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FIA-04-05-0018 - Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural

1. eee 10 3 3 CHOOSING AND MARKING THE TIE BOmwT 11 9 31 Numbering conventi M erc eret Etre tib ER dece dE DE e Ae eoe ete Hope dE E 11 New Li Point Needed nea RE REL RR Deed n ga get de ei ete 11 3 4 CHECKING THE TIE LINE dn iini ii ee eto veo eee allen es dete ela SR A 12 3 5 COMPASS DECLINATION EE 12 3 6 LOCATING PLOTS WITHIN THE POLYGON erreeor ieii ena ireen ee ROA TEA 12 3 6 T Plot Buffer un eiae heel EE Ree ite ea ee ey a a a eles 12 3 6 1 1 Plot Butter Overlap enini reete cederet ie ai Aai ake ete ee Na 12 3 6 2 Distance Between Plot Centers eese eerte nennen nennt nennen 12 3 7 CHECKING THE CENTRE TREE 3 2 2 tere anced eroe ne een eene ott dee EE dee 12 CHECKING THE CENTER PLOT STAKE e er eee deret a etse tede EAO v ve ea eo erbe re EEN 13 3 8 CORNER S LE 14 3 9 TOP HEIGHT SITE SECTOR PLOT STAKING eene tenete 14 40 PLOT ESTABLISHMENT ssssicvcosssstvsssssctussssovavdsousoaseovstvatsasesnatesavevasasoivensusesbveioasvontvessseobeds 15 4 1 PLOT ESTABLISHMENT PROCEDURES ceiros rein eea EA AEE i el AEAT R En 15 4 2 PLOT DIMENSIONS AND LAYOUT ardia n A ETALE EAA T 15 4 2 1 Plot Dimension Map hot et ct i b Er exe HB e eate iSe 16 4 2 2 Full Plot Dimensions 0 1 Hai 17 4 2 3 Pull Plot Buffetia rete eret eee E 17 4 2 4 Full Plot Dimension Figure sisone nrerin iiri orio e Ea a enne nennen enne 17 4 2 5 Half Plot Dimensions 0 05 Hai 18 Version F1 0 4 June 2003 1 Lignum Lt
2. a 100 stem mapping in one plot per cluster 100 7e Stet Map b in all plots center stake two corner stakes top ht stakes amp Stem Map iris Co eo 100 of heights in the stem mapped plot One plot per Tree Height Cluster Includes dead trees Regular plot FPC top ht Lignum top ht amp range trees Severe lean trees 5 10 Ru b T b 100 of heights in the stem mapped plot One plot per 100 Tree Height cluster 5 7 1 17 18 3 La Ed ae Lech Kach BEEN T QME A of iy Lo LLL ES Lo LLL DS B as RER RER EE ES ns 8 Y Jana N jeueesplo Height Trees 20 Site Height Trees Ten largest diam for each Nine Lignum Top Heights Site Sector 5 7 4 amp b 36 37 major Spp ee 21 As per MoF Specifications 5 7 6 eS SSNS bh ORO O_O 22 As per MoF Specifications ications 11 Co CO Wu EEN DEEN 23 As per MoF Specifications 5 11 3 M 24 5 10 20 Yr Increments As per MoF Specifications d 25 Quality Assurance 10 100 of Plots All Phases 26 10 of Trees in Plots f WK A CH 10 of plots 12 trees plot N o Version F1 0 4 June 2003 6 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual FIELD PROCEDURES for the REMEASUREMENT of NATURAL STAND PERMANENT SAMPLE PLOTS 1 0 INTRODUCTION 1 1 About This Manual This manual describes t
3. Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual Wildlife tree appearance as follows choose from codes 1 7 only 5 3 8 Tagging Ingrowth Trees in the main plot For remeasurements tag ingrowth trees commercial species trees previously below the 4 0 cm tagging limit which are now 4 0 cm or greater diameter with sequential numbers starting with one number larger than the previous last tree The nail once attached establishes the DBH of the tree for future remeasurements Note in general sample comments if the plot has gone over 900 trees Standard No Missed trees are allowed 5 3 9 Tagging Top Height trees outside the plot In some Top Height plots the Top Height tree may be found to be outside the main plot boundary When this occurs the tree will be tagged and recorded as an out of plot tree Tag measure amp record as normal enter NO under In Plot Tree numbers will be assigned from the range of 950 to 999 5 3 10 Tagging trees in the Sub plot See Section 5 12 5 3 11 Tagging by Sectors 1 Starting with sector 1 tags were affixed so that they faced the plot center 2 The trees near the plot center were tagged first then tagging continued outward by moving side to side across the sector 3 When the outer circumference of sector 1 was reached the last sideways pass was made in the direction of sector 2 so that the last tree tagged in sector 1 was as near as possible to the first tree tagged in sector 2 The
4. 16 Complete the inspection items section of the inspection report 17 Rate the quality of the work on the plot using the Ministry of Forests weighted system in Appendix 1 18 Record your rating of the sample and any other comments in the remarks section of the plot inspection report Post field Inspection 1 Discuss the results of your inspection with the field crew 2 Make recommendations to the field crew when necessary on how to improve their work 3 Ensure major errors are amended Submitting the Samples Project Manager Review The Project Manager will conduct a random review of the samples prepared by the Quality Assurance contractor This review will be done to ensure standards and program objectives are met The program manager in conjunction with the Quality Assurance crew will prepare a package for Lignum Ltd staff to review Lignum Ltd Staff Review Lignum Ltd staff will review the samples in the field and office to determine that the program standards have been met Contract Deliverables Submission to Ministry of Forests Once the samples have been checked in the office and corrected a package will be prepared for submission 1 Make duplicate sets of the samples 2 Write a covering letter listing the samples 3 Make a duplicate of the covering letter and file in the Lignum Ltd G amp Y file 4 Deliver two sets of the digital and hard copy of Reports 1 2 3 5 7 and Verify Complete along with one set of th
5. E CdS DBA DeadtreeDBHis point 2 mm LLL uve Grown EC Omas CIE Quy LL LL Dead tree widite visual appearance ln E dC E OA O E EwmaedhegN le C Pas ECCL Bearing CSS Ire LLL Soe EC Jee LLL a C ean ELLAS Version F1 0 4 June 2003 5 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual Color Codes LIGNUM GY02 REMEASUREMENT FIELD MANUAL VERSION 1 0 3 PLOT PARAMETERS amp COLOR CODES Pp Flagging Red LIGNUM GRY Pee MN UE eg a a ie Line Paint square both sides Blue fe Flagging Red LIGNUM G amp Y ee ee ed Plot Center Stake Round aluminum stake le eS Two bands of flagging above Plot Center Tree and below aluminum tree Red LIGNUM G amp Y placard Corner Stake Angle aluminum Red et e E ee SE SE EE E Round aluminum stake pu ee po Paint two lines pe ar ease Recce line plots Double ribbon aa See Version F1 0 4 June 2003 52 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual Appendix 2 FOREST PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL OF B C STANDARDS OF MEASURE FOR PERMANENT SAMPLE PLOTS Dated March 1999 see Forest Productivity Council Web site Version F1 0 4 June 2003 53 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual Appendix 3 Ministry of Forests Manual Attachments Dated July 2002 see MSRM Web site appendices 1 2 amp 14 Version F1 0 4 June 2003 54 Lignum Ltd
6. 100 stem mapping Version F1 0 4 June 2003 21 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 5 1 3 Dendrometer Banding Plots Lignum has assigned plots for dendrometer band installation Stem mapped samples at 108 Spokin North Staffords Redeau Lake Pigeon Road Joes Lake and Esler Log Dump locations have had dendrometer bands installed 5 1 4 Procedures for Dendrometer Band Installation All live trees that are equal to or greater than 5 cm diameter at breast height will be identified and are to be banded Use Report 5 from the GYHOST program for the PSP sample to identify all trees that require banding Select a dendroband of the correct size for the selected tree the dendrobands are made in groups of different lengths to accommodate the different tree dbh s Each dendroband has a unique serial number enabling each tree to be uniquely identified An example of a serial number is A546 When replacing a dendrometer band the band must be replaced as close to the old location as possible For new installations the dendroband will be installed as close as possible to the top of the nail marking DBH The bands are to be installed perpendicular to the lean of the tree and should be relatively straight around the entire girth of the tree There will be circumstances that occur that prevent the band from being installed perfectly straight such as a branch or knot obstructing the band Should this be the case then the band
7. 2003 43 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 3 If the core includes the pith record Y in the pith field 4 If rot is encountered drill the next position 5 Keep and label all cores The total number of cores collected are recorded as the of Cores All cores will be kept labeled 1 and 2 according to the order in which they were pulled from the tree with core 1 always being the core taken facing plot center The best core that being closest to the pith according to the field crew will be noted on the field card and selected for counting in the office If necessary an estimate of the years to hit the pith will be recorded separately Otherwise the pith will be included in the core Collect all tree cores in straws and return to the office Each straw is to be labeled and should include polygon sample number core number tree number tree species date core position 1 or 2 and crew initials The counting system that has been developed for keeping track of all plot cores is to be completed for each plot to be provided This is to ensure that the appropriate number of cores has been taken in the field and that all cores have been submitted for the office count All cores are to be deposited into a freezer for storage within 5 days after the tree is bored Standard for radial increment measurement 1 mm of the true measurement 5 11 4 Counting Rings on Rotted Cores If the sample tree h
8. 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual Appendix 4 Increment Core Data Collection and Entry Procedures Version F1 0 4 June 2003 55 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual Appendix 5 FINAL DATA CHECKLIST Version F1 0 4 June 2003 56 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual Appendix 6 Age Core Data Card Version F1 0 4 June 2003 57
9. is 35 36 m 4 2 7 Half Plot Dimension Figure 3 20m INSTALLATION CENTER F 22 36m ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN METRES Version F1 0 4 June 2003 18 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 4 3 Plot Layout If any of the plot corner stakes are missing at Remeasurement try to determine the previous location i e hole in ground or paint spot approximately where corner should be and replace the missing stake with a new angle post Remeasure horizontal distance and slopes for the sides and diagonals affected and record on the plot dimension map sketch Ensure that no tagged or out trees are affected If no indication of the previous location of the stake is found then the sides and diagonals affected will need to be measured to allow relocation of the corner stake in the spot which best represents the previous location i e that the side diagonal measurements are within tolerances and no there are no trees status changes was in now out 1 The corners of the plot shall be marked with metal angle stakes as described in Section 3 8 Holes should be dug or rock cairns established for the stakes only where the ground is stony and driving them into the ground is impractical Note that in the 1996 establishments that wooden corner stakes were used 2 Once the four corners of the plot have been established the final horizontal distance with slope and direction of slope for ea
10. representing the diameter range down to 2 cm DBH of all major minor and scattered species trees on the plot and sub plot e All heights previously taken must be remeasured even if now or previously dead Ages at DBH are to be determined on all of the Top Height Site Height Trees and on the first two major species of the Range Trees down to 4 0 cm DBH using increment cores Previous establishments may not fully meet the current requirements Ages must be taken on these trees at Remeasurement Damage and pathological indicators are recorded for each tagged tree at each measurement Version F1 0 4 June 2003 8 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual FIELD PROCEDURES 3 0 PLOT LOCATION 3 1 Access Notes Mapping Accurate access notes are critical These notes are intended to describe access to the site over a period of up to ten years The access package for the Remeasurement will include the access notes a photocopy of an air photo showing the plot locations a 1 50 000 scale map a 1 20 000 scale map which clearly shows the polygon boundary labels and plot locations and the plot dimension map sketch map Access notes are to be checked and revised if either incomplete access has changed or where tie point and tie line information is changed during the PSP Remeasurement phase 1 Access starts from the junction of the Lignum Ltd access road and Hwy 20 2 En route to the sample check the distances to major road
