National Core Field Guide, Version 5.1
October, 2011
Changes from the Phase 2 Field Guide version 5.0 to version 5.1
Changes documented in change proposals are indicated in
bold
type. The corresponding proposal name
can be seen using the comments feature in the electronic file.
• Section 8. Phase 2 (P2) Vegetation Profile (Core Optional). Corrected
several figure numbers and
figure references in the text.
•
8.2. General definitions. NRCS PLANTS database. Changed text from:
“USDA, NRCS. 2000. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 1 January 2000). National
Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
FIA currently uses a stable codeset downloaded in January of 2000.”
To:
“USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 1 January 2010). National
Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
FIA currently uses a stable codeset downloaded in January of 2010
”.
•
8.6.2. SPECIES CODE. Changed the text in the first paragraph from:
“Record a code for each sampled vascular plant species found rooted in or overhanging the
sampled condition of the subplot at any height. Species codes must be the standardized
codes in the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) PLANTS database (currently
January 2000 version). Identification to species only is expected. However, if subspecies
information is known, enter the appropriate NRCS code. For graminoids, genus and unknown
codes are acceptable, but do not lump species of the same genera or unknown code. For
example, if several unknown CAREX species are present, only record the individual species
present with cover of at least 3 percent.”
To:
“Record a code for each sampled vascular plant species found rooted in or overhanging the
sampled condition of the subplot at any height. Species codes must be the standardized
codes in the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) PLANTS database (currently
January 2010 version). Identification to species only is expected. However, if subspecies
information is known, enter the appropriate NRCS code. For graminoids, genus and unknown
codes are acceptable, but do not lump species of the same genera or unknown code. For
example, if several unknown CAREX species are present, only record the individual species
present with cover of at least 3 percent.”
•
9.9. SPECIES CODE. Changed the text in the first paragraph from:
“Record the code for any species listed in appendix 9 that is found rooted in or overhanging
(and rooted out of) the measured condition within the subplot. Species codes must be the
standardized codes in the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) PLANTS database
January 2000 version maintained by the FIA IM group (USDA, NRCS. 2000. The PLANTS
database [http://plants.usda.gov/plants]. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-
4490).”
To:
“Record the code for any species listed in appendix 9 that is found rooted in or overhanging
(and rooted out of) the measured condition within the subplot. Species codes must be the
standardized codes in the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) PLANTS database
January 2010 version maintained by the FIA IM group (USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS
database [http://plants.usda.gov/plants]. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-
4490).”
National Core Field Guide, Version 5.1
October, 2011
5
3.8
SUBPLOT SLOPE .................................................................................................................... 62
3.9
SUBPLOT ASPECT .................................................................................................................. 63
3.10
SNOW/WATER DEPTH ........................................................................................................ 64
3.11
SUBPLOT/MACROPLOT CONDITION LIST ........................................................................ 64
4.0
BOUNDARY REFERENCES ........................................................................................................... 65
4.1
Reference Procedure ................................................................................................................... 65
4.2
Boundary Data .............................................................................................................................. 67
4.2.1
SUBPLOT NUMBER ............................................................................................................. 67
4.2.2
PLOT TYPE ........................................................................................................................... 67
4.2.3
BOUNDARY CHANGE .......................................................................................................... 67
4.2.4
CONTRASTING CONDITION ............................................................................................... 68
4.2.5
LEFT AZIMUTH ..................................................................................................................... 68
4.2.6
CORNER AZIMUTH .............................................................................................................. 68
4.2.7
CORNER DISTANCE ............................................................................................................ 68
4.2.8
RIGHT AZIMUTH .................................................................................................................. 69
5.0
TREE AND SAPLING DATA ........................................................................................................... 70
5.1
SUBPLOT NUMBER ................................................................................................................. 71
5.2
TREE RECORD NUMBER ....................................................................................................... 71
5.3
CONDITION CLASS NUMBER................................................................................................. 72
5.4
AZIMUTH .................................................................................................................................. 72
5.5
HORIZONTAL DISTANCE ........................................................................................................ 73
5.6
PREVIOUS TREE STATUS ...................................................................................................... 73
5.7
PRESENT TREE STATUS ....................................................................................................... 73
5.7.1
RECONCILE ...................................................................................................................... 74
5.7.2
STANDING DEAD ............................................................................................................. 75
5.7.3
MORTALITY (CORE OPTIONAL) ..................................................................................... 77
5.8
SPECIES ................................................................................................................................... 77
5.9
DIAMETER ................................................................................................................................ 78
5.9.1
PREVIOUS DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT ................................................................. 79
5.9.2
DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT (DBH) ......................................................................... 79
5.9.3
PREVIOUS DIAMETER AT ROOT COLLAR .................................................................... 85
5.9.4
Diameter At Root Collar (DRC) .......................................................................................... 85
5.9.4.1
DRC STEM DIAMETER ................................................................................................. 87
5.9.4.2
DRC STEM STATUS ..................................................................................................... 87
5.10
PAST NUMBER OF STEMS ................................................................................................. 87
5.11
CURRENT NUMBER OF STEMS ......................................................................................... 87
5.12
DIAMETER CHECK .............................................................................................................. 87
5.13
ROTTEN/MISSING CULL ..................................................................................................... 88
5.14
TOTAL LENGTH ................................................................................................................... 88
5.15
ACTUAL LENGTH ................................................................................................................. 89
5.16
LENGTH METHOD ............................................................................................................... 89
5.17
CROWN CLASS .................................................................................................................... 90
5.18
UNCOMPACTED LIVE CROWN RATIO (Phase 2 –
CORE OPTIONAL,
Phase 3 – CORE) ................................................................................................................................ 91
5.19
COMPACTED CROWN RATIO ............................................................................................ 92
5.20
Tree Damage ......................................................................................................................... 96
5.20.1
DAMAGE LOCATION 1 (CORE OPTIONAL) .................................................................... 96
5.20.2
DAMAGE TYPE 1 (CORE OPTIONAL) ............................................................................. 98
5.20.3
DAMAGE SEVERITY 1 (CORE OPTIONAL) .................................................................. 102
5.20.4
DAMAGE LOCATION 2 (CORE OPTIONAL) .................................................................. 115
5.20.5
DAMAGE TYPE 2 (CORE OPTIONAL) ........................................................................... 115
5.20.6
DAMAGE SEVERITY 2 (CORE OPTIONAL) .................................................................. 115
5.21
CAUSE OF DEATH ............................................................................................................. 115
5.22
MORTALITY YEAR (CORE OPTIONAL) ............................................................................ 116