Phase 2 Vegetation Profile Summary Estimation of vegetation

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Phase 2 Vegetation Profile Summary Estimation of vegetation foliage cover (no boles or woody

Phase 2 Vegetation Profile Summary Estimation of vegetation foliage cover (no boles or woody stems) by layer and aerial canopy cover of each growth habit Canopy cover is estimated for each sampled accessible forestland condition on the subplot Not collected on accessible nonforest land conditions

Plot Level Variables - filled in for you SAMPLING STATUS 0 - Veg not

Plot Level Variables - filled in for you SAMPLING STATUS 0 - Veg not sampled (no further veg data required) 1 - Veg sampled on accessible forest land conditions LEVEL OF DETAIL 1 - Collect data for Vegetation Structure only Levels 2 & 3 deal with species specific cover estimates which SRS-FIA may or may not go to in the future.

Subplot Level Variables SUBPLOT NUMBER P 2 VEG SUBPLOT SAMPLE STATUS 1 - Subplot

Subplot Level Variables SUBPLOT NUMBER P 2 VEG SUBPLOT SAMPLE STATUS 1 - Subplot sampled for P 2 Vegetation 2 - Subplot not sampled for P 2 Vegetation VEGETATION NONSAMPLED REASON 10 - Other (for example, snow or water covering vegetation that is supposed to be sampled)

Subplot Level Variables Cont. CONDITION CLASS NUMBER Record the number for the sampled accessible

Subplot Level Variables Cont. CONDITION CLASS NUMBER Record the number for the sampled accessible forested condition in which the vegetation is found. If multiple forested conditions occur on the same subplot, veg cover will be collected for each condition. VEGETATION SUBPLOT NOTES Use this field to record notes pertaining to the subplot, and any unusual conditions encountered.

Growth Habits (TT) Tally tree spp - on SRS tree species code list (P

Growth Habits (TT) Tally tree spp - on SRS tree species code list (P 2 field manual Appendix 3) (NT) Non-tally tree spp - not on SRS tree species code list (P 2 field manual Appendix 3) (SH) Shrub & Woody Vine - any size; woody, multi-stemmed; woody vines; sub-shrubs, cacti (FB) Forb - herbs, non-woody vines, ferns (GR) Graminoid - grasses and grass-like plants Tree spp Growth Habits include seedlings, saplings and mature trees – NO MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT

Questionable Growth Habits Bamboo and Cane = Grasses Cacti, Yucca and other Agave =

Questionable Growth Habits Bamboo and Cane = Grasses Cacti, Yucca and other Agave = Shrubs Spanish moss and other bromeliads = Forb/Herbaceous vines like Philodendron = Forb/Herb Blackberries, Raspberries = Shrubs *Mistletoe = Shrub Clubmoss aka Groundpine = Shrub Indian Pipe and Squaw Root = Forb

Questionable Growth Habits continued For a woody species that is not on the SRS-FIA

Questionable Growth Habits continued For a woody species that is not on the SRS-FIA tally list and exhibits both tree and shrub growth forms: - Single dominant stem and will grow >13’ tall = non-tally tree (NT). - No single dominant stem = shrub growth habit (SH). Be consistent throughout the subplot-condition. The growth habit of these tree/shrub species could be different on separate subplot-conditions.

4 Layers and Aerial View Layer 4 Greater than 16. 0 feet Layer 3

4 Layers and Aerial View Layer 4 Greater than 16. 0 feet Layer 3 6. 1 to 16. 0 feet Layer 2 2. 1 to 6. 0 feet Layer 1 0 to 2. 0 feet * Within each layer and aerial view - Examine each Growth Habit individually as if the other Growth Habits do not exist

The layers are parallel to the slope of the ground. To determine the layer

The layers are parallel to the slope of the ground. To determine the layer of a plant, measure the height of the foliage from the ground directly underneath the foliage. For example: If the plant is rooted on top of a boulder – layers begin at the ground underneath the boulder.

Estimating Canopy Cover

Estimating Canopy Cover

Aerial View Coverage The total aerial canopy cover for a growth habit must be

Aerial View Coverage The total aerial canopy cover for a growth habit must be equal to or greater than the highest canopy cover recorded for an individual layer in that growth habit, but cannot be greater than the sum of all canopy covers recorded for all layers in that growth habit For example: Vegetation Structure Growth Habit Layer 1 (0 -2. 0’) Layer 2 (2. 1’-6. 0’) 005 Non-tally tree sp (NT) Shrub/Subshrub/ Woody Vine (SH) 000 000 000 005 005 020 Forb (FB) Graminoid (GR) 002 003 000 000 000 Tally tree sp (TT) Layer 3 (6. 1’-16. 0’) Layer 4 (>16. 0’) Percent canopy cover 005 Aerial Hypothetical 5% perfect column of tree foliage cover Hypothetical 5% shrub cover without any overlap 005 002 003 In this example the aerial cover for TT or SH cannot be less than 5% or greater than 20%

Estimating Canopy Cover Canopy cover is estimated by drawing an outline around the outer

Estimating Canopy Cover Canopy cover is estimated by drawing an outline around the outer edges of the foliage (include gaps) P 2 Veg cover estimates end at 24 feet (like a cylinder). Plant foliage is included in the condition it is hanging over, even if the plant is rooted in a different condition.

If multiple sampled accessible conditions occur on a subplot, treat the condition boundary as

If multiple sampled accessible conditions occur on a subplot, treat the condition boundary as a vertical wall on the plot.

Canopy Cover • The maximum possible canopy cover is the percentage of the subplot

Canopy Cover • The maximum possible canopy cover is the percentage of the subplot area within the accessible condition For example: if Condition 2 is 30% then maximum cover is 30% (NOT 100%) C 2=30% C 1=70%

Canopy Cover • Foliage that is OR WAS alive during the current growing season

Canopy Cover • Foliage that is OR WAS alive during the current growing season is included in the cover estimates, unless stem is completely detached. • Include broken stems if still attached. • Record cover to the nearest percent (trace amounts are recorded as 1%)

Canopy cover by layer and growth habit *Do not include stems and boles into

Canopy cover by layer and growth habit *Do not include stems and boles into the cover estimate.