11. Always position the dbh tape just above the nail and perpendicular to the bole of the tree Check measurements that appear to be out of the expected range that is measurements showing a very large increase compared with those showing little or no increase Correct any errors and note them in the remarks Example dbh checked 5 3 2 Measuring D B H For all numbered living trees measure above the nail to the nearest millimeter the diameter at 1 3 m For trees with dendrometer bands record the reading from the band onto the dendrometer band tally sheet convert the number and enter the DBH into GY Hand After remeasuring the diameter Pull out the nail holding the number enough to allow for tree growth until the next remeasurement For all previously numbered trees now dead Measure the diameter above the nail at 1 3 m If the dead tree cannot be found state that the tree is missing in the tree comments section Tree Missing If the tree was cut down record it as Tree Class 6 DBH will be taken at either 1 3 m from ground or in the case where the tree has been cut off below 1 3 m where 1 3 m would have been on the tree 5 3 3 Plot Sectors The plots established in 1996 were divided into 4 quadrants Plots established from 1997 forward were divided into 8 tagging sectors through the center stake Tagging Sector is always the first sector clockwise from north Odd numbered sector tags face towards plot center Even numbe
12. Treat the above example like this l Assign a tree number to the tree and attach the tag to the stump 2 Estimate and record the diameter of the tree 3 Note in the remarks that you estimated the diameter 4 Record any pathological indicators on the tree 5 3 17 Recording Cut Stumps Stumps were recorded on field sheets by sector starting in 1997 l Stumps were tagged with a tree number from the range of 900 949 and recorded in data Version F1 0 4 June 2003 29 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 5 4 Stem Maps Stem mapping was done on the 100 height plot by recording bearing slope and slope distance from the center stake Tree distance was measured to point of germination as represented by the side of the bole perpendicular to plot center Bearing to tree was to the tree center at point of germination Remeasurement Stem Mapping Stem map all ingrowth trees out of plot trees and any trees picked up where the sub plot size was increased that were tagged at remeasurement 5 4 4 Stem Mapping To stem map a tree begin from the plot center stake and measure the bearing and distance to each tagged tree 1 Set up the compass directly over the plot center stake no offset can be used when stem mapping at the remeasurement stage e level the instrument e record that the compass was not offset 2 Adjust the compass for magnetic declination and raise the sighting vanes 3 Sight on to the fir
13. age move the bore hole slightly below DBH 2 Remove the core Make sure at least two cores per species include the pith 3 If the core includes the pith record Y in the pith field 4 If rot is encountered drill the next position 5 Keep and label all cores The total number of cores collected are recorded as the of Cores All cores will be kept labeled 1 2 3 and 4 according to the order in which they were pulled from the tree with core 1 always being the core taken facing plot center The best core that being closest to the pith according to the field crew will be noted on the field card and selected for counting in the office If necessary an estimate of the Version F1 0 4 June 2003 42 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual years to hit the pith will be recorded separately Otherwise the pith will be included in the core Collect all tree cores in straws and return to the office Each straw is to be labeled and should include polygon sample number core number tree number tree species date core position 1 4 and crew initials The counting system that has been developed for keeping track of all plot cores is to be completed for each plot to be provided This is to ensure that the appropriate number of cores has been taken in the field and that all cores have been submitted for the office count All cores are to be deposited into a freezer for storage within 5 days after the tree
14. and a measuring tape If the original tie line is re run it is sufficient to paint the blazes and to renew the tape markings Tie line bearing and distance to first sample is to be entered for appropriate sample 3 5 Compass Declination Williams Lake 100 Mile Alexis Creek Horsefly areas For 2002 21 0 degrees east of true north For subsequent years the declination and annual change will be the same as the MoF as found on the Internet http www geolab nrcan gc ca geomag e_cgrf html or in the June 1999 MoF Inventory manual Appendix 7 3 6 Locating Plots within the Polygon 3 6 1 Plot Buffer A plot buffer of 25 meters should have been established unless the height of the stand was greater than 25 m in which case the plot buffer should match the average height of trees in the plot The horizontal distance from plot corner to the buffer corner for a 25 m buffer is 35 36 m 3 6 1 1 Plot Buffer Overlap Where plot buffers overlap the buffers were usually squared off to ensure that the buffer could be readily determined for each plot in the field 3 6 2 Distance Between Plot Centers Distance between plot centers is generally 100 meters 3 7 Checking the Centre Tree Each established plot had a centre tree marked with aluminum markers and strands of flagging tape The markers and tape were usually secured about two metres above ground to avoid interfering with dbh measurements If the centre tree is missing either because of natur
15. at tip of tree 3 A bearing is taken from the base of the tree following the general lean of the tree Direction of lean LE cxi Measure bearing These measurements can then be used to calculate an approximate length the height above ground that the top of the tree is now as well as the position of the tree relative to the base Note Vertical height should also be directly measured if possible It should also be noted in the comments that this is a leaning tree Direct length and vertical height measurements only may be entered i e no slope distance and slope need to be recorded unless ground is sloped 5 11 Sample Ages The ages of the Forest Productivity Council Top Height tree the additional Top Height trees gathered by Lignum all Site Height Trees and the range trees range height trees of the first two major species down to 4 0 cm were recorded along with the 5 10 and 20 year increments at plot establishment For remeasurements ages need to be taken on range trees if not previously done of the first two leading species as well as new Top or Site Height trees The age at remeasurement goes into new age in GY02 even when it is taken for the first time The new age also populates the BH age as well Attempt to get sound cores from trees with rot by re boring them 90 to original direction Note that in 10046 height plots trees with a range of diameters are chosen to have the ages taken and height live
16. class of 1 or 2 2 are free of major defects 3 are within 5 of the original height Version F1 0 4 June 2003 37 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 5 7 6 Range Height Trees and Minor and Scattered Species Heights Additional sample heights are to be chosen according to the following guidelines for plots where all heights are not measured Standard for total tree height measurement 20 cm or 2 of true height whichever is greater 5 7 6 1 Selecting Sample Trees When possible select residual trees tree class 1 Otherwise select trees that do not have a major fork which affects the true height or a major scar at breast height which affects the true diameter Do not select trees with 1 diameters that were estimated 2 sweeps or leans greater than 10 degrees In some areas it may be impossible to meet sample height requirements if only suitable trees as described above are taken In this situation take the best of the poor trees to meet the requirements However do not select a tree if its height is less than 95 of what it would be without its defect lean fork broken top etc Make a note of the number of meters you have underestimated height due to the less than suitable trees in your sample 5 7 6 2 Major Species gt 20 For each of the first two major species 20 percent or more by composition select trees for the sample as follows 1 Select an additional 15 trees covering
17. crest Upper Mid Lower upper slope middle slope lower slope toe flat Toe Flat level Depression mountain top depression Dm dE zc valley bottom Version F1 0 4 June 2003 35 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 5 7 Tree Height Measurements 5 7 1 Top Height Site Sector Sample Trees The Forest Productivity Council of B C defines Top Height 1998 as the height of the largest diameter tree regardless of species in a 0 01 ha plot providing the tree is suitable A suitable tree must be healthy not have a broken or damaged top not have its height growth affected by a competitor nor be a residual left from previous logging There is no substitution for an unsuitable tree For a single layered stand or for each layer in a multi layered stand select height sample trees as described in the following sections In one plot of each cluster 100 height measurements will be taken This plot will be the same plot that has 100 stem mapping In regular plots Top Height trees and all range trees will have heights recorded 5 7 2 Re Calibrating Tree Measurement Instruments If a Vertex or laser tree height measuring instrument is used the instrument will be re calibrated on every tenth tree by using a tight chain to confirm an accurate reading of horizontal distance 5 7 5 Top Height Tree Used by the Forest Productivity Council of B C The Forest Productivity Council of B
18. crew chief should check in out trees and completeness of tagging before the sector markers are moved 4 In sector 2 the tags were affixed so that they faced the plot boundary not the plot center as in sector 1 5 Trees near the plot boundary were tagged first then tagging continued inward by moving side to side across the sector Version F1 0 4 June 2003 27 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 6 The last tree tagged in this sector was the one closest to the plot center 7 The procedures were repeated for the remaining sectors 5 3 12 Near tree information Near tree information was recorded for out of sequence trees to aid in the relocation of the tree for remeasurement or quality checks Near tree information must be recorded for all tagged ingrowth trees 5 3 13 Attaching Tags to Trees 1 Affix tags at breast height which is 1 3 metres above the base of the tree on the uphill side Use a 1 3 metre long DBH stick to measure the correct height 2 If abnormal swelling or branch whorls occur at breast height raise or lower the tag by up to5 cm The tag may be moved more than 5 cm in some circumstances if this occurs record actual tag height in remarks 3 Nail the tags to the tree e use 6 cm aluminum nails e drive the nail slightly upward so the tag hangs away from the tree e drive the nail into the trunk just enough to hold the tag securely and yet allow for radial growth 5 3 14 Tagging Forke
