Pennsylvania Regeneration and Invasives Research

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Pennsylvania Regeneration and Invasives Research
William H. McWilliams Northeastern FIA
Users Workshop April 13, 2004 Sturbridge, MA
Justification
Study Design and Analysis Techniques
Results
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Structure is Changing Overstory vs. Understory
Comparison of Composition by Tree Size Top Ten
Species
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Study Team
Goal Develop Indicators of Regenerative
Capacity for Pennsylvania Forests
Using FIA Samples.
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Designing the Sample Pilot Study

• Goals
• Determine how many microplots are
• needed to quantify size and composition
• of tree-seedling component.
• Debug other measurement protocols.

An analysis of CV showed that a single microplot
was sufficient.
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Designing the Sample Sub-Paneling
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Designing the Sample Three Levels
The subplot is also where we tally Exotic
Invasives, more on this later..
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Analyzing the Results
Canopy-Replacement Species Grouping Dominants
canopy dominants Other High Canopy add other
high-canopy species Woody add all other tree
species all species with at least 2-percent of
the States biomass and typically form high
canopy
Timber-Based Species Grouping Desirable
species desired for timber management Other
Commercial add other commercial species Woody
add all other tree species
Analysis applied regeneration guidelines for
Pennsylvania and evaluated the
results after screening for plots where the
forest floor receives enough
light for seedling development.
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Regeneration Study - Results
Percent of Samples Meeting Regeneration Criteria,
Timber Group High Deer
Desirable Commercial Woody
36 50
57
Interpretation Desirable about two-thirds
would likely fail to
regenerate. Commercial about half would likely
fail. Woody over 40 would likely fail.
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Regeneration Study Results Ecoregion
Western Broadleaf - West Desirable Commercial
Woody 44 51
61
Eastern Broadleaf - East Desirable Commercial
Woody 36 54
64
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Exotic Invasive Species - Justification
Chiefs Agenda
Ann Bartuskas Agenda
Bureau of Forestry The Nature Conservancy Morris
Arboretum
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Exotics Survey New in 2003
Regeneration Study Plots used to tally thirty-one
species of Exotic Invasive trees, shrubs, vines,
grasses and forbes.
Results are forthcoming - Distribution Maps
- Correlation
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Future Research Needs
Develop indicators for associated understory
vegetation. Develop an understory vegetation
community classification system. Relate levels
of associated understory vegetation to
regeneration success. Incorporate invasive
species data. Analyze results for specific
forest types, for example mixed oak. Explore
relationships between overstory and understory
composition.
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The End
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