Overstory and regeneration data from the "Rehabilitation of cutover mixedwood stands" study at the Penobscot Experimental Forest

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DATA FILES

This data package contains nine (9) data files (found in the \Data folder in full data publication download). Below is a list of these files (numbered based on alphabetical order) and the variables they contain.

The following species abbreviations are used throughout the data:

AB = Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. (American beech)
BA = Fraxinus nigra (Black ash)
BC = Prunus serotina Ehrh. (Black cherry)
BF = Abies balsamea (L.) P. Mill. (Balsam fir)
BP = Populus balsamifera L. (Balsam poplar)
BT = Populus grandidentata Michx. (Bigtooth aspen)
EH = Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr. (Eastern hemlock)
GA = Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh. (Green ash)
GB = Betula populifolia Marsh. (Gray birch)
HH = Ostrya virginiana (Mill.) K. Koch (Hophornbeam)
PB = Betula papyrifera Marsh. (Paper birch)
PR = Prunus pensylvanica L. f. (Pin cherry)
QA = Populus tremuloides Michx. (Quaking aspen)
RM = Acer rubrum L. (Red maple, single stem)
RMC = Acer rubrum L. (Red maple, part of sprout clump)
RN = Pinus resinosa (Red pine)
RO = Quercus rubra L. (Northern red oak)
RS = Picea rubens Sarg. (Red spruce)
SM = Acer saccharum Marsh. (Sugar maple)
TA = Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch (Tamarack/larch)
WA = Fraxinus americana L. (White ash)
WC = Thuja occidentalis L. (Northern white-cedar)
WL = Salix L. (Willow)
WP = Pinus strobus L. (Eastern white pine)
WS = Picea glauca (Moench) Voss (White spruce)

CROP TREE DBH
1) \Data\PEF_RehabTbl_CropTreeDBH.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing crop tree data for 2008, 2012, and 2017. Mortality was recorded in 2012 and 2017.
MU - management unit
EU - experimental unit within MU
TREENUM - assigned tree number
MONTH - month that measurements began (5=May, 6=June)
YEAR - year associated with month that measurements began
INV - sequential inventory number, specific to crop tree inventory
EXPF - expansion factor based on plot size = 0.517 acres
SPECIESID - species identification code
CLUMP - number assigned to stem when TREENUM contained multiple stems from one stump. If tree had only one stem Clump = 0.
DBH - diameter at breast height (inches) measured to the nearest 0.1 inch (NA = DBH missing)
STATUS - tree status (1 = died since the previous inventory; 2 = live; 3 = could not be located; 4 = previously recorded as dead; NA = status missing)

CROP TREE HEIGHT AND CROWN
2) \Data\PEF_RehabTbl_CropTreeHeights.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing crop tree data from 2008 and 2017 including crown position, height to lowest live branch, height to the base of the lowest acute-angle branch and crown radius in cardinal directions using magnetic north.
MU - management unit
EU - experimental unit within MU
TREENUM - assigned tree number
CLUMP - number assigned to stem when TREENUM contained multiple stems from one stump. If clump = 0, tree is single stem or the "main" stem in clump.
MONTH - month that measurements began (6=June)
YEAR - year associated with month that measurements began
INV - sequential inventory number, specific to crop tree inventory
SPECIESID - species identification code
CRPOS - crown class (D = dominant, C = codominant, I = intermediate, O = overtopped)
HTLLB - height at lowest live branch measured to the nearest 0.1 feet
HTLABHTLAB - height to lowest acute-angle branch measured to the nearest 0.1 feet
HT - total height measured to the nearest 0.1 feet
CRRADN - crown radius to the nearest 0.1 feet at 0 degrees
CRRADE - crown radius to the nearest 0.1 feet at 90 degrees
CRRADS - crown radius to the nearest 0.1 feet at 180 degrees
CRRADW - crown radius to the nearest 0.1 feet at 270 degrees
COMMENTS - comments
NumES - number of epicormic sprouts
HTLES - height to the lowest epicormic sprout to the nearest 0.1 feet
NumEB - number of epicormic branches
HTLEB - height to the lowest epicormic branch to the nearest 0.1 feet
TR - presence (1) or absence (0) of trainer tree
potTR - presence (1) or absence (0) of a potential trainer tree
COMP - presence (1) or absence (0) of a competitor
*Note that NA = Not Available and is used for missing data. See the Completeness Report in the Data Quality section of this metadata for a full list of missing data.

