NETN Forest Monitoring 2006-2025 Data Package

The Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division's Northeast Temperate Network (NETN) has identified forest vegetation, and several associated vital signs, as high priority for long-term monitoring. The NETN long-term forest monitoring protocol was adapted from methods developed by the U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis program and was developed in collaboration with other eastern forest I&M networks. The NETN forest monitoring protocol assesses the status and trends in structure, function, and composition of forested ecosystems, along with the impacts of stressors such as white-tailed deer, invasive exotic plants, exotic pests and pathogens, and effects of acid deposition on forest soils. A set of Standard Operating Procedures are shared with the Mid-Atlantic Network's forest vegetation monitoring protocol.

The current protocol has been designed to sample 350 plots in forested areas of NETN parks. Plot locations are randomly chosen using a spatially balanced design (generalized random-tessellation stratified). Each plot consists of a 20 x 20 m square (15 x 15 m square in Acadia National Park) where all stems with a diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥10 cm are identified, measured, tagged, marked, mapped, and their condition assessed. Stems with a dbh ≥1 cm are identified and measured in each of three microplots. Number of tree seedlings by height class and percent cover of shrubs ≥30 cm tall are also recorded in each of three microplots. Percent cover of all vascular plant species is estimated by species in eight 1 m2 quadrats. Coarse woody debris is measured along three 15 m transects. Data collected by the NETN forest monitoring protocol are used to inform management decisions affecting forested systems in NETN parks. To view all protocol documents, please visit: https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2189099

This data package contains a cumulative record of all forest monitoring data collected at National Park units in the Northeast Temperate Network (NETN) through the most recent field season and is organized into twenty-six (26) datasets:

AdditionalSpecies_NETN.csv contains data captured during a 15-minute search for species not observed during other protocol activities on the plot.

CWD_NETN.csv contains data captured from Line intercept sampling of coarse woody debris (CWD) along three 15-m transects.

EventObservers_NETN.csv contains a list of all observers for each sampling event.

Events_NETN.csv contains a list of all sampling events.

MicroplotSaplings_NETN.csv contains data for all saplings measured in microplots.

MicroplotSaplingsCount_NETN.csv contains data for all saplings that required a count.

MicroplotSeedlings_NETN.csv contains counts of tree seedlings by species and height category collected in microplots.

MicroplotShrubs_NETN.csv contains data for all shrubs measured in microplots.

Plots_NETN.csv contains data regarding forest sampling plots.

QuadCharacter_NETN.csv contains data characterizing the substrate of 1-m2 quadrats using standard cover classes.

QuadNotes_NETN.csv contains a list of annotations relating to the sampling of quadrats.

QuadSpecies_NETN.csv contains data for groundstory vascular plant species collected in 1-m2 quadrats using standard cover classes.

SoilHeader_NETN.csv contains event data for soil sampling.

SoilLab_NETN.csv contains soil lab results for all soil samples collected.

SoilSample_NETN.csv contains sample details for soil sampling.

StandDisturbances_NETN.csv contains plot disturbance data for each sampling event.

StandForestFloor_NETN.csv contains plot forest floor cover for each sampling event.

StandInfoPhotos_NETN.csv contains various plot level metrics for each sampling event.

StandPlantCoverStrata_NETN.csv contains plot level plant cover strata for each sampling event.

StandSlopes_NETN.csv contains stand slope measurements for each sampling event.

StandTreeHeights_NETN.csv contains tree height measurements for each sampling event.

Taxa_NETN.csv contains master taxa list and taxa details.

TreesByEvent_NETN.csv contains various tree level metrics for each sampling event.

TreesConditions_NETN.csv contains tree level tree conditions for each sampling event.

TreesFoliageCond_NETN.csv contains tree level foliage conditions for each sampling event.

TreesVine_NETN.csv contains tree level vines present for each sampling event.