Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)/AND008: Plant Biomass Dynamics Following Logging and Burning in H.J. Andrews Forest

LTER - Long-Term Ecological Research Program/H.J. Andrews Forest (AND)

LTER/AND008 [Summary adapted from the LTER Core Data Set Catalog]:

This study documents patterns of plant succession after clearcut
logging and slash burning on two experimental watersheds. The study
was initiated in 1962 (see data set TP09 for 1962-77 data). Both
watersheds were dominated by old-growth and mature Douglas fir/western
hemlock forest prior to logging. Plots were classified into one of six
pre-disturbance plant communities, one of nine soil series, and one of
four soil disturbance classes resulting from logging and burning. A
total of 131 plots are evenly spaced on six transects within three
cutting units on Watershed 1 (total of 25 ha logged), 61 plots on
Watershed 3. Data collected include: (1) visual estimates of canopy
cover for all vascular plant species, for ground surface categories
(i.e., bare ground, stone, litter, log, stump), and for moss and
lichen; (2) stem diameters and other biomass parameters (e.g., numbers
of stems or stem heights) for all tall woody species and some
herbaceous taxa to generate biomass estimates; and (3) basal or DBH
stem diameters for tagged trees(> 1.4 m tall). Cover estimates and
biomass measurements are taken within 2 m x 2 m plots. Trees (> 1.4 m
tall) are tagged, measured, and checked for mortality in circular, 250
m2 plots centered on the 2 m x 2 m plots. A subset of plots have had
photos taken since 1963.

The Andrews Forest is in the western Cascade Range of Oregon in the
15,800-acre drainage basin of the Lookout Creek, a tributary of Blue
River and the McKenzie River. The area elevation ranges from 1350
feet to 5340 feet and contains excellent examples of Pacific Northwest
conifer forests, wildlife, and ecosystems.

Information about the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) Program can
be obtained from:

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Email: [e-mail]
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