Details and Metadata
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Methods
The methods followed in the creation of the dataset, including description of field, laboratory and processing steps, and quality control procedures
Current Methods
Random plot location
Started: 2011-08-31200 randomly-located 0.1 acre plots were established within Burlington
Software: ArcGIS 10.0, i-Tree Eco
Identify service learning plots
Started: 2011-08-31A subset of plots are measured by students in UVM's Natural History and Field Ecology course as a service learning project
Setting reference objects
Started: 2011-08-31The plot center is rigorously identified using physical reference objects to allow surveyors to revisit these plots in the future and track changes over time.
Identify and measure trees
Started: 2011-08-31Each tree in the plot is identified at least to genus and measured for height, diameter, crown height and width, percents dieback and missing, crown light exposure, and spatial relationship to nearby buildings.
Assess land use and ground cover
Started: 2011-08-31Land use proportions and ground cover proportions on the plot are recorded.
Process data
Started: 2011-08-31Data are submitted to the US Forest Service i-Tree Eco analysis service to generate city-wide estimates of the composition, condition and ecosystem services of the urban canopy in the city.
Dataset Fields
Detailed documentation of the fields comprising the dataset, including the type of measurement, units where applicable, and any controlled vocabularies or code lists present in the data
Field Name Caption Description Additional Information LocationName Location Name Name of sample/inventory location (e.g., city name)
Measurement type: Nominal Series Project Series Project series name
Measurement type: Nominal Year Year Year of data collection
Measurement type: DateTime
Date/Time Format: YYYYPlotID Plot ID Number Plot number
Measurement type: Nominal SubPlotID Subplot Number Subplot number
Measurement type: Nominal TreeID Tree Number Tree identification number
Measurement type: Nominal FieldLandUse Field land use Field land use
Measurement type: Nominal
i-Tree Land Use Codes
+ showAppears in data as Meaning of code A Agricultural C Commercial/Industrial E Cemetary G Golf Course I Insitutional M Multi-family Residential O Other P Park R Residential T Transportation U Utility V Vacant W Water/wetland DirectionfromCenter Direction to Tree Direction from plot center (or offset point) to tree
Measurement type: Interval
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 1DistancefromCenter Distance to Tree Distance from plot center (or offset point) to tree
Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.0001TreeStatus Tree Status Tree status
Measurement type: Nominal
i-Tree Tree Status Codes
+ showAppears in data as Meaning of code P Planted—the tree was planted intentionally I Ingrowth—the tree self-seeded U Unknown—planted vs. ingrowth can not be determined N No change in status—this tree was present in a previous inventory and is present today H Removed for hazard/health problem—the tree has been removed since the previous inventory for health or safety reasons C Removed but healthy—a healthy tree was removed by the property owner L Removed owing to land use change—the tree was removed due to land use change (e.g., development of site) R Removed, unknown—tree removed for unknown reason Species Tree Species Tree species
Measurement type: Nominal HeighttoCrownBase Height to Base of Crown Height to base of crown
Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.0001TreeHeightLiveTop Tree Height ot top of live crown Tree height to top of live crown
Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.0001TreeHeightTotal Total tree height Tree height to top of tree
Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.0001CrownWidth1 Crown Width North-South North-south crown width, or widest point if using FIA protocol
Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.0001CrownWidth2 Crown Width East-West East-west crown width, or at 90 degrees to other width measurement if using FIA protocol
Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 0.0001CrownLightExposure Crown Light Exposure Ranking of amount of light exposure the crown receives
Measurement type: Ordinal
i-Tree Crown Light Exposure Codes
+ showAppears in data as Meaning of code -1 Dead trees 0 This tree receives no full light because it is shaded by trees, vines or other vegetation. 1 This tree receives light from the top or 1 side. 2 This tree receives light from the top and 1 side (or 2 sides without the top). 3 The tree receives full light from the top and 2 sides (or 3 sides without the top). 4 The tree receives full light from the top and 3 sides. 5 The tree receives full light from the top and 4 sides. 5 The tree receives full light from the top and 4 sides. PercentCrownMissing Percent of Crown Missing Percent of crown missing
Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 1CrownDieback Percent Dieback Percent of crown showing dieback
Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 1PercentImperviousBelow Percent Impevious Below Percent of impervious surface below crown
Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 1PercentShrubBelow Percent shrub below Percent shrub cover below crown
Measurement type: Ratio
Unit: unavailable
Precision: 1TreeSite Tree Location Location of the tree (e.g., street, front yard, back yard)
Measurement type: Nominal
i-Tree Tree Site Codes
+ showAppears in data as Meaning of code S Street tree N Not a street tree Comments Comments Comments on tree
Measurement type: Nominal Sampling Equipment
Equipment and software used to collect data, including how that equipment was used.
Current Equipment
Clinometer
Started: 2011-08-31Suunto clinometer
Compass
Started: 2011-08-31Compass
Diameter tape
Started: 2011-08-31Diameter tape
GPS unit
Started: 2011-08-31Garmin Rino 530HCx GPS unit
Plot establishment
Started: 2011-08-31200 randomly-located 0.1 acre plots were established within Burlington
Site Characteristics
The spatial extent of the dataset site coverage, and descriptions of the spatial extent and context for the data collection
- Site Description
200 randomly selected permanent plots throughout Burlington, VT
Minimum Altitude: 100 feet
Maximum Altitude: 437 feet