19. crowns measured Standard for breast height age measurement 2 years or 2 whichever is greater Standard for radial increment 1 mm of the true measurement Version F1 0 4 June 2003 40 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 5 11 1 Age Sample Trees In single layer simple stands pure and mixed the age of the stand is determined by averaging the ages of the site height trees of the leading major species on the plot However ages of the site height trees of the second major species must also be taken The sample mean age is derived from the site height trees of the leading species only even if some of their cores are rotted The rotted portion must be estimated to derive a total age for the tree See Counting Rings on Rotted Cores in this chapter Bore trees that appear to be veterans to confirm they are in fact veterans Bore the smallest diameter veteran per species only the others can then be assumed to be veterans too Use these ages for the veteran layer In single layer complex stands determine the average age of the stand from the ages of the site height trees of the leading major species However to show the variation of the stand s age take additional ages of the leading major species from the younger portion of the stand For additional major species treat them as described above under mixed stands In multi layered stands select sample trees as outlined above for each layer The site height
20. full size 0 1 ha plots Version F1 0 4 June 2003 36 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual and half size plots See figures in Section 4 2 for Top Height plot location and dimension details The Top Height plot centers were located as accurately as possible The essential factor in the placement of Top Height plots was that they be re locatable Since vandals may remove these stakes a distance and bearing from the Top Height plot center to 2 nearby trees with plot numbers was recorded as a precaution The Top height and Site height trees were chosen for this if present in the Top Height plot Enter the stem map measurements for the Top Height and Site Height Tree into a spreadsheet designed for data entry The Top Height tree in each of the remaining eight Top Height plots will be marked with a T with the top of the T located just below DBH and facing the main plot center A blue dot will be painted on the tree accurately at DBH indicating the direction the height was taken from 5 7 5 Site Height Trees A Site Height Tree is the largest diameter tree if suitable within each of the nine Top Height plots five for half plots for the first two major species If the first largest diameter tree encountered is not a suitable tree then there is no replacement there will not be a Site Height Tree for that major species Note that it is possible that there are no Site Height Trees within any given Top He
21. is to be installed as straight and as close to 1 31m as possible The band should be placed with the measurement window above the tree tag so that measurements can easily be recorded Once the band has been installed tighten the band around the tree manually by pressing on the band and allowing the band to slip under the window end Ensure that the spring has been stretched enough so that the band will move easily but not too much as to be extended beyond the point of recoil The serial number of the dendroband will be recorded on either the Report 5 under the appropriate tree number or on a dendrometer band data form Record the date of the installation and the crewmembers in the top right hand corner of Report 5 or in the appropriate location on the data form 5 1 5 Procedures for Dendrometer Band Remeasure All trees with a dendrometer band will be remeasured The reading from the dendrometer band will be recorded on the data form or Report 5 along with the type of reading D reading taken at the dot or R reading taken at the right side of the window The appropriate conversion will be added to band readings taken from the old style bands A correction to convert an R reading to a D reading will be added subtract 5 cm New style bands do not require a conversion Dendrometer bands that are on dead trees are not to be removed Version F1 0 4 June 2003 22 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual Where dendromet
22. junctions creek crossings or other prominent features 3 Ensure that actual names are used not locally familiar ones Where possible use Industrial and or Forest Service Road numbers names and km board markers 4 Check that the tie point is described accurately keeping in mind the amount of growth likely to occur in ten years for vegetation that could screen the tie point or beginning of the tie line 5 Check that the species diameter and location of the tie tree are correct 6 Update access notes as required 3 2 Plot Location Plots were located in areas where minimum risk of vandalizing was likely to occur and were generally some distance away from roads Cutting of trees by unauthorized people causes serious damage to the value of the data from the plots damaged and therefore damages the entire project These plots and the data they provide are valuable and are essential to the success of the Lignum Ltd program Therefore damage by unauthorized cutting or travel through plots must be avoided 3 2 1 Recording Plot Location by UTM amp GPS The ground UTM coordinates or Latitude and Longitude have been recorded for each tie point and plot center stake on a NAD 83 basis to the nearest meter even if this is more precision than warranted by the method used This may differ from the map UTM coordinates used in the GIS The plot center was determined using corrected GPS during the plot selection quality control check Th
23. sscsistsssncisssssctasssonesssvasonstacsssessusvonstncssenressuasenseaessteseos 57 Version F1 0 4 June 2003 3 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual SUMMARY OF CHANGES 1 Contractors are responsible for providing plot stakes and paint 2 Plot corner trees will have the red painted rings painted over with blue paint 3 All plot markings in paint except for outer plot boundary double blue paint marks will be touched up 4 Dead trees both standing and down are measured for DBH and height Trees that have died since the last measurement will have an age taken DBH will be taken at either 1 3 m from ground or in the case where the tree has broken off below 1 3 m where 1 3 m would have been on the tree Cause of death will be recorded using MoF mortality codes All previously dead trees are also to be remeasured Three Dendrometer banded plots require remeasurement in 2003 e ND t All replacement tags will be original hard blue circular tree tags Version F1 0 4 June 2003 4 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual INDEX OF KEY FACTORS LIGNUM LTD GYO2 REMEASUREMENT FIELD MANUAL VERSION F1 0 3 INDEX OF KEY FACTORS 8 15 2002 Manual DIFFERENT 1 Jemen MoE Session wih Branch Specia m 7 n MOF Session SS NN EE Field Review Dp LS SS SS Ll 2 PlotNumbers R C BrO Sample 300400 or 300 Series number Plot T TypeR 1 300 400 or 500 series number Plot 1
24. the height to break to the nearest 0 1m Measurement of dead trees will not contribute Version F1 0 4 June 2003 25 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual to the weighted error for plot quality determination All dead trees will continue to be measured throughout the life of the sample Using GY02 to enter the DBH of previously dead trees Enter 1 when curser is at TC and pressing lt enter gt This action takes the curser to DBH where the new diameter can be entered By proceeding as normal when one comes to TC again TC4 or 3 can be entered and continue as normal 5 3 7 Dead Tree Attributes For each dead tree that is gt 4 0 cm in DBH and gt 1 3 meters in height collect the following attributes if the tree is either standing or down both at establishment and remeasurement e Number certainty positively identified 1 likely correct 2 uncertain 3 e Species certainty positively identified 1 likely correct 2 uncertain 3 e Diameter at 1 3 meters e Tagging sector e Near tree number Tree class e Vertical position standing S down D supported S on ground G e Broken and standing yes Y no N Height to break ocular estimate to the nearest 0 1 meter Damage agent code and Severity see Appendix 4 Ministry of Forests Manual attachments For trees that have died since the last measurement take and record age at DBH Version F1 0 4 June 2003 26
25. tree method for determining site index is more suitable for even aged stands However to simplify matters select sample trees for both layers using the site height tree requirements as above Version F1 0 4 June 2003 41 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 5 11 2 Taking the Age of a Live Tree The procedures for drilling trees is as follows If the pith is not part of the first core taken at DBH it is an acceptable core if in the opinion of the crew chief the core is within two years of pith then other cores are to be taken up to a total of four cores Each subsequent core is to be taken 90 clockwise from the first core see figure below If on the fourth core the pith is not hit no other cores will be taken The first attempt at drilling the tree and hitting the pith will be made from that point on the tree that is closest to plot center unless the tree is leaning If the first attempt fails one moves in a clockwise direction until one is successful For leaning trees the first attempt is made on the side of the tree perpendicular to the lean and if required a second attempt is made on the other side of the tree Only two attempts will be made on a leaning tree Figure Acceptable locations for taking increment cores on trees PLOT CENTER 1 Bore the selected trees just below 1 3m above the base of the tree on the uphill side If there is a whorl located at DBH that will affect determining the sample
26. two or more of the fork s stems have a DBH of 2 cm or greater Version F1 0 4 June 2003 45 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual Give special attention to the method of tagging or counting forked trees with stems less than 2 cm DBH Certain trees have numerous leaders which are the topmost shoots of a main stem To avoid counting them all count only the tallest leader This rule only applies if the main leader is less than 2 cm DBH 5 12 4 Measuring Abnormal Center Sub Plot Trees For abnormal trees less than 2 cm DBH within the sub plot special measurement rules apply To obtain the small tree height measure from the base of the tree on the uphill side to the tip of the terminal bud See Ministry of Forests Appendix 10 in Appendix 4 For small trees with drooping leaders such as cedar and hemlock measure the length of the tree 5 13 Ecosystem Data Collection Ecosystem data and information will be collected by a separate ecological contractor 6 0 DATA RECORDING Lignum Ltd will use the Ministry of Forests field data recorder program Information that cannot be entered into the recorder will be entered and submitted on field forms Version F1 0 4 June 2003 46 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 7 0 QUALITY ASSURANCE Forest Productivity Council of B C Standards of Measure for the establishment of Permanent Sample Plots will be used to determine acceptable levels of project qualit
27. C Top Height will be the Top Height tree recorded in Top Height plot 5 Site Sector 45 This tree will be marked with a T with the top of the T located at DBH and the T facing the main plot center A blue dot will be painted on the tree accurately at DBH indicating the direction the height was taken from Record a C center sector for this tree in GYHand in the sector field under Cs 5 7 4 Additional Top Height Trees Collected by Lignum Lignum has designed their PSPs such that there are nine 9 spatially distributed Top Height plots within each full size PSP and five Top Height plots in a half size plot In addition to the Top Height tree that is collected and used by the Forest Productivity Council the Top Height in plot 5 Lignum will also be collecting one Top Height within each of the remaining eight Top Height plots four for half plots regardless of species if there is a suitable tree for Top Height If there is not a suitable tree then there will be no substitution Suitable Top Height trees have the following characteristics 1 largest diameter trees 2 living 3 a Crown class of 1 or 2 The exception is in the case of the second layer in a two layer stand where crown class 3 and 4 are acceptable 4 are free of major defects 5 cannot be substituted The nine Top Height plots five in half plots are established and marked with round stakes These Top Height plots have a 5 64 m radius for both
