| Title: |
Permanent Growth Plots on
the Fernow Experimental Forest
|
| Objective: |
1) To evaluate the effect of 3 cutting treatments on the diameter
growth, height growth, length of clear stem and butt-log grade
of several individual Appalachian hardwood trees.
2) To provide permanently numbered study trees for other research
such as the measurement of crown characteristics, height,/d.b.h.
relationships and stand value. |
| Year Established: |
1979 |
| Year Completed: |
2079 |
| Site Description: |
Fernow Experimental Forest |
| Statistical Design: |
Completely random with 5 0.5-acre plots as the experimental
unit in each of 19 compartments for a total of 82 plots. Plot
information is extrapolated to the whole compartment. |
| Likelihood of Locating Study Areas: |
100% |
| Experimental Treatments: |
3 cutting treatments: 1) clear-cut, 2) diameter limit >5.0"
d.b.h., and 3) uneven-age management selection for a) sawlogs
and b) sawlogs and pulpwood.
1 control/unmanaged area. |
| Sampling Methods: |
All trees >1.0"d.b.h. were identified, permanently marked,
and periodically measured.
Tree measurements included:
a) diameter (nearest 1/10" using a standard diameter tape)
every 5 years.
b) butt-log grade for all trees >11.0" d.b.h. determined according
to Fernow Operating Procedures.
c) clear stem total height: based upon subsamples.
All ingrowth trees were wired using the standard tree wire
technique. In growth trees were assigned numbers starting
at 501 for each plot. No single plot had more than one ingrowth
tree. The threshold for ingrowth was 1.0".
|
| Variables and Sampling Frequency: |
Independent: cutting treatment (individual tree selection,
clear-cut, control), site index classes 60, 70, and 80.
Dependent: diameter at 4.5', crown class (dominant, codominant,
intermediate, overtopped, butt-log), total height, length
of clear stems, basal area per plot, plot volume, plot stand
value.
Remeasurements occurring every 5 years which varies according
to compartment establishment date.
Diameters of all marked trees were remeasured in 1983.
|
| QA/QC Practices: |
Data are visually compared to previously collected data. Accuracy
assessments are completed after each data-collection period.
Permanent employee continually supervises temporary employees. |
| Data Storage: |
All data were keyed into DG computer and stored on disk and
magnetic tape. Standard growth plot programs were used for analyses.
DG-based computer programs were written to print out field data
forms and the growth results of species by crown class by d.b.h.
groups. |
| Global Change Research Applications: |
Studies of Ecosystem Processes |
| Data Availability: |
partially 1994 |
| Publications and Reports: |
Study plan. Neil Lamson. and Clay Smith. 1979.
Establishment report: Neil Lamson. 1980.
Progress report: Neil Lamson. 1984, 1988.
The above are office reports of U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station, Parsons,
WV. |
| Contact: |
Thomas Schuler, USDA Forest
Service, P.O. Box 404, Parsons WV 26287. (304) 478-2000
ext. 110. |
| Cooperation: |
none |
