• Address:
  705 Spear Street
  South Burlington, Vermont 05403
  United States of America
  
  Phone: (802) 391-4135
  Email: femc@uvm.edu
  Website: www.uvm.edu/femc

Assessment of bird habitat parameters (e.g. vertical and horizontal structure, CWD functionality, tree spp.) at established Forest Health Monitoring plots using an adapted version of the Foresters for the Birds methodology.

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Plot and subplot

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Combined plot and subplot string at which data was collected.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: text

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Date

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Date string at which data was collected.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: text

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: -1
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Month

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Month of data collection.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: int

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: interval
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: customNominalMonth
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: whole
• dataset_eml_attributelistbounds:
• dataset_eml_attributelistboundsminimum: 1
• dataset_eml_attributelistboumdsmaximum: 12

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Day

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Day of data collection.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: int

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: interval
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: whole
• dataset_eml_attributelistbounds:
• dataset_eml_attributelistboundsminimum: 1
• dataset_eml_attributelistboumdsmaximum: 31

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Year

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Year of data collection.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: int

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: interval
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: whole

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Plot ID

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Plot at which data was collected.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: text

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: -1
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Subplot ID

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Subplot at which data was collected.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: int

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: interval
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: whole
• dataset_eml_attributelistbounds:
• dataset_eml_attributelistboundsminimum: 1
• dataset_eml_attributelistboumdsmaximum: 4

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Start time

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Start time of subplot survey.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: datetime

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: datetime
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: hh:mm:ss
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: End time

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: End time of subplot survey.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: datetime

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: datetime
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: hh:mm:ss
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Canopy height

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Height of overstory. 1 = <20 ft; 2 = 20-60 ft; 3 = >60 ft

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: int

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: nominal

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Overstory % cover class

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Percent cover of overstory canopy (>30' in non-montane plots). Possible values are Open (<30%), Intermediate (30-80%), and Closed (>80%).

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: text

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Overstory distribution

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Distribution of overstory canopy cover. 0 = patchy; 1 = uniform.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: int

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: nominal
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Midstory % cover

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Percent cover of midstory canopy (5-30'). Percent classes are 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: int

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: ratio
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: percent
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: whole
• dataset_eml_attributelistbounds:
• dataset_eml_attributelistboundsminimum: 0
• dataset_eml_attributelistboumdsmaximum: 100

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Midstory distribution

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Distribution of midstory cover. 0 = patchy; 1 = uniform.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: int

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: nominal
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Understory % cover

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Percent cover of understory (0-5'). Percent classes are 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: int

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: ratio
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: percent
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: whole
• dataset_eml_attributelistbounds:
• dataset_eml_attributelistboundsminimum: 0
• dataset_eml_attributelistboumdsmaximum: 100

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Understory distribution

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Distribution of understory cover. 0 = patchy; 1 = uniform.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: int

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: nominal
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Soft mast

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Presence of soft mast species in the subplot.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: text

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: -1
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Leaf litter

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Quality of leaf litter as foraging and nesting habitat. A = Adequate = Deciduous leaf litter is present, thick, and moist over most of (>75%) of the subplot. I = Inadequate = Leaf litter is not deciduous OR is deciduous, but covers < 75% of the visual acre, is not thick, and/or is desiccated.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: text

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: -1
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Invasive % cover

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Percent cover of invasive woody plants in the subplot. Percent classes are 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: int

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: ratio
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: percent
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: whole
• dataset_eml_attributelistbounds:
• dataset_eml_attributelistboundsminimum: 0
• dataset_eml_attributelistboumdsmaximum: 100

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Invasive spp.