28. DBH in the main plot and 2 cm DBH in the sub plot The general format for this work is to measure all tagged trees then run the GYHand check routine All ingrowth and sub plot trees are then measured in a clockwise pattern Four samples established in 1997 have had dendrometer bands installed These samples will have the DBH measured in a different manner 5 1 1 List of Data to be gathered for each tagged ingrowth tree For each tagged ingrowth tree gather and record the following information 1 the tree number on the tag 2 the species 3 the DBH or reading and converting the dendrometer band reading 4 thecrown class 5 the estimated live crown length percentage 6 the tree class 7 pathological indicators for trees 2 cm DBH and greater 8 the tagging sector number The site sector will be noted only on trees that are or may be top or site height trees after all trees in the plot are measured If a site sector for a tree is noted while plot is being measured then that site sector becomes the default for any subsequent trees this is how GY 02 tagging and site sectors work 9 the damage agent and severity codes for affected trees 10 the height suitability 11 for selected trees the tree height and age 12 tree sweep and or lean 5 1 2 100 Height and Stem Mapping Plots One plot in each cluster was selected by Lignum to have all heights measured on living and dead trees This same plot will have all trees stem mapped
29. E 43 5 11 4 Counting Rings on Rotted Cores seen 44 at Boring Small Trees rere erede ERU ENEE ENEE 44 5 12 FIRED SUB PLOT NEE 45 5 12 1 Fixed Sub plot Data a o eco e eus 45 3 12 2 Tagging Trees the Sub plot eere retener hee Ee 45 5 12 3 Tagging Forked Trees in Sub plots esee enne 45 5 12 4 Measuring Abnormal Center Sub Plot Trees AAA 46 5 13 ECOSYSTEM DATA COLLECTION esris tinet ienna ainas EEE TEKEAR EE NEEE ATEEN aR 46 6 0 DATA RECORDING reueg 46 SELWER EN We TE ENT EE 47 7 1 PSP PLOT ESTABLISHMENT CONTRACTOR QUALITY ASSURANCE sessesseieereeserereerereeree 47 7 2 QUALITY ASSURANCE MAPPING SAMPLES amp RETURNING FIELD SHEETS 47 APPENDIX 1 MEASUREMENT STANDARDS eere enses etna sons tn sns tn sns en ense ta sn sn 50 Mob Standards of Measurement For Permanent Samples 50 MoF Weighted Error Rating Table and the Basis for the Acceptance or Rejection of a Plot 51 Color Codes Set teet eet eet bete o ied bale tdm estet 52 APPENDIX 2 FOREST PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL OF B C STANDARDS OF MEASURE FOR PERMANENT SAMPLE PLOTS ccssssssssssssssssssessssssssssssssssessessessessees 53 APPENDIX 3 MINISTRY OF FORESTS MANUAL ATTACHMENTS 54 APPENDIX 4 INCREMENT CORE DATA COLLECTION AND ENTRY PROCEDURES SE 55 APPENDIX 5 FINAL DATA CHECKIIS T vsseisassssssecsastosvnssossdenstsessvossusteesvasnsseusscvnebossiessveness 56 APPENDIX 6 AGE CORE DATA CARD
30. LIGNUM LTD INNOVATIVE FOREST PRACTICES AGREEMENT GROWTH AND YIELD PSP REMEASUREMENT FIELD USER S MANUAL June 2003 VERSION F1 0 4 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual TABLE OF CONTENTS PABEE OB CON TENTS Sere D 1 SUMMARY OF CHANGES sccusidsssncssssievatisvesonssodobsousssesnabssdivontasbiesivestuisstsssbooaiusdsusdbanisbovesd bsibanes 4 INDEX OF KEY FAC RI 5 FIELD PROCEDURES FOR THE REMEASUREMENT OF NATURAL STAND PERMANENT SAMPLE PLOTS sivscssostesssueitsasavesesuecusesstosinsnsuisuesisdcssesesceeuseesdeoveteadsouesssucedosesueses 7 1 0 INTRODUCE BION Penes EN 7 1 1 ABOUT THIS MANUAL mouiarenn coute tet e ee ede oats airline Be ee eaae eei eee eee ee Seve 7 1 2 PATA EE H 1 3 MEASUREMENT STANDARDS AND IOLERANCES 7 2 0 SAMPLE DESIGN amp LOCATION CRITERIA eret eese eene enata tns tn sins tn sna 8 2 01 Description of Plot and Buffer 1 avout ener rennen eren 8 2 02 Description of Plot Measurements 2000 0 cece ceseceseceseceseeeseeeseeeeseecaeeeseecaaecsaecsaecaecnaeeaeens 8 Current Tree Height Requireinents cedit nee tite eee tete ENEE Eed 8 EIELD PROCEDURES utm 9 3 0 PLOT WOCA TION E 9 3 1 ACCESS NOTES MAPPING cin hinan r dieit set Hei ea hiatal aie 9 3 2 PLOT LOCATON Tae eec the ue tote ehe Ede ehe ae eese e edet cada sda eee e eere e de aee uade c 9 3 2 1 Recording Plot Location by UTM amp GPS A 9 3 2 2 Plot Photographing Digital Still Video records
31. T ATTRIBUTES tente dirae eb dieere eed acea Hd EEKEREN EE ELE Maio eG RNE 35 5 6 1 Estimating Crown Closures ener rennen eren enne trennen nennen 35 50 27 SI into ee ee C ER 35 5 0 3 Aspect and Slope eet cg Erie selon eae HER doe e e deep e ipe de 35 5 6 4 Determining Slope Position eese ese eeen tree rhone ott ohne ttn ke tina eben ertet esa Eat 35 Version F1 0 4 June 2003 2 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 5 7 TREE HEIGHT MEASUREMENTS esee ener enhn enne seen nitens enne ne seines eerte seen nnns 36 5 7 1 Top Height Site Sector Sample Trees eee 36 5 7 2 Re Calibrating Tree Measurement Instruments eese eene 36 5 7 3 Top Height Tree Used by the Forest Productivity Council of B C 36 5 7 4 Additional Top Height Trees Collected by Lignum eee 36 5S3 Ste Height Trees x sd ete eof UR eee re Eee RR de 37 5 7 6 Range Height Trees and Minor and Scattered Species Heights 38 5 8 MEASURING FORKED TREES WITH DEAD LEADER 39 5 9 MEASURING SUPPRESSED TREES WITH FLATTENED Tops 39 5 10 MEASURING HEIGHTS ON SEVERELY LEANING TREES ssssssseseesseseessesesssesessseresssrresssrreesse 39 SR SAMPLE AGES EE A0 SEL AsesSample Tees 2 cc ere pen HER diet elma 41 SAE Takmgthe Age of a Live Tree uere deelen eessen 42 5 11 3 Taking the Age of a Dead Tree nennen nennen
32. Type R 05 Y rye EN EE a _ TopHeight pot Height plot Full 0 01 Ha or half 0 005 ha Full 0 01 Ha orhalfO 005 ha Diagram on Pg 15 16 on Pg 15 16 16 18 EE Ee OO N E NES o a Compass Decination OC O O CSCS a a e 8S E 5 Access Notes Jpepon 1 from GYHost 8 x 6 TiePomt As per Mat Specifications IAs per MoF Specifications L 38 t ON po E 7 neue As per MoF Specifications S As per MoF Specifications 34 32 EC LS General Dein EE EEN 25 m Variance from 10 to 100 m where circumstances Buffer warrant 3 6 1 12 9 PlotSize Full 0 1 Ha 31 62 m side ett e Ee e Half 0 05 Ha 22 36 m side puru es E fie Measurements t PE COE EREIGNIS EN A BH t3m highsideoftree 532 24 pen or 0 1 cm or 1 96 Dead Trees Reading from dendrometer 11 pane for four samples 5 3 2 5 1 86 5 5 8 Version F1 0 4 June 2003 5 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual LIGNUM LTD GYO2 REMEASUREMENT FIELD MANUAL VERSION F1 0 3 INDEX OF KEY FACTORS 8 15 2002 DIFFERENT ITEM TASK REFERENCE TO LIGNUM MANUAL Manus page FROM Mor BEER TO MoF Section Y N METHOD E ON WO a Estimated crown length on all measured height trees Crown Length b Actual Live crown on FPC amp Lignum Top height trees and 5 5 6 34 16 range trees to 1 Y Nearest 10 95
33. Veteran In single layered stands record tree class 5 if Version F1 0 4 June 2003 31 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual e atree is at least 40 years older than the mean age of the main stand e the veteran component has an estimated crown closure of less than 6 for a sample In complex layered stands a tree is considered a veteran only when e itisaremnant of a much older stand e itis at least 100 years older than the mean age of the main stand e it has a much larger diameter than the other trees in the stand This criterion is necessary because of the subjectivity involved in determining what constitutes the main stand owing to the wide range of ages possible in it Veterans are not recognized in stands 121 years or older except in lodgepole pine stands which may have a veteran component of Douglas fir or larch Record pathological indicators for veteran trees the same way as for other trees Tree Class 6 Dead Cut Down Record Tree Class 6 if the tree is dead as a result of being cut down 5 5 3 Pathological Indicators Pathological Indicators The eight indicators of decay pathological indicators are Fork or Crook is the result of damage to the main leader Scar must be weathered and may be open or closed Frost Crack may resemble a scar but always follows the grain Dead or Broken Top is a broken or dead leader Conk is the fruiting body of decay fungi Mistletoe is a parasitic
34. al causes or because somebody cut it down 1 Select another centre tree near the plot centre Version F1 0 4 June 2003 12 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 2 Mark it with the two aluminum markers flagging tape and paint the tree with blue rectangles Checking the Center Plot Stake 1 The plot center was marked with a tubular aluminum stake driven into the ground for at least half its length To avoid the potential for cattle injury the length of stake extending above ground was about 30 cm This is the plot center stake The top 15 cm of the center stake was painted red 2 A large living tree close to the plot center stake is the plot center tree and is also described as the plot witness tree 3 Bearing and distances from the center stake to three 3 nearby tagged trees one of which was the witness tree and others the top height and or Plot 5 site height tree should have been noted to enable re location of the center stake should this be necessary If not done this should be done now The trees used should have been tree class 1 or 2 and should have formed as close to an isosceles triangle as possible as illustrated below Insert a nail into the stem even with the centre point of the tree perpendicular to plot center These nails were used to measure distance to the plot center stake Tree 1 Plot center stake Tree 3 Tree 2 The center plot was also described as the Lignum Top Height and Sit
35. as rotted 1 Count the rings on the sound portion of the core 2 Estimate the number of years in the rotten portion 3 Add the number of years in the sound portion to the estimated number of years in the rotten portion 4 Record the total breast height age 5 Record R for rot in the pith field in GYHand and record length of sound counted core in remarks 5 11 5 Boring Small Trees If it is not possible to bore a small less than 4 cm DBH tree without damaging it 1 Select a similar tree outside the plot and bore it 2 Assign a tree number 950 to 999 to the tree 3 Paint a blue spot on the tree at breast height 4 In the remarks describe the location of the tree relative to the plot Note selecting a similar tree outside of the plot for boring is not necessary for range trees If the tree cannot be bored without damaging it then an age will not be taken on that tree Version F1 0 4 June 2003 44 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 5 12 Fixed Sub Plot 5 12 1 Fixed Sub plot Data The radius of the fixed sub plot was 5 64 meters in 1997 Ingrowth trees gt or 2 0 cm in the subplot will be tagged at remeasure The sub plot objective was to obtain a sample of commercial species that were less than 4 cm DBH and at least 0 3 m high Guidelines Criteria 1 Fixed Sub Plot size will be 5 64 m radius for both 0 1 ha and 0 05 ha PSP plots 2 All commercial trees within the subplot from 30 cm h
36. ch side of the plot should be recorded 3 The boundaries of the buffer see s 4 3 1 and the plot See S 4 3 2 must be marked conspicuously with paint Under no circumstances will trees be blazed or cut 4 3 1 Buffer Boundary line marking Trees immediately inside the outer boundary of the buffer will be conspicuously marked with red paint and with red Growth and Yield ribbon The paint markings will be rectangular in shape and will face out from the buffer These trees mark the beginning of the plot protected area 4 3 2 Plot Boundary line marking Trees immediately outside of the boundary of the actual plot will be marked with a double horizontal blue line at approximately 30 cm above DBH facing plot center 4 3 2 1 Plot Boundary Borderline Tree tree marking If trees are located exactly on the plot boundary call the first such borderline tree in and the second borderline tree out and so on However if more than half of any tree at the germination point falls inside the plot or if more than half falls outside it must be tagged or excluded The germination point is used for this decision not the location of the roots or the crown Note that in out and B L in out is to be painted on close borderline trees in blue paint facing plot center In almost every plot circumstances arise which are not covered by the written instructions For example If a plot corner cannot be located precisely because of a tree put the corner in th
