................................... 14
0.1.6.1RMRP Not Found................................................................................................ 15
0.1.6.2RMLack of Suitable RP....................................................................................... 15
0.1.6.3RMPlot Center Incorrectly Placed or Plot Not Found.......................................... 16
0.1.6.4RMTraversing to the PC ..................................................................................... 18
0.1.6.5RMPC Verification............................................................................................... 18
0.2Plot Integrity................................................................................................... 18
0.3RMField Procedure Overview............................................................................. 19
0.3.1RMCircumstances Precluding Plot Establishment.............................................. 19
0.3.2RMPlots with Accessible Forest Land Present.................................................... 21

Core Optional: Plots with Accessible Nonforest Land Present

(when doing nonforest land inventory)........................................................... 21
0.3.3RMPlots with No Accessible Forest Land Present ............................................. 22
0.3.4RMRemeasurement, All Condition Inventory plots (ACI), Soils.......................... 22
0.3.5RMReserved Lands/Wilderness Areas................................................................ 23
0.4RMTree Sampling Procedures............................................................................ 25
0.4.1RMSampling Procedures.................................................................................... 26
0.4.2RMSubplot Tree Tally.......................................................................................... 26
0.4.3RMMicroplot Sapling Tally .................................................................................. 27
0.4.4RMSeedling Counts............................................................................................ 28
1.0PLOT LEVEL DATA����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 29
1.1STATE............................................................................................................ 29
1.2COUNTY........................................................................................................ 29
1.3PLOT NUMBER............................................................................................. 29
1.4PLOT STATUS............................................................................................... 29

Table of Contents

February, 2026 ii

1.5NONFOREST SAMPLING STATUS.............................................................. 30
1.6NONFOREST PLOT STATUS....................................................................... 30
1.7PLOT NONSAMPLED REASON................................................................... 30
1.8NONFOREST PLOT NONSAMPLED REASON .......................................... 31
1.9SUBPLOTS EXAMINED................................................................................ 32
1.10SAMPLE KIND............................................................................................... 32
1.10.1RMREGIONAL SAMPLE KIND........................................................................... 32
1.11PREVIOUS PLOT NUMBER......................................................................... 33
1.12FIELD GUIDE VERSION............................................................................... 33
1.13CURRENT DATE........................................................................................... 33
1.13.1YEAR............................................................................................................. 33
1.13.2MONTH.......................................................................................................... 33
1.13.3DAY................................................................................................................ 33
1.14DECLINATION (CORE OPTIONAL).............................................................. 34
1.15HORIZONTAL DISTANCE TO IMPROVED ROAD........................................ 34
1.16WATER ON PLOT......................................................................................... 34
1.17QA STATUS .................................................................................................. 35
1.18CREW NUMBER .......................................................................................... 35
1.18.1RM4 X 4.............................................................................................................. 35
1.18.2RMATV................................................................................................................ 35
1.18.3RMLOCKED GATE............................................................................................. 35
1.18.4RMPLOT PHOTOS TAKEN................................................................................. 35
1.18.5RMNEW MAP DRAWN....................................................................................... 36
1.19GPS Coordinates........................................................................................... 36
1.19.1GPS Unit Settings, Datum, and COORDINATE SYSTEM............................. 36
1.19.2Collecting Readings....................................................................................... 36
1.19.3GPS UNIT (RM GPS TYPE).......................................................................... 37
1.19.4GPS SERIAL NUMBER................................................................................. 37
1.19.5GPS ENTRY METHOD................................................................................. 37
1.19.6GPS DATUM.................................................................................................. 37
1.19.7COORDINATE SYSTEM............................................................................... 38
1.19.8Latitude.......................................................................................................... 38
1.19.8.1LATITUDE DEGREES................................................................................... 38
1.19.8.2LATITUDE MINUTES.................................................................................... 38
1.19.8.3LATITUDE SECONDS................................................................................... 38
1.19.9Longitude....................................................................................................... 38
1.19.9.1LONGITUDE DEGREES............................................................................... 38
1.19.9.2LONGITUDE MINUTES................................................................................. 38
1.19.9.3LONGITUDE SECONDS............................................................................... 39
1.19.10UTM ZONE.................................................................................................... 39
1.19.11EASTING (X) UTM........................................................................................ 39
1.19.12NORTHING (Y) UTM..................................................................................... 39
1.19.13Correction For “Offset” Location.................................................................... 39
1.19.14AZIMUTH TO PLOT CENTER....................................................................... 39
1.19.15DISTANCE TO PLOT CENTER..................................................................... 39
1.19.16GPS ELEVATION ......................................................................................... 40
1.19.17GPS ERROR................................................................................................. 40
1.19.18GPS FILE NAME (CORE OPTIONAL).......................................................... 40
1.20MACROPLOT BREAKPOINT DIAMETER (CORE OPTIONAL)................... 40
1.20.1RMFUTURE FOREST POTENTIAL ................................................................... 40

