FOR 3364 Forest Ecology and Sustainability

Fall 2010 S. M. Zedaker

Laboratory Session #3: Review of Forest Measurement Techniques

Introduction To manage forest resources (plants, animals, soil, water), professionals must be able to assess their condition and state. Quantitative data on vegetation size, density, dominance, and frequency are used to describe the condition and state of a forest. These data are used by resource managers to evaluate the forests suitability as wildlife habitat and to determine its recreational values and/or its condition relative to timber production. The purpose of this exercise is to teach you how to conduct some of the basic measurements needed to characterize the composition and structure of forests on various sites. These techniques will be used in subsequent exercises.

Definitions
Abundance: The number of individuals in a given area (e.g., "There are 1,000 trees on my farm"). Aspect: The true heading of a line running downhill perpendicular to the contour lines (the direction water would run on a hill). Basal Area: A term often used as a measure of dominance or density. Imagine that you were to take the horizontal cross-section at 4.5' of every tree on one acre of land. If you calculated the areas of all those cross-sections (by taking tree diameters and calculating their corresponding areas if they were perfect circles) and added them up, you would get the basal area for that acre. Fortunately, using a prism and sampling several random plots on that same acre will give us a close estimate of the basal area. When using a prism, the basal area is determined by the number of "in" trees. In our lab, we will be using a 10 basal area factor prism. This means that every tree we tally as "in" the sample will represent 10 sq.ft. of basal area. Chain: An English surveying measurement equal to 66 feet. It is the most common forest measurement for horizontal distance. 1 chain x 1 chain = 0.1 acre; 80 chains = 1 mile. Cover: The percent of ground area occupied or shaded by a species' or vegetation types crown area. Crown Area: The area of ground covered by a vertical projection of a plant's crown. By convention, measured as:

average crown diameter 2

Density: The abundance expressed on a per-unit area or volume basis (e.g., "Since my farm covers 20 acres and there are 1,000 trees, the tree density is 50 trees per acre."). Dominance: For plants, a measure of control of resources often expressed as a percent cover of the ground surface area; for canopy trees, their basal area is commonly used. Frequency: The number of plots/points in which a species is found. For example, white oak in 10 plots out of 20 total plots = .5 frequency of white oak. Local Attraction: A condition in the environment that will cause the compass to deviate from the normal position. Most commonly caused by ore and mineral deposits, electric transmission lines, and other metallic objects that can be as small as a watch or piece of jewelry. Magnetic Declination: The difference between true and magnetic north. This difference is important because it is used to adjust the dial on a compass to convert the magnetic readings to true readings. Magnetic

declination changes over time, but on a day-to-day basis is insignificant. The current declination in Blacksburg and the surrounding area is about 6o west. Magnetic North: The direction (magnetic pole) in which a common magnetic compass will point, which is not located at the true North Pole. Plot Sampling: A method of sampling that relies on a fixed area or a fixed radius for a circular plot; every tree, shrub, or plant within that radius may be tallied. Point Sampling: Also known as variable radius plot sampling, this sampling technique uses the size and/or proximity of the plants to a center point as the basis for selection, rather than the frequency of occurrence. The most common way to determine whether a tree is going to be included in the sample is to use a sighting angle. This sighting angle can be measured using a wedge prism, a tapered piece of glass that offsets the light entering the prism at a specific angle (Figure 2). When you look through the prism, the bole of the tree will appear to be offset. If the offset portion of the tree still appears to touch the remainder of the tree, then it is an "in" tree. If it is borderline, then the tree should be measured to determine whether it is to be tallied. Another common point sampling technique is the point-quarter method. In this technique, the closest individual in each of four quarters of a circle is tallied. Relative Density/Dominance/Frequency: Absolute measures of density, dominance or frequency for individual species, expressed as a percent of the total for all species. For example: (basal area of white oak / total basal area) x 100 = dominance of white oak. Site Index: A measure (actually a bioassay) of site quality that uses the relationship between height and age to determine how productive a site may be. Slope: The angle, or rise/run, measured from horizontal, of the aspect line, expressed as a percent. True North: The reference point most commonly used in forestry and all other surveying applications. The actual north and south lines run true north and pass through the North and South Poles.

