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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
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