Table Of Content

0^05 D #430.5^ £*S H> "33 1 BLM FOREST ECOSYSTEM INVENTORY By Carpenter Art Dave Fauss Norm Gartley Don Preston Chuck Vostel Adapted from FOREST DATA COLLECTION AND SURVEY HANDBOOK and YEW INVENTORY PACIFIC FIELD INSTRUCTIONS FOR WESTERN OREGON USDI October 1993 BLM Forest Ecosystem Inventory These instructions are divided into color-coded sections. The first page of each section lists the contents and page number of each item in the section. TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Paae Introduction and Plot Establishment ............ . . . blue ...... 1 Data Input Master Screen yellow ..... 7 . . Variable, Fixed Plot, and Transect Detail Screen white .... 11 . . . Vegetation Detail Screen ................. green .... 31 . . Appendices pink . . . TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION AND PLOT ESTABLISHMENT Stand Exam Goals 1 Guidance for Program Leaders 1 Equipment Checklist 2 Maps and Photos 2 Photo Scale, Azimuth, and Distance 3 Marking Plot Reference 3 Establishing Plot Centers 4 Mapping 4 Narrative 4 Plot Types 5 Sampling Procedure .................................. 5 2. Type of stand exams INTRODUCTION AND PLOT The following are the types and purpose of stand exams: ESTABLISHMENT a. Inventory exam - This exam determines the stand STAND EXAM GOALS condition, updates the inventory, and projects future stand These procedures provide a standard development and treatments. and consistent method of collecting information on various stands. BLM b. Prescription exam - This will use the information collected to exam determines the treatment check stand performance and current needed to develop a specific stand conditions. In addition, the prescription for the planned information provides for the treatment. Conduct these development of long-term treatment exams at least three years plans and site-specific treatments. before the implementation of the treatment. Prescription exams A key element of the stand exam would be done as needed to process is the capability to collect, support the timber sale plan and summarize, and store the information annual work plan. electronically. The stand exam process includes stand analysis and c. Post-treatment exam - This treatment criteria processes. exam checks the treatment results and updates the GUIDANCE FOR PROGRAM inventory. This exam is LEADERS especially appropriate following commercial thinning or any other Overall use and need for stand treatment that would affect the 1 . exams condition of the stand. Post- treatment exams would be done The stand exam system provides within one year of completion of information on the stand conditions the treatment. needed to support the management of a wide range of resources. 3. Existing sources of stand information The annual number of acres that receive stand exams will depend on a. Operations inventory - This the age class distribution and the source consists of typed treatment planned. polygons and acreage currently MICRO*STORMS in the database. BLM Forest Ecosystem Inventory Page 1 b. G1S Mapping - GIS maps and leave trees within the program display visual information on so that the stand can be modeled. streams, roads, land surveys, and topography. 6. Information storage c. Photos - Use of available Store the stand exam summary photos can help the stratification information and treatment of 01 units and reduce the recommendations in within-stand variation in the MICRO*STORMS. exams. 7. Contract inspection d. Other - Other information is provided by old type maps, If the stand exam is conducted by a tree improvement records, and contractor, inspect all field work to employees. insure compliance with the guidelines in the handbook. 4. Stand exam boundaries EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST Determine the exact boundaries of the stands selected for examination. Field Instructions Clinometer Stand exam boundaries are controlled Aerial photos Relaskop Photo pen (no Flagging by such factors as size, topographic grease pens) First Aid kit features (broken terrain, steepness, Azimuth hand Increment borer (6" aspect), and closeness of fit between compass and 16") operations inventory and the (declination set) Magnifying glass proposed exam area. Define the Pocket stereoscope Pocket calculator potential boundary to reduce 6" Rules divided Field data recorder variation within the stand. into 1/20” Transportation map Diameter tape Stand exam map 75-foot retractable 5. Data analysis and treatment tape recommendation MAPS and PHOTOS Process the collected data and analyze the information before Prior to going to the field, select making treatment recommendations. aerial photos and maps that cover A generated tree list can be the stand exam area. On the photo, electronically input into stand mark the perimeter of the exam, simulation models to project growth starting reference point, and if and future stand structure. possible, survey grid lines and plot centers. Also identify any apparent A commercial thinning analysis strata or stand exam types. process has been developed that considers the biological and All reference data should be marked economic factors. The ranking of on the aerial photo using an oil base trees allows manipulation of the cut Page 2 BLM Forest Ecosystem Inventory