Equipment Personal hard hat boots field pants clipboard/notebook exercise handout calculator Field 100' or 50' tape clinometer compass increment borer 10 BAF prism diameter tape pin flags

Methods This exercise is designed so that each student will have a hands-on experience with each technique. The class will form teams of 2 to 4 students each. Each student will be responsible for her/his own complete set of data, and for answers to the questions near the back of this handout. Complete all data sheets and questions and hand them in to your instructor.

STATION 1: Forest Understory and Site Attributes Task 1: For all trees >1' and < 6' tall on 1/500 acre plots: a. Determine the radius of the plot and mark it with pin flags. Determine the crown area of each tree (rootstocks), by species, by measuring their crown diameters along the principal (longest) and the perpendicular axes. Use the average crown diameter for each individual and assume a circular crown to determine crown area. b. Use the data from (a) to determine the total crown area occupied by each species recorded and calculate the percent cover by species on the 1/500 acre plot by dividing the total crown area for an individual species by the plot area. c. Using the enclosed cover class guide (Figure 1), visually estimate the cover of each species on the 1/500 acre plots. d. Calculate the relative dominance of each species for the plots using measured percent cover by methods (b) and (c) above. Task 2: At plot center: a. Determine the aspect in degrees, to the nearest 2 degrees, of the plot using the compass. b. Determine the percent slope using the clinometer. Task 3: For three of the flagged trees: a. Measure the height to the nearest foot using the clinometer and tape (Figure 5). b. Determine the age using the increment borer (Figure 3). Task 4: For the three trees in Task 3: a. Determine the site indices using the appropriate site index curve for the species bored (Figure 4). b. Convert the site indices for the three trees in (a) to a yellow-poplar site index. STATION 2: Forest Overstory Assessment Task 1: For all stems > _____ in dbh: a. Determine the radius of the plot and mark it with pin flags. Record the dbh in inches to the nearest 0.1" of all qualifying stems in 1/25-acre plots and calculate their basal area (BA) from each diameter. b. Determine the BA, density per acre, relative BA dominance, and relative density by species. Task 2: For all stems > _____ in dbh: a. Record the BA by species and the total BA of a point sample using a 10 or 20 BAF prism (Figure 2). b. Calculate the relative dominance, based on BA, of each species.

Figure 1. Percent Cover Classes (Method C)

Figure 2. Use of Wedge Prism

How variable plot cruising works. A: The sampling point is the position of the observer's eye. The circles represent the DBH of trees. The shaded area shows the angle of projection defined by the edges of the angle gauge. Only those trees that intercept a greater angle are tallied. B: The wedge prism and how it tells which trees to count. If the displacement of the tree, as seen through the prism, is beyond that part of the tree not seen through the prism, the tree is not counted. If the displacement is less, the tree is tallied. If the displacement coincides with the tree's edge, it is borderline and is measured for DBH and critical distance. For a 10 BAF prism, the limiting distance (ft) = 2.75xDBH(in). If the borderline tree is further away from the sampling point than the limiting distance, it is not in and is not tallied.

Figure 4: Site Index Curves and Site Index Comparison Graph

MEASURING THE HEIGHT AND DIAMETER OF STANDING TREES

Approximating heights and diameters with the Biltmore stick (cruiser stick) In the past, woodland owners have used the Biltmore cruiser stick to measure both the diameters and heights of trees (see Figures 1 and 2). Cruiser sticks can be purchased from forestry supply houses. Although the stick can give you a good indication of diameter and height, it may be advantageous to use instruments that give more precise readings. Remember these points in using a cruising stick for measuring height: Pace as accurately as possible the horizontal distance away from the tree (66 or 99 feet). Stand on the same level as the base of the tree neither uphill nor downhill. Check the distance from your eye to the stick (should be 25 inches see Figure 1). Hold the stick straight up and down, in line with the trunk of the tree. Move your eyes, not your head, when reading from bottom to top of the stick. Know what minimum top diameter you want and estimate this point on the tree, then count the logs from the stump height to this point. Remember these points in using a cruising stick to measure diameters: Keep your eyes level with the stick. Determine diameter by holding the stick on the narrow side of the tree, then determine the diameter by holding the stick on the west side of the tree. The average of these two measurements is the trees diameter. Some cruisers hold the stick on the side of the tree where the average diameter can be measured. Move your eyes, not your head, when reading from one side to the other. Diameters are usually recorded to the nearest even inch. Measuring diameters using the diameter tape A diameter tape provides a way of measuring a trees circumference and directly converting it to diameter. Readings are direct and accurate. The tape must be level all the way around the tree to avoid any abnormal diameter readings. If there are branch whorls or other projections from the bark at 4 feet (dbh), put the measurement tape above them so the actual average diameter of the tree will be recorded. If you do not hold the tape level around the tree, your result will be an overestimate. Diameters are usually rounded to the nearest inch. You can use a normal tape to measure the circumference of the tree. Convert to diameter by the formula: DBH = circumference (inches) 3.14

