Details and Metadata
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Methods
The methods followed in the creation of the dataset, including description of field, laboratory and processing steps, and quality control procedures
Current Methods
Sample Locations
Started: 2012-08-13The majority of sample locations were established using a grid system at the scale of the entire SFMA area. Additional samples have been established in specific stands or forest areas, also on area specific grids. All sample locations are given and recorded using UTM coordinates in meters for UTM Zone 19 with reference to the North American Datum for 1983 (NAD83). If a sample location is substantially different (>30-50+ft) of the location given by the GPS unit (the catalogued location) the correct location should be recorded in the field. A minimum of 100 averaged readings must be taken. *Record the actual (not as planned) GPS coordinates as UTM northing and easting on the data sheet.
Finding/Marking the Sample Center:
Started: 2012-08-13When approaching the GPS location, look for bark-scribed trees and witness tree tags as well as tree ID numbers in blue paint. Look for the rebar/steel center pin, plastic flagging may be visible on the pin or trees around it, the witness tree azimuths and distances can help in finding an obscured pin. If the plot center pin cannot be found, consider returning with a metal detector to find the pin if it became buried. Otherwise re-establish the plot center, marked with a rebar pin driven partly into the ground, based on tree azimuths and distances. Hang a long-tailed flag as close to the plot center as possible.
Instrumentation: Garmin GPS unit with averaging capability, Spare Batteries, Suunto compass or mirror type sighting compass set for azimuths, Metal Detector, Flagging, Rebar Pin
Plot Perimeter
Started: 2012-08-13Tree distance will be measured from plot center to the center side of the tree stump. Borderline “out” trees will be marked with an “X” at approximate DBH using blue tube paint.
Instrumentation: Garmin GPS unit with averaging capability, Spare Batteries, Suunto compass or mirror type sighting compass set for azimuths, Metal Detector, Flagging, Rebar Pin, Blue Tube Paint
Dataset Fields
Detailed documentation of the fields comprising the dataset, including the type of measurement, units where applicable, and any controlled vocabularies or code lists present in the data
Field Name Caption Description Additional Information AutoID AutoID Measurement type: Azimuth Azimuth Measured from the sample CENTER to the TREE to the nearest degree using a mirror sighting compass, compensating for declination
Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 1BSPAID BSPAID Baxter State Park Area ID
Measurement type: Nominal Condition Condition Assessment of tree health (if a tree had more than one condition the first item encountered on the RANKED list of conditions was chosen first
Measurement type: Nominal
Condition_Codes
+ showAppears in data as Meaning of code BTOP Broken Top DTOP Dead Top FTOP Forked Top CLN Clean DIEB Crown Dieback RBUT Rotten Butt Log UNKWN Unknown NA Non-applicable DBH DBH Diameter at breast height. In most cases DBH was measured above the scribe mark to the nearest 1/10 of an inch. All trees >=4/6" were measured. DBH was measured using a DBH tape.
Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.01Distance Horizontal Distance From plot center at the ground line to center side of stump –Used Haglof Vertex Hypsometer or distance tape.
Measurement type: Ratio
Units: ft
Precision: 0.1LCR Live Crown Ratio Ocular estimate of the ratio between the live crown and the total height of the tree.