37. d 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 42 6 Hal Plot B ffer inerte ee e Ee Hei ee beet rebos beg 18 4 2 7 Half Plot Dimension Pegel 18 4 3 PLOT GAY OUT NP 19 4 3 1 Buffer Boundary line markimng 19 4 3 2 Plot Boundary Ime marking eate tette ht pte regne 19 5 0 PLOT REMEASUREM ENT eee sete seen etn sensns natns etas tn sense onesie tasses ses eissi eooo 21 Dd OVERVIEW etc ediscere ec dto cel dune Det Cd c du ed Od d 21 5 1 1 List of Data to be gathered for each tagged ingrowth ee 21 5 1 2 100 Height and Stem Mapping Plot 21 SA3 Dendrometer Banding Plots itii eee dee ehe tpe debet den 22 5 1 4 Procedures for Dendrometer Band Installation eene 22 5 1 5 Procedures for Dendrometer Band Remeasure eee 22 5 1 6 Procedure for Dendrometer Band Replacement eee 23 52 MEASUREMENTS amp COMMENTS ee eeeeeseeeeeennee ener enne seen nne RENAK N seen ntes enne seen tenes rennes 23 53 TREE TAGGING CONVENTION roroi asrau rennen enne enne tentent tese enn nr seen TIEN seen tenes rennes 23 5 3 1 Remeasuring the Plot and Sub plot eee nennen 24 5 327 Measuring D BiH iet tete e Ehre dra ue EA 24 After remeasutring the diameter eiie ete et ate Foret ope eet i ose ii ota need 24 For all previously numbered trees now dead essere 24 2 39 37 JPIOESeCtOIS eee eee pia edente edet teet e ett Ee etes 24 9 3 4 IDBELDefIBIti0n e
38. d Trees Here are special rules for tagging forked trees 1 Tag the stem as a single tree if the fork occurs above 1 3 m and e the stem has a DBH of at least 4 cm 2 Tag each stem separately if e the fork occurs below 1 3 m and e two or more of the fork s stems have a DBH of 4 cm or greater Use consecutive numbers when you tag the stems Record in the Remarks section that these trees are forked together 3 Tag the stem as a single tree if the fork occurs below 1 3 m and e only one of the fork s stems has a DBH of 4 cm or greater 5 3 15 Measuring the Diameter of Trees Growing Together To more accurately measure the diameter of trees that are or will soon be joined together at DBH use the 1 2 wrap method To do this measure or estimate as accurately as possible the diameter of each affected tree Then from the nail with the tag measure half of the diameter around the bole of the tree and place a second nail Note in the remarks that these are 1 2 wrap measurements In the future the distance between the two nails will be measured and multiplied by two to arrive at the diameter of the tree Version F1 0 4 June 2003 28 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 5 3 16 Tagging Unusual Live Trees Now and then you will find unusual live trees within a plot or sub plot Example a tree of taggable size growing on a tall stump too high to climb Exercise good judgment in these odd situations
39. d placement allows for sample id without obscuring critical plot info No foreign objects are present e g cruise vests on or off of crewmembers that will cause problems with the depth of field or flash S m SB TS Photo numbering protocol The following numbering system will be used to identify each photo image Columns one to four are the poly number columns six to nine are the sample ff column 11 is the cardinal direction for the Still photos North East South West columns thirteen to eighteen are the date as Yr Mo Day An underscore will be used to separate each set of numbers No spaces will be used in the identifier string _ 0420_0500_N_020201 Still Images Still images will be taken from plot center facing the cardinal directions Images will be taken at DBH Use the lowest power setting i e no zoom Images are to be checked in the viewfinder before personnel leave the plot to ensure useful images have been captured Camera settings should be set at high preferably at a minimum dpi of 1 0 megapixels Video Images Video images will capture two 360 degree sweeps to be taken from plot center at DBH using a tripod Both sweeps will start at north and proceed east The first sweep will be parallel to the ground at plot center The second sweep will have Version F1 0 4 June 2003 10 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual the camera aimed up towards the crowns at a maximum angl
40. e nearest suitable spot and make a note on the recording sheet The actual corner will be stem mapped to this stake and recorded on the location diagram plot dimension map Version F1 0 4 June 2003 19 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual Other situations will arise which are not described here The crew chief must make a decision so that the crew can keep on working The crew chief should then note that decision on the recording sheets so that the reasons and circumstances of the decision are not lost These notes form part of the record of plot establishment and must be submitted to Lignum in a formal manner Version F1 0 4 June 2003 20 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 5 0 PLOT REMEASUREMENT 5 1 Overview The intent of the Remeasurement program is to ensure that a sample can be located that the sample has had all original trees remeasured data collected and that any ingrowth is tagged and measured At remeasurement the top height and site height trees selected may be different than those originally selected However once a tree has been selected as a top or site height tree it will continue to be remeasured The Top Height trees for instance might change but the old top height tree will continue to be measured All previous heights including range and top site height trees must be retaken even if now dead Select suitable range trees to satisfy current requirements down to 4 cm
41. e top 15 cm of the Top Height site sector plot stakes will be painted blue Top Height plots in GYHand02 are called Site Sector plots and designated as Ss Top Height plots have a 5 64 m radius for both full size 0 1 ha plots and half size plots See figures in Section 4 1 for Top Height plot location and dimension details The Top Height plot centers should be located as accurately as possible The essential factor in the placement of Top Height plots is that they are re locatable Since vandals may remove these stakes a distance and bearing from the Top Height plot center to 2 nearby trees the site height and or top height trees if present shall be recorded as a precaution Version F1 0 4 June 2003 14 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 4 0 PLOT ESTABLISHMENT 4 1 Plot Establishment Procedures NOTE NO trees in the plot or buffer may be blazed or cut by the measurement crew all marking will be with paint 1 The approximate location of plot center was marked in a manner that would not interfere with the positioning of a compass tripod The plot location could not be moved to facilitate line of site measurements for plot corners 2 The corners of the plot and of the buffer were located by staff compass or electronic device and a tape or electronic distance measuring device that was accurate to one centimeter 3 The center of the plot was marked with a permanent stake that identified the plot W
42. e Lignum Quality Assurance field sheets and the covering letter to the Regional Manager Cariboo Region Ministry of Forests office 5 File the second set in the Lignum Ltd Growth and Yield file for security and reference Version F1 0 4 June 2003 49 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual Appendix 1 Measurement Standards MoF Standards of Measurement For Permanent Samples Ten Missed and extra No error within the plot rees 1 line tree within 5 cm No error but identification to genus level allowable for birch interior spruce and illow 0 5 of plot sub plot radius tolerance for borderline trees Breast height 0 1 cm or 1 0 whichever is greater 0 2cm or 2 0 for dead trees Decay indicators 1 or 10 whichever is greater of the total number of external indicators of all rees checked Estimated tree 0 5 m or 10 whichever is greater height ildlife Visual 1 visual appearance class Appearance tem Mapping Stem Mapping O RE cd2223SIddgdg2 Location Version F1 0 4 June 2003 50 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual MoF Weighted Error Rating Table and the Basis for the Acceptance or Rejection of a Plot KH Missed and or extra plot trees Missed and or extra sub plot trees less than 2 0 cm d b h 1 Missed and or extra dead trees Missed an or extra sub plot trees greater than or equal to 2 0 cm d b h __ Teegenusispeciesinewee 2
43. e Sector plot 5 as well as the fixed sub plot Physically these plots are all located at the same place i e plot center Version F1 0 4 June 2003 13 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 3 8 Corner Staking 1 Plot Corner stakes must be easy to find and as permanent as possible Wooden stakes were generally used in 1996 For other years metal angle stakes were used for comer stakes The top 15 cm of corner stakes were painted red If stakes must be replaced use metal stakes 2 The inside angle of the corner stakes shall face plot center making the sides of the stake parallel to the plot boundary 3 Corner stakes on each end of one of the diagonals were stem mapped from three nearby tagged trees The closest tree to each corner stake that is outside the plot and greater than 10 cm DBH had a double ring of red paint painted at approximately 1 5 m from the ground The corner trees are to be re painted by a double ring of blue painted over top of the existing red rings 3 9 Top Height Site Sector Plot Staking The Top Height plots were established and marked with round stakes In 1997 the nine Top Height plots had a radius of 5 05m for the full plots and 3 43m for the half plots The Top Height plot stakes will need to be relocated to reflect current standards All samples will have 5 64m radius Top Height plots with full plots having 9 and half plots having 5 see 4 2 4 and 4 2 7 for plot dimension figures Th
44. e bearing and distance to the plot and two dates may be on the tie point placard The first is entered when the sample is located The second date entered on the placard is the establishment date e New Tie Point Needed If a new tie point is needed 1 Select a new tie point recognizable on the photos and the ground 2 From the map measure and record the new bearing and distance to the plot centre 3 Paint both sides of the tie tree in the direction of the tie line 4 Nail an aluminum sample marker above the paint 5 Inscribe the pertinent information on the middle and bottom sections of the 2 markers Note Date on the marker always refers to the date the sample was originally established Version F1 0 4 June 2003 11 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 6 Flag the tie tree with two strands of flagging tape one above and one below the markers Paint both sides of the tree with blue paint approximately 2 m above the ground in the direction of the tie line The paint mark should be in the form of a rectangle about 50 cm long and at least the width of the tree 7 To aid future measurement crews revise the sketch map showing the tie point the sample location and other significant topographic features Attach the sketch to the access notes 8 If you establish a new tie point you must run a new tie line 3 4 Checking the Tie Line The tie line was run from the tie point with a hand compass a clinometer
45. e of 45 degrees A blue ribbon will be tied at DBH to the tree closest to the cardinal directions approximately 5 m from plot center prior to the sweeps being conducted The camera will be paused for about 3 to 4 seconds at each cardinal direction and the photographer will call out the direction Use the lowest power setting i e no zoom Note 2002 remeasurements do not require a new video 3 3 Choosing and Marking the Tie Point The objective was to make the plot easy to find and clearly recognizable when a person enters the general vicinity of either the tie point or the plot center The reference or tie point generally is a prominent topographic feature distinguishable on the photos and on the ground Examples a road junction road bend creek junction or bridge 1 Ensure that paint flagging and placards are in good shape and replace any flagging required to ensure lines and plots can be readily found e The blazed and or painted tie tree should be located nearby as described in the access notes Aluminum sample markers were nailed to the tie tree and strands of plastic flagging tape should still be noticeable on or near the tree 3 31 Numbering convention 1 The aluminum placard on the tie point tree contains the following information in the middle and bottom sections of the markers e the sample type R the sample number a 300 400 or 500 series number the plot number 1 the region number the compartment number th
