TP041
Post-logging community structure and biomass accumulation in Watershed 10, Andrews Experimental Forest , 1974 to present

CREATOR(S): Henry L. Gholz, David Bell

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S): David Bell

ORIGINATOR(S): Henry L. Gholz

OTHER RESEARCHER(S): Jerry F. Franklin, Charles B. Halpern, Robert J. Pabst, Suzanne M. Remillard, Thomas A. Spies, David Carl Shaw

ABSTRACTOR: Mark W. Klopsch, Howard Bruner

FORMER INVESTIGATOR: Howard Bruner

METADATA CREATION DATE:

10 Apr 2003

MOST RECENT METADATA REVIEW DATE:

25 Apr 2023

KEYWORDS:

Disturbance, Organic matter, Primary production, communities, community structure, Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER), plant ecology, biomass, community composition, trophic structure, succession, primary production, disturbance, burning, timber harvest, clearcutting, organic matter, canopies, trees, understory vegetation

PURPOSE:

To study the effects on logging without burning on clearcut succession, biomass, and nutrient pools. Componet biomass and leaf area were to be calculated for all species on the watershed. This information was to be used to estimate nutrient pools so nutrient dynamics of the whole water-shed could be modeled.

METHODS:

Experimental Design - TP041:

Description: Thirty six (36) plots are distributed across the watershed, stratified according to extant vegetation type(s). The watershed was stratified into 4 habitat types based on seven distinct plant communities. The plot locations were selected to proportionally sample the 4 habitat types. Initially, all plots were measured annually, but after 1981 the measurement schedule was extended to a frequency of 2-6 years. Plots are 15 x 10 meter, slope corrected, with the long axis parallel to the topographic contour. Each plot is comprised of two, 15 meter-long strips of 1 x 1-m quadrats along the upper (U) and lower (L) edges of the plot, for a total of 30 quadrats (microplots). The 15 x 8-m area between the two microplot strips is called the Macroplot (M).

Field Methods - TP041:

Description: Percent ground cover, growth forms, and species are estimated within the even numbered microplots. Biomass measures are taken for some herb and shrub species species. Various tree measurements are conducted for seedlings, saplings, hardwood sprouts, and larger trees on all the microplots. Tree seedlings and saplings greater than 10 cm tall get tagged. Tree seedlings less than 10 cm tall get tallied on biomass form. Additionally, presence of additional plant species in the entire 15 by 10 meter plot are documented. Trees greater than or equal to 1.37 meters tall in the 15 by 8 meter macroplot area are measured and tagged as necessary. See the sampling protocol document for full description.

Citation: TP041 Sampling Protocol.

Permanent Plots - TP041:

Description: The entire watershed was surveyed into a 25 by 25-meter grid, with each grid corner staked and labeled. Then 36 permanently marked 10 by 15 meter plots were marked with a labelled 2 inch diameter steel pipes at each corner. Plot conditions are assessed with each remeasurement to ensure that relocation is possible. Plots have been GPS'd.

Quality Assurance - TP041:

Description: Historically Garrison codes were used to collect and store data. In 2010, data were starting to be collected using USDA Plant Database codes. In 2023, the data were converted to USDA Plant codes. Versions of the previous data with the originally collected codes exist with the new code.

Data Entry - TP041:

Description: Field data is logged onto a series of data forms in the field. These forms are scanned and then doubled entered by two different entry persons. The entries are compared to catch any entry mistakes. The data is then ready to load into the database. The biomass data requires a program to transform the data into measured parameter data based on species by year list of measured parameters.

SITE DESCRIPTION:

Moderately steep, small (10 ha) watershed oriented to the west. The south facing slope has extensive xeric zones, while the north facing slope is predominately mesic. A class 1 stream flows through the site.

TAXONOMIC SYSTEM:

USDA Plants Database

GEOGRAPHIC EXTENT:

H.J. Andrews Watershed 10

ELEVATION_MINIMUM (meters):

479

ELEVATION_MAXIMUM (meters):

659

MEASUREMENT FREQUENCY:

1-6 years

PROGRESS DESCRIPTION:

Active

UPDATE FREQUENCY DESCRIPTION:

asNeeded

CURRENTNESS REFERENCE:

Ground condition