Table of Contentsiii

1.21PLOT NOTES................................................................................................ 40
1.22P2 Vegetation Sampling Options – Plot-Level Variables............................... 41
1.22.1P2 VEGETATION SAMPLING STATUS........................................................ 41
1.22.2LEVEL OF DETAIL........................................................................................ 41
1.23INVASIVE PLANT SAMPLING STATUS (Plot-level variable)........................ 42
1.24INVASIVE PLANT SPECIMEN COLLECTION RULE (Plot-level variable).... 42
1.25Plot-Level Variables for DWM Protocol.......................................................... 42
1.25.1DWM SAMPLING STATUS (BASE).............................................................. 42
1.25.2DWM NUMBER OF SUBPLOTS (BASE)...................................................... 42
1.25.3DWM NUMBER OF TRANSECTS ON SUBPLOT (BASE)........................... 43
1.25.4DWM TRANSECT LENGTH (BASE)............................................................. 43
1.25.5DWM SUBPLOT LIST (BASE)...................................................................... 43
1.25.6DWM NOTES (BASE)................................................................................... 43
1.26Plot Level Variables for High Performance GNSS (HPGNSS)...................... 43
1.26.1HPGNSS REQUIRED.................................................................................... 44
1.26.2HPGNSS COLLECTED................................................................................. 44
2.0CONDITION CLASS���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 45
2.1DETERMINATION OF CONDITION CLASS................................................. 47
2.1.1Step 1: Recognize the CONDITION CLASS STATUS on the
subplots/macroplots ..................................................................................... 47
2.1.2Step 2: Further subdivide Accessible Forest Land by 6 delineation
variables ....................................................................................................... 50
2.1.3Step 3: When inventorying Nonforest Land (NONFOREST
SAMPLING STATUS = 1), delineate accessible Nonforest Land
by 3 delineation variables ............................................................................. 51
2.2CONDITION CLASS STATUS DEFINITIONS............................................... 51
2.3CONDITION CLASS ATTRIBUTES............................................................... 56
2.3.1Forest Land.................................................................................................... 56
2.3.2Nonforest Land.............................................................................................. 56
2.4DELINEATING CONDITION CLASSES DIFFERING IN
CONDITION CLASS STATUS:...................................................................... 57
2.4.1CONDITION CLASS NUMBER..................................................................... 63
2.4.2CONDITION CLASS STATUS....................................................................... 63
2.4.3FOREST LAND CONDITION STATUS CHANGE......................................... 63
2.4.4CONDITION NONSAMPLED REASON........................................................ 64
2.4.5NONFOREST CONDITION CLASS STATUS................................................ 66
2.4.6NONFOREST CONDITION NONSAMPLED REASON................................. 66
2.5Delineating condition classes within accessible forest land........................... 66
2.5.1RESERVED STATUS.................................................................................... 71
2.5.2OWNER GROUP........................................................................................... 71
2.5.2.1RMADMINISTRATIVE FOREST CODE.............................................................. 72
2.5.3FOREST TYPE.............................................................................................. 74
2.5.4STAND SIZE CLASS..................................................................................... 74
2.5.5REGENERATION STATUS............................................................................ 76
2.5.6TREE DENSITY............................................................................................. 76

ANCILLARY (NON-DELINEATING) VARIABLES

2.5.7OWNER CLASS............................................................................................ 77
2.5.8OWNER SUB-CLASS (CORE OPTIONAL)................................................... 78
2.5.9PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIVELY WITHDRAWN STATUS

