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 BSPAID BSPAID Measurement type: DBH DBH Measurement type: Measurement_Year Measurement_Year Measurement type: OBJECTID OBJECTID Measurement type: Quality Quality Measurement type: Nominal
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 Quality is unknown or un-recorded Remarks Remarks Measurement type: Nominal SID SID Measurement type: Nominal Species Species Measurement type: Nominal
Baxter State Park Species Codes
+ showAppears in data as Meaning AB American beech (Fagus grandifolia) - EH Canada hemlock; hemlock spruce (Tsuga canadensis) - HH eastern hophornbeam; hophornbeam (Ostrya virginiana) - NC Custom Species Code PB paper birch (Betula papyrifera) - BF balsam fir (Abies balsamea) - QA quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) - RM red maple (Acer rubrum) - RS red spruce (Picea rubens) - SM sugar maple (Acer saccharum) - ST striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum) - YB yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) - WS white spruce (Picea glauca) - WP eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) - WC arborvitae; eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) - WA white ash (Fraxinus americana) - TA tamarack (Larix laricina) - RP red pine (Pinus resinosa) - RO northern red oak (Quercus rubra) - PC pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) - BT bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata) - BS black spruce; bog spruce (Picea mariana) - bp balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) - BC black cherry (Prunus serotina) - BA black ash (Fraxinus nigra) - AE American elm (Ulmus americana) - UN Custom Species Code SW swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) - HWS Custom Species Code SWS Custom Species Code Status Status Measurement type: Nominal
Status_Codes
+ showAppears in data as Meaning of code 1 Living 2 Living Ingrowth 3 Living Previously missed 4 Harvested 5 Dead brash failure 6 Dead Standing 7 Dead Uprooted 8 Dead on the Ground 9 Dead Ingrowth 10 Missing 11 Outside Plot Stem_Count Stem_Count Measurement type: TallyGT0 TallyGT0 Measurement type: Nominal Total_HGT Total_HGT Measurement type: Tree_Number Tree_Number Measurement type: 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)