Measuring heights with an instrument The Suunto clinometer is a convenient instrument for measuring tree heights. To use the clinometer as a vertical angle measurer, place the clinometer to one eye as indicated in Figure 3 and move it up and down the tree stem until the horizontal index line, viewed through the lens, is aligned with the point of interest on the tree. You simultaneously look into the clinometer with one eye and alongside the clinometer with the other eye (you cannot see through the clinometer). By optical illusion the horizontal index line seems to protrude from the instrument body. You see this line against the tree. At the same time, you see the graduated scales. Thus, in one simultaneous view, you see the tree and the index line and you read the desired scale. It is fast and accurate. For example, to measure tree height (see Figures 3a, 3b, and 3c for three different situations that can occur in measuring a trees height): Measure distance A-B in feet (this is horizontal distance). Stand at point A. Read slope percent to base of tree (G-B), which is angle F. Read slope percent to tree top (GD), which is angle E. Combine angles E and F by adding both percents if one percent is plus (+) and the other percent is minus () (Figures 3a and 3b). If both percents are plus, subtract angle F% from angle E% (Figure 3c). If AB is 100 feet as in Figure 3a, the total tree height (B-D) is the same as the combined percent of angles D and F and is expressed in feet. Thus, the total height of the tree in Figure 3a is 80 feet. In Figure 3b, where the distance A-B is different than 100 feet, divide the distance A-B by 100 feet and multiply that figure by the percentage of the combined angles. Examples: A-B = 80 Angles E and F combined = 100 80 divided by 100 = 0.80 Total tree height is 0.8 times 100, or 80 feet In Figure 3c, the calculations follow the same procedure as in Figure 3b. A-B = 108 Angles E and F combined = 74 108 divided by 100 = 1.08 Total tree height is 1.08 times 74, or 80 feet
(Excerpt from Measuring Trees, a Pacific Northwest Extension Publication, PNW 31, June 1982)

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Student #: ___________________________

Forest Ecology and Sustainability Lab #3: Measurements

Answer the following questions. (1 pt per question plus 5 pts for data & calculations) 1. Was the relative dominance in the understory the same when measured different ways? Which is "better"?

2. You determined stand BA using both the fixed plot and variable plot (prism) methods. Which was faster/easier, and why?

3. Define site index.

4. Why is the site index different for each species?

5. Was the relative dominance of the overstory the same when measured by the two different techniques? Why or why not?

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Student ID #: __________________ STATION 1, TASK 1 Data Sheet: Understory Composition (Method B)

Tree Species

Plot Area: ______________

Mean Crown Diam. Crown Area

STATION 1, TASK 1 Summary Table

Species Sum of Crown Area % Cover (b) (c) Relative Dominance (%) (b) (c)

Total:

= 100

= 100

STATION 1, TASK 2:

Slope: _____________________

Aspect: _________________

STATION 1, TASKS 3 AND 4: Tree Height, Age, and Site Index

Tree #1 #2 #3 Species Height Age Site Index Yellow-Poplar Site Index

Average Yellow-Poplar Site Index:

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STATION 2, TASK 1 Data Sheet: Fixed Area Plots (Overstory Assessment) 1/25 Acre Fixed Plot
Tree # Species

Radius = _______________
DBH BA/tree

STATION 2, TASK 1 Summary Table

Species Sum of BA/ac Density/ac Relative Dominance (%) Relative Density (%)

Total:

= 100 STATION 2, TASK 2: Point Sample (Prism Point)

Species BA/ac Relative Dominance (%)

= 100

Total:

= 100

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