FIA-SRS Phase 3FIA-SRS Phase 3Vegetation Structure and Vegetation Structure and

Diversity Pilot StudyDiversity Pilot StudyYear 2Year 2

FIA-SRS Phase 3FIA-SRS Phase 3Vegetation Structure and Vegetation Structure and

Diversity Pilot StudyDiversity Pilot StudyYear 2Year 2

Sonja OswaltSonja OswaltResearch AssociateResearch Associate

University of TennesseeUniversity of TennesseeForestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Dept.Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Dept.

Sonja OswaltSonja OswaltResearch AssociateResearch Associate

University of TennesseeUniversity of TennesseeForestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Dept.Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries Dept.

OutlineOutlineOutlineOutline

What is VEG?What is VEG?

Recap of 2002 South Carolina Pilot StudyRecap of 2002 South Carolina Pilot Study

Tennessee 2003 Pilot Study—Why it WorkedTennessee 2003 Pilot Study—Why it Worked

South Carolina VEG Data Analysis—A South Carolina VEG Data Analysis—A Glimpse of What’s to ComeGlimpse of What’s to Come

What is VEG?What is VEG?

Recap of 2002 South Carolina Pilot StudyRecap of 2002 South Carolina Pilot Study

Tennessee 2003 Pilot Study—Why it WorkedTennessee 2003 Pilot Study—Why it Worked

South Carolina VEG Data Analysis—A South Carolina VEG Data Analysis—A Glimpse of What’s to ComeGlimpse of What’s to Come

What is VEG?What is VEG?What is VEG?What is VEG?

A measurement of the composition and spatial arrangement of A measurement of the composition and spatial arrangement of all vascular plants on plotall vascular plants on plot

Includes all trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and fern allies Includes all trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and fern allies (horsetails and club mosses)(horsetails and club mosses)

Examine which forest types are more prone to invasion by non-Examine which forest types are more prone to invasion by non-native speciesnative species

Assess which reporting areas are most diverseAssess which reporting areas are most diverse

Complete sample tree diversity on plot (regeneration) allows Complete sample tree diversity on plot (regeneration) allows better prediction of successional trendsbetter prediction of successional trends

A measurement of the composition and spatial arrangement of A measurement of the composition and spatial arrangement of all vascular plants on plotall vascular plants on plot

Includes all trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and fern allies Includes all trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses, ferns, and fern allies (horsetails and club mosses)(horsetails and club mosses)

Examine which forest types are more prone to invasion by non-Examine which forest types are more prone to invasion by non-native speciesnative species

Assess which reporting areas are most diverseAssess which reporting areas are most diverse

Complete sample tree diversity on plot (regeneration) allows Complete sample tree diversity on plot (regeneration) allows better prediction of successional trendsbetter prediction of successional trends

South Carolina 2002 RecapSouth Carolina 2002 RecapField Methods:Field Methods:

South Carolina 2002 RecapSouth Carolina 2002 RecapField Methods:Field Methods:

Four subplots per plotFour subplots per plot Subplot = 24’ radius circleSubplot = 24’ radius circle Three 1-m2 quadrats in each SPThree 1-m2 quadrats in each SP Quadrats: Ground cover to 1%Quadrats: Ground cover to 1% Quadrats: Species cover to 1% Quadrats: Species cover to 1% Subplot: List all species, cover to 1% Subplot: List all species, cover to 1% Subplot: Note layer of greatest cover for all speciesSubplot: Note layer of greatest cover for all species Subplot: Total cover (of all species combined) to Subplot: Total cover (of all species combined) to

1% for each layer class (1-4)1% for each layer class (1-4)

Four subplots per plotFour subplots per plot Subplot = 24’ radius circleSubplot = 24’ radius circle Three 1-m2 quadrats in each SPThree 1-m2 quadrats in each SP Quadrats: Ground cover to 1%Quadrats: Ground cover to 1% Quadrats: Species cover to 1% Quadrats: Species cover to 1% Subplot: List all species, cover to 1% Subplot: List all species, cover to 1% Subplot: Note layer of greatest cover for all speciesSubplot: Note layer of greatest cover for all species Subplot: Total cover (of all species combined) to Subplot: Total cover (of all species combined) to

