Characteristics of masticated particles in mixed-conifer forests of the western United States: Shape, particle, and fuel load characteristics

Metadata:
Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:
Characteristics of masticated particles in mixed-conifer forests of the western United States: Shape, particle, and fuel load characteristics
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2017-0012
Description:
Abstract:
This data publication contains the results of sorting masticated particles from mixed-conifer forests in 15 study locations. These data were collected from 2012 through 2016 as part of the MASTIDON project. The MASTIDON project was a four-year research project to study how masticated material differs when treated with different cutting machines and how the masticated particles decompose when left on the ground for multiple years. It investigated masticated materials in four states of the western United States. The project was funded by the Joint Fire Sciences Program (JFSP) and RMRS between 2013 and 2016.

The masticated particles within this project were created by four different machines, including a vertical rotating head, horizontal drum, chipper, and mower. They had been decomposing in situ in wet and dry areas of Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, and South Dakota since their initial treatment. Particles were broken down into 15 shape and three size classes. Each shape and size class was counted for total particles and weighed (in grams) for total fuel load by class. The total weights by shape and size class were then aggregated for a total fuel load for the 0.5 x 0.5 sample area at each location and converted to fuel loads for a 1 x 1 meter area. Subsamples of each shape and size class were taken to obtain specific information on the characteristics of particles in each class, such as average length, width, weight, particle density, volume, and surface area. This data publication includes field data on fuel loads, depth measurements, and bulk densities of five fuel layers; lab data from the sorting, characterization, and bulk density measurements of the fuel particles; and files describing the MASTIDON project and its goals.
Purpose:
These data was created to examine the physical characteristics of masticated particles ranging from 0 to 10 years old. Data are from particles collected from study sites that were paired as old and new treatments to examine the effect of aging in the masticated units.
Supplemental_Information:
A short summary of this mastication project (MASTIDON) can be found in the full data publication download (\Supplements\Project_Overview_JFSP_Mastication 2012-2016.pdf).

Information about the MASTIDON project can also be found here: https://www.firelab.org/project/mastidon.

Original metadata dates was 02/23/2017. Minor metadata updates included on 05/09/2017 and 08/11/2017.
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Range_of_Dates/Times:
Beginning_Date: 2012
Ending_Date: 2016
Currentness_Reference:
observed
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned
Spatial_Domain:
Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
These data come from masticated materials taken from four states in the western United States. These include Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, and South Dakota.
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -116.78938
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -103.64148
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 48.36082
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 35.78899
Bounding_Altitudes:
Altitude_Minimum: 3369
Altitude_Maximum: 9024
Altitude_Distance_Units: feet
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: masticated fuels
Theme_Keyword: horizontal drum head equipment
Theme_Keyword: vertical rotating head equipment
Theme_Keyword: chipping equipment
Theme_Keyword: mowing equipment
Theme_Keyword: masticated fuel shapes
Theme_Keyword: masticated particle lengths
Theme_Keyword: masticated particle densities
Theme_Keyword: masticated fuel load
Theme_Keyword: decomposition of masticated fuels
Theme_Keyword: physical effects of mastication
Theme_Keyword: ponderosa pine
Theme_Keyword: western larch
Theme_Keyword: Forest Ecology
Theme_Keyword: fuels treatment
Theme_Keyword: silvicultural prescription
Theme_Keyword: mixed-conifer fuel characteristics
Theme_Keyword: categorizing fuel particles
Theme_Keyword: wood bulk density
Theme_Keyword: Joint Fire Science Program
Theme_Keyword: JFSP
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: National Research & Development Taxonomy
Theme_Keyword: Forest management
Theme_Keyword: Fire
Theme_Keyword: Fire ecology
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: biota
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Geographic Names Information System
Place_Keyword: western United States
Place_Keyword: Idaho
Place_Keyword: Colorado
Place_Keyword: New Mexico
Place_Keyword: South Dakota
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
These data were collected using funding from the U.S. Government and can be used without additional permissions or fees. If you use these data in a publication, presentation, or other research product please use the following citation:

Sikkink, Pamela G. 2017. Characteristics of masticated particles in mixed-conifer forests of the western United States: Shape, particle, and fuel load characteristics. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2017-0012
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Robert E. Keane
Contact_Organization: Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory
Contact_Position: Research Ecologist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 5775 US Hwy 10 West
City: Missoula
State_or_Province: MT
Postal_Code: 59808-9361
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 406-329-4846
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 406-329-4877
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: rkeane@fs.fed.us
Data_Set_Credit:
This effort was funded by the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP 13-1-05-8). The USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) Fire Fuels and Smoke Program, as well as the RMRS Forest and Woodlands Program, also contributed technical specialists to do sorting, experimental burns, and smoldering tests.

Many people were instrumental in collecting samples, sorting fuel particles, and processing materials for this project. Sample collection across the four states covered in this study was provided by John Byrne, Jonathan Sandquist, Jim Reardon, Joe Frament, Signe Leirfallom, Brian Izbicki, Sarah Flanary, and Terrie Jain, all of the Rocky Mountain Research Station; Penny Morgan of the University of Montana; and volunteers Art Sikkink and Nikki Stirling from Missoula, MT. Laboratory sorting of the field samples into shapes and sizes was conducted by Joe Frament, Molly Retzlaff, Sarah Flanary, Brian Izbicki, Jonathan Sandquist, and James Donley, all from the Rocky Mountain Research Station; Ben Wilson and Amelia Hagen-Dillon, contractors to the Missoula Fire Sciences Lab from Missoula, MT; and volunteers Nicki Stirling and Liz Bauer from Missoula.

We would also like to credit Penny Morgan and Zack Lyon from the University of Idaho (UI) Experimental Forest for supplying the samples from their mastication project in the UI Experimental Forest.
Native_Data_Set_Environment:
Microsoft Windows 7 Version 6.1 (Build 7601) Service pack 1; ESRI ArcGIS 10.2.2.3552
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Keane, Robert E.
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Originator: Jain, Therese B.
Publication_Date: Unpublished material
Title:
Physical and chemical characteristics of surface fuels in masticated mixed-conifer stands of the U.S. Rocky Mountains
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Gen. Tech. Rep.
Issue_Identification: RMRS-GTR-XXXX
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Other_Citation_Details:
(IN PRESS)
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Keane, Robert E.
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Originator: Jain, Therese B.
Publication_Date: Unpublished material
Title:
Physical and chemical characteristics of surface fuels in masticated mixed-conifer stands of the U.S. Rocky Mountains
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: JFSP Final Report
Issue_Identification: 13-1-05-8
Other_Citation_Details:
32 pp.
Online_Linkage: https://www.firescience.gov/projects/13-1-05-8/project/13-1-05-8_final_report.pdf
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:
Characteristics of masticated particles in mixed-conifer forests of the western United States: Chemistry, heat content, and mineral percentage results
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Tabular Digital Data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2017-0022
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:
Characteristics of masticated particles in mixed-conifer forests of the western United States: Field data
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Tabular Digital Data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2017-0033
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:
Characteristics of masticated particles in mixed-conifer forests of the western United States: Moisture-loss tests
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Tabular Digital Data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2017-0034
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:
Characteristics of masticated particles in mixed-conifer forests of the western United States: Experimental burns and smoldering tests
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: tabular digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: Forest Service Research Data Archive
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2017-0035
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Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
There are some negative data values for wet and dry fuel load data that are the result of reading/measurement errors at the maximum precision of the scale. All other attribute accuracy is detailed in Keane et al. 2017. The methodology section below also has additional information on attribute accuracy for these data.