February, 2026 iv

(CORE OPTIONAL)....................................................................................... 79
2.5.10ADMINISTRATIVELY WITHDRAWN AREA NAME (CORE OPTIONAL)...... 79
2.5.11ADMINISTRATIVELY WITHDRAWN NOTES (CORE OPTIONAL) .............. 79
2.5.12RESERVED AREA NAME ............................................................................ 79
2.5.13ARTIFICIAL REGENERATION SPECIES..................................................... 79
2.5.14STAND AGE.................................................................................................. 79
2.5.14.1RMCONDITION HABITAT TYPE ........................................................................ 80
2.5.14.2ACIRANGE TYPE ............................................................................................... 81
2.5.15DISTURBANCE 1.......................................................................................... 81
2.5.16DISTURBANCE YEAR 1............................................................................... 82
2.5.17DISTURBANCE 2.......................................................................................... 82
2.5.18DISTURBANCE YEAR 2............................................................................... 82
2.5.19DISTURBANCE 3.......................................................................................... 82
2.5.20DISTURBANCE YEAR 3............................................................................... 83
2.5.21TREATMENT 1.............................................................................................. 83
2.5.22TREATMENT YEAR 1................................................................................... 83
2.5.23TREATMENT 2.............................................................................................. 83
2.5.24TREATMENT YEAR 2................................................................................... 84
2.5.25TREATMENT 3.............................................................................................. 84
2.5.26TREATMENT YEAR 3................................................................................... 84
2.5.27PHYSIOGRAPHIC CLASS............................................................................ 84
2.5.28COVER CLASS............................................................................................. 85
2.5.29PRESENT NONFOREST LAND USE........................................................... 89
2.5.29.1RMLAND USE..................................................................................................... 91
2.5.29.2RMPERCENT BARE GROUND.......................................................................... 92
2.5.30Canopy Cover Variables Overview................................................................ 93
2.5.30.1CANOPY COVER SAMPLE METHOD.......................................................... 95
2.5.30.1.1RMCROWN COVER .......................................................................................... 99
2.5.30.2LIVE CANOPY COVER............................................................................... 100
2.5.30.3LIVE PLUS MISSING CANOPY COVER.................................................... 103
2.5.31CURRENT AFFORESTATION CODE......................................................... 105
2.5.32PREVIOUS AFFORESTATION CODE........................................................ 105
2.5.33TOTAL STEMS (RM NUMBER OF LIVE STEMS)...................................... 105
2.5.34CHAINING CODE........................................................................................ 106
2.6Optional Fuels Variables for DWM Protocol................................................ 106
2.6.1CONDITION FUELBED TYPE (OPTIONAL)............................................... 106
3.0SUBPLOT INFORMATION����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 107
3.1SUBPLOT NUMBER................................................................................... 107
3.2SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT MONUMENT FOUND (CORE OPTIONAL)....... 107
3.3MICROPLOT MONUMENT FOUND (CORE OPTIONAL)........................... 107
3.4SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT STATUS.............................................................. 107
3.5SUBPLOT NONSAMPLED REASON.......................................................... 108
3.6NONFOREST SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT STATUS...................................... 109
3.7NONFOREST SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT NONSAMPLED REASON.......... 109
3.8SUBPLOT CENTER CONDITION............................................................... 110
3.9MICROPLOT CENTER CONDITION.......................................................... 110
3.10SUBPLOT SLOPE....................................................................................... 110
3.11SUBPLOT ASPECT..................................................................................... 110
3.12SNOW/WATER DEPTH................................................................................111
3.13SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT CONDITION LIST.............................................. 112

