1. Introduction to the FIA Down Woody Materials Indicator 1st of 3 Part Training Series Christopher Woodall DWM National Indicator Advisor

2. Outline Indicator Updates What are Down Woody Materials? Why Collect DWM data? Sampling Design Theory

3. Indicator Updates No sample protocol changes Field manual updated Web-site updated DWM sample design and analysis in press – NC-GTR-256 Web-based dissemination of data and wider use of data

4. Definition of DWM Dead material within forests in various stages of decay such as fallen trees, branches, and leaf litter The FIA program places numerous forest ecosystem components into the DWM Indicator

5. DWM Components Coarse Woody Debris Duff Slash Shrubs/ Herbs Fine Woody Debris Litter

6. Coarse and Fine Woody Debris Transect DiameterClass Name 0.00-0.24 inchesSmall FWD 0.25-0.99 inchesMedium FWD 1.00-2.99 inchesLarge FWD 3.00+ inchesCWD

7. Fuel-Hour Classes Transect Diameter Class NameHour-Class 0.00-0.24 inches Small FWD1-hour 0.25-0.99 inches Medium FWD10-hour 1.00-2.99 inches Large FWD100-hour 3.00+ inchesCWD1000+-hour

8. Duff and Litter “unrecognizable plant parts” “dead plant material on forest floor surface”

9. Slash/Residue Piles Piles of CWD

10. Shrub and Herbs “Live and dead shrubs/herbs including grass, herbaceous woody plants, and vines”

11. Fuelbed “Depth of the fuel’s complex, from forest floor to the tallest fuel component”

12. Why collect DWM data? Indicator of Forest Health Wildlife Habitat Fuels Estimation Carbon Estimation Completes Life Cycle of Trees

13. Indicator of Forest Health Soils Crown Condition Down Woody Materials Ozone Injury Lichens Vegetation Structure and Diversity Tree Damage

14. Wildlife The DWM Inventory describes the amount and condition of wildlife habitat through estimation of coarse woody debris attributes.

15. Wildlife Mean estimates of CWD volumes for forests of the North Central Region

16. Wildlife Proportions of coarse woody debris pieces per acre by transect diameter (A) and decay class (B) (1=least decayed, 5=most decayed), Indiana, 2001-2003

17. Fuels 1-hr 10-hr 100-hr Total Fine Woody Debris

18. Fire Science Estimates for DWM in Boundary Waters Canoe Area Compared to rest of region

19. Carbon Estimation Estimates of Regional Carbon Pools for Coarse Woody Debris Estimates for International Treaties and Criterion Indicators

20. DWM and National Inventory Completes inventory of trees from living, to dead, to decomposed Microplot Sapling Sub-plot Tree Sub-plot Standing Dead DWM Down and Dead

21. Summary of DWM Components

22. DWM Sampling Theory DWM diversity requires a diversity of sampling methods DWM Component Sampling Design CWD, FWDTransect Duff, Litter, Fuelbed Simple Random Sampling at Specified Points in Sub-plot Shrubs and Herbs Micro-plot Slash PilesSub-plot

23. Sampling on the Sub-Plot N 43 2 1 Microplot Subplot Slash Piles Similar to sampling phase two trees, if a center of a slash pile coincides with a subplot it is considered an “in” slash pile

24. Sampling on the Sub-Plot FIA Subplot “out” slash pile “in” slash pile Slash piles are sampled across all four subplots

25. Sampling on the Microplot 6.8 ft Radius In order to estimate shrub/herb heights and coverage for forests (fuel ladders) estimate shrub/herb heights and coverage occurring on micro-plot

26. Depth Estimates on Subplot Duff Litter Fuelbed In order to estimate depth of duff, litter, and the fuelbed on a subplot… 12 sample points located for measurement on subplots

27. Depth Estimates on Subplots 43 2 1 Sample Locations

28. Transect Sampling FWD and CWD pieces are not all counted within a given area rather… All FWD and CWD pieces that intersect a sampling plane are tallied

29. Transect Sampling Probability of match stick intersecting randomly placed line related to number of sticks and length of line

30. Transect Sampling Planes DWM Sample Protocol establishes 6 foot tall sampling transects that radiate from FIA subplot centers to intersect woody pieces

31. CWD and FWD Transects Use 3 transects established on each subplot to sample CWD, one transect on each subplot to sample FWD