Keane, Robert E.; Sikkink, Pamela G; Theresa B. Jain. 2017. Physical and chemical characteristics of surface fuels in masticated mixed-conifer stands of the US Rocky Mountains. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-XXX. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. XXX p.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
All data reported within the data sets were collected within the same block, unit, and plot at each location. Fifteen locations were sampled and site labels are consistent throughout the data sets. Note that some locational information may be different for University of Idaho Experimental Forest (UI) sites (see below for details).
Completeness_Report:
There were 14 study locations sampled for this study plus one location added from the University of Idaho Experimental Forest (UI) to collaborate with UI’s mastication study. We did not do any of the the field work for the three UI samples collected at the UI site. Samples were delivered from UI to the firelab to be analyzed in the lab. UI did not always collect the same data that we did. This resulted in some incomplete or missing data that are denoted with blank cells. (As an example we do not have any Location=UI heat content data.) Originally there was also a 16th site called Priest River 1C (PR1C). This particular site was discarded early in the study because it was the very first collection site and the data were not collected in the same manner in the sampling of following sites. We decided to add more microplots after this first attempt and to describe more variables in the sampling process. Therefore, we discarded this site and have not included any of its data in the RMRS mastication archives, but it is listed in the locations file for completeness.

There are some cases where there was no data to collect or measurement to record, and in these cases the data are left as a blank cell.
Lineage:
Methodology:
Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:
SAMPLING

Study sites were selected to have different ages of mastication in the same general area so that physical characteristics and chemical changes could be compared and contrasted. We were particularily interested in how the materials changed in their physical and chemical characteristics as they laid on the ground for several years. The sites that were chose for this study included young and old sites that were masticated by different machines between sites, had different climatic conditions for decompositon, and had been on the ground decomposing for different lengths of time.

Wood was collected for this study using procedures outlined for sampling masticated materials by Hood and Wu (2006), which can be found in Andrews and Butler (2006; pp 333-340). Following this sampling technique, a 50 x 30 meter (m) macroplot was established at each site. It was set parallel to the slope in its longest direction and in an area regarded as typical of the treatment area. Transect lines were established within the macroplot at 10 m intervals along the 50 m side. This resulted in six transect lines to collect depth data from for each of five fuel layers. When the depths were collected, a set of 20 1 x 1 m plots were established along the 10 and 40 m lines at intervals indicated by Hood and Wu (2006). All fuels were removed down to bare soil within a 0.5 x 0.5 section of the 1 x 1 m plots. These fuels were separated as fresh litter, masticated fuels, and fine material that was too small to separate in the field. The fuels were further separated in the laboratory into 15 different shapes and 3 fuel sizes. Subsamples were created by randomly selecting at least 1% of the particles in the full fuel collection (when possible) of each size and shape category.
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Keane, Robert E.
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Originator: Jain, Therese B.
Publication_Date: Unpublished material
Title:
Physical and chemical characteristics of surface fuels in masticated mixed-conifer stands of the U.S. Rocky Mountains
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Gen. Tech. Rep.
Issue_Identification: RMRS-GTR-XXXX
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Other_Citation_Details:
(IN PRESS)
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Keane, Robert E.
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Originator: Jain, Therese B.
Publication_Date: Unpublished material
Title:
Physical and chemical characteristics of surface fuels in masticated mixed-conifer stands of the U.S. Rocky Mountains
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: JFSP Final Report
Issue_Identification: 13-1-05-8
Other_Citation_Details:
32 pp.
Online_Linkage: https://www.firescience.gov/projects/13-1-05-8/project/13-1-05-8_final_report.pdf
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Keane, Robert E.
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Publication_Date: Unpublished material
Title:
Study Plan: Surface fuel characteristics, temporal dynamics, and fire behavior of masticated mixed-conifer fuelbeds of the western U.S.
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Study Plan
Issue_Identification: RMRS-2014-4405-187
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Missoula, MT
Publisher: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Other_Citation_Details:
(File available through data publication download: \Supplements\Study_plan_Mastication_project.pdf)
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Keane, Robert E.
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Originator: Jain, Theresa B.
Originator: Reardon, Jim
Originator: Heinsch, Faith Ann
Originator: Butler, Bret
Publication_Date: Unpublished material
Title:
Surface fuel characteristics, temporal dynamics, and fire behavior of masticated mixed-conifer fuelbeds of the western U.S.
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Other_Citation_Details:
(File available through data publication download: \Supplements\Project_Overview_JFSP_Mastication_2012-2016.pdf)
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Hood, Sharon
Originator: Wu, Ros
Publication_Date: 2006
Title:
Estimating fuel bed loadings in masticated areas
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Conference Proceedings
Issue_Identification: Fuels Management-How to Measure Success
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Portland, OR
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Other_Citation_Details:
In: Andrews, Patricia L.; Butler, Bret W., comps. Fuels Management-How to Measure Success: Conference Proceedings. pp. 333-345
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Andrews, Patricia L.
Originator: Butler, Bret W.
Publication_Date: 2006
Title:
Fuels Management-How to Measure Success: Conference Proceedings
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Proceedings
Issue_Identification: RMRS-P-41
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Other_Citation_Details:
809 p.
Online_Linkage: https://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/24476
Methodology:
Methodology_Type: Lab
Methodology_Description:
SORTING

