Will, Dang, another Congaree trip!? I gotta get up to speed. I should be able to get some time off if I can know a little in advance. Congaree was awesome last year!
James Parton. On Dec 6, 10:39 am, "Will Blozan" <[email protected]> wrote: > ENTS, > > We still have an open research permit for Congaree NP until end of February > 2010 (it can be extended as well). The last trip in 2009 brought in some > very successful hunts and measurements. This time I would like to focus on a > methodology to ascertain average canopy height as well as continue to > remeasure the currently identified champion trees, both state and national > champs but also ENTS superlatives. With this in mind I would like to get > input on the following: > > 1) Who can attend and what dates would work. Let’s look at the weekends in > the last ½ of January through the middle of March. I would be open to > several dates to do as much as possible since Congaree is not too far from > me. Also, the leaf off, non super-buggy season is short… > > 2) Developing a methodology to assess canopy height in an unbiased and > repeatable manner. Ideally, I would like to see ENTS develop a system that > can be used or adapted to any site we wish. This would include small sites > and those with varied topography. The Rucker Index is a great way to > initially compare sites but does not show the forest on average- just on the > extreme. Thoughts to consider: > > Would it utilize transects or plots? What size or how long? > > What trees are measured? Just canopy dominant or all sizes/heights? > > Do we mix old-growth with selectively logged or formerly clearcut sites? > > How are the sites selected for measuring? Random or representative? Age > classes, species mix? > > Thoughts running through my mind include a defined study site of a given > size with random plots generated with coordinates and located and sampled in > the field. For example, a 10 ha site with subplots within. How many and how > big? Circular plots are easy to do with a rangefinder; so would be 100 meter > transects with a tape or rangefinder on a random azimuth. > > Thoughts please! > > Will F. Blozan > > President, Eastern Native Tree Society > > President, Appalachian Arborists, Inc. > > "No sympathy for apathy" -- Eastern Native Tree Society http://www.nativetreesociety.org Send email to [email protected] Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/entstrees?hl=en To unsubscribe send email to [email protected]
