Ground Cover Analysis
Ground Cover
Ground cover is made up of both the living and non living objects that cover the floor of the forest. Many of these are the shorter plants, mosses, algae and/or fungi that grow close to the ground. The amount of ground cover depends on the type of forest it grows in. An open forest lets in more light and may have denser ground cover. A dense forest with a thick canopy has less light reaching the forest floor. But a dense forest will often retain more moisture, so in some settings, such forests may have a dense cover of shade tolerant organisms, Ground cover could include young trees, shrubs, ferns, wildflowers, lichen, mosses, and mushrooms and other fungi. Ground cover is comprised of both living and dead materials as well as the soils and the parent materials of the forest floor. A ground cover survey identifies the living objects that cover the forest floor as well as the non living as a percentage of the sample plots covered by each. The sample quadrates (.25 to 1 square meters in size) are distributed throughout the forest plot under consideration. The number and location of the quadrat plots areas elected to establish a representative sample ground cover. Estimates of % cover are for each plant species fungi, litter or bare ground are given for each quadrat plot. |
Analysis of Coarse Woody Debris
Trees that fall and decay in the forest add nutrients to the forest soil and retain moisture in the forest. Fallen wood greater than 7 cm diameter is referred to as course woody debris. The time coarse woody litter takes to decompose is dependent upon moisture and temperature. A fallen log touching the ground will retain moisture and decay more rapidly than one that is suspended above the ground. A sample of coarse woody material is taken along a transect. Each log greater than 7 cm diameter that is crossed by the transect line is counted. The diameter of the log, distance it is from the ground (height), the state of decay and the amount of bark still on the log are recorded for each log that crosses the transect line. The state of decay is indicated by a scale of decomposition of the wood, the amount of bark left on the log and the % to which the log is covered by moss. Record the results of this survey on the forestry field sheets. The field sheets provide detailed information about the decay state and texture. |
Analysis of Fine Woody Debris
Fine woody debris represents the stage in which nutrients taken in by trees are being recombined with nutriments in the soil. Fine woody material dries quickly and therefore decays slowly. Fine woody debris may act as a tinder that promotes the start and spread of forest fires. Sampling the extent of fine woody debris indicates fire risk and gives clues about the rate of forest decay. Sampling fine woody debris counts and categorizes by sizes, smaller (<7cm) twigs and woody material that has not yet been covered by moss or has not been covered by other plants of the forest floor. Each piece of fine woody debris crossed by the 20 meter plot center line is measured. The fine woody debris are measure in categories; less than .5 cm, .5 to 1 cm, 1 to 3 cm, 3 to 5 cm and 5 to 7 cm. Use a “go - no go” gauge to determine which size category the piece falls into. Record the number in each category as you move along the line. Record the counts as you move along the line. |