Table of Contentsv

3.13.1RMROOT DISEASE SEVERITY RATING (Collected only in Region 1
in ID and MT)............................................................................................... 112
3.13.2ACIGROUND SURFACE COVER TRANSECTS ............................................. 113
3.13.3RMCOMMUNITY DESCRIPTION FOR SPECIMEN LABEL............................. 116
3.14P2 VEG SUBPLOT SAMPLE STATUS........................................................ 116
3.15VEGETATION NONSAMPLED REASON.................................................... 116
3.16VEGETATION SUBPLOT NOTES............................................................... 116
3.17INVASIVE PLANT SUBPLOT SAMPLE STATUS (Subplot-level variable).. 117
3.18INVASIVE PLANT NONSAMPLED REASON (Subplot-level variable)........ 117
3.19INVASIVE PLANT DATA NOTES................................................................. 117
3.20UNLISTED TREE PRESENT...................................................................... 118
3.21UNLISTED TREE GENUS........................................................................... 119
3.22UNLISTED TREE SPECIES........................................................................ 119
3.23UNLISTED TREE SPECIES COUNT.......................................................... 120
3.24UNLISTED TREE SPECIMEN COLLECTED ............................................. 120
3.25SPECIMEN LABEL NUMBER .................................................................... 120
3.26UNLISTED TREE NOTES........................................................................... 120
4.0BOUNDARY REFERENCES�������������������������������������������������������������������������� 121
4.1REFERENCE PROCEDURE....................................................................... 121
4.2BOUNDARY DATA....................................................................................... 125
4.2.1SUBPLOT NUMBER................................................................................... 125
4.2.2PLOT TYPE................................................................................................. 125
4.2.3BOUNDARY CHANGE................................................................................ 125
4.2.4CONTRASTING CONDITION..................................................................... 125
4.2.5LEFT AZIMUTH........................................................................................... 126
4.2.6CORNER AZIMUTH.................................................................................... 126
4.2.7CORNER DISTANCE.................................................................................. 126
4.2.8RIGHT AZIMUTH......................................................................................... 126
5.0TREE AND SAPLING DATA�������������������������������������������������������������������������� 127
5.1SUBPLOT NUMBER................................................................................... 128
5.2TREE RECORD NUMBER.......................................................................... 128
5.3CONDITION CLASS NUMBER................................................................... 129
5.4AZIMUTH..................................................................................................... 130
5.5HORIZONTAL DISTANCE........................................................................... 130
5.6PREVIOUS TREE STATUS......................................................................... 131
5.7PRESENT TREE STATUS........................................................................... 131
5.7.1UTILIZATION CLASS CODE....................................................................... 132
5.7.2RECONCILE................................................................................................ 132
5.7.3STANDING DEAD....................................................................................... 135
5.7.4MORTALITY (CORE OPTIONAL)................................................................ 139
5.24MORTALITY YEAR (CORE OPTIONAL)..................................................... 140
5.8SPECIES..................................................................................................... 140
5.9DIAMETER.................................................................................................. 144
5.9.1PREVIOUS DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT............................................ 149
5.9.2DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH).................................................... 149
5.9.3PREVIOUS DIAMETER AT ROOT COLLAR............................................... 167
5.9.4DIAMETER AT ROOT COLLAR (DRC)....................................................... 167
5.9.4.1DRC STEM DIAMETER.............................................................................. 170