1% for each layer class (1-4)1% for each layer class (1-4)

South Carolina 2002 RecapSouth Carolina 2002 RecapLogisticsLogistics

South Carolina 2002 RecapSouth Carolina 2002 RecapLogisticsLogistics

Botanist traveled with forestry crew doing P2 and Botanist traveled with forestry crew doing P2 and other P3 variablesother P3 variables

Forestry crew marked subplots for veg. workForestry crew marked subplots for veg. work Botanist collected veg. data without help from Botanist collected veg. data without help from

forestersforesters Crew left plot when foresters were done, Crew left plot when foresters were done,

regardless of Veg. Indicator completion (Subplots regardless of Veg. Indicator completion (Subplots that were started were finished)that were started were finished)

Crew traveled from Lexington/Newberry daily Crew traveled from Lexington/Newberry daily and returned home every nightand returned home every night

Botanist traveled with forestry crew doing P2 and Botanist traveled with forestry crew doing P2 and other P3 variablesother P3 variables

Forestry crew marked subplots for veg. workForestry crew marked subplots for veg. work Botanist collected veg. data without help from Botanist collected veg. data without help from

forestersforesters Crew left plot when foresters were done, Crew left plot when foresters were done,

regardless of Veg. Indicator completion (Subplots regardless of Veg. Indicator completion (Subplots that were started were finished)that were started were finished)

Crew traveled from Lexington/Newberry daily Crew traveled from Lexington/Newberry daily and returned home every nightand returned home every night

South Carolina 2002 RecapSouth Carolina 2002 RecapCompletion ResultsCompletion Results

Collected data on 31 out of 33 plots in 27 Collected data on 31 out of 33 plots in 27 counties in SC counties in SC

Completed 71 out of 124 subplots (57%)Completed 71 out of 124 subplots (57%)

Subplots completed (# plots):Subplots completed (# plots):4 (4)4 (4) 3 (6)3 (6)

2 (16)2 (16) 1 (5)1 (5)

Average: 2.3 subplots per plotAverage: 2.3 subplots per plot

Collected data on 31 out of 33 plots in 27 Collected data on 31 out of 33 plots in 27 counties in SC counties in SC

Completed 71 out of 124 subplots (57%)Completed 71 out of 124 subplots (57%)

Subplots completed (# plots):Subplots completed (# plots):4 (4)4 (4) 3 (6)3 (6)

2 (16)2 (16) 1 (5)1 (5)

Average: 2.3 subplots per plotAverage: 2.3 subplots per plot

South Carolina 2002South Carolina 2002Why Didn’t It Work?Why Didn’t It Work?

More travel than plot timeMore travel than plot time No overnight staysNo overnight stays Ave. 3.3 hrs on plot/day, 4.4 hrs Ave. 3.3 hrs on plot/day, 4.4 hrs

travel/daytravel/day One plot: 65 min. in field, 7 hours One plot: 65 min. in field, 7 hours

driving (1 SP completed)driving (1 SP completed) Botanist did not adhere to time Botanist did not adhere to time

limits for species searchlimits for species search Excessive keying/coding on plotExcessive keying/coding on plot

More travel than plot timeMore travel than plot time No overnight staysNo overnight stays Ave. 3.3 hrs on plot/day, 4.4 hrs Ave. 3.3 hrs on plot/day, 4.4 hrs

travel/daytravel/day One plot: 65 min. in field, 7 hours One plot: 65 min. in field, 7 hours

driving (1 SP completed)driving (1 SP completed) Botanist did not adhere to time Botanist did not adhere to time

limits for species searchlimits for species search Excessive keying/coding on plotExcessive keying/coding on plot

33%

44%

15%

8%

Total In Field (118 hrs)

Travel (158 hrs)

Specimens/Clean-up (55 hrs)

Data Entry (16 hrs)

Tennessee 2003—How Did it Differ?Tennessee 2003—How Did it Differ?