Masticated wood and bark were sorted into 15 shape categories and three size class categories. These materials included fresh litter, masticated wood particles, bark, and a mixture of ultra-fine materials generally classified here as “duff.” Fresh litter was processed just as it was picked from the field without sorting or sizing. The duff bag from the field was cleaned of all fresh litter, bark, and wood particles that belonged in the other categories. The only remaining materials in the “duff” bag were pieces of debris less than 6 millimeters (mm) (which is 0.25 inches). The woody materials were sorted into the following classes:

Cylinders: 3D circular polygon, usually with varying widths along length. Represented by complete branches > 6.5 mm long.

Pyramids: 3D polyhedron with four faces and three prominent sides; angles off each vertex vary.

Rectangular parallelepipeds: 3D polyhedron with six faces and four prominent sides; adjacent sides of unequal length; angles close to 90 degrees at each vertex.

Parallelepipeds: 3D polyhedron with six faces; faces are parallelograms lying in pairs of parallel planes; four prominent sides, angles not 90 degrees at each vertex. Varying lengths of sides can result in equilateral, trapezoidal, rhomboidal, kite-like, or trapezium sub-shapes.

Ellipsoids: 3D polygon with plane surfaces that are all ellipses or circles, no faces, no distinct sides; ends tapered; egg shaped.

Elliptic Paraboloids: Quadratic surface shaped like cup or bowl; no faces; edge surface curved to ground with no outward flares at base.

Neiloid Frustrums: Quadratic surface shaped like the lower portion of a tree trunk; no straight faces, edge surface curved to ground with outward flares; top usually shaped as in elliptic paraboloid (above) but lower edge flares like tree trunk base.

Semi-cylinders: 3D polygon with no faces; two sides (one curved, one flat); one-half of a cylinder.

Wood Chips: Thin, small pieces of wood greater than 6.5 mm long but less than 3.0 mm thick; classifies as 1 hour size class.

Wood Ribbons: Pieces of wood greater than 6.5 mm long, very flexible, and various widths; flexible enough to twist and turn without breaking.

Bark ribbons: Pieces of bark greater than 6.5 mm long, very flexible, and various widths; similar to wood ribbon, it is flexible enough to twist and turn without breaking.

Bark pieces: Pieces of bark greater than 6.5 mm but less than 25 mm at longest point; inflexible; 1 hour and 10 hour size classes combined.

Bark chunks: Pieces of bark greater than 25 mm but less than 75 mm at longest point. Thickness varies. 100 hour size class.

Within each of the shape classes, particles were also sorted into three size classes (1 hour [h], 10 h, and 100 h) except in the bark piece category. Bark 1 h and 10 h pieces were lumped together into one class.


PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS

After sorting, all particles were counted in each shape and size class. Each class was weighed and added together to a compute total fuel load from the 0.5 x 0.5 meter quadrat sample. After determining total loads, a subset of particles was randomly selected from each shape and size class to measure the individual dimensions of each particle and obtain their weights and moisture content. We tried to select at least five percent of the total number of particles for the subsample to conduct the finer scale measurements and weights on individual particles. However, in many cases, there were less than ten particles available, so we could only select one or two particles for the subsample. In some cases, there were over 200 particles, such as the parallelograms, so we selected a maximum of ten particles to comprise the subsample. For the fresh litter, bark pieces, wood chips, and duff, a standard 20 percent of the field bag by total bag weight (not individual material pieces) was selected to create the subsample for weight and moisture content measurements.

Length (mm), width (mm), and height (mm) were measured on each wood particle in the sub-sample to the nearest 0.1 mm using a caliper connected to a computer, which captured all measurements. The number and types of particle measurements ultimately depended on the future need to calculate the volume and surface area for each shape.

Two new subsamples were partitioned out for chemical and mineral content analyses. The second subsample included a random collection of particles of four shape types (cylinder, triangle, parallelogram, and wood chips) and three size classes on which to conduct chemical analyses. The third subsample was from the duff component only. Small samples of duff were placed in a crucible for drying in oven and ashing in muffle furnace. This subsample was used to determine mineral content at the microplot.

After measuring, each subsample was weighed as a group. Wet weights were also taken for the 20% subsamples of duff, fresh litter, wood chips, and bark pieces. Although these wet weights did not represent true moisture content in the field, which was altered by drying in the paper bags while in shipping and storage, the wet weights at the time of sorting were used to eventually determine moisture content of each size class when the materials were experimentally burned. When all microplot samples were measured and weighed, they were placed in an oven and dried for at least 72 hours at 90 degrees Celsius (C) to provide a dry weight for the fuel type and dry weight for each individual particle. The second and third subsamples were also oven dried for more than 72 hours at 90 degrees C before further processing. All dried subsamples and particles were then used to complete the physical and chemical analyses.
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Keane, Robert E.
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Originator: Jain, Therese B.
Publication_Date: Unpublished material
Title:
Physical and chemical characteristics of surface fuels in masticated mixed-conifer stands of the U.S. Rocky Mountains
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Gen. Tech. Rep.
Issue_Identification: RMRS-GTR-XXXX
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Fort Collins, CO
Publisher: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Other_Citation_Details:
(IN PRESS)
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Keane, Robert E.
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Originator: Jain, Therese B.
Publication_Date: Unpublished material
Title:
Physical and chemical characteristics of surface fuels in masticated mixed-conifer stands of the U.S. Rocky Mountains
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: JFSP Final Report
Issue_Identification: 13-1-05-8
Other_Citation_Details:
32 pp.
Online_Linkage: https://www.firescience.gov/projects/13-1-05-8/project/13-1-05-8_final_report.pdf
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Keane, Robert E.
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Publication_Date: Unpublished material
Title:
Study Plan: Surface fuel characteristics, temporal dynamics, and fire behavior of masticated mixed-conifer fuelbeds of the western U.S.
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Study Plan
Issue_Identification: RMRS-2014-4405-187
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Missoula, MT
Publisher: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Other_Citation_Details:
(File available through data publication download: \Supplements\Study_plan_Mastication_project.pdf)
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Keane, Robert E.
Originator: Sikkink, Pamela G.
Originator: Jain, Theresa B.
Originator: Reardon, Jim
Originator: Heinsch, Faith Ann
Originator: Butler, Bret
Publication_Date: Unpublished material
Title:
Surface fuel characteristics, temporal dynamics, and fire behavior of masticated mixed-conifer fuelbeds of the western U.S.
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Other_Citation_Details:
(File available through data publication download: \Supplements\Project_Overview_JFSP_Mastication_2012-2016.pdf)
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
CALCULATION OF PARTICLE CHARACTERISTICS

Particle density (PD) was calculated as the mass (PW) divided by the volume (PV). The mass of the selected particles was measured as the dry weight of each particle. The volume was estimated using a two-fluid displacement process that has historically been used to determine density in soils or duff (Williamson and Wiemann 2010). The method consisted of slowly submerging particles in a large cylindrical tube containing a combination of two fluids. The upper fluid is 100% kerosene; the lower fluid is a solution of 50% glycerin and 50% water. Both fluids are approximately 20 centimeters (cm) deep to allow enough room for submersion of large particles; the cylinder sits on a lift to raise and lower it as needed during the submersion process. Weights attached to plastic line are tied to each particle to keep it submerged. Before beginning the measurements, all weights and lines were calibrated by submerging them in each fluid without a particle attached and getting a weight in each fluid. Densities were also obtained from each fluid itself to adjust the calculation formulas.

