Mohonk Preserve Forest Health Monitoring Data

Alexis Garretson1, Mohonk Preserve Director of Conservation Science1, Megan Napoli1, Natalie Feldsine1, Elizabeth C Long1, Catherine T Ferreri1, Jacob C Erle1, Miriam Quintana Vargas1, Ralph Green1, Chris Chinkan1, Mohonk Preserve2

1 Mohonk Preserve, ; 2 Mohonk Preserve, PO Box 715, New Paltz, United States

Corresponding author(s): Alexis Garretson (alexis@garretson.net)Mohonk Preserve Director of Conservation Science (research@mohonkpreserve.org)Megan Napoli (mnapoli@mohonkpreserve.org)Natalie FeldsineElizabeth C LongCatherine T FerreriJacob C ErleMiriam Quintana VargasRalph GreenChris Chinkan

Received {date}; Revised {date}; Accepted {date}; Published {date}

Citation: Combination of authors, year of data paper publication (in parentheses), Title, Journal Name, Volume, Issue number (in parentheses), and doi of the data paper.

Resource Citation

Garretson A, , Napoli M, Feldsine N, Long E C, Ferreri C T, Erle J C, Quintana Vargas M, Green R, Chinkan C (2022): Mohonk Preserve Forest Health Monitoring Data. v1.1. Mohonk Preserve. Dataset/Occurrence. https://bison.usgs.gov/ipt/resource?r=mohonk-forest-health&v=1.1

Abstract

In 2018, the Mohonk Preserve’s Daniel Smiley Research Center implemented a long-term research project aimed at inventorying forest vegetation and monitoring forest health. The protocol was adapted from the National Park Service’s Northeast Temperate Network (https://www.nps.gov/im/netn/forest-health.htm). This project monitors the composition and structure of the Mohonk Preserve forests, and collects data for assessing forest soil condition, impacts of white-tailed deer herbivory, and land cover. In 2018, 24 plots were established in four habitat types: Eastern hemlock forest (n = 6), white ash forest (n = 6), historic prescribed burn forest (n = 6), and randomly selected forest (n = 6). In 2021, an additional 14 plots were established in two historic Breeding Bird Survey research areas: Eastern hemlock forest (n = 8) and pitch pine forest (n = 6). All data collection occurred between the months of June through August. Plots are scheduled to be resampled every four years.

Keywords: Occurrence

Data published through GBIF: https://bison.usgs.gov/ipt/resource?r=mohonk-forest-health

Spatial coverage

General spatial coverage: Data were collected from 24 forest plots on Mohonk Preserve property in the Shawangunk Ridge of New Paltz, NY, USA
Coordinates: 41°43'15.6''N and 41°49'51.6''N Latitude; 74°13'15.6''W and 74°5'20.4''W Longitude 

Temporal coverage: May 29, 2018 - August 26, 2021

Methods

Method step description: 
- . 	Site Selection & Plot Establishment 
Prerequisites for plot sites included: 1) plot center is ≥ 15 m from the Preserve boundary, a public road, a carriage road, a perennial stream, a water body, a mowed area, or any obstacle that would interfere with plot establishment; 2) plot is not be located on top of earthworks in cultural area; 3) plot is located in an area of < 30 degree/ 60% slope; and 4) plot is located in an area that is not a safety hazard (e.g. area free of unstable dead trees, pits, slick or unstable surfaces, etc.). 
Once the plot center was established in a suitable area, the plot boundaries were carefully measured creating a 15 x 15 meters (m) plot (see schematic). Each corner (upper right, UR; upper left, UL; back right, BR; and back left, BL) and mid-point were labeled (upper center, UC; middle right, MR; middle left, ML; and back center, BC). 

