Vegetationsurveyreportgeol250
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University of Missouri, Kansas City *
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MISC
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Geology
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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Burr Oak Woods
VEGETATION SURVEY REPORT
UCHE, DARIUS
STEVE KRABBE
GEOL 250L
On November 17
th
, 2023, a vegetation survey report was conducted to identify and count the major tree species within the area. The area of interest is named Burr Oak Woods. Burr Oak Woods is in Blue Springs Missouri just North of I-70 highway. Burr Oak Woods is a place to connect humans with the environment around them with a unique wildlife experience. Within the
conservation area there are a plethora of trails to hike as well as a creek to observe. Burr Oak features a steep forested hillside with large limestone boulders and prairies. This 1,071 acre conservation area was not surveyed in totality but through the data collection method chosen gives great assessment for the overall outlook for this setting. Instructions for this survey asked for the completion to be done within a group. The group for this specific report consisted of four members, each who have worked closely with each other throughout the semester. Members were instructed to construct a topographic profile along with a vegetation profile by looking at pattern abundance along a transect of wooded area. The key was to see how vegetation changes as you go from the base to the top of the slope. Our studies were unable to locate an area with an upslope profile but were able to still gather meaningful data. Not necessarily as the instructions stated but more so the abundance of certain vegetation types within the area. This study required us to head into the trail about 60 yards and branch off into our teams. This team chose bearing direction North as a start. On the side of a walking trail, we start our study by using the quadrat method that requires a plot every 5 meters into the wooded area, alternating along the tape measure in accordance of the compass bearing. In simplest terms, a quadrant every other 5 meters on each side. This method required up to 50 meters of quadrants on each side which allowed a diverse specie collection. The ability to get detail of specie composition while considering other growth variables. During construction of the
study area, we dealt with uneven grounds when walking through the shrubbery which caused
some safety concerns. Also, thorn bushes along the way that added to the difficulty level. Only fifty-five degrees outside which is a bit above average for mid-November. Much of the canopy was missing because of time of the year. At each quadrant a quantitative analysis of the species of vegetation is observed as well as along the boundary plot area. This area was sketched into the field methods class notebook that each individual member has. This is easily sketched because of the markers placed along the transect at each quadrant. The class instructor Steven Krabbe provided each group with a vegetation guide to more accurately categorize each species of plant, bush or tree. During categorization a profile survey was made using a table sketched into your field book. Things such as the distance from start of transect, basal cover, foliar cover, species, abundance and density were written down. Vegetation Profile
Below is the vegetation profile analysis of the area. Plot Number
Distance
from
Start (m)
%Basal
Cover
%Foliar
Cover
Species
Abundance
Density = Abundance / 25 m^2
1
5
5
90
Burr Oak
1
0.04
Shingle Oak
1
0.04
2
10
5
90
Green Ash
1
0.04
3
15
5
95
White Ash
1
0.04
Shingle Oak
1
0.04
4
20
5
60
No Tree
0
0
5
25
10
90
Red Bud
1
0.04
Green Ash
1
0.04
6
30
5
85
Rock Elm
1
0.04
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White Ash
1
0.04
Post Oak
1
0.04
7
35
10
80
Sugar Maple
1
0.04
8
40
5
95
Chinkapin
Oak
2
0.08
Discussion
The table shows data at 8 plots along the 50 meters transect. “Distance from start” keeps track of each plot and its distance from the start of the transect. Two sections foliar and basal keep account for the percent of the coverage in this quadrant. Species of vegetation including those like super maple, Chinkapin Oak and green ash are tallied. Conclusion
Much of this data lacks a pattern and uniformity. Each quadrant within the first 40 meters
maintains a basal average of 5 percent while averaging a basal coverage of 83.75 percent. With the fourth plot having the smallest amount of foliar coverage at 60 percent. Much of this is due to
the gap in the canopy and lack of leaves on the trees at this time of year. Basal coverage increased throughout the last 20 meters and four plots. Averaging a basal coverage of 7.5 percent and foliar coverage of 87.5 percent. On average the basal and foliar coverage increases the further along the transect you travel. Increase distance, you increase basal and foliage coverage.