To conduct the measurements, the balance was first tared to zero with the particle, line, and weight all connected and out of fluids. Then the particle was slowly lowered into the kerosene until it was approximately 1 cm above the kerosene-glycerin boundary and it was left at that depth for three minutes. After three minutes, the weight on the balance was recorded. The particle was then lowered into the glycerin layer to within 1.25 cm of the boundary between the two fluids and left to equilibrate and displace glycerin. After three minutes, the weight of the particle in glycerin was recorded. The particle was then removed from the fluids, and the entire process started again with the next particle.
The density of the particle (PD, grams per cubic centimeters [g cm-3]) was computed using the following equation:

PD = Wsample * (PK-PMIX) /(Wk-WMIX)

In this equation, W sample is the particle dry weight (grams [g]), Pk and PMIX are the densities of the kerosene and the glycerin water mixture, respectively; Wk and Wg are the weights (g) of the recorded by the balance when the particle was in the kerosene and glycerin/water mixture layers, respectively.

We calculated surface area of the particles by making adjustments to the formula for a generalized shape based on volumes from the particle densities. Volumes from the densities obtained from the submersion in fluids method were calculated as follows:

PV = PW / PD

For this formula, PV is particle volume cubic centimeters (cm3); PW is dry weight (g), and PD is particle density (g cm-3) as obtained as described above. Using the volume from the particle density process, the standardized shape-volume equation was solved for a new length value that was applied to each standard formula for surface area for the individual particle shapes. Although not a perfect solution, the resulting surface areas were at least semi-adjusted for the differences from a perfect shape similarly to the particle densities. The method did come with some problems, especially in the parallelograms where there was a total length measured and mean length calculated for the two long sides. In this case, only the mean length was adjusted in the surface area formula. Calculating new lengths in ellipses also required some assumptions, including that the longest axis was length and the shortest axis was height.

Williamson, Bruce G.; Wiemann, Michael C. 2010. Measuring wood specific gravity...Correctly. Am J Bot. 97(3):519-24. https://doi.org/10.3732/ajb.0900243
Process_Date: 2015
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Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Point
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Spatial_Reference_Information:
Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Geographic:
Latitude_Resolution: 0
Longitude_Resolution: 0
Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal degrees
Geodetic_Model:
Ellipsoid_Name: Clarke 1866
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.25722210088
Vertical_Coordinate_System_Definition:
Altitude_System_Definition:
Altitude_Datum_Name: North American Vertical Datum of 1988
Altitude_Distance_Units: feet
Depth_System_Definition:
Depth_Datum_Name: Local surface
Depth_Distance_Units: meters
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Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
Below you will find a list of the files included in this download, along with a complete description of the contents. For a list and description of each variable included in each of the data files, see UserGuide_EntityAttributes.pdf.

DATA FILES

\Data\All Shapes Measures.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing data for the characterization of mastication particles in the MASTIDON project. It contains information on shapes, sizes, lengths, widths, weights, particle densities, volumes, and surface areas. It is the main database for the Keane et al. (2017) publication on chemistry and characterization of these masticated materials, and the backbone for several analyses used within the project. This table contains 5609 records.

\Data\Lab Fuel Load.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing raw and processed data for the fuel loads in each shape category analyzed for the mastication project. Data are recorded for wet weights and total number of particles for each microplot. Dried loads and particle density values are also included and were determined from subsamples of the total load. Litter and duff are represented by the total weight of their respective bags in each microplot. This table contains 4681 records.