Plot Details
Within the 15 x 15 m plot, GPS coordinates, observers, and time range of sampling was recorded. Aspect was recorded in degrees. Downhill and uphill slope of plot was recorded in degrees at plot points UC and BC. The physiographic class (measures of Xeric, Mesic, or Hydric) and the stand structure (Even-aged, Multi-aged, Mosaic, Early successional, or Woodland) were categorized and stunted woodland assessment was recorded (yes or no). Canopy live crown closure of the plot was estimated (<10%, 10-25%, 25-50%, 50-75%, >75%). Percent cover classes (0, 1-5, 5-25, 25-50, 50-75, 75-95, 95-100%) for live vegetation was estimated for cover low (< 0.5 m), cover mid (0.5 – 2 m), and cover high (2 -5 m). Using the same percent cover ranges, cover was also estimated for trampled vegetation, bare soil, exposed bedrock or large rocks (>10cm), bryophyte (non-vascular plant foliage within the plot in the ground layer only; <0.5m), and lichen. Water on the plot was recorded (none, permanent stream/pond, swamp/bog/marsh, ditch/canal, temporary stream, flood zone, vernal pool, or other). Average stand height (m) of plot trees was determined by averaging the height of 3 trees (mix of dominant and co-dominant) using a clinometer. Microtopography presence or absence was recorded. Presence or absence of deer browseline was recorded and assessment of browse impact in the plot was completed using an index of 1 – 5 (1 = very low, 2 = low, 3 = moderate, 4 = high, 5 = very high). Potential plot disturbances to flora within the plot and severity of disturbance were assessed.

Tree Sampling
Within the 15 x 15 m plot, each tree species >10 cm diameter at breast height (DBH; measured at height of 1.37 m) was tagged numerically with aluminum tree tags. The plot was broken into 4 quarters labeled A-D (A: Northeast; B: Southeast; C: Southwest; D: Northwest). The following parameters were measured for each tree: species identification; DBH (cm); status of life (Alive or Dead) and growth of the tree (Standing, Leaning, Fallen, Broken); tree crown position in the canopy (Dominant, Co-dominant, Intermediate, Sub-canopy, Gap-exploiter, and Open-grown); tree condition (Insect damage, Large dead branches, Small or Large cavities, Burl/galls, Vines in canopy, or if no condition = Healthy); foliage condition (Holes, Necrosis, Chlorosis, Wilting, Leaf loss) and condition severity estimation for both the total foliage and the surface area of the affected foliage (1-10, 10-50, 50-90, 90-100%). For trees that were dead the state of decay was categorized (1 = very little decay, 2 = little decay, 3 = moderate decay, 4= advanced decay, 5= very advanced decay). It was recorded if the tree was forked (yes or no) as well as if the tree was unusual where the DBH was measured (yes or no). For applicable species (Eastern hemlock, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid; American beech, Beech Bark Disease; and White ash, Emerald Ash Borer) an index was estimated for severity of infection (1 = no sign of infection, 2 = some impact, 3 = moderate impact, 4 = severe impact). 

