Summary

Description

This protocol framework provides guidance for conducting Inventories of forests at multiple stations within a region. During 2010 and 2011, six refuges of the Laurentian Mixed ForestGreat Lakes Coastal Biological Network hereafter, Great Lakes Biological Network conducted assessments of their forests using methods outlined in the original field manual. Summary documents based on these data were finalized in 2012 for an example see Goebel and Corace 2012. On March 21, 2013 an email was sent to members of the National Wildlife Refuge System NWRS Division of Biological Resources DBR and to other NWRS colleagues requesting input and comments for improving the original field manual for use in future assessments or any other sampling done within forests of the Great Lakes Biological Network. Comments were received over the next six months, and this first edition of the regional survey protocol framework reflects those suggestions. Specifically, changes and clarifications were made in a number of areas, including the goalsobjectives, sampling issues, the detail of observation in tree vigor, the dropping of damage classes, clarification with coarse woody debris CWD measurement and data use, how to measure saplings midstory layer, and how to measure groundflora groundcover. Useful comments were also received that suggested the integration of collected data into existing software such as the U.S. Forest Service Fire Effects and Monitoring and Inventory Protocol FIREMON and other software e.g., TCruise, etc.. For copies of the detailed comments see the Appendices. These comments, and the input of other experienced professionals, will be invaluable in any future efforts to establish generalized regional or national protocols.