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Long-term Ecosystem Monitoring Project Green Mountain National Forest Project Cooperators Sean Lawson Vermont Monitoring Cooperative USFS Northern Paul Schaberg, Scott Bailey Chris Eagar Research Station Sandy Wilmot Vermont Dept. Forest, Parks & Recreation Thom Villars Natural Resource Conservation Service Nancy Burt, Dayle Ann Green Mountain Stratton, Diane Burbank, National Forest Brian Keel Project Purpose Characterize and quantify changes to ecosystems on the Green Mountain National Forest over time Global climate change Atmospheric deposition Ozone depletion Invasive species Other environmental problems Anticipated Benefits Quantify environmental trends over time Improve understanding of relationships among parameters Anticipate change and adapt management to trends Contribute data to improve models Make raw data available for other research Archive samples for future analysis and reference Project Sampling Design Establish 40 representative plots within GMNF Gather baseline data as plots are established Resample every 5 years 50+ year project runtime Project Sampling Design Represent major natural communities in GMNF Sites with minimal disturbance Represent biophysical regions within the GMNF Northern Green Mountains Southern Green Mountains Vermont Valley Taconic Mountains Northeastern Highlands Champlain Valley Taconic Mountains Vermont Valley Northern Green Mountains Northern Vermont Piedmont Southern Vermont Piedmont Southern Green Mountains Site Selection Criteria - Disturbance - Use Reference Area Network where possible 80-year old stands if possible (60 if necessary) No disturbance within past 30 years No future disturbance anticipated Buffer: ½ mile from road, ¼ mile from trail Site Selection Criteria - Representative Natural Communities Montane spruce-fir forest Red spruce-northern hardwood forest Northern hardwood forest Mesic red oak-northern hardwood forest Hemlock-northern hardwood forest Site Selection Criteria - Desired Soil/Site Characteristics Range of soil types Range of aspects and elevations Represent benchmark soil types Avoid areas with poor drainage Plot Sampling Fixed-size permanent plots with nested subplots Core data sets: Site characteristics (slope, aspect, etc.) Land use history Climate Vegetation – all layers Soil analysis Foliar analysis Sampling Parameters - Vegetation Species Abundance Diameter for woody species ≥ 2cm Woody species ≥ 10cm Crown class Condition class Dieback Incremental growth Height Sampling Parameters - Vegetation - Foliar nutrient analysis 8-10 trees/plot Only species with clear thresholds Biomass data on living and standing dead trees Coarse woody debris Tree crown fitness % of live crown with dead limbs Twig dieback Sampling Parameters - Soils Standard soil pit dug to 100 cm (40”) Samples from all horizons Analysis of critical properties pH Physical properties Base cations Nutrient status Mineralogy of subsoil Samples will be archived Cooperative or Ancillary Studies Plots can host monitoring of other parameters Example: invertebrates – species and abundance of ground dwelling and low-flying invertebrates You are invited to add yours! Project Status & Timeline 2005-2006 Develop project design and parameters CURRENT Create GIS maps to assist locating general plot areas Fall 2006 Validate plot selection process Delineate plot areas Develop partnerships and funding sources Winter 20062007 Spring 2007 Establish 1st set of plots Sampling begins For further information, contact: Brian Keel, GMNF 802-362-2307 x214 Thank You!
