Pennsylvania Regeneration and Invasives Research William H. McWilliams Northeastern FIA User’s Workshop April 13, 2004 – Sturbridge, MA Justification Study Design and Analysis Techniques Results

Black Birch Beech Blackgum Hawthorn Striped Maple Sassafras Structure is Changing: Overstory vs. Understory Comparison of Composition by Tree Size – Top Ten Species

Study Team Goal: Develop Indicators of Regenerative Capacity for Pennsylvania Forests Using FIA Samples. Todd Bowersox, Jim Finley, Larry McCormick, Kim Steiner Dan Devlin, Stephen L. Sterner Robert White, Lois DeMarco NE RWU 4152: Pat Brose, Harry Steele, Susan Stout NE RWU 4557: Kurt Gottschalk, Gary Miller NE RWU 4801: William H. McWilliams, Susan King, Tonya W. Lister, Brian M. LaPointe, Charles T. Scott, James A. Westfall

Designing the Sample – Pilot Study Goals Determine how many microplots are needed to quantify size and composition of tree-seedling component. Debug other measurement protocols. FIA Sample An analysis of CV showed that a single microplot was sufficient.

Designing the Sample – Sub-Paneling Year One Year Three Year Four Year Five Five-Year Panel Year Two Interpenetrating Sub-Panel of FIA Sample Locations (collected during leaf-on window, June-August) Regeneration Sample

Designing the Sample – Three Levels Sample Location Level Deer Impact: Record on of five Deer Impact classes: (after Marquis et al. 1994) Very Low Low Medium High Very High Subplot Level Site Limitations Associated Understory Vegetation: Assign Percent cover classes to Species/Life Form. Species/Life Form Shrubs (FIA’s detailed code) Vines (FIA’s detailed code) Fern (Bracken, Hay-Scented, and New York) Other fern Grass Other herbaceous Percent Cover Class (after Marquis et al 1994) Microplot Level Site limitations Dominant Tree: If present, record the species of the most dominant tree at least 5.0 inches in diameter. Seedling Tally: Count all established seedlings at least 2” tall by: Species Seedling Source (stump sprout and other) Stump Sprout Other Seedling Competitive oak, hickory, walnut, or butternut seedling Height Class 2 inches to 6 inches3 feet to 5 feet 6 inches to 1 foot5 feet to 10 feet 1 foot to 3 feetGreater than 10 feet Numbers of seedlings The subplot is also where we tally Exotic Invasives, more on this later..

Analyzing the Results Timber-Based Species Grouping Desirable: species desired for timber management Other Commercial: add other commercial species Woody: add all other tree species Canopy-Replacement Species Grouping Dominants: canopy dominants* Other High Canopy: add other high-canopy species Woody: add all other tree species * all species with at least 2-percent of the State’s biomass and typically form high canopy Analysis : applied regeneration guidelines for Pennsylvania and evaluated the results after screening for plots where the forest floor receives enough light for seedling development.

Regeneration Study - Results Percent of Samples Meeting Regeneration Criteria, Timber Group – High Deer: Desirable Commercial Woody 36 % 50 % 57 % Interpretation: Desirable: about two-thirds would likely fail to regenerate. Commercial: about half would likely fail. Woody: over 40 % would likely fail.

Regeneration Study – Results – Ecoregion Central Appalachian Desirable Commercial Woody 37 % 54 % 60 % Western Broadleaf - West Desirable Commercial Woody 44 % 51 % 61 % Plateau Desirable Commercial Woody 28 % 44 % 48 % Eastern Broadleaf - East Desirable Commercial Woody 36 % 54 % 64 %

Exotic Invasive Species - Justification Chief’s Agenda Ann Bartuska’s Agenda Bureau of Forestry The Nature Conservancy Morris Arboretum

Exotics Survey – New in 2003 Regeneration Study Plots used to tally thirty-one species of Exotic Invasive trees, shrubs, vines, grasses and forbes. Results are forthcoming: - Distribution Maps - Correlation

Future Research Needs Develop indicators for associated understory vegetation. Develop an understory vegetation community classification system. Relate levels of associated understory vegetation to regeneration success. Incorporate invasive species data. Analyze results for specific forest types, for example mixed oak. Explore relationships between overstory and understory composition.

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