February, 2026 vi

5.9.4.2DRC STEM STATUS................................................................................... 171
5.10PAST NUMBER OF STEMS........................................................................ 171
5.11CURRENT NUMBER OF STEMS............................................................... 171
5.12DIAMETER CHECK..................................................................................... 171
5.25LENGTH TO DIAMETER MEASUREMENT POINT ................................... 172
5.13ROTTEN/MISSING CULL ........................................................................... 172
5.14ABNORMAL TERMINATION....................................................................... 173
5.15TOTAL LENGTH.......................................................................................... 173
5.15.1RMPAST TOTAL TREE LENGTH..................................................................... 174
5.16ACTUAL LENGTH....................................................................................... 175
5.16.1RMPAST ACTUAL TREE LENGTH .................................................................. 175
5.17LENGTH METHOD...................................................................................... 176
5.18CROWN CLASS.......................................................................................... 176
5.19UNCOMPACTED LIVE CROWN RATIO .................................................... 177
5.20COMPACTED CROWN RATIO................................................................... 179
5.21CROWN DIEBACK (CORE OPTIONAL P2 CORE P3)............................... 182
5.22TREE DAMAGE (CORE)............................................................................. 182
5.22.1DAMAGE AGENT 1..................................................................................... 183
5.22.2DAMAGE AGENT 2..................................................................................... 195
5.22.3DAMAGE AGENT 3..................................................................................... 195
5.23CAUSE OF DEATH..................................................................................... 195
5.24MORTALITY YEAR ..................................................................................... 196
5.25DECAY CLASS............................................................................................ 196
5.26LENGTH TO DIAMETER MEASUREMENT POINT.................................... 197
5.26.1RMPERCENT VOLUME MISSING TOP........................................................... 197
5.27ROUGH CULL (CORE OPTIONAL) ........................................................... 197
5.27.1RMSOUND DEAD............................................................................................. 197
5.27.2RMFORM DEFECT........................................................................................... 198
5.27.3RMCONE PRESENCE 1................................................................................... 198
5.27.4RMCONE PRESENCE 2................................................................................... 199
5.27.5RMCONE PRESENCE 3................................................................................... 199
5.27.6RMMAST CODE............................................................................................... 199
5.27.7RMPAST TREE CLASS.................................................................................... 200
5.27.8RMCURRENT TREE CLASS ........................................................................... 200
5.27.9RMAGE CODE.................................................................................................. 201
5.27.10RMTREE AGE .................................................................................................. 201
5.27.11RMTREE AGE CHECK .................................................................................... 204
5.27.12RMSPECIES IDENTIFICATION CODE............................................................ 204
5.28DWARF MISTLETOE CLASS (CORE OPTIONAL)..................................... 205
5.29TREE NOTES.............................................................................................. 205
6.0SEEDLING DATA������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 207
6.1SUBPLOT NUMBER................................................................................... 207
6.2SPECIES..................................................................................................... 207
6.3CONDITION CLASS NUMBER................................................................... 207
6.4SEEDLING COUNT..................................................................................... 207
6.4.1RMCOUNT CHECK ......................................................................................... 208
6.4.2RMSPECIES INDENTIFICATION CODE.......................................................... 208

7.0 SITE TREE INFORMATION��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 209

Table of Contentsvii

7.1SITE TREE SELECTION............................................................................. 209
7.1.1RMSite Tree Requirements............................................................................... 209
7.1.2RMSite Tree Selection....................................................................................... 210
7.2SITE TREE DATA VARIABLES.................................................................... 210
7.2.0RMTREE RECORD NUMBER.......................................................................... 210
7.2.1CONDITION CLASS LIST........................................................................... 210
7.2.2SPECIES..................................................................................................... 211
7.2.3DIAMETER.................................................................................................. 213
7.2.4SITE TREE LENGTH................................................................................... 213
7.2.4.1RMSITE TREE METHOD.................................................................................. 213
7.2.4.2RMSITE TREE.................................................................................................. 213
7.2.5TREE AGE AT DIAMETER.......................................................................... 213
7.2.6SITE TREE NOTES..................................................................................... 214
7.2.7SUBPLOT NUMBER (CORE OPTIONAL).................................................. 214
7.2.8AZIMUTH (CORE OPTIONAL).................................................................... 214
7.2.9HORIZONTAL DISTANCE (CORE OPTIONAL).......................................... 214
8.0PHASE 2 (P2) VEGETATION PROFILE (CORE OPTIONAL)����������������������� 215
8.1Vegetation Sampling Design........................................................................ 215
8.2General Definitions...................................................................................... 216
8.3Vegetation Data Collection Location – Subplot-Level Variables.................. 221
8.3.1SUBPLOT NUMBER................................................................................... 221
8.3.2CONDITION CLASS NUMBER................................................................... 221
8.4Vegetation Structure ................................................................................... 221
8.4.1TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 1.................................................. 223
8.4.2TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 2.................................................. 223
8.4.3TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 3.................................................. 223
8.4.4TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 4.................................................. 223
8.4.5TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER – AERIAL VIEW....................................... 223
8.4.6NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 1......................................... 223
8.4.7NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 2......................................... 224
8.4.8NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 3......................................... 224
8.4.9NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER LAYER 4......................................... 224
8.4.10NON-TALLY TREE SPECIES COVER – AERIAL VIEW.............................. 224
8.4.11SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER LAYER 1..................... 224
8.4.12SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER LAYER 2..................... 224
8.4.13SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER LAYER 3..................... 224
8.4.14SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER LAYER 4..................... 224
8.4.15SHRUB, SUBSHRUB, and WOODY VINE COVER—AERIAL VIEW.......... 224
8.4.15.1RMDEAD SHRUB COVER - AERIAL................................................................ 225
8.4.16FORB COVER LAYER 1............................................................................. 225
8.4.17FORB COVER LAYER 2............................................................................. 225
8.4.18FORB COVER LAYER 3............................................................................. 225
8.4.19FORB COVER LAYER 4............................................................................. 225
8.4.20FORB COVER—AERIAL VIEW.................................................................. 225
8.4.21GRAMINOID COVER LAYER 1................................................................... 225
8.4.22GRAMINOID COVER LAYER 2................................................................... 225
8.4.23GRAMINOID COVER LAYER 3................................................................... 225
8.4.24GRAMINOID COVER LAYER 4................................................................... 225
8.4.25GRAMINOID COVER—AERIAL VIEW........................................................ 226

