Data collected to "describe the characteristics of native-dominated plant associations that occur on upland, as opposed to wetland or riparian floodplain, sites in the Puget Trough ecoregion". Agency Files (Washington Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program).
From Chappell 2006b: "Data were collected from circular plots located non-randomly to represent the stand, that is, a relatively homogeneous area of vegetation present on a topographically relatively homogeneous site. Most plots were approximately 400 m, though for some 2 herbaceous vegetation, plots were as small as 42 m . On each plot, all vascular plant species were identified and placed in percent crown cover classes (<1%, 1-5%, 6-10%, 11-15%, 16- 25%, 26-35%, 36-45%, 46-55%, 56-65%, 66-75%, 76-85%, 86- 95%, 96-100%). Early on, some plot s were collected using 25% cover class intervals for those classes above 25% cover . Tree canopy layering was noted and one or more tree cores were collected to ascertain dominant stand age class(es). Evidence of disturbance was noted.
Aspect, slope, slope position, microtopography, and landform were recorded on each plot. Geographic location of each plot was recorded in a geographic information system. Shallow soil pits, usually 10-30 inches deep, were dug on each Fort Lewis plot (92 total), with the objective of verifying or refuting the soil map designation for the plot and recording obvious surficial texture and color characteristics."
