Soil-Woodland Correlation Data Sheet (MT-ECS-5) Codes

Tree Data Line

• Scientific Plant Name Symbol: From national list of scientific plant names.
• Crown Class: D. Dominant, C. Codominant
• Origin: S. Natural seeding, P. Planted, C. Coppice, D. direct seeded.
• Diameter: At breast height to tenth inch: for example, 10.2.
• Inches Radius Last 10 Years: Show growth in radius of last 10 rings, to one-tenth inch (optional) for example, 0.7 or 1.1.
• Rings, Pith to 1.5 Inches: For grand fir in Inland Empire only. Enter the number of rings counted from the pith to 1.5 inches of radial growth.
• Age Estimation:
  • Height Ring Count: Enter height in feet at which ring count was made.
  • Number of Rings: Enter number of rings counted
  • Measuring Point Age: Enter number of years to add to ring count to get total age.
  • Total Age: Enter total age of tree. This should equal number of rings plus measuring point age.
• Total Height: Enter total height of tree to nearest foot.

Index Data Line

For each woodcrop or species, determine site index to nearest foot. Each line handles two woodcrops.

• Scientific Plant Name Symbol: From national list of scientific names. For upland oaks use special code UPOAK. For aspens east of plains use special code ASPEN. Do not use these codes elsewhere on the form.
• Number of Trees: Enter number of trees used to determine site index.
• Site Index Curve: Enter code number from National Register of site index curves.
• Average Plot Site Index: Enter site index in whole numbers.

Density Data Line

• Understory Abundance: Rate each subitem with numerical code.
  • None
  • Sparse
  • Moderately abundant
  • Abundant
  • Very abundant
• Stand Density: Enter percent of canopy cover. Enter M, if measured. Enter E, if estimated.
• Basal Area: Enter basal area in square feet per acre. Enter M if neasured, E if estimated.
• Crown Competition Factor: For lodgepole pine only. Obtain instructions from West TSC. Calculate crown competition factor and enter.

Canopy Data Lines

Show species which make up the canopy (use scientific plant name symbols) and proportion of each by percent; should total 100. Each line handles four species. Do not combine species unless more than 12 are present. Then use OTHER for the least important.

Ground Data Lines

Show species which make up the ground cover, below the canopy, mostly under 15 feet of height. Begin with most abundant. Rate each species for abundance using the numerical codes which follow. Record the 12 species in greatest abundance.

1. an occasional plant present
2. sparse
3. moderately abundant
4. abundant
5. very abundant, by itself would make at least a 30 percent ground cover

General Coding Instructions

• Print in capital letters only. Print, do not write.
• Slash the letter "O" to distinguish it from the number "zero".
• Use a "block" method of making the capital letter "I" to distinguish it from the common numeral "one."
• Be particularly careful to use the capital for the letter "L" to distinguish it from the common numeral "one."
• Be careful to make "U"s which do not look like "V"s and vice versa, especially in scientific plant name symbols.
• Superimpose a dash over the "Z" to distinguish it from the number "two".
• No decimal is needed in coding whole numbers. For fractional numbers, the decimal must be shown. Code numbers less than one with a zero to the left of the decimal point, for example 0.6.
• Leading zeros are not necessary.
• Complete all data fields. Draw a line through a field that does not apply.

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Last Modified: 09/18/2008