CROP TREE STEM MAP
3) \Data\PEF_RehabTbl_CropTreeStemMap.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing distance and azimuth from plot center for all crop trees collected during 2008.
MU - management unit
EU - experimental unit in MU
TREENUM - assigned tree number
CLUMP - number assigned to stem when TREENUM contained multiple stems from one stump. Only clump = 0, single stem trees and "main" stem in clump, have height and crown measurements.
MONTH - month that measurements began (6 = June)
YEAR - year associated with month that measurements began
INV - sequential inventory number, specific to crop tree inventory
SPECIESID - species identification code
DIST - distance from plot center (feet), measured to the nearest 0.1 foot
AZ - azimuth (magnetic, from plot center to tree) in degrees, measured to nearest 1 degree)
OBSTRUCT - is the view obstructed? (Y = obstructed view made measurement more challenging, N = no issues during measurement)
SOURCE - measurements were either taken with a hypsometer or a measuring tape
*Note that NA = Not Available and is used for missing data. See the Completeness Report in the Data Quality section of this metadata for a full list of missing data.
COMMENTS – Optional comments.


OVERSTORY
4) \Data\ PEF_RehabTbl_OverstoryDBH.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing overstory tree data from 2017.
MU - management unit
EU - experiment unit in MU
MONTH - month that measurements began (6 = June, 8 = August)
YEAR - year associated with month that measurements began
INV - sequential inventory number, specific to overstory inventory
SPECIESID - species identification code
DBH - diameter at breast height (inches) measured to the nearest 0.1 inch
EXPF - expansion factor based on plot size = 0.517 acres

5) \Data\PEF_RehabTbl_OverstoryDClass.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing overstory tree data from 2008, 2009 and 2011.
MU - management unit
EU - experiment unit in MU
MONTH - month that measurements began (6 = June, 8 = August)
YEAR - year associated with month that measurements began
INV - sequential inventory number, specific to overstory inventory
EXPF - expansion factor based on plot size = 0.517 acres
SPECIESID - species identification code
DCLASS - diameter at breast height (inches) measured to the nearest 1 inch
CULL - NA = status not recorded (in 2009); 1 = non-merchantable, 0 = merchantable
COUNT - Number of trees or stems (in the case of red maple clumps) observed
BORDERLINE - In 2011 plot boundaries were not verified using hip chain. (Y = tree close to presumed on the border; N = tree not near border; and NA = not applicable because a hip chain was used to maintain plot boundary, as such, no trees are considered borderline in those inventory years [2008 and 2009]).

OVERSTORY PLOT LOCATIONS
6) \Data\PEF_RehabTbl_OverstoryPlotLocations.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing overstory plot corner locations.
MU - management unit
EU - experimental unit in MU
CORNER - Corner 1, 2, 3 or 4. (See corner labels on Study Maps: \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy_Map_MU08.pdf and \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy_Map_MU22.pdf
DATUM - datum used
PROJECTION - projection used
UTM_EAST - Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) northing coordinate (meters) of plot corner
UTM_NORTH - Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) easting coordinate (meters) of plot corner.
LATITUDE - latitude (decimal degrees) of plot corner
LONGITUDE - longitude (decimal degrees) of plot corner
SOURCE - GPS = coordinates found using a Trimble GeoXH (GPS) and differentially corrected, or estimated (ESTIMATED) which means coordinates found using ArcGIS 10.2.2

REGENERATION
7) \Data\PEF_RehabTbl_RegenTallyData.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing plot regeneration tally data from 2008, 2009 and 2011.
MU - management unit
EU - experimental unit in MU
PLOT - 0.014-acre plot within block, 5 per EU
MILPLOT - 0.001 acre sub-plot within sapling plot, 2 per sapling plot (10 per EU)
MONTH - month that measurements began (6 = June, 7 = July, 8 = August)
YEAR - year associated with month that measurements began
INV - sequential specific inventory number, specific to regeneration
EXPF - expansion factor based on plot size = 0.001 acres
SPECIESID - species identification code
PRESENCE - Seedlings less than 6 inches height, presence (1) or absence (0)
STEMS1 - Count of number of stems 6 inches - 1.0 foot in height
STEMS2 - Count of number of stems 1.1 feet - 2.0 feet in height
STEMS3 - Count of number of stems 2.1 feet - 4.5 feet in height
STEMS4 - Count of number of stems greater than 4.5 feet height but less than 0.5 inches DBH

