Survey Protocols For Survey and Manage Component 2: Bryophytes

Memo to District and Area Managers, et. al.

Diplophyllum plicatum

Kurzia makinoana

Marsupella emarginata

Ptilidium californicum

Tritomaria exsectiformis

Appendices:
A
B
C
D

APPENDIX C. FIELD FORMS FOR SURVEY AND MANAGE CRYPTOGAMS

Plot Description Card

Cryptogam Field Form

Plot cards are designed to be 5" x 8" to fit into field tatum. The Plot Description Card and the Cryptogam Field Form are designed to be double sided cards. Make copies of plot card templates provided, using double sided copy on rite-in-rain or plasticized paper to enable data collection during rainy field conditions.

FIELD METHODS, DATA DICTIONARY, EPIPHYTE ABUNDANCE RATING SYSTEM

PLOT DESCRIPTION CARD

This card is used to record data on stand and plant community conditions to characterize the habitat and ecological conditions of the site where the species is observed.

PLOT NUMBER will be the first and last initial of the surveyor followed by 2 numbers that are sequential numbers for each survey form, e.g. Jane Doe, plot number 2 will be JD02. Each plot will have a unique number. This number will appear on all plot cards for the plot, on any voucher specimens collected, map and aerial photo locations, and photographs.

ELEVATION: in feet

ASPECT: in degrees 1-360

SLOPE: in percent

See data dictionary for codes to be used for landform, topographic moisture, macroposition, microposition, microconfiguration (vertical and horizontal), successional stage, regolith and bedrock

YEAR OF STAND ORIGIN: field will be completed in office using fire history layer if available

MAXIMUM TREE AGE: if a tree is cored on plot, choose oldest looking tree that will produce a good core to document maximum age of trees on plot

CC OVERSTORY: canopy cover of overstory, which is the percent cover of the overstory layer on the plot - values 0-99%.

CC UNDERSTORY: canopy cover of understory, which is the percent cover of the understory layer on the plot - values from 0-99%.

AVERAGE STAND DIAMETER: Estimate the average diameter of dominant trees on the plot.

SERIES: Key out the series using the appropriate Plant Association guide for the geographical area of the survey. Record acronym for series ( Ist two letters of genus and I st two letters of species, e.g. Western Hemlock = TSHE)

PLANT ASSOCIATION: Key out the plant association using the appropriate Plant Association guide for the area.

LICHEN LINE: Record the lichen line as observed by the average height of lichens on the tree boles. This is an indication of the average annual snow depth for recent years in the stand. Generally the alectorioid lichens give the best indication of snow depth (Alectoria or Bryoria spp).

CREW: record names of crew taking plot data
TIME: time of day plot started and finished

PLOT SIZE: generally a 1/10 acre plot (37.24 ft radius) is adequate to characterize the stand. Consider that the plot size should be large enough to sample the patchiness and variability in the stand, although the plot should only encompass a homogeneous plant community.

LOCATION: provide detailed written description on the location of the plot, using enough detail that someone else could relocate it.

MAP: record quad map used for documenting plot location

AIR PHOTO: if aerial photograph used, record the photo number where plot is marked.

PHOTO: record photo numbers if photographs taken at plot.

TOPOGRAPHY AND LANDFORM: provide a description of the topography and landform of the plot.

STAND STRUCTURE AND SUCCESSlON: Provide verbal description with sufficient detail to provide an image of the stand structure and successional stage. Record qualitative comments on overstory dominants, tree regeneration, canopy structure, snags and down wood, understory dominants, horizontal and vertical structure, successional stage, and any other observations of note or interest.

BACK SIDE OF PLOT DESCRIPTION CARD

Record scientific name of species on plot

Record percent cover of species on plot (range from 1 to 99%)
Top section for trees: record total % cover for species (<= 99%)
(optional to record % cover for S different size classes) - if these cover values are not recorded, be sure to include in the stand structure description sufficient detail to describe the tree layer, size class distribution and relative abundance for the different tree species

If trees are aged or measured, record dbh, height, age, ring count

Bottom section for understory species; divided into 2 sections for shrubs and herbs; if not enough room for all species on plot, use another card.

Record % covet for species; check in column V if voucher collected

Ph = Phenology Codes (optional):
B = bud; fi = immature flower; FL = mature flower, fr = immature fruit; FR = mature fruit; S = seed

DATA DICTIONARY FOR SURVEY AND MANAGE SPECIES - PLOT DESCRIPTION CARD

PLOT NUMBER: unique number for plot

FOREST/DISTRICT: Standard numeric codes for Forest/District; BLM District/Resource Area

LANDFORM:

TOPOGRAPHIC MOISTURE (redistribution of water by gravity)

MACROPOSIT1ON

MICROPOSITION

MICROCONFIGURATION (vertical and horizontal)

SUCCESSIONAL STAGE

1 = CC, not burned
2 = Grass-forb (1-10 yrs after burning)
3 = shrub-seedling (1-10 yrs)
4 = sapling (5-150 yrs)
5 = young forest (16-50 yrs)
6 = mature forest (50-200 yrs)
7 = young old-growth (200-400 yrs)
8 = old old-growth (400-1000 yrs)
9 = climax. both composition and structure

REGOLITH (parent material)

BEDROCK