46. e recorded UTM s are approximate The tie point UTM coordinates and Tie line bearing and distance must now be recorded in data Version F1 0 4 June 2003 9 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual The relative position in the stand was indicated as accurately as possible on an air photo of the stand This was done so that the stand and or plots could be placed on the GIS maps of the area in the correct relative position in the correct stand 3 2 2 Plot Photographing Digital Still Video records Photos of the 1997 samples were taken during spring 2001 so retakes for the 1997 samples are not necessary The objective of taking photos of G amp Y plots is to record stem structure from plot center The reference height in all cases is DBH The intent is to capture as much information as possible about stocking and crown closure Both still photos and video footage will be taken Digital format cameras are required for still image capture Video footage may be captured on tape Standards for each type are discussed below A white board no larger than 45 x 60 cm will be used to record the poly number sample number and date The board is to be placed in the image far enough away from the center to reduce instances of photo flash errors obscuring stems stand structure info Personnel taking images will ensure that 1 Acceptable light levels are available Depth of field is maximized Sun angle does not obscure stems Boar
47. ed to total approximately 10 of total trees in the sample 4 Randomly select five trees from the sample tree section for height checking 5 Select two trees for age checking 6 Randomly select one tree count diameter class for a species Later you will use this diameter class in the field to check that the dot tally is correct for that class Field Inspection L Travel to the sample Use the access information given by the original sampling crew See Describing Access and Location of the Sample Section 2 Check that the tie point is correctly marked See Choosing a Tie Point Section Make sure the tie line bearing and distance run within the allowable standards Make sure the plot center markers are correctly inscribed From the plot center check the bearings and distances to 3 trees 6 Check the plot boundaries for distance bearing and length and sub plot radius at a minimum of three different locations Check for trees that were missed or that should have been excluded from the plot or sub plot 7 Within the plot or sub plot make sure trees larger than the tagging limits were not missed Also check for trees that were tallied when they should not have been Flag with a circled asterisk any missed or erroneously tallied tree 8 Make sure all sub plot trees of the selected tree count class were counted in the dot tally 9 Dot tallies for dead trees are not required All trees are tagged therefore the dead trees are meas
48. er bands appear to be impacting the growth of the tree e g the band is not expanding due to pitch the band will be removed Before removing the band attempt to take a reading After the band is removed a DBH will be taken using a diameter tape Record that the band has been removed on the dendrometer band recording form Conversion numbers for old style bands A 5 0 11 0 cms F 30 0 36 0 cms B 10 0 16 0 cms G 35 0 41 0 cms C 15 0 21 0 cms H 40 0 46 0 cms D 20 0 26 0 cms I 45 0 51 0 cms E 25 0 31 0 cms J 50 0 56 0 cms 5 1 6 Procedure for Dendrometer Band Replacement When the dendrometer band has moved to the far right end of the reading tape or it is suspected that it will move beyond the tape end in the next five years the band must be replaced The actual reading on the current band will be taken and recorded The band will be replaced with the next highest group band and the serial number and new reading recorded When replacing a dendrometer band the band must be replaced as close to the old location as possible See the procedures in section 5 1 4 for installation details 5 2 Measurements amp comments The basic required tree measurements are dictated by the Forest Productivity Council of B C and are set up for entry into a handheld field recorder Additional measurements will be recorded using remarks section in program or forms and added to the database as follows When recording the
49. flowering plant Blind Conk is pronounced swelling or depression around knots Rotten branch is an obviously decayed large branch with a diameter inside bark DIB of over 10 cm Standard for Decay indicators 1 or 10 of the actual number of external indicators checked whichever is greater GO J Ch Dn P WN ra The following abnormalities are not pathological indicators e butt rot e flute e candelabra branch e sweep e branch fan e exposed root e dry side e spiral grain e insect boring e black knot e sapsucker hole Version F1 0 4 June 2003 32 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual e burl and gall 5 5 4 Assessing Damage Agents and Severity Damage agent and severity codes are as described in the MoF Inventory Manual Coding included in Appendix 4 of this manual For each tree affected l Identify if possible the damage agent s 2 Assess the damage severity 3 Record the primary and secondary damage agent codes e The damage agent codes are hierarchical and enable coding from very general type or category to specific species The first letter indicates the type of the damage while the second and third indicate the specific agent e If you are unable to identify the damage agent species a short incomplete label is still useful Example You may identify a defoliating insect and assess the percent defoliation for the tree as 30 percent Record this as ID 3 For the sam
50. he standards and procedures to be followed in the implementation of Lignum Ltd s Growth and Yield program It is intended as a reference tool and it is assumed that the user has a good understanding of growth and yield standards and procedures currently used in British Columbia Personnel conducting field measurements in this Growth amp Yield Program will have taken the Lignum Ltd Growth amp Yield training course Lignum Ltd expects that contractors working on this program will have taken part in a manual and field procedure review prior to starting operational activities When field crews encounter operational problems they are expected to use sound judgment in suggesting solutions to those problems and to pass proposed solutions on to staff at Lignum Ltd for approval When some detail requires further clarification the general approach will be to follow the usual Forest Productivity Council of B C or Ministry of Forests method of doing this work Where exceptions arise the contractor is to contact the Lignum Ltd Project Manager for guidance If this cannot be done in time to solve the problem in the field then the contractor will use their best judgment on the spot and stop work if the result would be outside approved standards This manual will be amended as changes clarifications or additions are required In addition a section will be maintained for outstanding issues suggestions etc 1 2 Data Codes Unless indicated otherwi
51. height to break on live trees with broken tops non 100 ht plots the estimate is to be to the nearest 0 1m and this estimate recorded in the height to break field The field crew is encouraged to record their observations advice and suggestions involving the individual tree the PSP the group of PSPs or the Growth and Yield program in general The intention is that these comments will be entered as text files in GYHand02 at the tree and plot level When there are suspicious differences in measurements or errors noted in the field or office these should be noted for later clarification by a regular or special revisit 5 3 Tree tagging Convention The essential point is that trees are plainly marked and can be located and remeasured with reasonable ease by the crews that visit the plots in the future All trees associated with a particular plot are to have a unique number within that plot Trees are considered in or out of the plot at the center of their germination point level with the ground Once a tree is tagged it will be measured at each visit If there is any Version F1 0 4 June 2003 23 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual doubt about the location of a tree tag it and record the data Do not duplicate tag numbers in a plot Standard No Missed trees are allowed 1 Borderline tree 5 3 1 Remeasuring the Plot and Sub plot Accurate work is required when you compare new measurements with previous ones
52. height to top of live terminal 5 9 Measuring Suppressed Trees with Flattened Tops To ensure accurate measurements of suppressed trees 1 Sight on the highest point of the top 2 For hemlock trees sight on the highest point of the droop 3 For cedar trees make sure you take the top reading on the tiny leader and not on a lateral branch which may be higher 5 10 Measuring Heights on Severely Leaning Trees Only in 100 Height plots Heights of trees are usually measured with a height pole a vertex or a clinometer In certain situations such as trees that are severely leaning this method alone may underestimate the actual length of the tree resulting in measurement errors in the Growth and Yield database In order to record the length on these trees as accurately as possible the following methodology should be followed on trees that have severe leans only Severe leans are described as trees that have more than a 14 lean from the vertical 1 A slope distance and slope is taken from the base of the leaning tree to the point perpendicular to underneath the tip of the tree This should be from 1 3m at the base of the tree to 1 3m above ground directly below the very tip Measure slope and slope du Es 1 3m Version F1 0 4 June 2003 39 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 2 A height is taken from the tip of the tree to the ground perpendicular to the tip of the tree Measure height
53. here necessary to provide additional protection to the center stake a cairn was built around the base of the stake to support it firmly A large living tree close to the center stake is the plot center and witness tree Two aluminum plot markers were nailed to the plot center tree about 2 m above the ground The following information was recorded in the top section of each aluminum marker e sample type R e sample number a 300 400 or 500 series number e plot number 21 The following information was recorded in the bottom section of each aluminum marker e region number e compartment number e Two dates were required on the placard The first was entered when the sample was located The second date entered on the placard was the establishment date marked as ESTAB Where the plot center was also the tie point for the next sample the TIE POINT FOR GROWTH section of the aluminum marker was filled out as follows At plot 2 the placard facing back towards plot 1 had the direction and bearing to plot 1 the placard facing towards plot 3 had the bearing and distance to plot 3 etc Flagging was placed on the plot center tree with two strands of red Lignum G amp Y flagging tape one above and one below the aluminum markers Both sides of the witness tree were painted with blue paint approximately 2 m above the ground in the direction of the tie line The paint mark was in the form of a rectangle about 50 cm long and at least the width of the t
54. hment A number of tree height measurements were taken at the time of plot establishment Current Tree Height Requirements e Top Height trees collected by Lignum the largest diameter tree if suitable regardless of species within each of the nine Top Height plots the 5 64 m radius plot includes area outside the main plot boundary Half plots have 5 Top Height plots with a 5 64m radius The Top Height tree is in Top Height plot 5 If there is not a suitable Top Height tree in a Top Height plot no suitable Crown Class 1 or 2 s are present there will be no replacement there will be no Top Height tree for that plot These trees may or may not be representative of the major species within that stand Note Vets are not considered site top ht trees by MoF and GYHand will not accept them as a top or site ht tree Where a Vet is selected as the largest tree for Lignum measurements take the next larger in the site sector if largest is a vet as per MoF requirements e Site Height Trees the largest diameter tree if suitable for each of the two major species within each of the nine site sectors Top Height plots or 5 site sectors for a half plot If this largest tree is not a suitable tree no suitable Crown Class 1 or 2 s then there will be no replacement there will not be a Site Height Tree for this Top Height plot for that species Note the site sector of these trees even if not suitable A sample of 15 suitable trees if present
