Average % Ground Cover
Objectives
Methods
The purpose of pilot is to refine sampling techniques, data collection procedures, determine validity of data and
address complications encountered when utilizing the FHM sample framework in urban environments.
Steps of the pilot are:
The pilot project used the methods of FHM to collect data and used the FHM subplot design (or FHM
‘Footprint’) to establish each plot. The methods were modified by NOT collecting data for the FHM indicators –
soils, downed woody debris and vegetation.
¾Overlay of census defined urban areas
¾Select plots falling within urban areas
¾Identify non-forest plots
¾Modify and document Core Field Guide
¾Field crew training
¾Plot data collection
¾Analysis
The tree data measurements for crowns and damage were collected following FHM guides. Added to the tree
data collected was the distance to buildings.
The microplots are measured following FHM guides, except seedling and sapling data is not collected.
The crown measurement – foliage density – was added to the FHM crown measures of crown density, foliage
transparency, dieback and live crown ratio.
Data not collected by FHM, but added for this pilot project is subplot data related to the percent of the subplot
covered by grass, cement, buildings and other variables.
Using Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) survey points and the urban areas as defined by the U.S. census, 29
phase 2 FIA plots from the sampling panel for 2001 were identified and used to conduct the pilot project. The
plots are located across 13 counties and 22 cities. Each plot represents 160,000 acres.
Plot installation began in June and continues through the present time. Plot installation initiated with the
determination of the center location of the central subplot using fixed definable references from scaled aerial
photos. Landowner permissions for property access were granted through personal contacts.
Data collection occurred during the leaf-on window of June to September, 2001 and will resume in the 2002 leafon window.
Plo t ID #
Why Urban Forest Health Monitoring?
State : Indiana
U nit
Pane l
D at e
TREE LEVEL DATA
Time
SU BPLO T #
TR EE #
STRE ET TRE E (Y /N)
AZ IMUT H FRO M C ENTE R
SPEC IES
LEA N
U NC OMPA CTE D CR OW N R ATIO
CR OW N LIG HT E XPO SUR E
Crown Meas urements
CR OW N PO SITIO N
CR OW N C LASS
TR AN SPARE NC Y
CR OW N D ENSI TY
CR OW N D IEBA CK
FOL IAG E DE NSITY
W ITNESS TREES/OBJECTS
SPEC IES/OB JEC T
D BH
TO TAL LE NG TH
AC TU AL LEN GT H
AZ IMUT H
H OR IZON TA L DISTA NC E
LEN GTH METH O D
D ISTAN CE FR OM C EN TER
N OTES
N OTES
D ECA Y C LASS
TR EE CLA SS
Damage 1
SEV ERITY
N C DA MA GE A GE NT
N C DA MA GE A GE NT
N OTES
Sketc hed D iagra m f or B oundrie s
Damage 3
LO CAT ION
DA MA GE TY PE
SEV ERITY
N C DA MA GE A GE NT
2
Damage 4
LO CAT ION
DA MA GE TY PE
SEV ERITY
N C DA MA GE A GE NT
0O
Build ing
SUBP LOT L EVE L DATA
1
Build ing
2
SU BPLO T NU MBE R
CO N DITIO N C LASS N UM BER
D ISTAN CE (to ne ar es t ft)
AZ IMUT H
Build ing
2
3
D ISTAN CE (to ne ar es t ft)
AZ IMUT H
Build ing
4
LA ND USE C LASS
% TRE E CO VER
% SHR UB CO VER
% BU ILD ING S
D ISTAN CE (to ne ar es t ft)
Build ing
W
2
3
S
O
4
% CEM ENT
% TA R-B LAC KTO P/ASPH ALT
% OTH ER IMPERV IO US
% SOIL
% OT HER PERV IOU S
SU BPLO T CEN TER C ON D ITION
SU BPLO T CO ND ITIO N LIST
SU BPLO T SLOPE
CO RN ER D ISTA NC E
RIG H T AZIM UTH
CIT Y, ZIP CO D E
PH ON E#
O THER
N OTES
RE GEN ERA TIO N STA TU S
RE SERV E STAT US
TR EE DE NSITY
O WNE RSH IP CLA SS
MICRO-PL OT
%FERN S
Mic r o-plot
%MO SS
%LIC HEN
%SH RUB /VI NES
%SEED LIN GS/SA PLING S
0
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
%
¾41.6% (10) of the installed plots (24) contained 1 or more trees
¾The average DBH is 14.36” while average length is 40.93’
¾30.95% (13)of the trees were coded for damage
¾Plots landed in a variety of industrial areas, subdivisions, agriculture fields, parks, buildings/objects
¾Field work hindered by number of landowner contacts/permissions and structural obstacles, as a result
there are a number of incomplete plots that need to be revisited to complete dataset for panel 1
¾Ground cover consisted mostly of mowed grass (33.l79%) and Tar/Blacktop/asphalt(15.53%)
¾35.71% of the trees recorded were located at least 60’ from a building
¾Database was developed for organization & analysis of data using Microsoft Access
UFHM Canopy Measurements
Damage Types
Discussion
1
forested subpl ots onl y
CO N DITIO N C LASS STA TU S
LA ND USE C LASS
FOR EST TY PE
STA ND SIZE
O
120
3
SUB PL OT CONDI TION CL ASSES
CO N DITIO N C LASS N UM BER
Tree Cover
24'
O WNE RSH IP CO DE & NA ME
AD D RESS
B oundry Ref.
