Vegetation Assessment Vegetation Assessment and Arboretum Plan, and Arboretum Plan, Texas State University-Texas State University-San MarcosSan Marcos

Team MembersTeam Members

Project ManagerProject ManagerKyle BeesleyKyle Beesley

Assistant Project ManagerAssistant Project ManagerJeremy SoulesJeremy Soules

AnalystsAnalystsSean Brugo, Nick Pantuso, Katie Snipes, and Sean Brugo, Nick Pantuso, Katie Snipes, and

Matt NobleMatt Noble

IntroductionIntroduction Our study has identified areas that Our study has identified areas that

are ideal for:are ideal for: Landscaping improvementLandscaping improvement The creation of a campus wide arboretumThe creation of a campus wide arboretum Increase of native trees Increase of native trees Planned areas with pre-placed sitting areas Planned areas with pre-placed sitting areas

and vegetationand vegetation

DataData•SidewalkSidewalk•DOQ’s [(Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles)/(air DOQ’s [(Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles)/(air photos)]photos)]•BuildingsBuildings•streetsstreets

•DEM, Digital Elevation Model DEM, Digital Elevation Model •TreesTrees•SoilsSoils•Green spaceGreen space

-both primary and secondary-both primary and secondary

DataData Data collection included the Data collection included the

acquisition of datasets from acquisition of datasets from secondary sources and the creation secondary sources and the creation of new map layers through primary of new map layers through primary data collection and digitization.data collection and digitization.

Data processing consisted of the Data processing consisted of the standardization of all layer standardization of all layer projections.projections.

• DEMDEM-slope-slope-aspect-aspect

• ReclassificationReclassification

Methods

Reclassified Slope

Aspect

Reclassified Aspect

CalculationCalculation All three raster layers evaluatedAll three raster layers evaluated Output represents all cells with Output represents all cells with

ratings of two or aboveratings of two or above New layer was intersected with New layer was intersected with

existing green space layerexisting green space layer

Calculated Selection

Digitized Green Space

Intersection Results

SoilsSoils

Graded on:Graded on: DrainageDrainage Plant sustainabilityPlant sustainability PermeabilityPermeability Water capacityWater capacity Soil ReactionSoil Reaction Organic contentOrganic content

Soils

Reclassified Soil

Tree Population DensityTree Population Density

Density was derived from:Density was derived from:• Total tree populationTotal tree population• Native tree populationNative tree population• Non-native tree populationNon-native tree population

Total Tree Density

Native Tree Density

Non-native Tree Density

StatisiticsStatisitics

Statistical analyses for:Statistical analyses for:• Total tree populationTotal tree population• Individual areasIndividual areas

Frequencies included:Frequencies included:• SpeciesSpecies• NativityNativity

ResultsResults Found nine suitable sites Found nine suitable sites Planned out three sites with trees, Planned out three sites with trees,

paths, and picnic tablespaths, and picnic tables

TreesTrees

Over 3500 trees catalogedOver 3500 trees cataloged Over 63 speciesOver 63 species 78.6 % of the trees on campus are of 78.6 % of the trees on campus are of

native originnative origin 21.4 % are introduced21.4 % are introduced

Planned AreasPlanned Areas

Based on our analyses we were able Based on our analyses we were able to chose the best of these sites.to chose the best of these sites.

New tree locationsNew tree locations Picnic tablesPicnic tables New pathsNew paths

Key to Selected Areas

Area 3 Plan

Key to Selected Areas

Area 7 Plan

Key to Selected Areas

Area 9 Plan

Tree ListTree List JuglandaceaeJuglandaceae Black HickoryBlack Hickory HippocastancaeaHippocastancaea Texas Buckeye, Red BuckeyeTexas Buckeye, Red Buckeye AceeraceaeAceeraceae Box Elder, Bigtooth MapleBox Elder, Bigtooth Maple UlmaceaeUlmaceae Sugarberry, Netleaf Hackberry, American ElmSugarberry, Netleaf Hackberry, American Elm SapindaceaeSapindaceae Chittamwood, Western SoapberryChittamwood, Western Soapberry RhamnaceaeRhamnaceae Carolina BuckthornCarolina Buckthorn FagaceaeFagaceae Escarpment Live Oak, Bur Oak, Chinkapin Oak, Bigelow Oak, Post Oak, Texas Red OakEscarpment Live Oak, Bur Oak, Chinkapin Oak, Bigelow Oak, Post Oak, Texas Red Oak PlatanaceaePlatanaceae SycamoreSycamore SalicaceaeSalicaceae Eastern Cottonwood, Plains Cottonwood, Black WillowEastern Cottonwood, Plains Cottonwood, Black Willow RosaceaeRosaceae Reverchon Hawthorn, Littlehip Hawthorn, Green Hawthorn, Mexican Plum, Munson PlumReverchon Hawthorn, Littlehip Hawthorn, Green Hawthorn, Mexican Plum, Munson Plum LeguminosaeLeguminosae Huisache, Texas Redbud, Honey LocustHuisache, Texas Redbud, Honey Locust AnacardiaceaeAnacardiaceae Texas Pistache, Praire Flameleaf SumacTexas Pistache, Praire Flameleaf Sumac OleaceaeOleaceae Green Ash, Texas AshGreen Ash, Texas Ash AquifoliaceaeAquifoliaceae Possum HawPossum Haw MoraceaeMoraceae Bois d'Arc, Texas Mulberry, Red MulberryBois d'Arc, Texas Mulberry, Red Mulberry CaprifoliaceaeCaprifoliaceae Rusty BlackhawRusty Blackhaw EndangeredEndangered Hinckley's Oak, Black Walnut, Texas Snowbells, Walker's ManiocHinckley's Oak, Black Walnut, Texas Snowbells, Walker's Manioc

DiscussionDiscussion

GIS applications make this kind of GIS applications make this kind of planning more efficient and accurate.planning more efficient and accurate.

This project is complimentary to the This project is complimentary to the Campus Master Plan.Campus Master Plan.

DiscussionDiscussion

Future research might include:Future research might include:• Analysis of underground water, sewage, Analysis of underground water, sewage,

communications and cooling systemscommunications and cooling systems• 3-D visualization3-D visualization• Higher levels of accuracyHigher levels of accuracy

WebsiteWebsite

ConclusionConclusion

With this study we were:With this study we were:• able to conduct a study of this area that able to conduct a study of this area that

discovered suitable sites for a campus-wide discovered suitable sites for a campus-wide arboretum arboretum

• able to give a comprehensive view of the able to give a comprehensive view of the growing conditions in our study areagrowing conditions in our study area

• compliment the Campus Master Plan compliment the Campus Master Plan