55. ight plot The Site Height Tree in each of the nine Top Height plots will be marked with an S with the top of the S located just below DBH and facing the main plot center A blue dot will be painted on the tree accurately at DBH indicating the direction the height was taken from In some cases a tree will be selected as both a Top Height and a Site Height tree These trees will be marked with both a T and an S with the top of the T being just below DBH and above the S facing the main plot center A blue dot will be painted on the tree accurately at DBH indicating the direction the height was taken from Standard for total tree height measurement 20 cm or 2 of true height whichever is greater For remeasurements the top height and site height trees selected may be different than those originally selected All previous heights including range and top site height trees must be retaken even if now dead Select additional suitable range trees to satisfy current requirements down to 2 cm DBH Take the remeasurement height from the same direction as the previous height to maintain consistency This direction should be indicated by a blue dot at DBH or an H and or A facing the direction that the previous height was taken A T or S shall be put on the tree facing the main plot center if the tree is retained as a Top height or Site Height Tree at the remeasure Suitable Site Height Trees have 1 a crown
56. is bored Standard for radial increment measurement 1 mm of the true measurement 5 11 3 Taking the Age of a Dead Tree All recently dead trees defined as trees that have died since the last measurement will have an age taken The procedures for drilling dead trees is as follows If the pith is not part of the first core taken at DBH it is an acceptable core if in the opinion of the crew chief the core is within two years of pith then one other core will be taken 90 clockwise from the first core see figure below The first attempt at drilling the tree and hitting the pith will be made from that point on the tree that is closest to plot center unless the tree is leaning If the first attempt fails one moves in a clockwise direction to take the second core A maximum of two attempts will be made on a dead tree For dead leaning trees the first attempt is made on the side of the tree perpendicular to the lean and if required a second attempt is made on the other side of the tree A maximum of two attempts will be made on a dead leaning tree Figure Acceptable locations for taking increment cores on trees 2 PLOT CENTER 1 Bore the selected trees just below 1 3m above the base of the tree on the uphill side If there is a whorl located at DBH that will affect determining the sample age move the bore hole slightly below DBH 2 Remove the core Make sure at least two cores per species include the pith Version F1 0 4 June
57. orizontal distance of each side is 31 62 m The diagonal distance from plot corner to plot corner is 44 72 m The distance from the plot center to the plot corner is 22 36 meters Standard measure for full plot side lengths 31 62 m 10 cm Standard measure for full plot diagonal lengths 44 72 m 20 cm The distance from the plot corner to the center of Top Height plots 1 3 7 and 9 is 6 41 m 4 2 3 Full Plot Buffer The horizontal distance from plot corner to the buffer corner for a 25 m buffer is 35 36 m 4 2 4 Full Plot Dimension Figure CENTER TO CENTER 11 28m 4 53m 4 53m reg 1 11m INSTALLATION CENTER 35 36m pu 1 62m a ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN METRES BUFFER Version F1 0 4 June 2003 17 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 4 2 5 Half Plot Dimensions 0 05 Ha The horizontal distance of each side is 22 36 m The diagonal distance from plot corner to plot corner is 31 62 m The distance from the plot center to the plot corner is 15 81 meters The intent is to include a minimum of 50 crop trees at rotation in the plot Standard measure for half plot side lengths 22 36 m 7 1 cm Standard measure for half plot diagonal lengths 31 62 m 14 1 cm The distance from the plot corner to the center of Top Height plots 1 2 3 and 4 is 4 53 m 4 2 6 Half Plot Buffer The horizontal distance from plot corner to the buffer corner for a 25 m buffer
58. ple 1 Make a general assessment of the primary and secondary damage agents 2 Make a percent assessment of the agent s for the sample 3 Record the assessment for the total sample in the sample header section If known also record the year of the attack 5 5 5 Assigning a Crown Class Code Crown class refers to the position of the crown of a tree relative to all other trees within the general plot area not the whole stand There are six crown classes Crown class 1 Dominant Crown class 2 Co dominant Crown class 3 Intermediate Crown class 4 Suppressed Crown class 5 Veteran Crown class 6 Understory Assign a crown class code of 1 through 6 to each tagged tree classed as tree class 1 2 or 5 Standard for crown class estimate one or 10 whichever is greater of all crown classes checked Note Crown class 6 should be used sparingly do not confuse it with crown class 4 Use crown class 6 only in stands 60 years or older where the understory trees usually shade tolerant are clearly much younger than the main stand Version F1 0 4 June 2003 33 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 5 5 6 Live Crown Length Percent LC Measurements and Estimates Live crown length is the distance between the treetop if the top is alive or from the top of the live portion if the treetop is dead and the base of the lowest contiguous live crown The estimate is expressed as a percentage of the total height of the
59. r should move around the tree to classify the upper two thirds Version F1 0 4 June 2003 30 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual In the pathological remarks section record each pathological indicator as occurring on the lower middle or upper third of the total height of the tree Do this by entering the following Pathological Decay Indicator Position Codes CODE Position on Tree tree is divided into thirds Lower third Middle third Upper third Lower and middle third Middle and upper third Lower and upper third All thirds NOOR Go A 5 5 2 Tree Classes Each tagged tree is classed in one of the following categories Tree Class 1 Residual Tree Class 2 Suspect Tree Class 3 Dead Potential Tree Class 4 Dead Useless Tree Class 5 Veteran Tree Class 6 Dead Cut Down Tree Class 1 Residual Record tree class 1 if e the tree is alive and free of the pathological indicators Tree Class 2 Suspect Record tree class 2 if the tree is alive e the tree is not a veteran and the tree has one or more pathological indicators Tree Class 3 Dead Potential Record tree class 3 1f e the tree is dead e the tree contains at least an estimated 50 96 of sound wood by volume and the tree is greater than or equal to 10 cm DBH and greater than or equal to 3 m in height Tree Class 4 Dead Useless Record tree class 4 1f e the tree is dead e the tree is not dead potential Tree Class 5
60. red sector tags face out from plot center Version F1 0 4 June 2003 24 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual Sector Numbering and Layout Figure 1997 to present SECTOR LAYOUT 5 3 4 DBH Definition BH was established at 1 3 meters above the high side of the tree base measured along the sweep of the tree along side of tree parallel to sweep Use of a 1 3 m long DBH stick is recommended A blue paint spot at DBH where the nail was placed is used to re establish DBH in case a nail is removed Standard measure for BH 5 cm of the true breast height DBH is always measured just above the nail perpendicular to the bole of the tree and is pulled tight Standard measure for DBH measurements live trees 0 1 cm or 1 whichever is greater Standard measure for DBH measurements dead trees 0 2 cm or 2 whichever is greater 5 3 5 Trees with Missing Tags For trees with tags missing there should be a blue dot at the previous DBH point to help to retag the tree Nail on a tag which has the same tag number as the missing one 5 3 6 Tallying Dead Trees In 100 height plots tag measure and record the height and DBH of all free standing dead trees gt 4 cm at DBH and at least 1 3 m high by species In regular plots tag measure and record the DBH of all free standing dead trees gt 4 cm at DBH and at least 1 3 m high For broken trees in regular plots with heights of 1 3 and greater estimate
61. ree Metal tags were placed on both sides of the plot center tree for both tie lines where the change in angle of the line was gt 45 degrees 4 2 Plot Dimensions and Layout Where the ground slope exceeded 5 or 2 degrees distances were measured along the slope and corrected according to the angle of slope It was not acceptable to try to hold the tape in a horizontal position on slopes exceeding 5 It was most convenient to establish diagonally opposite corners first so that their locations could Version F1 0 4 June 2003 15 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual be checked visually by standing at one corner and lining up the plot center and the opposite corner Top Height plot in GYHand 02 these are called Site Sector plots SS numbering starts clockwise from northwest as shown in the plot dimension figure below 4 2 1 Plot Dimension Map A plot dimension map was completed that shows final measured horizontal distances bearings slope and direction of slope of sides as applicable for each side Distance and bearings between plot centers were also shown Any vets voids trails or significant topographical features affecting the plot were sketched on This map was attached to the access note package The original sketch map plot dimension diagrams should be updated as necessary Version F1 0 4 June 2003 16 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 4 2 2 Full Plot Dimensions 0 1 Ha The h
62. required to redo it 2 Conduct spot checks as work progresses to be sure tie points are properly marked and that tie lines are run on the designated bearings 3 Conduct spot checks as work progresses to observe sampling crew performance 4 After inspecting the sample decide if the level of errors warrants the contract crew returning to correct errors Checking the Samples in the Office All samples must be checked in the office Follow this procedure l Ensure the sample identification is correct and valid 2 Ensure the sample header is as complete as possible 3 Ensure that the number and distribution of tree heights both Top Height and others were met 4 Ensure the number of ages and piths two per sample were met 5 Check that the access notes are complete and include the tie point sketch Version F1 0 4 June 2003 47 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual Inspecting the Samples Once the samples have been checked in the office randomly select one of the plots and conduct the following l a pre field inspection 2 a field inspection 3 a post field inspection Pre field Inspection 1 Randomly select one of the samples from the ones checked in the office 2 Printout a Quality Assurance plot inspection report report 8 3 Seven trees will be randomly select for tree detail checking Note if the number of trees in the sample exceeds 120 trees additional number of QA trees will be select