\Data\References\Lookup Folders - Key index.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing key information on how each microplot is coded for use as links in the database. It also has information on where the paper records are stored, the sample year and age of materials, the date the microplot was sorted, and who was responsible for the sorting of the microplot. The table contains 151 records.

\Data\References\Lookup_HW_Codes.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing the rational for creating the HW Index. It describes the parts used in the HW Index and how they relate to each other. There are 44 records in this table. The codes were repeated for each of the sites sampled in this project.

\Data\References\Lookup_Locations.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing basic information on each site sampled in this study. It includes the mastication method, the total number of microplots analyzed for characterization of particles and chemistry, the climatic regime, age or length of time since the materials were masticated, UTM information, elevation and bearing of the plots, and laser information for local topographic changes on the landscape. This table has 16 records.

\Data\References\Lookup_Particle_Type.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing a list showing the numerical separation of the wood particles from bark, fresh litter and duff created during mastication. Originally the wood chips were separated as group 2 because they were of such different sizes than the normal masticated material. However, these wood chips were later combined with the woody materials to reassign them to group 1. This table has 15 entries.

\Data\References\Lookup-SizeIndex.csv
Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing the connection between using "h" for hour and "hr" for hour. The table has four entries.


SUPPLEMENTAL FILES

\Supplements\Project_Overview_JFSP_Mastication 2012-2016.pdf
Adobe Acrobat PDF/ a file containing an overview of the 2012-2016 Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) Mastication project.

\Supplements\Study_plan_Mastication_project.pdf
Adobe Acrobat PDF/ a file containing the study plan for the 2012-2016 JFSP Mastication project.

\Supplements\Lab sorting photos\*PHOTONAME*.jpg
JPG (three) photos showing process and products of the sorting process.
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
Hood, Sharon; Wu, Ros 2006. Estimating Fuel Bed Loadings in Masticated Areas. In: Andrews, Patricia L.; Butler, Bret W., comps. 2006. Fuels Management-How to Measure Success: Conference Proceedings. 28-30 March 2006; Portland, OR. Proceedings RMRS-P-41. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 333-340

Keane, Robert E.; Sikkink, Pamela G; Theresa B. Jain. 2017. Physical and chemical characteristics of surface fuels in masticated mixed-conifer stands of the US Rocky Mountains. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-XXX. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. XXX p. IN PRESS
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Distribution_Information:
Distributor:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization: USDA Forest Service, Research and Development
Contact_Position: Research Data Archivist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 240 West Prospect Road
City: Fort Collins
State_or_Province: CO
Postal_Code: 80526
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: see Contact Instructions
Contact Instructions: This contact information was current as of August 2017. For current information see Contact Us page on: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS.
Resource_Description: RDS-2017-0012
Distribution_Liability:
Metadata documents have been reviewed for accuracy and completeness. Unless otherwise stated, all data and related materials are considered to satisfy the quality standards relative to the purpose for which the data were collected. However, neither the author, the Archive, nor any part of the federal government can assure the reliability or suitability of these data for a particular purpose. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed for a user's application of these data or related materials.

The metadata, data, or related materials may be updated without notification. If a user believes errors are present in the metadata, data or related materials, please use the information in (1) Identification Information: Point of Contact, (2) Metadata Reference: Metadata Contact, or (3) Distribution Information: Distributor to notify the author or the Archive of the issues.
Standard_Order_Process:
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: ASCII
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Comma-delimited ASCII text file (CSV)
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped with Winzip 14.0
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2017-0012
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: PDF
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Adobe Acrobat PDF/a file
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped with Winzip 14.0
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2017-0012
Fees: None
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20170811
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Pamela G. Sikkink
Contact_Organization: Moscow Forestry Sciences Laboratory
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 5775 US HWY 10
City: Missoula
State_or_Province: MT
Postal_Code: 59808
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 406-829-7343 or
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 406-540-2053 mobile
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: pamelagsikkink@fs.fed.us
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: sikkink@marsweb.com
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Biological Data Profile of the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001.1-1999
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