Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative

Burlington Urban Forest Monitoring Using i-Tree Eco: Burlington i-Tree Reference Objects

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Metadata Provider

  • Forest Ecosystem Monitoring Cooperative

    • 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

Abstract

    Yearly monitoring of the urban forest in Burlington, VT, using 200 permanent, randomly selected plots and the USDA Forest Service i-Tree Eco methodology. Data collected and analyzed by i-Tree Eco provide information on the relative abundance and importance of tree species, land use characteristics, net carbon sequestration, effects on energy use, carbon emissions, and other information useful for valuing and managing Burlington’s urban forest. Plots are regularly resurveyed to monitor for changes in condition and forest health.

People

  • Carl Waite: Principal Investigator

  • Lawrence Forcier: Content Provider

  • James Duncan: Principal Investigator

  • Aswini Cherukuri: Content Provider

  • Emily Van Wagoner: Content Provider

  • John Truong: Principal Investigator

Keywords

  • locations, permanent plots,

Geographic Coverage

  • Coordinates
    • -73.2732693439999, 44.44596369
    • -73.1809821919999, 44.44596369
    • -73.1809821919999, 44.53696341
    • -73.2732693439999, 44.53696341
    • -73.2732693439999, 44.44596369

Data Table

  • Title: Burlington i-Tree Reference Objects
  • Start Date: 2011-08-31
  • Description: Reference objects used to locate plot centers of Burlington i-Tree Eco monitoring plots

  • Purpose: Enable accurate relocating of plot centers for Burlington i-Tree Eco monitoring plots

  • Condensed Title: Z0334_iTreeReferenceObjects

  • Object Name: VMC.334.377

  • Data Type: mySQL
  • Citation: Duncan, J., J. Truong, and C. Waite. 2017. Burlington i-Tree Reference Objects. University of Vermont. FEMC. Can be found at: https://www.uvm.edu/femc/data/archive/project/burlington-urban-forest-monitoring-using-i/dataset/burlington-i-tree-reference-objects

  • Online Distribution: https://www.uvm.edu/femc/data/archive/project/burlington-urban-forest-monitoring-using-i/dataset/burlington-i-tree-reference-objects

Attribute List

    Attribute Name: LocationName
    • Label: Location Name
    • Description: Name of sample/inventory location (e.g., city name)
    • Storage Type: text
    • Measurment Type: nominal
    Attribute Name: Series
    • Label: Project Series
    • Description: Description of project
    • Storage Type: text
    • Measurment Type: nominal
    • Custom List: i-Tree Series Name
      • Code: 1
        • Definition: Single Strata
    Attribute Name: Year
    • Label: Year
    • Description: Year of data collection
    • Storage Type: datetime
    • Measurment Type: datetime
    • String Format: YYYY
    Attribute Name: PlotID
    • Label: Plot ID Number
    • Description: Plot number
    • Storage Type: int
    • Measurment Type: nominal
    Attribute Name: SubplotID
    • Label: Subplot Number
    • Description: Subplot number
    • Storage Type: int
    • Measurment Type: nominal
    Attribute Name: DirectiontoObject
    • Label: Direction to Reference Object
    • Description: Direction to reference object
    • Storage Type: int
    • Measurment Type: interval
    • Standard Unit: degree
    • Precision: 1
    • Unit: degree
    • Number Type: integer
    Attribute Name: DistancetoObject
    • Label: Distance to Reference Object
    • Description: Distance to reference object
    • Storage Type: decimal
    • Measurment Type: ratio
    • Standard Unit: meter
    • Precision: 0.0001
    • Unit: meter
    • Number Type: real
    Attribute Name: Object
    • Label: Reference Object Code
    • Description: Code number of reference object
    • Storage Type: int
    • Measurment Type: nominal
    • Custom List: i-Tree Reference Object Definitions
      • Code: 1
        • Definition: Tree
      • Code: 2
        • Definition: Buliding corner
      • Code: 3
        • Definition: Building wall
      • Code: 4
        • Definition: Building door
      • Code: 5
        • Definition: Roof peak
      • Code: 6
        • Definition: Light post
      • Code: 7
        • Definition: Street sign
      • Code: 8
        • Definition: Fence
      • Code: 9
        • Definition: Swing set
      • Code: 10
        • Definition: Curb
      • Code: 11
        • Definition: Driveway edge
      • Code: 12
        • Definition: Fire hydrant
      • Code: 13
        • Definition: Utility
      • Code: 14
        • Definition: Sewer or drain grate
      • Code: 15
        • Definition: Other
    Attribute Name: Dbh
    • Label: Diameter of object if tree
    • Description: Diameter (dbh) of object if a tree
    • Storage Type: decimal
    • Measurment Type: ratio
    • Standard Unit: centimeter
    • Precision: 0.001
    • Unit: centimeter
    • Number Type: real
    Attribute Name: Notes
    • Label: Notes
    • Description: Notes
    • Storage Type: text
    • Measurment Type: nominal
    Attribute Name: ReferenceObjectType
    • Label: Reference Object Type
    • Description: The type or category of reference object
    • Storage Type: text
    • Measurment Type: nominal

Methods

  • Current Methods
    • Random plot location
      • Started: 2011-08-31
      • Method Description: 200 randomly-located 0.1 acre plots were established within Burlington
      • Software: ArcGIS 10.0, i-Tree Eco

    • Identify service learning plots
      • Started: 2011-08-31
      • Method Description: A 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: 2011-08-31
      • Method Description: The 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: 2011-08-31
      • Method Description: Each 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: 2011-08-31
      • Method Description: Land use proportions and ground cover proportions on the plot are recorded.

    • Process data
      • Started: 2011-08-31
      • Method Description: Data 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.


Sampling Equipment

  • Current Equipment
    • Clinometer
      • Started: 2011-08-31
      • Sampling Description: Suunto clinometer

    • Compass
      • Started: 2011-08-31
      • Sampling Description: Compass

    • Diameter tape
      • Started: 2011-08-31
      • Sampling Description: Diameter tape

    • GPS unit
      • Started: 2011-08-31
      • Sampling Description: Garmin Rino 530HCx GPS unit

    • Plot establishment
      • Started: 2011-08-31
      • Sampling Description: 200 randomly-located 0.1 acre plots were established within Burlington

Site Characteristics

  • Site Description: 200 randomly selected permanent plots throughout Burlington, VT

  • Minimum Altitude: 100 feet

  • Maximum Altitude: 437 feet