Slightly Different MethodologySlightly Different Methodology Ability to work 10-hour daysAbility to work 10-hour days Overnight stays in working countiesOvernight stays in working counties Cooperative crew membersCooperative crew members Strict adherence to time limitsStrict adherence to time limits Collecting more, keying less…Collecting more, keying less… Data collection on paper—entry into Data collection on paper—entry into

Tally laterTally later Coding either en route from plot or in Coding either en route from plot or in

hotelhotel

2003 Methodology2003 Methodology Four subplots per plotFour subplots per plot Subplot = 24’ radius circleSubplot = 24’ radius circle Three 1-m2 quadrats in each SPThree 1-m2 quadrats in each SP Quadrats: Ground cover to 1%--Quadrats: Ground cover to 1%--ELIMINATEDELIMINATED Quadrats: Species cover to 1%--Quadrats: Species cover to 1%--ELIMINATEELIMINATEDD

List presence/absence of species onlyList presence/absence of species only Subplot: List all species, cover to 1% Subplot: List all species, cover to 1% Subplot: Note layer of greatest cover for all speciesSubplot: Note layer of greatest cover for all species

CHANGEDCHANGED: Record % cover of each species in 3 Ht : Record % cover of each species in 3 Ht classes: 0-6 ft, 6-16 ft, 16+ ftclasses: 0-6 ft, 6-16 ft, 16+ ft

Subplot: Total cover (of all species combined) to 1% Subplot: Total cover (of all species combined) to 1% for each layer class (1-4)for each layer class (1-4)

Four subplots per plotFour subplots per plot Subplot = 24’ radius circleSubplot = 24’ radius circle Three 1-m2 quadrats in each SPThree 1-m2 quadrats in each SP Quadrats: Ground cover to 1%--Quadrats: Ground cover to 1%--ELIMINATEDELIMINATED Quadrats: Species cover to 1%--Quadrats: Species cover to 1%--ELIMINATEELIMINATEDD

List presence/absence of species onlyList presence/absence of species only Subplot: List all species, cover to 1% Subplot: List all species, cover to 1% Subplot: Note layer of greatest cover for all speciesSubplot: Note layer of greatest cover for all species

CHANGEDCHANGED: Record % cover of each species in 3 Ht : Record % cover of each species in 3 Ht classes: 0-6 ft, 6-16 ft, 16+ ftclasses: 0-6 ft, 6-16 ft, 16+ ft

Subplot: Total cover (of all species combined) to 1% Subplot: Total cover (of all species combined) to 1% for each layer class (1-4)for each layer class (1-4)

Tennessee 2003 Completion ResultsTennessee 2003 Completion Results

Collected data on 15 plots in 15 countiesCollected data on 15 plots in 15 counties 60 Subplots Total, 4 non-forested: 56 Total 60 Subplots Total, 4 non-forested: 56 Total

Forested SubplotsForested Subplots ALL BUT ONE PLOT COMPLETEDALL BUT ONE PLOT COMPLETED

--Why the one? The botanist got lost…--Why the one? The botanist got lost…

Collected data on 15 plots in 15 countiesCollected data on 15 plots in 15 counties 60 Subplots Total, 4 non-forested: 56 Total 60 Subplots Total, 4 non-forested: 56 Total

Forested SubplotsForested Subplots ALL BUT ONE PLOT COMPLETEDALL BUT ONE PLOT COMPLETED

--Why the one? The botanist got lost…--Why the one? The botanist got lost…

Why Did Tennessee Work?Why Did Tennessee Work? Fewer, Longer days are Key, and the ability to “trade-off” Fewer, Longer days are Key, and the ability to “trade-off”

hours between days (i.e., work 12 hours one day and 8 the hours between days (i.e., work 12 hours one day and 8 the next)next)

Elimination of time-consuming, redundant data collectionElimination of time-consuming, redundant data collection

