Victorian Forest Monitoring Program Standard Operating Procedure 14 (version 1.3) Measuring the Small Tree Plot Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, Department of Environment and Primary Industries, 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne, September 2013. © The State of Victoria Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2013. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Print managed by Finsbury Green, May 2013. ISBN 978-1-74326-701-1 (pdf) Accessibility If you would like to receive this publication in an alternative format, please telephone DEPI Customer Service Centre136186, email [email protected] via the National Relay Service on 133 677 www.relayservice.com.au. 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Contents Overview 2 Glossary of definitions 2 Equipment list 2 Procedure 3 Mark out Small Tree Plot 3 Check borderline trees 3 Identify and count each tree 3 Data and information recording 3 Complete the Identification section at the top of the Small Tree Plot Form 3 Complete the Small Tree Count section of the Small Tree Plot Form 4 Record any comments 4 Appendix 14.1 Laying out the Small tree plot 5 Appendix 14.2 Tree species list 6 Appendix 14.3 Sample Small Tree Plot Form 10 Standard Operating Procedure 14: Measuring the Small Tree Plot (version 1.3) 1 Overview This SOP describes the tasks required to establish, mark out and measure a Small Tree Plot. Glossary of definitions Diameter at Breast Height (DBH): the diameter of a tree measured at 1.3m above ground. For the purpose of ground plot measurement, DBH implies diameter measured outside or over bark (DBHOB). On sloping ground breast height is measured on the uphill side of the tree. Field Form: A data collection form for recording measurements and other information. This form may be in one of four formats: Hardcopy (paper – printed from MS Excel format), Electronic - MS Excel, Electronic - MS Access Database or an electronic data capture tool developed for VFMP. Plant Growth Form: Classification based on plant structure and growth dynamics. E.g. trees, vines, grasses, forbs etc. Point of Germination: Point at which tree seedling takes root and becomes established. For lignotubers or coppicing stumps, the point at which the stem has originated on the original stump. Sample Point Location: Point established in the field using differential GPS, on or very close to the Sample Point. Sample Point Location Stake: Stake on or offset from the Sample Point Location – which marks the site of the Sample Point Location. Small Tree: A tree with an actual size less than 10 cm DBH and greater than 1.3 m in height. This definition determines which field form is used to record data, and does not correspond with Plant Growth Form. Small Tree Plot (STP): 0.005 ha circular plot within which detailed small tree data and information is collected. The centre of the STP occurs at the Sample Point Location and the Sample Point Location Stake unless the stake is off-set. Small Tree Plot Form: Field Form used for recording STP measurement data and information. Tree: Any species with its Plant Growth Form listed in the Flora Information System (FIS) as LT (Large Tree), T (Large Shrub to Medium Tree) or MT (Mallee Tree). These Growth Form categories are based on potential size, not actual. Note that tree ferns are not considered to be 'trees' in this classification. Equipment list Tape measure or a height pole extended horizontally to 3.99 m Tape measure (50m) Field form Diameter tape Calculator Compass Clinometer Field First Aid Kit Field notebook Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Standard Operating Procedure 14: Measuring the Small Tree Plot (version 1.3) 2 Victorian Forest Monitoring Program Procedure Mark out Small Tree Plot: The Sample Point Location (which is also the Stake location unless the Stake is offset), marks the centre of the Small Tree Plot (STP). SOP 11: Establishing and Marking Sample Point Location, describes the procedure for establishing and marking out the Sample Point Location. Standing at the Sample Point Location Stake, measure the boundary of the Small Tree Plot (STP) using a tape measure or a height pole extended to 3.99 m. Measure horizontally and not along the ground to avoid the need for slope correction. Sweep the height pole (if there are few stems) or temporarily mark the STP boundary using pigtail stakes. Alternatively "lasso" the tape measure around all small trees in the STP. Check borderline trees: Check the distance from the Sample Point Location to all trees within 1 m of the STP boundary. Measure to the estimated point of germination on both sides of the tree, and average the result. Measure a tree with its point of germination inside the boundary even if it leaning outside. Conversely, do not measure a tree leaning into