February, 2026 viii

8.5Species Composition................................................................................... 226
8.5.1SPECIES GROWTH HABIT........................................................................ 228
8.5.2SPECIES CODE.......................................................................................... 230
8.5.2.1RMUnknown Plant Collecting and Identification................................................ 231
8.5.3UNIQUE SPECIES NUMBER...................................................................... 232
8.5.4SPECIES CANOPY COVER....................................................................... 232
8.5.5SPECIES VEGETATION LAYER................................................................. 232
8.5.6SPECIMEN OFFICIALLY COLLECTED...................................................... 233
8.5.6.1RMCommunity Description for Specimen Label................................................ 233
8.5.7SPECIMEN LABEL NUMBER..................................................................... 233
8.5.8P2 SPECIMEN NOT COLLECTED REASON CODE.................................. 234
8.5.9VEGETATION SPECIES NOTES................................................................ 234
9.0INVASIVE PLANTS (CORE OPTIONAL)������������������������������������������������������ 235
9.1Invasive species sample design.................................................................. 235
9.2Species Records.......................................................................................... 236
9.3SUBPLOT NUMBER................................................................................... 236
9.4CONDITION CLASS NUMBER................................................................... 236
9.5SPECIES CODE.......................................................................................... 236
9.6UNIQUE SPECIES NUMBER...................................................................... 237
9.7SPECIES CANOPY COVER....................................................................... 237
9.8INVASIVE SPECIMEN COLLECTED ........................................................ 238
9.9SPECIMEN LABEL NUMBER..................................................................... 238
9.10INVASIVE PLANT NOTES.......................................................................... 239
9.11References.................................................................................................. 239
10DOWN WOODY MATERIALS (Phase 2 – CORE OPTIONAL)��������������������� 241
10.0Introduction.................................................................................................. 241
10.1Definition of Down Woody Materials............................................................ 243
10.2Locating and Establishing Line Transects................................................... 244
10.2.1CWD Transects............................................................................................ 245
10.2.2FWD Transects............................................................................................ 245
10.3Transect Line Segmenting........................................................................... 246
10.3.1SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE)...................................................................... 247
10.3.2TRANSECT (BASE).................................................................................... 247
10.3.3SEGMENT CONDITION CLASS NUMBER (BASE)................................... 247
10.3.4SEGMENT BEGINNING DISTANCE (BASE).............................................. 247
10.3.5SEGMENT ENDING DISTANCE (BASE).................................................... 248
10.3.6DWM TRANSECT SEGMENT SAMPLE STATUS (BASE).......................... 248
10.3.7DWM TRANSECT SEGMENT NONSAMPLED REASON (BASE)............. 248
10.4Sampling Methods for COARSE WOODY DEBRIS (CWD)........................ 248
10.4.1Tally Rules for Coarse Woody Debris (CWD).............................................. 248
10.4.2Marking CWD (OPTIONAL)......................................................................... 252
10.4.3Recording Procedures for CWD.................................................................. 252
10.4.3.1SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE)...................................................................... 252
10.4.3.2TRANSECT (BASE).................................................................................... 252
10.4.3.3CWD CONDITION CLASS (BASE)............................................................. 253
10.4.3.4PIECE ON SUBPLOT OR ANNULAR PLOT? (BASE)................................ 253
10.4.3.5CWD HORIZONTAL DISTANCE (WILDLIFE OPTION)............................... 253
10.4.3.6CWD DECAY CLASS (BASE)..................................................................... 253

