Timber survey data from 1911 in the Greenhorn Mountains, Sequoia National Forest

Metadata:
Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Stephens, Scott L.
Originator: Lydersen, Jamie M.
Originator: Collins, Brandon M.
Originator: Fry, Danny L.
Originator: Meyer, Marc D.
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:
Timber survey data from 1911 in the Greenhorn Mountains, Sequoia National Forest
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-2017-0064
Description:
Abstract:
This data publication contains tabular data with measurements of tree and shrub data for a set of transects located in the Greenhorn Mountains, Sequoia National Forest in California. The transects represent a systematic timber inventory collected across a large mixed-conifer and ponderosa pine dominated landscape by the U.S. Forest Service in 1911. Trees were tallied by species and diameter within 20 x 400 meter strips that spanned the center of quarter-quarter sections (QQs) delineated by the Public Land Survey System. Shrub cover was determined using an ocular estimate and recorded qualitatively by species. Tabular data specifically include cover estimates for Chamaebatia foliolosa and an estimate for all other species as a whole; basal area for the following live trees ≥ 30.5 centimeters (cm) at diameter at breast height (dbh): Abies concolor, Calocedrus decurrens, Pinus lambertiana, Pinus ponderosa, and all conifer trees; as well as density of live conifer trees in three different dbh classes. Also included in this publication are scans of the original data collection sheets recorded in 1911.
Purpose:
These data were initially collected to assess the amount and condition of timber in the Greenhorn Mountains. The data were recently used to assess historical forest structure and fire severity patterns.
Supplemental_Information:
The journal article associated with these data is Stephens et al. 2015.
Time_Period_of_Content:
Time_Period_Information:
Single_Date/Time:
Calendar_Date: 1911
Currentness_Reference:
Ground condition
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: None planned
Spatial_Domain:
Description_of_Geographic_Extent:
Greenhorn Mountains in Sequoia National Forest in California
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -118.64925
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -118.50788
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 35.78691
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 35.60277
Bounding_Altitudes:
Altitude_Minimum: 1430.000
Altitude_Maximum: 2270.000
Altitude_Distance_Units: meters
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: biota
Theme_Keyword: environment
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: National Research & Development Taxonomy
Theme_Keyword: Ecology, Ecosystems, & Environment
Theme_Keyword: Landscape ecology
Theme_Keyword: Environment and People
Theme_Keyword: History
Theme_Keyword: Fire
Theme_Keyword: Fire ecology
Theme_Keyword: Fire effects on environment
Theme_Keyword: Fire suppression, pre-suppression
Theme_Keyword: Forest & Plant Health
Theme_Keyword: Inventory, Monitoring, & Analysis
Theme_Keyword: Resource inventory
Theme_Keyword: Natural Resource Management & Use
Theme_Keyword: Forest management
Theme_Keyword: Restoration
Theme_Keyword: Timber
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: fire management
Theme_Keyword: fire severity
Theme_Keyword: forest ecology
Theme_Keyword: forest resiliency
Theme_Keyword: reference conditions
Theme_Keyword: Abies concolor
Theme_Keyword: Calocedrus decurrens
Theme_Keyword: Pinus lambertiana
Theme_Keyword: Pinus ponderosa
Theme_Keyword: Quercus
Theme_Keyword: Chamaebatia foliolosa
Theme_Keyword: Arctostaphylos
Theme_Keyword: Chrysolepis sempervirens
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Greenhorn Mountains
Place_Keyword: Sequoia National Forest
Place_Keyword: Sierra Nevada
Place_Keyword: California
Taxonomy:
Keywords/Taxon:
Taxonomic_Keyword_Thesaurus:
None
Taxonomic_Keywords: multiple species
Taxonomic_Keywords: plants
Taxonomic_System:
Classification_System/Authority:
Classification_System_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: ITIS
Publication_Date: 2017
Title:
Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Database
Other_Citation_Details:
Retrieved [November, 16, 2017]
Online_Linkage: https://www.itis.gov
Taxonomic_Procedures:
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Kingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Plantae
Applicable_Common_Name: plantes
Applicable_Common_Name: Planta
Applicable_Common_Name: Vegetal
Applicable_Common_Name: plants
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Subkingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Viridiplantae
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Infrakingdom
Taxon_Rank_Value: Streptophyta
Applicable_Common_Name: land plants
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Superdivision
Taxon_Rank_Value: Embryophyta
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Division
Taxon_Rank_Value: Tracheophyta
Applicable_Common_Name: vascular plants
Applicable_Common_Name: tracheophytes
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Subdivision
Taxon_Rank_Value: Spermatophytina
Applicable_Common_Name: spermatophytes
Applicable_Common_Name: seed plants
Applicable_Common_Name: phanérogames
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Class
Taxon_Rank_Value: Magnoliopsida
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Superorder
Taxon_Rank_Value: Asteranae
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Order
Taxon_Rank_Value: Ericales
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Family
Taxon_Rank_Value: Ericaceae
Applicable_Common_Name: heaths
Applicable_Common_Name: éricacées
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Arctostaphylos
Applicable_Common_Name: bearberry
Applicable_Common_Name: manzanitas
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Superorder
Taxon_Rank_Value: Rosanae
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Order
Taxon_Rank_Value: Fagales
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Family
Taxon_Rank_Value: Fagaceae
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Quercus
Applicable_Common_Name: chêne
Applicable_Common_Name: oak
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Chrysolepis
Applicable_Common_Name: chinquapin
Applicable_Common_Name: chinkapin
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Chrysolepis sempervirens
Applicable_Common_Name: bush chinquapin
Applicable_Common_Name: Sierra chinkapin
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Order
Taxon_Rank_Value: Rosales
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Family
Taxon_Rank_Value: Rosaceae
Applicable_Common_Name: roses
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Chamaebatia
Applicable_Common_Name: mountain misery
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Chamaebatia foliolosa
Applicable_Common_Name: mountain misery
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Class
Taxon_Rank_Value: Pinopsida
Applicable_Common_Name: conifers
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Subclass
Taxon_Rank_Value: Pinidae
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Order
Taxon_Rank_Value: Pinales
Applicable_Common_Name: pines
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Family
Taxon_Rank_Value: Pinaceae
Applicable_Common_Name: pines
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Abies
Applicable_Common_Name: fir
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Abies concolor
Applicable_Common_Name: balsam fir
Applicable_Common_Name: silver fir
Applicable_Common_Name: Colorado fir
Applicable_Common_Name: concolor fir
Applicable_Common_Name: white balsam
Applicable_Common_Name: oyamel de California
Applicable_Common_Name: white fir
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Pinus
Applicable_Common_Name: pine
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Pinus lambertiana
Applicable_Common_Name: sugar pine
Applicable_Common_Name: California sugar pine
Applicable_Common_Name: pino de azúcar
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Pinus ponderosa
Applicable_Common_Name: ponderosa pine
Applicable_Common_Name: bull pine
Applicable_Common_Name: western yellow pine
Applicable_Common_Name: blackjack pine
Applicable_Common_Name: pinabete
Applicable_Common_Name: rock pine
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Family
Taxon_Rank_Value: Cupressaceae
Applicable_Common_Name: cypress
Applicable_Common_Name: redwood
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Genus
Taxon_Rank_Value: Calocedrus
Applicable_Common_Name: incense cedar
Taxonomic_Classification:
Taxon_Rank_Name: Species
Taxon_Rank_Value: Calocedrus decurrens
Applicable_Common_Name: incense cedar
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:

Stephens, Scott L.; Lydersen, Jamie M.; Collins, Brandon M.; Fry, Danny L.; Meyer, Marc D. 2017. Timber survey data from 1911 in the Greenhorn Mountains, Sequoia National Forest. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2017-0064
Data_Set_Credit:
This project was funded by the USDA Forest Service, and USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station helped prepare and publish these data.
Cross_Reference:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Stephens, Scott L.
Originator: Lydersen, Jamie M.
Originator: Collins, Brandon M.
Originator: Fry, Danny L.
Originator: Meyer, Marc D.
Publication_Date: 2015
Title:
Historical and current landscape-scale ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forest structure in the Southern Sierra Nevada
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Journal Article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Ecosphere
Issue_Identification: 6(5): 79
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1890/ES14-00379.1
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Data_Quality_Information:
Attribute_Accuracy:
Attribute_Accuracy_Report:
Tabular digital data were scanned for erroneous entries. The data contain no outliers and all fields are complete. To assess spatial accuracy, comparison was made between a GIS overlay of survey transect locations with topographic maps and qualitative notes entered by surveyors (e.g., location of stream crossing or ridge inflection along a transect) where available. Accuracy of individual measurements is unknown and provided as entered on original data sheets from 1911.
Logical_Consistency_Report:
Not Applicable
Completeness_Report:
The timber survey data from 1911 were collected across the forested portions of the Greenhorn Mountains, omitting patented (privately owned) lands. Data were collected on 394 transects, with a total of 18,944 trees tallied. Surveyors noted evidence of logging on fifteen of the 394 transects. The original datasheets for these transects are included as PDF copies, but they are not included in the tabular data summary. In addition there was one transect that was missing the front page of the original data sheet. Since timber survey data were not available for this transect it was omitted.

