| Title: |
Central Pennsylvania Risk-Rating
Plots
|
| Objective: |
Initially used for short term impacts of gypsy moth on forest
and to refine hazard rating systems developed by Herrick and
Gansner. Note: plots were subsetted in 1986 - subset was used
to monitor long-term impacts and stand recovery. |
| Year Established: |
1978 |
| Year Completed: |
1995 |
| Site Description: |
Plots monitored during 1978 to 1986 were located across Central
PA. roughly between State College, Lewisburg, Harrisburg, and
Lewistown PA. UTMs available for location. Plots monitored during
1986 to 1993 were also located in Central PA. within the boundaries
of Tuscarora and Bald Eagle State Forests. This area is part
of the Ridge and Valley physiographic province and includes
primarily mixed oak forests including some of the most extensive
and highest quality oak forests in PA. Gypsy moth defoliation
patterns were found over the plots from 1978 to 1990 with a
gypsy moth outbreak occurring during 1981 and 1986. The stand
age ranged from 33 to 161 years during 1978. The 1978 basal
area/acre of all species in 1978 ranged from 29 to 184' squared/acre
with distribution of oak basal area/acre ranging from 0% to
97%. |
| Statistical Design: |
During 1978, 201 plots within 3 permanent 0.1-acre plots were
randomly selected within 4 susceptible strata. In 1986, monitoring
began on 228 plots in a six-county area of central PA and within
the boundaries of the Tuscarora and Bald Eagle State Forests.
All of subset sites are relocatable. |
| Likelihood of Locating Study Areas: |
100% |
| Experimental Treatments: |
None; however, subset is being salvaged and no longer protected
from spray for gypsy moth defoliation; and, there are no gypsy
moth impacts to measure. |
| Sampling Methods: |
Plots subsetted in 1986 to monitor long-term impacts and stand
recovery. |
| Variables and Sampling Frequency: |
All trees > 3.0" d.b.h. on each 0.1-acre plot were tallied:
1978.
Tree sp., d.b.h., merchantable height, butt log grade, basal
area, crown condition (vigor), slope, slope position, aspect,
stand age, site index, tree dominance, elevation, % defoliation,
mortality, land capability class, starch content (subset): All
variables were measured annually on all plots during midsummer
1978 to 1985 except plot-level defoliation in 1985 which was
estimated from subsamples; Vigor and defoliation were measured
annually on subsetted plots during 1986 to 1993. Ingrowth was
an added variable and d.b.h. was measured in 1990 and 1995.
Regeneration surveys to evaluate understory condition in response
to overstory mortality: 1989 to 1993 and in 1995. |
| QA/QC Practices: |
Initially field data collection rechecked intensely; data
was verified the second year. Subset has been verified by 100%
cross reference with field sheets. Accuracy assessment completed
1986-1992 for subset. Annual field training for all field crew. |
| Data Storage: |
Raw and Summarized including subset raw, summarized &
analyzed on 9-track tape in fireproof safe. FoxPro & SAS
used to analyze data. |
| Global Change Research Applications: |
Studies of Ecosystem Processes
Mechanistic Studies
Model Development and Application |
| Data Availability: |
unknown |
| Publications and Reports: |
Feicht, D.L; Fosbroke, S.L.C.; Twery, M.J. 1993. Forest stand
conditions after 13 years of Gypsy Moth infestation. In: Gillespie,
A.; Parker, G.; Pope, P.E.; Rink, G., eds. Proceedings, 9th
central hardwood forest conference; 1993 March 8-10; West Lafayette,
IN., Purdue University: Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-161. St. Paul, MN.:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central
Forest Experiment Station. 130-143 p.
Gansner and Herrick have publications on the data for 1978-1985.
|
| Contact: |
Kurt Gottschalk / Rose-Marie Muzika, USDA Forest Service,
180 Canfield St., Morgantown WV 26505-3101. (304) 285-1598 |
| Cooperation: |
Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry
USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry |
