Vegetation community monitoring protocol for the Heartland I&M Network and Prairie Cluster Prototype Monitoring Program

Goals and Objectives

Author(s):

Becker, C.
Boetsch, J. R.
DeBacker, M. D.
Rowell, G. A.
Sasseen, A. N.
Thomas, L. P.
Willson, G. D.

Originating Agency:National Park Service

Date of Publication:2004

Citation:DeBacker, M. D., A. N. Sasseen, C. Becker, G. A. Rowell, L. P. Thomas, J. R. Boetsch, and G. D. Willson. 2004. Vegetation community monitoring protocol for the Heartland I&M Network and Prairie Cluster Prototype Monitoring Program. National Park Service, Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network and Prairie Cluster Prototype Monitoring Program, Wilson's Creek National Battlefield, Repubic, Missouri. 40 p. plus appendices.

Url:http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/monitor/protocols/HTLN_Vegetation_Protocol.pdf

Keyword(s):Heartland Network, Prairie Cluster, Vegetation, Vegetation Community, Woodland communities

Relation:No relation to another protocol in NRMP Library

Copyright:Public_domain

Purpose/Objective/Goals/Questions:Plant community monitoring in the HTLN parks is designed to detect and describe changes in prairie, glade and savanna/woodland communities. There are four primary objectives for the monitoring defined in this protocol: (1) Describe the species composition, structure, and diversity of prairie, glade, and savanna/woodland communities; (2) Determine temporal changes in the species composition, structure, and diversity of prairie, glade, and savanna/woodland communities; (3) Estimate the rate of temporal change for species richness and Shannon diversity, specifically as related to management efforts in restoration of prairie, glade, and savanna/woodland habitats; and (4) Determine the relationship between temporal and spatial changes and environmental variables including specific management practices.

Management Question(s) Addressed:

Population Status and Trends
Other:

Primary Focus

Biology
Taxonomic Groups
Plants, vascular
Habitats
2. Savanna
4. Grassland

Sampling Frequency:

Irregular

Description of Spatial Extent:NPS Unit Code = HTLN; Description = Heartland Network

Protocol Elements

Sampling Design:Included in Protocol


(Field or Laboratory) Methods:Included in Protocol


Data Handling:Included in Protocol


Data Reporting:Included in Protocol


Analytical Methods:Included in Protocol


References:Included in Protocol


Operational Requirements:Included in Protocol

Expertise and Use

Status:Widely implemented; peer-reviewed and field tested