National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Vegetation Community Monitoring Species Composition and Biophysical Gradients in Klamath Network Parks Natural Resource Report NPS/KLMN/NRR—2021/2236 The production of this document cost $25,743, including costs associated with data collection, processing, analysis, and subsequent authoring, editing, and publication. ON THIS PAGE Photo of vegetation monitoring crew working in an old-growth redwood site. Photo by NPS ON THE COVER Sampling at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Photograph by: Sean B. Smith, Klamath Network Vegetation Community Monitoring Species Composition and Biophysical Gradients in Klamath Network Parks Natural Resource Report NPS/KLMN/NRR—2021/2236 Sean B. Smith1, Phillip J. van Mantgem2, and Dennis Odion3,4,† 1 National Park Service Klamath Network Southern Oregon University 1250 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 2 U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center Redwood Field Station 1655 Heindon Road Arcata, CA 95521 3 Earth Research Institute University of California at Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CA 93106 4 Southern Oregon University 1250 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 March 2021 U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Fort Collins, Colorado The National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science office in Fort Collins, Colorado, publishes a range of reports that address natural resource topics. These reports are of interest and applicability to a broad audience in the National Park Service and others in natural resource management, including scientists, conservation and environmental constituencies, and the public. The Natural Resource Report Series is used to disseminate comprehensive information and analysis about natural resources and related topics concerning lands managed by the National Park Service. The series supports the advancement of science, informed decision-making, and the achievement of the National Park Service mission. The series also provides a forum for presenting more lengthy results that may not be accepted by publications with page limitations. All manuscripts in the series receive the appropriate level of peer review to ensure that the information is scientifically credible, technically accurate, appropriately written for the intended audience, and designed and published in a professional manner. Data in this report were collected and analyzed using methods based on established, peer-reviewed protocols and were analyzed and interpreted within the guidelines of the protocols. Views, statements, findings, conclusions, recommendations, and data in this report do not necessarily reflect views and policies of the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use by the U.S. Government. This report is available in digital format from the Klamath Inventory & Monitoring Network and the Natural Resource Publications Management website. If you have difficulty accessing information in this publication, particularly if using assistive technology, please email [email protected]. Please cite this publication as: Smith, S. B., P. J. van Mantgem, and D. Odion. 2021. Vegetation community monitoring: Species composition and biophysical gradients in Klamath Network parks. Natural Resource Report NPS/KLMN/NRR—2021/2236. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/nrr-2284769. NPS 963/175124, March 2021 ii Contents Page Figures.................................................................................................................................................... v Tables ................................................................................................................................................... vii Appendices ..........................................................................................................................................viii Abstract ................................................................................................................................................. ix Acknowledgments .................................................................................................................................. x Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1 The Klamath Network .................................................................................................................... 1 Objectives ....................................................................................................................................... 3 Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Vegetation....................................................................................................................................... 4 Biophysical Parameters .................................................................................................................. 4 Field Sampling Design .............................................................................................................. 4 Field Sampling Methods................................................................................................................. 9 Data Analyses ............................................................................................................................... 11 Vegetation................................................................................................................................ 11 Non-Native Species ................................................................................................................. 12 Vegetation/Environment Relationships ................................................................................... 12 Gamma Diversity (Total Park and Sample Frame Species Richness). .................................... 12 Beta Diversity (Park and Sample Frame Similarity) ............................................................... 12 Alpha Diversity (Species Richness within Plots) .................................................................... 12 Diversity and Evenness: .......................................................................................................... 12 Results .................................................................................................................................................. 14 Vegetation Description ................................................................................................................. 14 Total Species ........................................................................................................................... 14 Non-Native Species ...................................................................................................................... 18 Biophysical Parameters ................................................................................................................ 20 iii Contents (continued) Page Vegetation/Environment Relationships ................................................................................... 20 Gamma Diversity..................................................................................................................... 22 Beta diversity ........................................................................................................................... 25 Alpha Diversity ....................................................................................................................... 29 Hill’s N1 Diversity and Evenness ........................................................................................... 29 Discussion ............................................................................................................................................ 31 Vegetation Description ................................................................................................................. 31 Biophysical Parameters ................................................................................................................ 31 Non-Native Species ...................................................................................................................... 32 Vegetation Environment Relationships ........................................................................................ 32 Gamma Diversity.......................................................................................................................... 33 Beta Diversity ............................................................................................................................... 34 Alpha Diversity ............................................................................................................................ 34 Diversity and Evenness ................................................................................................................ 35 Future Sampling and Analyses ............................................................................................................ 37 Future Analysis Considerations .................................................................................................... 37 Quantifying Changes in Relative Abundance of Species .......................................................