Measurement type: Nominal
Unit: unavailableMeasurementYear Measurement Year Year the tree was measured
Measurement type: DateTime
Date/Time Format:Quality Quality Standard assessment of merchantability
Measurement type: Nominal
CFI_Quality_Codes
+ showAppears in data as Meaning of code AGS Acceptable growing stock, tree capable of producing sawlog product now or in future. UGS Un-acceptable growing stock, tree not capable of producing sawlog product now or in future. NA Live Tree unkown AGS or UGS status. AGS+ High quality tree potential veneer or clear sawlog now or in future. CULL Live Tree not capable of producing commercial product now or in future. UKNWN Qaulity is unknown or un-recorded Remark Remark Additional comments by the researcher
Measurement type: Nominal SID Sample ID Sample ID
Measurement type: Nominal Species Species Tree species based on the Forest Vegetation Simulator codes from the US Forest Service
Measurement type: Nominal
Baxter State Park Species Codes
+ showAppears in data as Meaning AB American beech (Fagus grandifolia) - View ITIS Record EH Canada hemlock; hemlock spruce (Tsuga canadensis) - View ITIS Record HH eastern hophornbeam; hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) - View ITIS Record NC Custom Species Code PB paper birch (Betula papyrifera) - View ITIS Record BF balsam fir (Abies balsamea) - View ITIS Record QA quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) - View ITIS Record RM red maple (Acer rubrum) - View ITIS Record RS red spruce (Picea rubens) - View ITIS Record SM sugar maple (Acer saccharum) - View ITIS Record ST striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum) - View ITIS Record YB yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) - View ITIS Record WS white spruce (Picea glauca) - View ITIS Record WP eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) - View ITIS Record WC arborvitae; eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) - View ITIS Record WA white ash (Fraxinus americana) - View ITIS Record TA tamarack (Larix laricina) - View ITIS Record RP red pine (Pinus resinosa) - View ITIS Record RO northern red oak (Quercus rubra) - View ITIS Record PC pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) - View ITIS Record BT bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata) - View ITIS Record BS black spruce; bog spruce (Picea mariana) - View ITIS Record bp balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) - View ITIS Record BC black cherry (Prunus serotina) - View ITIS Record BA black ash (Fraxinus nigra) - View ITIS Record AE American elm (Ulmus americana) - View ITIS Record UN Custom Species Code SW swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) - View ITIS Record HWS Custom Species Code SWS Custom Species Code Status Status Description of the health of the tree
Measurement type: Nominal
BSP_TreeStatus_Codes
+ showAppears in data as Meaning of code 1 Living 2 Living Ingrowth 6 Dead Standing 7 Dead Uprooted 8 Dead on the Ground 4 Harvested 5 Dead brash failure 3 Living Previously missed 9 Dead Ingrowth 10 Missing 11 Outside Plot TotalHGT Total Height Total height of the tree measured from the base of the trunk to the top of the tree. Height measurements were taken using the Haglof Vertex IV Hypsometer
Measurement type: Ratio
Units: ft
Precision: 1TreeID Tree ID All trees at a subplot have a unique tree id.
Measurement type: Nominal TreeOutofSID Tree Out of Sample Perimeter This field marks any trees that are out of the sample perimeter
Measurement type: Nominal Sampling Equipment
Equipment and software used to collect data, including how that equipment was used.
Current Equipment
100' Loggers or fiberglass tape
Acts as back up for Haglof Vertex Hypsometer to measure distances from center.
Aluminum nails
Used for marking trees
Blue Nel-spot paint and paintgun: spare nozzles, tip cleaning probe, and small pliers
Used to mark trees
D-tape (inches)
Used to measure tree diameters
Diameter Fork
Used as an alternative method to measure tree diameter
Extra plot center pins
Used in the case that center pins are ruined or can't be found
Flat aluminum tags
Used to tag witness trees around plot center
Garmin GPS unit with averaging capability: spare batteries
Used to relocate plots and to mark new plots if needed
Haglof plot center pole and 360 degree mount
Used with Haglof Vertex IV Hypsometer to hold unit up while researcher measures tree heights and horizontal distances
Haglof Vertex IV Hypsometer: spare batteries (AA)
Used to measure tree heights and horizontal distance
Hammer
Used to fix or pulls nails
Nelson blue tree marking tube paint
Used to mark trees
Suunto compass or mirror type sighting compass set for azimuths
Used with Garmin GPS to navigate to and from plots.
Site Characteristics
The spatial extent of the dataset site coverage, and descriptions of the spatial extent and context for the data collection
- Site Description
Northwest Corner of Baxter State Park (SFMA)