32. Bringing it all Together

33. Conclusions The DWM indicator estimates numerous ecosystem components Data Crucial to Fire, Carbon, and Wildlife Sciences Integral Part of National FIA Program, Completes Tree Life Cycle Series of different sampling techniques for estimation of various DWM components applied to phase two plots

34. FIA’s Down Woody Materials Field Sampling Protocols 2nd of 3 Part Training Series Christopher Woodall DWM National Indicator Advisor

35. Outline Transect Segmenting Coarse Woody Debris Fine Woody Debris Duff, Litter and Fuelbed Shrubs and Herbs Slash Piles

36. 4 2 3 1 150 270 30 24 feet (h.d.) Three / subplot CWD 20 ft (s.d.) FWD (small & medium) Subplot 14 ft (s.d.) 24ft (s.d.) 6 ft (s.d.) 10 ft (s.d.) FWD (large) One per subplot Annular plot 6.8 ft. radius microplot Duff, Litter, Fuelbed depths 24 ft. location, every transect

37. Transect Segmenting 1) Only sample DWM components on accessible forest land 2) Must map changes in forest condition classes along transects 

38. Transect Segmenting Non-Forest CC #2 10 ft Transect length must equal 24 ft, Horizontal Dist. Sub plot TCCBEGIN SDIST SLOPE % END SDIST 203010.01010.0 2030210.05025.7 Forest CC #1

39. Coarse Woody Debris Sampling Procedures Depend on Decay of Individual Pieces Freshly Fallen Moderate DecayMostly Decayed

40. CWD Decay Classes Decay ClassStructural IntegrityTexture of Rotten Portions 1 Sound, intact, freshly fallen, bark on Intact, no rot 2 Sound Mostly intact, sapwood rotting and soft, can’t pull off easily 3 Heartwood sound, supports own weight Heartwood hard, rot beginning, large cubical rot pieces, sapwood easily pulled off or missing 4 Heartwood rotten, does not support its own weight, but holds shape Heartwood soft, small cubical decay pieces, metal pin easily pushed into heartwood 5 None! Spreads out on ground, losing shape of log Wood is soft, crumbly, heavily decomposed, powdery when dry

41. CWD Tally Rules Point of Intersection Transect Transect Diameter CWD Piece Axis Decay Classes 1 - 4  Piece >= 3” Transect Diameter  Piece >= 3’ Long Decay Class 5  Piece >= 5” Transect Diameter  Piece >= 3’ Long  Piece >= 5” Above ground-level

42. CWD Tally Rules Cont’d Only tally portion of log above ground and or above water Standing dead trees are CWD if they lean >= 45  from vertical Must have a diameter >= 3 inches along entire length Tally a piece each time it intersects any transect, regardless of the number of times If log split down center, treat as two separate pieces

43. CWD Forks and Branches Forked Pieces Each fork must meet minimum specs Fork with largest diameter at the crotch is the ‘main bole’ 2 nd fork ends at the crotch Large branch Branch must meet minimum specs Length measured from small end to the point where it connects to main bole

44. CWD Measurements Sub plotTRAN CWD DISTSPP TRAN DIAM SML DIAM LRG DIAM TOT LENG DECAY CLASSHOL? CWD HIST Decay Class 1-4 5 Length Transect Diameter CWD distance Large End Diameter Small End Diameter Decay Class Species Hollow? CWD History

45. CWD Lengths and Diameters Measure here Measure here Length is measured between diameter measurements When the ends of the log are splintered or crumbling from decay…measure the diameter at the point where it best represents the overall volume of the log.

46. CWD Lengths Separates if Pulled CWD Length CWD Diameter If CWD piece is fractured, either across diameter or length, and crew determines it would separate if pulled by either end… Then… Tally as two separate CWD pieces

47. Fine Woody Debris Subplot Cond. Class Small FWD Med. FWD Large FWD Reason High RP Transect 1100300200700 Count FWD pieces, by size class, intersecting subplot transects

48. FWD Sample Design 150 270 30 Tallied on 150 degree transect on each subplot 20 ft (s.d.) 14 ft (s.d.) 24ft (s.d.) 6 ft (s.d.) 10 ft (s.d.) Large FWD: Tally pieces 1” – 2.9” Small FWD: Tally pieces < ¼ ” Medium FWD: Tally pieces >= ¼ ” –.9” Size-Class Tally Counts