SAPLING
8) \Data\ PEF_RehabTbl_SaplingDBH.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing sapling tree data from 2017.
MU - management unit
EU - experimental unit in MU
PLOT - 0.014-acre plot within block, 5 per block
MONTH - month that measurements began (6 = June)
YEAR - year associated with month that measurements began
INV - sequential inventory number, specific to sapling inventory
SPECIESID - species identification code
DBH - diameter at breast height (inches) measured to the nearest 0.1 inch
EXPF - expansion factor based on plot size = 0.014 acres

9) \Data\PEF_RehabTbl_SaplingDClass.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing sapling tree data from 2008 and 2009.
MU - management unit
EU - experimental unit in MU
PLOT - 0.014-acre plot within overstory plot, 5 per overstory plot
MONTH - month that measurements began (6 = June)
YEAR - year associated with month that measurements began
INV - sequential inventory number, specific to sapling inventory
EXPF - expansion factor based on plot size = 0.014 acres
SPECIESID - species identification code
DCLASS - diameter at breast height (inches) measured to the nearest 1 inch.
COUNT - number of trees or stems (in the case of red maple clumps) observed

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

For more details see the Methodology citation section for applicable study plans and instructions (which are available through full data publication download).

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:

SUPPLEMENTAL FILES

This data package also contains twelve (12) additional files (found in \Supplements folder in full data publication download) that are crucial to understanding these data. Below is a list of these files (numbered based on alphabetical order) and a brief description of each.

CHANGES IN EDITIONS
1) \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy__DBEChanges.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file that lists the changes between version 1 and version 2 of the rehab study published data.
TABLENAME - data table name to which the change/update applies
MU - management unit to which the change/update applies
EU - experimental unit, if applicable, to which the change/update applies
INV - inventory number, if applicable, to which the change/update applies
CHANGE DETAILES - explanation of the change or update


PLOT/EU/MU LAYOUTS
3) \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy_Map_MU08.pdf
Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file containing an image showing layout of experimental units in Management Unit 08 (MU 08).

4) \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy_Map_MU22.pdf
Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file containing an image showing the layout of experimental units in Management Unit 22 (MU 22).

5) \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy_Map_Overview.pdf
Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file containing an image showing the location of the management units used for the Rehabilitation Study within the U.S. Forest Service research area in the Penobscot Experimental Forest.

6) \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy_PlotLayout.pdf
Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file containing an illustration of sample plot layout.


SPECIES CODES
9) \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy_SpeciesCodes.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing descriptions of species codes.
SPECIES ID - two (or three) letter code used to identify tree species
COMMON NAME - common name for species
SCIENTIFIC NAME - scientific name for species


TREATMENT ASSIGNMENTS
10) \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy_TreatmentAssignments.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing treatment assignments.
MU - management unit
EU - experimental unit within MU
TREATMENT - treatment assigned to EU (Control, Moderate or Intensive)


DOCUMENTS
2) \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy_CropTree_SelectionCriteria.pdf
Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file containing the criteria by which crop trees were selected.

7) \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy_ProjectPlan.pdf
Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file containing the 2008 study plan.

8) \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy_ProjectPlan_Addendum2016.pdf
Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file containing an addendum the 2008 study plan.

11) \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy_TreatmentInstructions_Intensive.pdf
Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file containing the details of how the intensive treatments were executed.

12) \Supplements\PEF_RehabStudy_TreatmentInstructions_Moderate.pdf
Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file containing the details of how the moderate treatments were executed.

*Note that in this documentation a few standard acronyms are used:
ac = acres
ba or BA = basal area
cm = centimeters
CU = compartment unit (also known as MU)
dbh or DBH = diameter at breast height
EU = experimental unit
ft = feet
ha = hectares
in = inches
m = meters
MU = management unit (also known as CU)

Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:

not applicable

Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20190508

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Person_Primary:

Contact_Person: Laura Kenefic

Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing and physical

Address: 54 Government Road

City: Bradley

State_or_Province: ME

Postal_Code: 04411

Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 207-581-2794

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: laura.kenefic@usda.gov

Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata

Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999