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Invasive woody plants found in the subplot corresponding to the invasive % cover data.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: text

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: -1
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: CWD Functionality

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Functionality of Coarse Woody Debris (>4 in. diameter) in the subplot based on estimated percent cover over plot and function as habitat (e.g. through use as a perch site, courtship displays, habitat for insects, etc.). 0 = No functionality, 1 = Low, 2 = Medium, 3 = High.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: int

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: nominal
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: FWD Functionality

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Functionality of Fine Woody Debris (<4 in. diameter) in the subplot based on estimated percent cover over plot and function as habitat (e.g. through use as cover, nesting substrate, etc.). 0 = No functionality, 1 = Low, 2 = Medium, 3 = High.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: int

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: nominal
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Breeding Bird Code

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Minimum breeding bird code of birds observed in subplot, if applicable.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: text

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: -1
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• dataset_eml_attributelistlabel: Notes

• dataset_eml_attributelistdescription: Any notes regarding weather and additional habitat features within plot.

• dataset_eml_attributeliststoragetype: text

• dataset_eml_attributelistmeasurementtype: -1
• dataset_eml_attributeliststandardunit: -1
• dataset_eml_attributelistformatstring: DD/MM/YYYY
• dataset_eml_attributelistnumbertype: -1

• Sites
  • dataset_eml_methodsStartDate: 2016-06-16
    dataset_eml_methodsEndDate: 2016-08-17
    
  • dataset_eml_methoddescription: Sites were chosen based on established VMC Forest Health Monitoring plots.

• Bird Counts
  • dataset_eml_methodsStartDate: 2016-06-16
    dataset_eml_methodsEndDate: 2016-08-17
    
  • dataset_eml_methoddescription: Bird species seen and heard were recorded during the time it took to complete an FHM subplot (4 subplots total), and then combined to create a plot-level list of species observed.
  • dataset_eml_methodsInstrumentation: Binoculars
  • dataset_eml_methodsQAQC: All crew members had experience in birding/ornithology. Binoculars were used to aid bird ID. Start and end times were recorded.

• General Subplot Info
  • dataset_eml_methodsStartDate: 2016-06-16
    dataset_eml_methodsEndDate: 2016-08-17
    
  • dataset_eml_methoddescription: After completing an FHM subplot, general subplot metrics were recorded on the bird habitat data sheet (i.e. start and end times, FHM plot and subplot ID, any pertinent notes about weather and miscellaneous habitat features).

• Overstory
  • dataset_eml_methodsStartDate: 2016-06-16
    dataset_eml_methodsEndDate: 2016-08-17
    
  • dataset_eml_methoddescription: Canopy height, overstory percent cover, and overstory distribution were categorized into classes (overstory being >30'). See subplot metrics dataset attributes for details regarding the classes.

• Midstory and Understory
  • dataset_eml_methodsStartDate: 2016-06-16
    dataset_eml_methodsEndDate: 2016-08-17
    
  • dataset_eml_methoddescription: Midstory and understory percent cover and distribution were estimated over the area of each FHM subplot. Species present in each structure class were also recorded and rated based on relative abundance. See subplot metrics and tree species dataset attributes for details.

• Forage Quality
  • dataset_eml_methodsStartDate: 2016-06-16
    dataset_eml_methodsEndDate: 2016-08-17
    
  • dataset_eml_methoddescription: Presence of soft mast species (e.g. raspberry, blackberry, elderberry, etc.) in each FHM subplot was recorded. Leaf litter was classified as either 'adequate' or 'inadequate' based on functionality for forage (see subplot metrics dataset attributes for details). Presence of invasive species and their percent cover over the the subplot if present was also recorded.

• CWD and FWD
  • dataset_eml_methodsStartDate: 2016-06-16
    dataset_eml_methodsEndDate: 2016-08-17
    
  • dataset_eml_methoddescription: Coarse Woody Debris (>4 in.) and Fine Woody Debris (<4 in.) were classified based on habitat functionality over the area of an FHM subplot (see subplot metrics dataset attributes for details). Presence of CWD and FWD are important to note in a plot because they provide perching sites, habitat for invertebrates that are a significant part of the breeding season diet of many birds, nesting substrate, and cover.

• Compass and GPS
• dataset_eml_samplingdescription: A compass and GPS were used to locate each FHM plot.

• dataset_eml_methodsStartDate: 2016-06-16
  dataset_eml_methodsEndDate: 2016-08-17
• dataset_eml_samplingdescription: Binoculars (Eagle Optics 8x42) were used to locate and identify bird species in each plot.