Aspen Characteristics - Sequoia National Forest [ds377]

The database represents point locations and associated stand assessment data collected within aspen stands in the Cannell Meadows Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest, Tulare County, California. The aspen inventory from Sequoia National Forest is the only dataset in the state aspen database that was derived from a publication (Pillsbury 1994). The CDFG digitized this dataset by scanning paper maps within the publication, and digitizing and geo-referencing polygons from the electronic maps. Two assessment tables were created from the tables within the publication-one was a summery of the plot information and the other was a summery of the stand information which was an average of the plots within each stand. The report assessed information such as: topographic features, stand vigor, downed logs per acre, percent conifer in stand, total number of trees and aspen trees per acre in stand, and percentage of hiding cover for fawns and does. The report also examined the number of trees per acre that were affected and/or growth was stunted by deer, cattle, insects, fungus, and various combinations of these. It also inspected what percentage of the stand could be classified as grasses, forbs, brush, and bare. Within, the geodatabase, there are 60 delineated stands and there are 201 plot assessments taken. Pillsbury 1994, N.H., Ritter, T., Drew, M., and C. Linquist. 1994. Wildlife Habitat Inventory of Aspen Stands on the Cannell Meadow Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest. Natural Resources Management Department, Cal Poly State Univ., San Luis Obispo, California. 551 p. Associated with this point layer is a polygon layer (SEQUOUIA_NF_POLY) containing aspen stands delineated in conjunction with the aspen assessment information. Data Compilation: The Aspen Delineation Project (ADP) is a collaborative effort of the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Region, the California Department of Fish and Games Resource Assessment Program, and the California Office of Bureau of Land Management. Principal Investigator for ADP is David Burton; visit: www.aspensite.org for more information regarding the ADP. The Department of Fish and Games, Resource Assessment Program compiled this information from the collaborating agencies and other researchers, and formatted the data into a common database for the purpose of facilitating access to data related to the conservation of Quaking Aspen in California. This information portal falls within the ADP goals to help agencies and land managers identify, map, treat, and monitor aspen habitats. This dataset is a portion of a master database compiled during a year long effort in 2005 to pull together current GIS layers and maps depicting Aspen communities in California.