Table of Contentsix

10.4.3.7SPECIES (BASE)........................................................................................ 255
10.4.3.8Diameters.................................................................................................... 255
10.4.3.8.1DIAMETER AT POINT OF INTERSECTION (BASE).................................. 257
10.4.3.8.2DIAMETER OF HOLLOW AT POINT OF INTERSECTION (BASE)............ 257
10.4.3.8.3DIAMETER AT THE SMALL END (WILDLIFE OPTION)............................... 257
10.4.3.8.4DIAMETER AT THE LARGE END (WILDLIFE OPTION)............................ 257
10.4.3.9Length Measurements................................................................................. 257
10.4.3.9.1CWD LENGTH >= 3 FEET (BASE)............................................................. 258
10.4.3.9.2CWD TOTAL LENGTH (WILDLIFE OPTION).............................................. 258
10.4.3.10IS THE PIECE HOLLOW? (OPTIONAL)..................................................... 258
10.4.3.11PIECE INCLINATION (OPTIONAL)............................................................. 259
10.4.3.12CWD HISTORY (OPTIONAL)...................................................................... 259
10.4.3.13PERCENT OF LOG CHARRED BY FIRE (OPTIONAL).............................. 259
10.4.3.14LARGE END DIAMETER CLASS (OPTIONAL).......................................... 259
10.5SAMPLING RESIDUE PILES...................................................................... 259
10.5.1PILE SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE).............................................................. 261
10.5.2PILE TRANSECT (BASE)............................................................................ 261
10.5.3PILE CONDITION CLASS NUMBER (BASE)............................................. 262
10.5.4PILE BEGINNING DISTANCE (BASE)........................................................ 262
10.5.5PILE ENDING DISTANCE (BASE).............................................................. 262
10.5.6COMPACTED HEIGHT OF CWD IN PILE (BASE)...................................... 262
10.5.7PILE DECAY CLASS (BASE)...................................................................... 262
10.5.8PILE SPECIES (BASE)............................................................................... 262
10.6Sampling Methods for Fine Woody Debris (FWD)....................................... 263
10.6.1FWD SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE)............................................................. 264
10.6.2FWD TRANSECT (BASE)........................................................................... 264
10.6.3FWD CONDITION CLASS NUMBER (BASE)............................................. 264
10.6.4FWD TRANSECT SEGMENT SAMPLE STATUS (BASE).......................... 264
10.6.5FWD TRANSECT SEGMENT NONSAMPLED REASON (BASE).............. 265
10.6.6SMALL FWD COUNT (BASE)..................................................................... 265
10.6.7MEDIUM FWD COUNT (BASE).................................................................. 265
10.6.8LARGE FWD COUNT (BASE)..................................................................... 265
10.6.9HIGH COUNT REASON (BASE)................................................................. 265
10.7DUFF AND LITTER DEPTH MEASUREMENTS......................................... 266
10.7.1Definitions.................................................................................................... 266
10.7.2Overview of Measurements......................................................................... 267
10.7.3DUFF/LITTER SUBPLOT NUMBER (BASE).............................................. 268
10.7.4DUFF/LITTER TRANSECT (BASE)............................................................ 268
10.7.5DUFF/LITTER CONDITION CLASS NUMBER (BASE).............................. 268
10.7.6DUFF/LITTER SAMPLE STATUS (BASE).................................................. 268
10.7.7DUFF/LITTER NONSAMPLED REASON (BASE)...................................... 269
10.7.8DUFF DEPTH (BASE)................................................................................. 269
10.7.9LITTER DEPTH (BASE).............................................................................. 269
10.7.10DUFF AND LITTER METHOD (BASE)........................................................ 269
10.8References.................................................................................................. 269
11.0Soil Measurements and Sampling – Introduction (CORE OPTIONAL)���� 271
11.1SUMMARY OF METHOD............................................................................ 271
11.2DEFINITIONS.............................................................................................. 272
11.3EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES.................................................................... 273