the plot, but with its point of germination outside the LTP border. Refer to Appendix 14.1, Figure 14.1.1 for examples of borderline trees. Identify and count each tree: Identify and count each living (standing or fallen) or dead (standing or ‘hung up’ only) small tree of < 10 cm DBH AND ≥ 1.3 m height with its point of germination inside the radius of the STP. Identify species using standard botanical features, such as buds, fruit, bark type and juvenile leaves (for eucalypts). For each tree assign a tree species according to Appendix 14.2, Table 14.2.1. Do not include species that are not in this list and contact the DSE project leader if an error in the list is encountered. Check height is greater than 1.3m. From point of germination to tip, along the lean of the tree if the tree is leaning. Use a diameter tape or callipers to check DBH is less than 10 cm. Refer to Appendix 14.1, Figure 14.2.1 for further information. Count individual stems separately for small trees with more than one stem below breast height. A stem must be distinct leader and at least 50% of the diameter of the main stem. Refer to SOP 13 Appendix 13.3, Figure 13.3.3 for further information. Include coppice stems. Include live epicormics below 1.3m on dead standing large trees – see sop 13 Include small dead trees that are "hung up" on other trees and cannot fall to the ground. Do not include fallen dead small trees. For each unidentifiable species, follow the procedures outlined in SOP 20A: Plant Specimen Collection and Identification Procedures to collect specimens and to record ancillary information such as juvenile leaves, mature leaves, bark type etc. Create a temporary descriptive name that is unique to each specimen collected. This name should include two or more descriptors, for example, “Hairy grey daisy”. Once a specimen is collected and a temporary name assigned, the name can be re-used on the Small Tree Plot Form for any tree of similar appearance. Data and information recording Complete the Identification section at the top of the Small Tree Plot Form: Fill in the Sample Point Identification Code, Bioregion, the SOP version number, Date, Contractor Company Name and the Names of each Contractor Field Crew member present, in the <sample_point_ID>, <bioregion>, <SOP Standard Operating Procedure 14: Measuring the Small Tree Plot (version 1.3) 3 Victorian Forest Monitoring Program version>, <date> and <contractor_company> fields. Against each <field_crew_member_number> fill in the Contractor Field Crew member surname <field_crew_member_surname> and first name <field_crew_member_firstname>. The Contractor Field Crew Leader should be the first name recorded in the Identification section of the form. Enter “y” in the <Scribe> field against the crew member who enters information on the form. Complete the Small Tree Count section of the Small Tree Plot Form: Enter the species name for each live and dead species within the STP in the <Species Name> field. Give unidentifiable species a descriptive name in the <Species Name> field. Enter “y” in the <Temporary name (y)> field. Record the count of the living and dead trees in the <Live count> and <Dead count> fields. Sum the number of living and dead trees for each species and record in the <Total> field. If there are no small trees within the Small Tree Plot, enter “y” in the <No small trees present> field. Record any comments: Record any additional information relating to the plot in the <Comments> field. Refer to the example form shown in Appendix 14.3 Figure 14.3.1. Version (current) Version (previous) Author Date Summary of changes 1.0 KT22 19/05/10 Nb29 22/06/2010 Minor changes made to body of SOP. Form redone to reflect changes made to all forms. NB29 16/08/2010 Example form inserted 1.1 1.0 mw0a 04/07/2011 Amendments made post field season 1 1.2 1.1 cj37 06/08/2012 General editing and formatting; Plant Growth Form defined; check distance to borderline trees on both sides of stem; Field Form check no longer required; Defined stem proportion for multi-stemmed trees; Included live fallen trees in count; Tree Species Reference Table updated; 1.3 1.2 AC52 15/05/2013 Include definition of tree ht for leaning trees, include epicormics on dead large trees, minor edits Endorsed Date 18/09/2013 Name: Peter Chronopoulos Position: Manager, Information Management, Evaluation and Reporting Division/Branch: Knowledge and Governance Branch, Land Management Policy Division Standard Operating Procedure 14: Measuring the Small Tree Plot (version 1.3) 4 Victorian Forest Monitoring Program Appendix 14.1 Laying out the Small tree plot Figure 14.1.1: Examples of borderline trees PLOT PLOT PLOT ‘Outside’ plot ‘Inside’ plot ‘Inside’ plot Not included Included Included Figure 14.1.2: Examples of DBH measurements DBH Measurement DBH Measurement DBH Measurement 1.3m 1.3m 1.