Strict Adherence to Time LimitsStrict Adherence to Time Limits

Total Hours spent Traveling: 76Total Hours spent Traveling: 76 Total Hours spent on Plot: 47Total Hours spent on Plot: 47 Total Hours spent Pressing Plants: 3Total Hours spent Pressing Plants: 3 Total Hours spent Identifying: In processTotal Hours spent Identifying: In process Total Hours spent Entering data: In processTotal Hours spent Entering data: In process

Per-Day BreakdownPer-Day Breakdown 5 Hours Traveling per day5 Hours Traveling per day 3-4 Hours on plot per day3-4 Hours on plot per day 20 minutes pressing plants20 minutes pressing plants ~ 20 minutes to prepare unknowns~ 20 minutes to prepare unknowns ~ 30 minutes to code data~ 30 minutes to code data ~ 45 minutes to enter data~ 45 minutes to enter data

Preparing & Sending Unknowns / Entering DataPreparing & Sending Unknowns / Entering Datacompleted in hotel during eveningcompleted in hotel during evening

Total Time Needed Per Day: ~ 10 HoursTotal Time Needed Per Day: ~ 10 Hours

2003 Time (Preliminary)2003 Time (Preliminary)

Travel61%

Plot37%

Press2%

Logistics remain the largest problem. However, 4 10-hour days and shorter methods help to counteract.

Where Are We Headed With The Where Are We Headed With The Data?Data?

South Carolina Invasive Species Report:An Example of Uses for VEG P3 DataSouth Carolina Invasive Species Report:An Example of Uses for VEG P3 Data

Data AnalysisData Analysis

Data from South Carolina P-2 Exotic Species Data from South Carolina P-2 Exotic Species VariableVariable

Data from South Carolina P-3 VEG collectionData from South Carolina P-3 VEG collection Analyzed by Eco-region and Physiographic Analyzed by Eco-region and Physiographic

SectionSection Two Levels: Plot and SubplotTwo Levels: Plot and Subplot SAS software, NCSS software, ArcviewSAS software, NCSS software, Arcview Summary statistics, differences in relative Summary statistics, differences in relative

diversity, occurrence of non-native invasivesdiversity, occurrence of non-native invasives

Results (P-2 and P-3)Results (P-2 and P-3) Phase-2Phase-2

505 forested plots in 46 counties in 2002-2003505 forested plots in 46 counties in 2002-2003 41% contained at least one alien species41% contained at least one alien species 15% contained at least two15% contained at least two 3 % contained at least 33 % contained at least 3 <1% contained 4 or more<1% contained 4 or more

Phase-3Phase-3 102 plant families represented102 plant families represented 6% of all identified species are alien6% of all identified species are alien However: Alien species occurred in 80% of measured plotsHowever: Alien species occurred in 80% of measured plots In contrast: 73% of native species occurred in LESS THAN 10% of all In contrast: 73% of native species occurred in LESS THAN 10% of all

plots and 48% occurred in only ONE measured plotplots and 48% occurred in only ONE measured plot

36.9

33

27.7

SouthernAppalachian

Piedmont

Coastal Plain andFlatwoods

Atlantic CoastalPlain

Eco

logi

cal

Reg

ion

Mean species/subplot

Mean Number of Species/Subplot by Ecological Region(Significantly Different at α = 0.10)

Mean Number of Species/Subplot by Ecological Region(Significantly Different at α = 0.10)