Historical records indicate California black oak (Quercus kelloggii) was present in the study area, but the fact that there are no data for this species suggests that the inventory may have been limited to all conifers. In addition to this, data were recorded for dead trees, but it is likely that only those that were considered merchantable were actually included.
Lineage:
Methodology:
Methodology_Type: Field
Methodology_Description:
The historical forest inventory of our study area was conducted in 1911, and consisted of belt transects located systematically based on the Public Land Survey System (PLSS, https://nationalmap.gov/small_scale/a_plss.html). Transects spanned the mid-line of quarter-quarter sections (16.2 hectares [ha] or 40 acre [ac] survey units; QQs) in a 20.1 meter (m) by 402 m area (0.8 ha) and were a 5% sample of each inventoried QQ. All trees ≥ 30.5 centimeters (cm) (12 inches [in]) diameter at breast height (dbh) were tallied by species and dbh class within belt transects. Trees 15.2-30.4 cm (6-12 in) dbh were also tallied on 35 transects. The dbh classes were separated by 5.1 cm (2 in). Records specific to the historical inventory in this area indicate that all trees were tallied, but the lack of California black oak (Quercus kelloggii) suggests that the inventory may have been limited to all conifers. Additionally, while dead trees appear to have been recorded on all transects, it is possible that only those that were considered merchantable were actually included. Shrub cover was recorded qualitatively by species for each transect. The data for trees 15.2-30.4 cm dbh and for dead trees are included on the PDF copies of the original data sheets but are not included in the tabulated data. All of the data recorded in 1911 are available on the PDF copies of the original data sheets. The data provided in tabular form are described in the “Process Description” section of this metadata file.

For more details see Stephens et al. 2015.
Methodology_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: Stephens, Scott L.
Originator: Lydersen, Jamie M.
Originator: Collins, Brandon M.
Originator: Fry, Danny L.
Originator: Meyer, Marc D.
Publication_Date: 2015
Title:
Historical and current landscape-scale ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forest structure in the Southern Sierra Nevada
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Journal Article
Series_Information:
Series_Name: Ecosphere
Issue_Identification: 6(5): 79
Online_Linkage: https://doi.org/10.1890/es14-00379.1
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
We generated the following forest structure and composition variables for each transect, excluding those with logging prior to 1911 (n = 378): total live basal area, live basal area for each conifer species, total tree density, and tree density by dbh class (30.5–61.0 cm, 61.1–91.4 cm, > 91.4 cm). These variables were scaled to the common unit area (per hectare), i.e., the sum of basal area and tree density for each measurement was divided by the transect area. A numerical value was assigned to the qualitative descriptions of shrub cover as follows. If a shrub species was noted as merely present it was given a value of 10, if cover was described as low, scattered or mild a value of 20 was assigned, if cover was described as moderate a value of 50 was used, and when cover was noted as high we used a value of 90. Two variables for shrub cover were calculated, including Chamaebatia foliolosa alone and the sum of all other species, which was dominated by several Quercus species, Arctostaphylos, Chrysolepis sempervirens, and chaparral (species not recorded). The value for the sum of species could exceed 100 since each species was assigned a cover value individually.
Process_Date: 2015
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Entity_and_Attribute_Information:
Overview_Description:
Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
Below is a description of the files included in this publication and a complete description of their contents.