Regeneration Plot Sampling
Three 2 m radius regeneration plots were established four meters from the plot center in the direction of upper right (UR), upper left (UL), and back center (BC), (see schematic). Within each regeneration plot all seedling, sapling, and shrub species were identified. Seedings are defined as live juvenile trees that are ≥15 cm tall and <1 cm DBH. Saplings are defined as juvenile trees ≥ 1 cm and < 10 cm DBH. Shrubs are defined as woody, sub-canopy species (woody vines included) and ≥ 30 cm tall. The number of living stems for each individual species were recorded within these categories. For each seedling species height (cm) was measured in ranges (15-30, 30-100, 100-150, and >150). For each shrub species percent cover (%) was estimated (<1, 1-5, 5-10, 10-25, 25-50, 50-75, 75-95, 95-100). For each sapling, the DBH was measured (cm).
- . 	Species Richness of Plot
All flora within a plot was recorded. Each plant was identified to species, genus, or family and categorized (Woody = all woody angiosperm and gymnosperm species, Forb = all non-woody angiosperm species, Fern = all vascular plants that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers, Sedge = all species in the family Cyperaceae, Grass = all species in the family Poaceae, Rush = all species in the family Juncaceae, and Germinate = woody species with ≤ 2 cotyledons).
- . 	Quadrat Sampling
At the plot’s four corners (BR, BL, UL, UR) and four mid points (UC, UR, MR, ML) a 1m2 quadrat was placed to sample site condition, percent cover, and species richness (see schematic). Each quadrat was recorded to be sampled and trampled (0 = no, 1 = yes). Within the quadrat percent cover (0, <1, 1-2, 2-5, 5-10, 10-25, 25-50, 50-75, 75-95, 95-100%) was estimated for the following categories: bare soil, exposed rock, woody stem, CWD, sphagnum moss, bryophyte (all non-sphagnum), and lichen. Additionally, percent cover (using the same percent ranges) was estimated for all individual species of plants and then each plant was further categorized (Woody = all woody angiosperm and gymnosperm species, Forb = all non-woody angiosperm species, Fern = all vascular plants that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers, Sedge = all species in the family Cyperaceae, Grass = all species in the family Poaceae, Rush = all species in the family Juncaceae, and Germinate = woody species with ≤ 2 cotyledons).
- . 	Coarse Woody Debris Sampling
From the plot center, three 15m transects were established to run through BR, BL, and UC to record the presence or absence of coarse woody debris (CWD; falled trees or any wood ≥10 cm diameter), (see schematic). If CWD was present, the following parameters were recorded: distance (m) to CWD from the plot center, category identification (Deciduous, Coniferous, or Unknown), species identification (if possible), diameter (cm), total length (m), state of decay (1 = very little decay, 2 = little decay, 3 = moderate decay, 4= advanced decay, 5= very advanced decay), whether the CWD was hollow (yes or no), and whether the CWD crossed multiple transects ( yes or no; if yes then the two pieces of CWD were labeled A and B).
Study extent description: Mohonk Preserve area.
Sampling description: Site Selection & Plot Establishment 
Prerequisites for plot sites included: 1) plot center is ≥ 15 m from the Preserve boundary, a public road, a carriage road, a perennial stream, a water body, a mowed area, or any obstacle that would interfere with plot establishment; 2) plot is not be located on top of earthworks in cultural area; 3) plot is located in an area of < 30 degree/ 60% slope; and 4) plot is located in an area that is not a safety hazard (e.g. area free of unstable dead trees, pits, slick or unstable surfaces, etc.). 
Once the plot center was established in a suitable area, the plot boundaries were carefully measured creating a 15 x 15 meters (m) plot (see schematic). Each corner (upper right, UR; upper left, UL; back right, BR; and back left, BL) and mid-point were labeled (upper center, UC; middle right, MR; middle left, ML; and back center, BC). 

Plot Details
Within the 15 x 15 m plot, GPS coordinates, observers, and time range of sampling was recorded. Aspect was recorded in degrees. Downhill and uphill slope of plot was recorded in degrees at plot points UC and BC. The physiographic class (measures of Xeric, Mesic, or Hydric) and the stand structure (Even-aged, Multi-aged, Mosaic, Early successional, or Woodland) were categorized and stunted woodland assessment was recorded (yes or no). Canopy live crown closure of the plot was estimated (<10%, 10-25%, 25-50%, 50-75%, >75%). Percent cover classes (0, 1-5, 5-25, 25-50, 50-75, 75-95, 95-100%) for live vegetation was estimated for cover low (< 0.5 m), cover mid (0.5 – 2 m), and cover high (2 -5 m). Using the same percent cover ranges, cover was also estimated for trampled vegetation, bare soil, exposed bedrock or large rocks (>10cm), bryophyte (non-vascular plant foliage within the plot in the ground layer only; <0.5m), and lichen. Water on the plot was recorded (none, permanent stream/pond, swamp/bog/marsh, ditch/canal, temporary stream, flood zone, vernal pool, or other). Average stand height (m) of plot trees was determined by averaging the height of 3 trees (mix of dominant and co-dominant) using a clinometer. Microtopography presence or absence was recorded. Presence or absence of deer browseline was recorded and assessment of browse impact in the plot was completed using an index of 1 – 5 (1 = very low, 2 = low, 3 = moderate, 4 = high, 5 = very high). Potential plot disturbances to flora within the plot and severity of disturbance were assessed.