SU BPLO T ASPEC T
CO N TRA STING CO ND ITIO N
LEFT A ZIMU TH
CO RN ER A ZIMU TH
Building
C ontac t Info.
% WILD UN MA INTA IN ED G RA SS
% AG RIC ULT UR AL CR OPS
% HE RBA CE OU S/IVY
% WA TER
% PERM EAB LE RO CK
% DU FF/MU LCH
% SEED LIN GS
% MO WN M AIN TAI NED GR ASS
E
1
4
240
Cond.
2
5
1
T hes e columns mus t s um to 100%
AZ IMUT H
N
120'
AZ IMUT H
Tar/Blacktop/Asphalt
Results
w i t ness
Damage 2
DA MA GE TY PE
SEV ERITY
D ISTAN CE (to ne ar es t ft)
D BH
AZ IMUT H
H OR IZON TA L DISTA NC E
LO CAT ION
AZ IMUT H
D ISTAN CE (to ne ar es t ft)
SPEC IES/OB JEC T
Subplot 4
LO CAT ION
DA MA GE TY PE
w i t ness
AZ IMUT H
H OR IZON TA L DISTA NC E
N OTES
CA USE OF D EATH
Soil
Subplot 3
SPEC IES/OB JEC T
D BH
U TILIZA TION CLA SS
TR EE STAT US
Duff/Mulch
w i t ness
AZ IMUT H
H OR IZON TA L DISTA NC E
D BH C HE CK
CO N DTIO N C LASS #
Mowed Maintained Grass
Subplot 2
SPEC IES/OB JEC T
D BH
D BH
LEN GTH TO DB H
Agriculture
Datasheets were created and all data was recorded on paper in the field by a two person crew and transferred in
the office to an Access database designed by the pilot project.
Subplot 1 w i t ness
The national FHM survey locates forested plots across the country to collect data on the health of the forest.
However, the FHM survey design presently excludes plots that are defined as urban and no data is collected. As a
significant national resource and key component of environmental health, the contributions of our urban forests
are becoming increasingly vital as urban sprawl escalates. Indiana’s total population increased 9.7% from 1990
to 2000 and now ranks 14th in the nation. With Indiana’s urban forest estimated at 78 million trees, the stresses
of population growth and associated land development plus municipal budget constraints jeopardize the longevity
& health of urban forests. Data collected from urban plots could identify trends detrimental to the health of
urban forest ecosystems and generate data to assess diversity & variability of urban forests across the state or
region.
Water
Ground Cover Type
Introduction
The implementation of the Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) Program by the USDA Forest Service has proven
effective as a sampling method to assess and detect potential health issues within “traditional” forested areas.
Given the success of this nationwide standardized program, a determination was made to encompass trees located
within more populated areas. Randomly selected locations from FHM that fell within urban boundaries could be
selected as urban forest plots. In 2001, Indiana was selected to conduct a pilot study for Urban Forest Health
Monitoring (UFHM). The purpose of this pilot is to refine sampling techniques, data collection procedures,
determine validity of data and address complications encountered when utilizing the FHM sample framework in
urban environments. This poster presents information on the pilot project.
12
13
14 15
16
17
18
19
20
Pilot test work to date raised concerns for collection methods and other survey procedures, such as foliage
density, building variables, lack of trees on plots, survey logistics, multiple landowner contacts, microplot data,
and an absence of variables related to urban tree issues. The higher number of landowner contacts increases the
probability of denied/delayed access to plot locations each cycle. As a result, we need to revisit plots for
completion. Urban trees are subjected a number of non-traditional origins of damage and scenarios that
contribute to their decline in health and vigor. The variables recorded should address issues prominent in urban
areas such as confined space (roots, crown), topping, improper planting, soil compaction, volume & grade. The
current variables recorded do not address these damages and scenarios. The pilot project will make
recommendations regarding the need to change or add variables after completion of the data collection for panel
1. Recommendations will also be made on cost, personnel, equipment and resources required for yearly UFHM
sampling using this framework.
Open Wounds
13.3%
Broken or Dead
6.7%
Vines in Crown
33.3%
Loss Apical
Dominance
6.7%
Conks/Advance
d Decay
40.0%
FHM Posters home page
| FHM 2002 Posters
Prepared by :
Philip T. Marshall, Fo rest Health Specialist,
Indiana Departmen t Natural Resou rces,
Divi sion of Fore st ry
Vallonia State Nursery
27 82 W. Co. Rd. 54 0 S., Vallonia, IN 47 28 1
Phone:812- 35 8-9 03 4, Fax 8 12- 35 8-9 03 3
pmarshal@hsonline.net
Matt Lake, Urban Fore ste r
Indiana Departmen t Natural Resou rces,
Divi sion of Fore st ry
651 5 E. 8 2nd S t., Suite 20 4
Indianapolis, IN 46 25 0
Phone: 317- 91 5-9 39 0
mlake@dnr.state.in.us