DATA FILES
\Data\Kern1911_TransectData.csv: Comma-delimited ASCII text file containing tabular tree and shrub data for 378 transects in Sequoia National Forest, collected in 1911. Variables included in this file are described below.

Lot_id = ID for quarter-quarter section, as delineated by the public land survey system (PLSS). IDs are formatted as Township, Range, Section and quarter-quarter number. Quarter-quarter numbers were assigned using the same pattern as used in the PLSS for section numbers, with alternating rows numbered in opposite directions starting in the northeast of the northeast quarter (QQ 01) and ending in the southeast of the southeast quarter (QQ 16). For example, 1190103 refers to the northeast of the northwest quarter in section 1 of Township 1S, Range 19E. Irregularly shaped quarter-quarter sections that are referred to as “lots” under the PLSS were assigned a quarter-quarter number following the same pattern to ensure a unique ID for each QQ.

Latitude = The latitude in decimal degrees for the centroid of the QQ.

Longitude = The longitude in decimal degrees for the centroid of the QQ.

chfo = Cover of Chamaebatia foliolosa (bear clover). Cover values were estimated from qualitative descriptions (0=not present; 10=merely present; 20=low, scattered, or mild presence; 50=moderate presence; and 90=high presence).

Shrub = Cover of shrubs, not including Chamaebatia foliolosa; dominated by several Quercus species, Arctostaphylos, Chrysolepis sempervirens, and chaparral (species not recorded). Cover values were estimated for each species from qualitative descriptions (0=not present; 10=merely present; 20=low, scattered, or mild presence; 50=moderate presence; and 90=high presence) and then summed.

ABCO_BA = Basal area of live Abies concolor ≥ 30.5 centimeters (cm) diameter at breast height in each transect (square meters per hectare [m2 ha-1]).

CADE_BA = Basal area of live Calocedrus decurrens ≥ 30.5 cm diameter at breast height in each transect (m2 ha-1).

PILA_BA = Basal area of live Pinus lambertiana ≥ 30.5 cm diameter at breast height in each transect (m2 ha-1).

PIPO_BA = Basal area of live Pinus ponderosa ≥ 30.5 cm diameter at breast height in each transect (m2 ha-1).

Total_BA = Basal area of live conifer trees ≥ 30.5 cm diameter at breast height in each transect (m2 ha-1).

TPH_12t24 = Density of live conifer trees with diameter at breast height between 30.5 and 61.0 cm (12 to 24 inches [in]) (ha-1).

TPH_24t36 = Density of live conifer trees with diameter at breast height between 61.1 and 91.4 cm (24 to 36 in) (ha-1).

TPH_GT36 = Density of live conifer trees with diameter at breast height > 91.4 cm (36 in) (ha-1).

TPH_Total = Density of live conifer trees with diameter at breast height ≥ 30.5 cm (12 in) (ha-1).


SUPPLEMENTAL FILES
\Supplements\T##S_R##E_S##.pdf: PDF scans of the original datasheets from 1911. Quarter-quarter sections are combined into one pdf document per section, with the file name specified by the township number (T##), range number (R##) and section number (S##).
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation:
Stephens, Scott L.; Lydersen, Jamie M.; Collins, Brandon M.; Fry, Danny L.; and Meyer, Marc D. 2015. Historical and current landscape-scale ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forest structure in the Southern Sierra Nevada. Ecosphere, 6(5): 79. https://doi.org/10.1890/es14-00379.1
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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 November 2017. For current information see Contact Us page on: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS.
Resource_Description: RDS-2017-0064
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 7-Zip 16.04
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2017-0064
Digital_Form:
Digital_Transfer_Information:
Format_Name: PDF
Format_Version_Number: see Format Specification
Format_Specification:
Portable Document Format (PDF) file
File_Decompression_Technique: Files zipped using 7-Zip 16.04
Digital_Transfer_Option:
Online_Option:
Computer_Contact_Information:
Network_Address:
Network_Resource_Name: https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2017-0064
Fees: None
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Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20171121
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Person_Primary:
Contact_Person: Scott Stephens
Contact_Organization: Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley
Contact_Position: Professor
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: mailing and physical
Address: 140 Mulford Hall, ESPM Department, UC Berkeley
City: Berkeley
State_or_Province: CA
Postal_Code: 94720-3114
Country: USA
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 510-642-7304
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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