Tree Sampling
Within the 15 x 15 m plot, each tree species >10 cm diameter at breast height (DBH; measured at height of 1.37 m) was tagged numerically with aluminum tree tags. The plot was broken into 4 quarters labeled A-D (A: Northeast; B: Southeast; C: Southwest; D: Northwest). The following parameters were measured for each tree: species identification; DBH (cm); status of life (Alive or Dead) and growth of the tree (Standing, Leaning, Fallen, Broken); tree crown position in the canopy (Dominant, Co-dominant, Intermediate, Sub-canopy, Gap-exploiter, and Open-grown); tree condition (Insect damage, Large dead branches, Small or Large cavities, Burl/galls, Vines in canopy, or if no condition = Healthy); foliage condition (Holes, Necrosis, Chlorosis, Wilting, Leaf loss) and condition severity estimation for both the total foliage and the surface area of the affected foliage (1-10, 10-50, 50-90, 90-100%). For trees that were dead the state of decay was categorized (1 = very little decay, 2 = little decay, 3 = moderate decay, 4= advanced decay, 5= very advanced decay). It was recorded if the tree was forked (yes or no) as well as if the tree was unusual where the DBH was measured (yes or no). For applicable species (Eastern hemlock, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid; American beech, Beech Bark Disease; and White ash, Emerald Ash Borer) an index was estimated for severity of infection (1 = no sign of infection, 2 = some impact, 3 = moderate impact, 4 = severe impact). 

Regeneration Plot Sampling
Three 2 m radius regeneration plots were established four meters from the plot center in the direction of upper right (UR), upper left (UL), and back center (BC), (see schematic). Within each regeneration plot all seedling, sapling, and shrub species were identified. Seedings are defined as live juvenile trees that are ≥15 cm tall and <1 cm DBH. Saplings are defined as juvenile trees ≥ 1 cm and < 10 cm DBH. Shrubs are defined as woody, sub-canopy species (woody vines included) and ≥ 30 cm tall. The number of living stems for each individual species were recorded within these categories. For each seedling species height (cm) was measured in ranges (15-30, 30-100, 100-150, and >150). For each shrub species percent cover (%) was estimated (<1, 1-5, 5-10, 10-25, 25-50, 50-75, 75-95, 95-100). For each sapling, the DBH was measured (cm). 

Coarse Woody Debris Sampling
From the plot center, three 15m transects were established to run through BR, BL, and UC to record the presence or absence of coarse woody debris (CWD; falled trees or any wood ≥10 cm diameter), (see schematic). If CWD was present, the following parameters were recorded: distance (m) to CWD from the plot center, category identification (Deciduous, Coniferous, or Unknown), species identification (if possible), diameter (cm), total length (m), state of decay (1 = very little decay, 2 = little decay, 3 = moderate decay, 4= advanced decay, 5= very advanced decay), whether the CWD was hollow (yes or no), and whether the CWD crossed multiple transects ( yes or no; if yes then the two pieces of CWD were labeled A and B).

Quadrat Sampling
At the plot’s four corners (BR, BL, UL, UR) and four mid points (UC, UR, MR, ML) a 1m2 quadrat was placed to sample site condition, percent cover, and species richness (see schematic). Each quadrat was recorded to be sampled and trampled (0 = no, 1 = yes). Within the quadrat percent cover (0, <1, 1-2, 2-5, 5-10, 10-25, 25-50, 50-75, 75-95, 95-100%) was estimated for the following categories: bare soil, exposed rock, woody stem, CWD, sphagnum moss, bryophyte (all non-sphagnum), and lichen. Additionally, percent cover (using the same percent ranges) was estimated for all individual species of plants and then each plant was further categorized (Woody = all woody angiosperm and gymnosperm species, Forb = all non-woody angiosperm species, Fern = all vascular plants that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers, Sedge = all species in the family Cyperaceae, Grass = all species in the family Poaceae, Rush = all species in the family Juncaceae, and Germinate = woody species with ≤ 2 cotyledons). 

Species Richness of Plot
All flora within a plot was recorded. Each plant was identified to species, genus, or family and categorized (Woody = all woody angiosperm and gymnosperm species, Forb = all non-woody angiosperm species, Fern = all vascular plants that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers, Sedge = all species in the family Cyperaceae, Grass = all species in the family Poaceae, Rush = all species in the family Juncaceae, and Germinate = woody species with ≤ 2 cotyledons).

Datasets

Dataset description
Object name: Darwin Core Archive Mohonk Preserve Forest Health Monitoring Data
Character encoding: UTF-8
Format name: Darwin Core Archive format
Format version: 1.0
Distribution: https://bison.usgs.gov/ipt/archive.do?r=mohonk-forest-health
Publication date of data: 2022-12-31
Language: English
Licences of use: Public Domain (CC0 1.0)

Metadata language: English
Date of metadata creation: 2022-05-13
Hierarchy level: Dataset