Scientific name Common Name Frequency (%) by Subplot

Vitis rotundifolia Michx. muscadine 73.24

Acer rubrum L. red maple 67.61

Smilax glauca Walt. cat greenbriar 57.75

Pinus taeda L. loblolly pine 56.34

Prunus serotina Ehrh. pond pine 54.93

Liquidambar styraciflua L. sweetgum 53.52

Diospyros virginiana L. common persimmon 49.30

Gelsemium sempervirens (L.) St. Hil. evening trumpetflower 47.89

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. virginia creeper 47.89

Quercus alba L. white oak 42.25

Nyssa sylvatica Marsh. black gum 40.85

Quercus laurifolia Michx. Laurel oak 40.85

Rubus argutus Link sawtooth blackberry 40.85

Smilax rotundifolia L. roundleaf greenbriar 40.85

Ilex opaca Ait. American holly 36.62

Quercus nigra L. water oak 36.62

Cornus florida L. flowering dogwood 35.21

Quercus falcata Michx. southern red oak 33.80

Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze poison ivy 33.80

Vaccinium arboreum Marsh. farkleberry 32.39

Alien Species DetectionAlien Species Detection

P-2: Japanese honeysuckle (P-2: Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonicaLonicera japonica) was ) was most common (Frequency = 31.88%) most common (Frequency = 31.88%)

However, P-2 can ONLY detect up to 4 per plot, and However, P-2 can ONLY detect up to 4 per plot, and only those “On the List” (total of 16)only those “On the List” (total of 16)

P-3: Japanese honeysuckle was most common P-3: Japanese honeysuckle was most common (Frequency = 45.16%), which corresponds to the P-2 (Frequency = 45.16%), which corresponds to the P-2 datadata

P-3 can detect as many non-native potentially P-3 can detect as many non-native potentially invasive species as are present (total of 27), making it invasive species as are present (total of 27), making it a more sensitive method for detectiona more sensitive method for detection

Effects of DisturbanceEffects of Disturbance

Logistic regression Logistic regression indicated that distance indicated that distance

of a plot from of a plot from agricultural land was agricultural land was

significant in explaining significant in explaining the presence of exotic the presence of exotic

species on a plotspecies on a plot

(p < 0.001)(p < 0.001)

Proportion of plots containing exotic species in each major ecological regionProportion of plots containing exotic species in each major ecological region

Southern Appalachian

Piedmont67%Coastal

Plain and Flatwoods

33%

Atlantic Coastal Plain 23%

South Carolina 2002/2003 Data South Carolina 2002/2003 Data ConclusionsConclusions

Non-native Species constitute a substantial threat to Non-native Species constitute a substantial threat to forest health in South Carolinaforest health in South Carolina

Phase-3 data indicate that although non-natives Phase-3 data indicate that although non-natives comprise a small % of vascular plants, those few comprise a small % of vascular plants, those few species are alarmingly widespreadspecies are alarmingly widespread

As the more detailed P-3 data continues to be As the more detailed P-3 data continues to be collected, examination of edge-related disturbances collected, examination of edge-related disturbances may give insight into the impacts of types and may give insight into the impacts of types and patterns of disturbance on the establishment and patterns of disturbance on the establishment and reproduction of vascular plant speciesreproduction of vascular plant species

ConclusionConclusion

With increased efficiency in protocol and With increased efficiency in protocol and fewer but longer days in a week, the P-3 VEG fewer but longer days in a week, the P-3 VEG

collection is possible in the southcollection is possible in the south

P-3 VEG can provide additional information P-3 VEG can provide additional information regarding the spread of non-native species, the regarding the spread of non-native species, the

impacts of disturbance on vascular plant impacts of disturbance on vascular plant composition, and differences in regional composition, and differences in regional

diversitydiversity

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements University of Tennessee, Department of Forestry, Wildlife, & University of Tennessee, Department of Forestry, Wildlife, &

Fisheries, Dr. George Hopper-Department HeadFisheries, Dr. George Hopper-Department Head

USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station FIA, John USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station FIA, John Kelly-Acting Project LeaderKelly-Acting Project Leader

South Carolina State Forestry CommissionSouth Carolina State Forestry Commission

Tennessee Division of ForestryTennessee Division of Forestry

Sharon King, Jeff Turner, Beth Schulz, Cindy Aulbach, Byron Sharon King, Jeff Turner, Beth Schulz, Cindy Aulbach, Byron Rominger, John Mullins, Anita Rose, TDF Crew MembersRominger, John Mullins, Anita Rose, TDF Crew Members

Questions?Questions?