49. FWD Tally Rules Estimate FWD tally after count > 50 for diameter < 1 inch Estimate FWD tally after count > 20 for diameter >= 1 inch Make attempt to tally FWD first due to trampling If count exceeds 100 in any size class indicate reason why (i.e. rat’s nest or fallen tree) If a pile intersects the FWD transect (14 – 24’) do not measure FWD (code ‘Yes’ for ‘RP_on_transect’)

50. Duff, Litter, and Fuelbed SubplotTransectDL_Samp Duff Depth Litter Depth Fuelbed Depth 11501inches feet Depth of 3 fuel layers above mineral soil

51. Duff, Litter, and Fuelbed Mineral Soil Duff Litter CWD & FWD Fuelbed Depth Subplot Measure depths at 24 ft (slope distance) on every transect. Obstructions: If a rock or other obstruction is found at sample point, do not measure any depths. If a log is found at sample point, measure fuelbed depth but NOT duff and litter.

52. Duff, Litter, Fuelbed 012012 Duff and litter depth not sample, fuelbed sampled All sampled Nothing sampled Use coding options to take quality measurements, since we measure these variables at twelve points on each plot, don’t collect data if measurement obstructed or compromised

53. Microplot Fuels Subplot Live Shrub % Live Shrub HT Dead Shrub % Dead Shrub HT Live Herb % Live Herb HT Dead Herb % Dead Herb HT Litter % 1304.0102.2901.900.040 10% Cover Classes

54. Microplot Sampling Estimate coverage (%) and tallest height (ft) of live/dead shrubs/herbs on microplot Estimate coverage (%) of litter on microplot

55. Microplot Sampling Herbs Herbs and Shrubs Shrubs Live and Dead Shrubs: plants (non-trees), woody stems Herbs: non-woody herbaceous plants including ferns, moss, lichens, sedges, and grasses (< 6 ft in height) Live: Still attached Dead: Still attached or dislodged, but not down and decaying

56. Slash/Residue Piles Every slash pile, whose center coincides with a subplot, is assigned to a shape category, dimensions measured, and density estimated SubplotCC Pile AZ ShapeLNG1LNG2WID1WID2HT1HT2 Pile Den. 112811012434220

57. Slash/Residue Tally Rules Tally CWD piles where efficiency of sampling is improved using pile protocol instead of transects Pile’s center must be in accessible forest land Pile’s center must be < 24 ft h.d. from subplot center Pile must contain pieces of CWD >= 3” diameter Estimate % of pile that contains CWD >= 3” (packing ratio)

58. Pile Shape Codes

59. Pile Density Estimation = Stacked cord approaches 80% density = = 01% 20%

60. End of Part 2 of 3 http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/4801/ national-programs/indicators/dwm/

61. Improving DWM Data Quality 3rd of 3 Part Training Series Christopher Woodall DWM National Indicator Advisor

62. Outline QA/QC Analysis What Customers Want Measurement Errors Hot and Cold Checks Top Ten List of Errors Training

63. QA/QC Analysis The analysis of 2001-2004 DWM QA plots is currently ongoing. Matching algorithms are being developed for numerous measurement variables. Expect results for the 2006 P3 Training Sessions. For more information contact: Chris Woodall @ NCFIA and Jim Westfall @ NEFIA

64. What Customers Want A uniform DWM sample design applied across the entire United States producing per acre estimates of fuels, carbon, and wildlife habitat

65. Measurement Errors Establishing Transects FWD Counts Slope versus Horizontal Distances CWD Diameters Correct Units for Duff, Litter, and Fuelbed Depths Microplot coverage and heights Hot checks

66. Measurement Errors Number 1 priority is matching data and determining adherence to MQO’s Number 2 priority is determining cause for errors…then correcting cause Cold/Blind Checks

67. Measurement Error Propagation Database Processing Algorithms Core Table Measurement errors have varying magnitudes of effect

68. Measurement Error Simulation

69. Simulation Conclusions Measurement variables whose errors least affect core table outputs: CWD decay, classes/transect lengths, litter depth, and FWD counts Measurement variables whose errors most affect core table outputs: duff depths, CWD diameters, and slash pile densities

70. FIA’s Top Six Least Wanted DWM Errors 1.CWD Diameters 2.CWD Lengths 3.Duff Depths 4.Litter Depths 5.Slash Pile Density 6.Missing Data

