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From: Self <Single-user mode>
To: @YWI.PML
Subject: Draft protocol for 'Inimim parcel vegetation/condition mapping
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Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1999 11:23:40 -0800

Dear YWI Board and Cooperators:

Sean Kerrigan and I met for several hours on Jan 20 to develop
draft protocol for detailed vegetation/stand condition mapping on
the 'Inimim parcels (a draft field data input form in Excel format
is attached). This mapping is related to the old-growth work we
have almost completed, but it is much more detailed and precise.
Now we are classifying the 'Inimim lands by vegetation type and
level of degradation. From this classification will derive
decisions regarding which lands get logged, burned, protected,
etc., and at what intensity. In many ways, this task is the heart
of the implementation plan. Data we gather now sets the stage for
where on the ground the activies will actually occur. After this
it is a matter of silvicultural prescription and logistics
(primarily issues of road access). Let's think through our
methods, goals and protocol carefully before we proceed. Please
get back to me with comments, and recognize that these are first
thoughts only.

Parcel Vegetation Mapping Protocol

The 'Inimim plan will restore old-growth conditions through
prescribed fire, strict control of annual cut, and understory
logging. This mapping process stratifies 'Inimim lands based on
the level of departure from old-growth conditions in each stand.
The mapping will rank each stand based on the following old-growth
attributes that we seek to restore:

1. Overstory

For the purposes of this task, we define the overstory as trees
greater than 30 inches DBH. Presence of these trees is essential
for snag and down log recruitment. They are also the most
resistant to destruction by catastrophic fire. Out 50-100 years in
the future, we want all coniferous forest sites in 'Inimim to
support an overstory. The density of this overstory will vary based
on aspect and local site conditions, but it will be present
everywhere. It is not present everywhere today.

(As a general rule, I suggest the 'Inimim plan place the overstory
off limits to logging.)

For each stand, we will note if an overstory is currently present.
Where it is, we will record species makeup of the first and second
most abundant species that comprise it, and their combined total
contribution to canopy closure in the stand. USFS canopy
classification rules will be used: S (10-20%), P (20-40%), N
(40-60%) and G (>60%). (We will use canopy closure estimates
instead of number of trees per acre greater than 30 inches DBH
because we can more accurately estimate canopy closure in the
field. Measurements of trees per acre will be made in the next
subtask.)

2. Midstory

The midstory are those trees in the stand that will grow into the
overstory over the first several decades of the 'Inimim plan. These
are trees currently 18-24 inches DBH. We need to know the density
and species makeup of the midstory to predict the rate of recovery
of the overstory where it is currently lacking or at lower
densities than we want. We will record the first and second most
abundant species in the midstory, and its density based on canopy
contribution.

3. Seedlings/Saplings

The species composition of seedlings and saplings on the forest
floor informs us of the future makeup of the 'Inimim forest
especially out 100-200 years. Many stands will be almost pure
madrone or black oak in the overstory and midstory, but will have
pine, cedar and Douglas fir at high densities in the seedling
layer. We want to separate these successional mixed broadleaf
conifer stands from pure broadleaf stands that we will not subject
to logging, and may propose different fire regimes in.

Seedlings/saplings will be measured using toe-transects. The first
two most abundant species will be noted, and density will be
expressed in number per acre.

4. Vegetation Type

Each stand will be labelled with vegetation type based on the
Holland system as adapted for the California GAP Vegetation study.
Vegetation type labelling is import for separation of blue oak,
white oak and serpentine chaparral types from the coniferous forest
majority. In the conifer broadleaf forest, this typing will be
arbitrary and may not be done at all. We suggest the Holland system
because it is more precise and descriptive that the Wildlife
Habitat Relationships (WHR) system we used in the
old-growth/landscape condition mapping, but we are open to other
suggestions (David Lukas favors a new system developed by CA
DFG ecologist Todd Keeler-Wolf.)

5. Basal Area

Three basal area samples will be placed at random while transecting
each stand. This basal area data gives us an index of the overall
density and canopy area of each stand.

6. Canopy layers

The number of distinct canopy layers will be noted. Canopy layering
and spatial variability increase over time in Westside conifer
forests. Our goal in restoration of old-growth conditions will
include adding spatial heterogeneity (variability) to younger,
single canopy layer stands.

Mapping Process

1. Clip photos by parcel boundaries

2. Generate tic grid, overlay on photos and print

3. Transfer tick grid to mylar overlays; draw stand boundaries and
polygon numbers on mylars. Enter attribute information on field
forms.

4. Create stand database and key field data.

5. Scan and transform mylars

6. Submit final coverages on CD ROM