February, 2026 x

11.3.1Field Gear Unique to the Soil Indicator........................................................ 273
11.3.2Optional Soils Equipment............................................................................ 274
11.3.3Required Equipment not Unique to the Soil Indicator:................................. 274
11.4LABORATORY ANALYSES......................................................................... 274
11.5QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA)...................................................................... 275
11.5.1Training And Certification............................................................................. 275
11.5.2Hot Checks, Cold Checks, and Blind Checks.............................................. 275
11.5.3Reference Plots........................................................................................... 276
11.5.4Debriefing.................................................................................................... 276
11.6Plot Information............................................................................................ 276
11.6.1CURRENT DATE......................................................................................... 276
11.6.1.1YEAR........................................................................................................... 276
11.6.1.2MONTH........................................................................................................ 276
11.6.1.3DAY.............................................................................................................. 276
11.6.2CREW NUMBER......................................................................................... 276
11.6.3QA STATUS ................................................................................................ 276
11.6.4NOTES........................................................................................................ 276
11.7Soil Erosion and Compaction ..................................................................... 277
11.7.1PERCENT COVER OF BARE SOIL ........................................................... 277
11.7.2PERCENT COMPACTED AREA ON THE SUBPLOT ................................ 278
11.7.3TYPE OF COMPACTION - RUTTED TRAIL............................................... 279
11.7.4TYPE OF COMPACTION – COMPACTED TRAIL...................................... 279
11.7.5TYPE OF COMPACTION – COMPACTED AREA....................................... 280
11.7.6TYPE OF COMPACTION – OTHER............................................................ 280
11.8SOIL SAMPLE COLLECTION..................................................................... 280
11.8.1Forest Floor................................................................................................. 281
11.8.2Assembly and Operation of Impact Driven Soil Corer
(Bulk Density Sampler)................................................................................ 283
11.8.3Mineral Soil.................................................................................................. 284
11.8.5Alternate Sampling Methods for “Problem” Soils......................................... 285
11.8.6Commonly Encountered Problems.............................................................. 286
11.8.7Organic soils ............................................................................................... 287
11.8.8SUBPLOT NUMBER .................................................................................. 288
11.8.9VISIT NUMBER .......................................................................................... 288
11.8.10SOIL SAMPLE STATUS.............................................................................. 288
11.8.11CONDITION CLASS NUMBER .................................................................. 289
11.8.12FOREST FLOOR THICKNESS – NORTH................................................... 289
11.8.13FOREST FLOOR THICKNESS – EAST...................................................... 290
11.8.14FOREST FLOOR THICKNESS – SOUTH................................................... 290
11.8.15FOREST FLOOR THICKNESS – WEST..................................................... 290
11.8.16THICKNESS OF THE LITTER LAYER - NORTH ....................................... 291
11.8.17THICKNESS OF THE LITTER LAYER - EAST............................................ 291
11.8.18THICKNESS OF THE LITTER LAYER - SOUTH........................................ 291
11.8.19THICKNESS OF THE LITTER LAYER - WEST........................................... 292
11.8.20DEPTH TO RESTRICTIVE HORIZON........................................................ 292
11.8.21SOIL TEXTURE IN THE 0-4 INCH LAYER.................................................. 292
11.8.22SOIL TEXTURE IN THE 4-8 INCH LAYER.................................................. 293
11.9SAMPLE LABELS........................................................................................ 293
11.10SAMPLE SHIPPING.................................................................................... 295
11.10.1Shipping Forms............................................................................................ 295

Table of Contentsxi

11.10.2Government Regulations For Pest-Regulated States (Southern
Region, NY, AZ, NM, CA, and HI )............................................................... 298
11.12REFERENCES............................................................................................ 299
11.13Acknowledgements...................................................................................... 299
11.14EXAMPLE DATA SHEETS.......................................................................... 300

Soil Data Sheet 1

12.0High Performance GNSS (CORE)���������������������������������������������������������������� 303
12.1HPGNSS SUBPLOT.................................................................................... 303
12.2HPGNSS STATUS....................................................................................... 303

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