63. s the top layer e layer2 is the bottom layer For single layer stands layer 1 is assumed for trees in the main stand and tree class 5 identifies the veteran layer For multi layer stands record for the top layer trees and 2 for the bottom layer The sample primary layer according to regional priorities must be identified Version F1 0 4 June 2003 34 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 5 6 Other Plot Attributes 5 6 1 Estimating Crown Closure Crown closure is the percentage of ground area covered by the vertically projected crowns of trees For each plot estimate and record the crown closure by layer to the nearest 10 percent Standard for crown closure estimate one 10 class for ground measurements For the veteran component of the plot record crown closure to the nearest percent If the crown closure of the veteran component for the sample is 6 or more it must be classified as a separate layer 5 6 2 Elevation Elevation was recorded for each plot from GPS information Standard 50 meters 5 6 3 Aspect and Slope Aspect and slope was determined for each plot Standard for aspect measurement 10 degrees of true aspect Standard for slope measurement 5 of true slope 5 6 4 Determining Slope Position Slope position is the relative position of the plot within a water catchment area Determine the slope position and record the appropriate code Code Category Slope Position C Crest e
64. se codes to be used for recording data for G amp Y plots will follow the following protocols 1 Lignum G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual V1 0 3 dated September 9 2002 2 GYHand GY Host 02 3 Damage codes as per Appendix 4 14 1 3 Measurement Standards and Tolerances Measurement standards will follow Forest Productivity Council standards unless otherwise noted Standards and associated tolerances are shown in the following Appendices and in the text where measurements and tallies are described Appendix 1 Measurement Standards Appendix 2 Forest Productivity Council standards Appendix 4 Ministry of Forests manual attachment Appendix 4 14 Damage Agents amp Severity Codes June 2000 Version F1 0 4 June 2003 7 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 2 0 SAMPLE DESIGN amp LOCATION CRITERIA 2 01 Description of Plot and Buffer Layout The individual sample plots are either 0 1 hectare full size plot or 05 hectare half size plot and square in shape Distance between plots is generally 100 meters plot center to plot center The preferred minimum distance from a plot boundary to the edge of a stand is 25 meters This distance may have been varied from 10 to 100 meters to match the height of the stand or other circumstances with approval from Lignum Ltd 2 02 Description of Plot Measurements All trees with a DBH greater than or equal to 4 cm were individually tagged and numbered at establis
65. st tree on the plot 4 Some tips for sighting are listed below e to avoid sighting the wrong tree wrap the DBH stick with flagging tape to make it more visible then place the stick in front of the tree e to avoid false compass readings as you sight the tree keep sources of magnetic interference away from the compass including steel tapes axes knives steel datum holders eye glasses with steel frames and most metal objects e to simplify recording and possibly minimize errors use a staff compass with azimuth bearings when possible Measure the slope distance between the plot center and the center of the tree Measure the slope with the Suunto clinometer using the percent scale if gt 5 96 Read the compass bearing on the scale at the north end of the compass needle Record all measurements for each tagged tree in the plot Sight onto the next tree and repeat the procedure until all tagged trees in the plot have been stem mapped So 00 1 Ch tA Standard for Stem map bearing measurements 2 degrees of the true bearing Standard for Stem map distance measurements 2 of the true distance 5 5 Classifying Trees 5 5 1 Classifying trees for pathological indicators Classify each tagged tree according to its pathological indicators To classify a tree properly view it from all sides The person measuring DBH should move far enough away from the tree to be able to classify the lower third of the stem The recorde
66. t to 3 99 cm DBH will be measured and recorded according to MOF guidelines 3 Stems 30 cm height to 1 9 cm DBH are to be dot tallied 4 Stems from 2 cm DBH to 3 9 cm DBH are to be measured for all attributes normally done for main plot trees i e tagged Dividing the Sub plot into Sectors For the sub plot use the same sector divisions as laid out for the main plot 5 12 2 Tagging Trees in the Sub plot Tag with nails all living trees of commercial species between 2 cm DBH and 3 9 cm DBH For trees of commercial species less than 2 cm DBH 1 Count them in a dot tally 2 Derive their metric DBH class see table below 3 Record them by species and DBH class Metric DBH Classes and Limits DBH class Limits 0 0 3 m to 1 3 m high 1 0 1 cm to 1 9 cm DBH At remeasurement tag ingrowth trees commercial species trees previously below the 2 0 cm sub plot tagging limit which are now 2 0 cm or greater diameter with sequential numbers starting with one number larger than the previous last tree Note and record near tree numbers Use a near tree that is preferably larger than 10 cm and lor that shows signs of vigor Avoid using trees that appear unhealthy 5 12 3 Tagging Forked Trees in Sub plots The special rules for tagging forked trees with a DBH of between 2 cm and 3 9 cm are 1 Tag the stem as a single tree if the fork occurs above 1 3 m 2 Tag each stem separately if e the fork occurs below 1 3 m and has one root system e
67. the range of diameters present down to 2 cm if available for each of the first two major species present commercial or non commercial 2 The range trees selected for the major species are to be marked with an R with the top of the R located just below DBH and facing the main plot center A blue dot will be painted on the tree at DBH indicating the direction the height was taken from Ages and live crown measurements are to be taken on these trees 5 7 6 5 Minor and Scattered Species 20 For each minor 10 to 19 percent by composition and scattered species less than 10 percent by composition select 15 trees if present and suitable Distribute them across the DBH range down to 2 cm DBH Place the emphasis on larger diameter classes 5 7 6 4 Veterans For the veteran layer 1 Select one tree for each species present 2 Estimate the height of all others 3 Record the estimated height in the Vet height section Enter O for Other in GYHand 02 to differentiate these range trees from the Site Height Trees and Top Height Trees present in the Top Height plot Version F1 0 4 June 2003 38 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual 5 8 Measuring Forked Trees with dead leader For trees with a forked top that have a dead leader and a live replacement terminal record height of dead top if taller as tree height and record the height of the live leader in comments Otherwise record
68. tie reete ERE D IHRER UOI Eee seeded LOIR eee de 25 2 3 5 Trees with Missing EE 25 5 3 0 Tallying Dead Tree gees 25 3 3 Dead Tree Attributes rette et idee e E het ER ER petas 26 5 3 8 Tagging Ingrowth Trees in the main plot 27 5 3 9 Tagging Top Height trees outside the plot 27 5 3 10 Tagging trees in the Sub plot o ircen inie aa enne ennt enne ens 27 2 9 D MPASING ee E 27 5 3 12 Near treednformation s s eniri eiee E eee eene rennen rennen trennen trennen nenne 28 53 13 Attaching Tags to Trees iei tege iet iet ect el He Ces e colt 28 5 3 14 Tagging Forked Trees uo Ee RE eee 28 5 3 15 Measuring the Diameter of Trees Growing Together AAA 28 5 3 16 Tagging Unusual Live Trees sicc u pns ena E nene a 29 25 9 17 Recording Cut Stumbps 1e ete eet ee ope etl re hice eta nee bens 29 SE STEM E 30 Remeasurement Stem Mapping eiie ees ees e enne nennen neant nnne tnnt ette tren trennen 30 SAL Stem Mapping ENER 30 5 5 CLASSIFYING TREES E 30 5 5 1 Classifying trees for pathological indicators eene 30 59 2 4 Pree CASS p CER 31 5 5 3 Pathological Indicators itene pr Ret EE 32 5 5 4 Assessing Damage Agents and Severity ssesesseeeeeeeeeeeneren nennen 33 5 5 5 Assigning a Crown Class Code sese eene nene enen eterne tenentes 33 5 5 6 Live Crown Length Percent LC Measurements and Estimates 00s sssssssesssssee 34 5 5 7 Describing the Stand Structure 34 5 6 OTHER PLO
69. tree Estimate and record to the nearest 10 percent the live crown length of every tagged tree When determining the base of the lowest contiguous live crown do not consider forks or epicormic branches The tops of defoliated trees may appear dead at the time of the assessment Make sure it is or you may underestimate the live crown length Standard for live crown length estimate one 10 class for the live crown length In addition for both regular plots and 100 height plots measure and record LC to the nearest per cent on all height trees including the Top Height trees and 15 range trees per major species as well as up to 15 range trees for minor and scattered species Measure and record the height to the bottom of the live crown Note that GYHost will calculate the actual percentage of live crown If tree has a severe lean 214 then use same leaning tree length measurement procedures for the bottom of the live crown At remeasurement previous and new range height trees need a measured live crown 5 5 7 Describing the Stand Structure Stand structure is the physical arrangement or pattern of organization of the stand Stand structure is described and classified according to recognizable age and height differences The recognized stand structures are 1 Simple layer even age and height e with veterans e without veterans Complex layer uneven age and height e with veterans e without veterans Multi layer e layer 1 i
70. ured as part of the measurement process 10 Carefully measure all the trees selected for field inspection e Tree identification Make sure the genus or species of each tree is correct If not place a circled asterisk beside the tree e Tree tag height Check the tag height of the seven selected trees to verify that breast height is 1 3 m above the base of the tree on the uphill side At the same time make sure the nails were securely driven into the trees and the nail with the tag was driven in at a slight angle so that the tag hangs away from the tree e Diameter and pathological remarks decay indicators Measure the DBH of the seven selected trees and classify them e Sample tree heights Measure the five selected trees for height and LC Length percent DA Ee ua Version F1 0 4 June 2003 48 Lignum Ltd 2003 G amp Y Remeasurement Field Manual e Stem mapping If the sample was stem mapped check the selected trees for bearing distance and percent slope 11 Assess the crown closure for the plot 12 Compare your tree measurements with the crew s measurements Give the crew the benefit of the doubt on any slight discrepancy 13 Make sure the results conform to the standards of measurements See Appendix 1 14 If the difference between two measurements is greater than the allowable error place an asterisk in the margin 15 If the error is greater than two times the allowable error place a circled asterisk in the margin
71. y Lignum Ltd will use the Quality Control methods of the MoF Regional Inventory staff to check the work performed by G amp Y contractors Additional data or departures from Mob processes are covered in this manual or may be added to the contract through a contract amendment or added at the end of the field season Many of these accuracy comparisons will be for the purpose of evaluating the contractor for future work rather than for payment purposes 7 4 PSP Plot Establishment Contractor Quality Assurance Contractors are required to conduct Quality Control on their own work Contractors are expected to complete a final data checklist to assist them in conducting QA processes The Final Data Checklist has been prepared by Lignum to help reduce common mistakes that have been observed over past year s programs A copy of this form is located in Appendix 7 7 2 Quality Assurance Mapping Samples A Returning Field Sheets Quality Assurance sampling crews should emphasize accuracy over production For the standards of measurement see Appendix 1 Quality Assurance Sampling Crew Procedures To ensure crews continue to work efficiently and to ensure they follow and understand recommended procedures carry out regular inspections l Inspect at least 10 percent of all samples established Where the number of plot trees exceeds 120 two or more field inspection sheets may be completed If the sample has been poorly done the original crew may be

FIA-04-05-0018 - Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural

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FIA-04-05-0018 - Ministry of Forests, Lands &amp; Natural

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FIA-04-05-0018 - Ministry of Forests, Lands & Natural