71. CWD Diameters Crews mistakenly record CWD diameters to tenth of inch…used to P2 plots Only measure to nearest inch!! ≠

72. CWD Lengths Some log dimensions recorded in field are impossible 3 inches 15 feet 120 inches =

73. Duff Depth Duff is the heaviest down woody material per unit volume Make sure your measurements (and units) are correct

74. Litter Depth Much lighter than duff…however is usually much deeper Don’t mistakenly enter the litter depth for duff depth

75. Slash Pile Density Only neatly stacked wood can exceed 40- 60% density!

76. Missing/Mismatched Data AKA: Excruciating Headaches for Analysts

77. Missing/Mismatched Data Example: DWM plot sheet indicates CWD transects on a condition class 2…however, only one condition class recorded in P2 record Example: CWD piece is decay class 2, but is missing small and large end diameters Might be your fault, might be data management’s fault, might be computer’s fault…no matter…do what you can to minimize mismatch errors

78. Training

79. Problem Areas Problem: Field crews disturb the CWD too much trying to determine decay class or if segmented Correction: Although field crews must disturb CWD pieces in order to acquire measurements, try to keep disturbance to a minimum

80. Problem Areas Cont’d Problem: Field crews mistakenly enter extra digit for CWD diameter (40 instead of 4 inches) Correction: Unless PDR’s catch them, be sure of very large CWD diameters

81. Problem Areas Cont’d If CWD piece ends in water, treat as if underground, measure piece to water edge For FWD, if transect under water try to enter null values and indicate in plot notes

82. Problem Areas Cont’d Problem: Crews dig through litter hunting down pieces of FWD Correction: Crews should only tally obvious FWD pieces, namely those on litter surface Problem: Crews aren’t tallying FWD pieces hung up in slash/saplings Correction: Crews should tally all FWD pieces from forest floor up to 6 feet above ground

83. Problem Areas Cont’d Problem: Crews either include too much of the litter layer or upper soil mineral horizons in estimation of duff depth Correction: Crews should be absolutely sure of what is duff, litter, and mineral horizons. Be absolutely sure of duff measurements!!

84. Problem Areas Cont’d Duff Depths: 1)Identify duff from mineral soil 2)Don’t include moss or litter material 3)What to do with deep duff 4)Anything over 1 foot  be absolutely sure

85. Problem Areas Cont’d Problem: Crews can’t decide on the fuelbed height measurement Correction: Crews should only take 15- seconds to determine height of dead, down woody material, don’t over analyze, use local knowledge and reasonable definition of fuel ladders

86. Problem Areas Cont’d 1)Measure from top of duff to top of fuel complex 2)Fuel complex composed of dead FWD, CWD, shrubs, and litter 3)Gaps allowed in fuel complex where one would reasonably expect flame lengths to connect 4)Plum-bob not required, ocular estimate around sample point 5)15-second rule…Don’t over analyze height of fuelbed…Use your experience and logic Fuelbed Depths

87. Problem Areas Cont’d Problem: Condition class boundary runs through microplot Correction: Use entire forested condition of microplot to estimate coverage and heights = 100% cover of litter for forested conditions (don’t include asphalt or other non forested conditions in cover assessment)

88. Problem Areas Cont’d 1)Train with idea of imaginary 6.8 foot radius cylinder 2)Make sure crews know what herbs and shrubs include 3)Gaps allowed in fuel complex as long as reasonable 4)Branches from shrubs rooted outside microplot allowed 5)Train about vines and canopy herbaceous plants Microplot Heights

89. Problem Areas Cont’d Only include epiphytes or hanging moss up to 6 feet in height Include vines that are within microplot

90. Problem Areas Cont’d Only estimate density of CWD within pile Density should rarely exceed 40% 70% 20%01% Slash Pile Densities

91. Battlefield Quotes ‘If it ain't broke, don't fix it' is the slogan of the complacent, the arrogant or the scared. It's an excuse for inaction, a call to non- arms.

92. Battlefield Quotes "The commander in the field is always right and the rear echelon is wrong, unless proved otherwise."

93. Sample Design Changes The DWM Indicator must be responsive to customer needs and improving science/techniques… Don’t assume your ideas are insignificant, you collect the data, assume you know best and pass ideas upwards… Submit your suggestions cwoodall@fs.fed.us

94. End of Part 3 of 3 http://www.ncrs.fs.fed.us/4801/ national-programs/indicators/ dwm/