1. Project Objectives
a) General Objectives
i) Create a baseline for at least 75% of the Grady Tract based in structure and composition of the trees of the site. ii) Recommend different management alternatives to restore oak savanna on the site.
b) Specific Objectives
i) Survey trees on the Grady tract. Identify them, record their location and measure DBH (diameter at breast high). Include any observations that could be considered important. ii) Measure percentage of canopy density in the Grady tract area. iii) Measure woody debris depth in the Grady tract area. iv) Create maps showing canopy cover, woody debris depth, and what species dominate the Grady Tract.
2. Personal Objectives
a) General Objectives
i) Expand my environmental …show more content…
Prior to field measurements (during the identification field experience), practice cover estimates were recorded randomly on the site to ensure consistency.
Percentage of canopy density was measured using a convex spherical forest densiometer, instrument design to estimate forest overstory density. This densiometer uses a convex spherical shaped mirror that reflects a large overhead area with a cross shaped grid containing 24 quarter-inch squares. Four imaginary equi-spaced dots have to be situated in each square. Then proceed to count those that represent an opening in the canopy (Figure 5). The complement of this number is multiplied by 1.04 and the resulting value corresponds to the percentage of overstory density (Lemmon, 1956). Four measurements were taken at each sample point (North, South, East and West) and the average was considered to be that point’s percentage of canopy density value. Sixty five points were recorded and measured in the Grady Tract