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AlASKA Pan'ER AUTlDH1Y
SUSITNA HYDRCE.ECTRIC PROJECT
001 R<Jl1"ENTAL Si1.JD lES
PROCEDLRES t-'ANUAL
SllBTASK 7.12
PlANT ECOLOGY
Te"elt,ial
E"vi,o"me"tal
Jpecialiltl,I"c.
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PUSKA PatER AIJTlOUTY
SUSIlNA H'Y'DRtEI.£CTRIC PROJECT
ENVIRCtKNTAL snnrss
PROCEDlRES K&.NUAL
SUBTASK 7.12
PLANT ECOL..CXiY
Submitted by
Terrestrial Environmental Spec1al1sts,Inc.
and
University of Alaska
Agrtcultural Exper1ment Station
to
Copy No. \10""""-'~--
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Quality Assurance CoclI"Clil.nator (TES )
Acres American,Inc.
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'!his procedures rranual is a rontrolled d::x:unent.Each ropy is
nUlCered am issued in trust to an individual wrose nane is
recorded a .a distribution log maintained by Terrestrial
Envircrunental Specialists,Inc.,in Phoenix,New York.Amendments
to this d::x:unent,as they are issued,will be sent to the
authorized oolder of each copy.Upoo CXllltlletioo of the project
(or by Deceuber 31,1982)all copi.es of the manual are to be
returned to Terrestrial Envircrunental Specialists,Inc.
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I .INlRDJCTICN
II .'IroINICAL ProcmJRES i•LITERAnlRE REVIEW •1
vroE:1'ATICN CIJIIER/llABITAT MAPPIN:i 1
(UALITATIVE ASSESSMENl'4
IDENl'IFICA.TICN AND IlJMENCLAWRE 4
!O)SE HABITAT EVAUJATICNl 4
sua:ESSICN Sl'UD'l 5•CDRRIOOR SELECTICN 6
~ERED CR 'llIRE:A1'rnED SPEX:IES 9.lRIJE'lS 7
I MPACl'ASSESSMENl'•7
INPUT RE(UIRED moM OIlIER s:xna:s 7
~logy .... .7
Aenal PhotograEh¥•8•Wildlife informat l on 8
PLvp?sed Facilltles and Actions 8
III.IY\TA PIDCEIlURES •8
EOl'ANICAL OlARACl'ERISTICS 11
Definitions of Vegetation Layers 11•Data Collected by Layer •11
General Information •12
PHYSICAL OlARACl'ERISTICS 12
WnDLIFE HAaI'i'AT 13
IV.<;UALIT'l ONI'KlL •14•vroE:l'ATIQoI CIJIIER/llABITAT MAPPIN:i 14
<;UALITATIVE A'iSESSMENI'S 14
V.SOlEIXlLE 14
VI.PERSCNNEL 14
•VII.LITERA'lURE CITED 19
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TABLE 2.Activity Schedule for Phase I of the Plant
Ecology Stwies • • • . • • • . • . . • .
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TABLE 1.
LIsr OF TABLES
Qualitative Assessment Form,Plant Ecology
Stooies . . . . . . . . . . .9
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TABLE 3.Personnel Descriptions,Qualifications,
and Assigned Tasks,Plant Ecology Studies 18
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I.INm:DUCTIQiI
This manual describes the procedures loIhich will be used in the
vegetatioo mapping,habitat evaluation,successioo study,and
vegetation inpact evaliJation conducted by the University of Alaska
Agricultural Experiment Statioo (AES)during Phase I (pre-license
application)of the Plant Ecology Studies 00 the Susitna Hydroelectric
Project.'!be purpose of this manual is to ensure uniformity of
techniques and priorities throughout the study.Since methods and
procedures for studies planned for 1981 are dependent to a certain
extent 00 the field studies during 1980,this manual will concentrate
on the procedures of the initial efforts.All procedures are covered,
al though s::Jme in nore detail than others.
Certain efforts,scheduled under the vegetatioo studies of the
Susitna Project ,will be aided by additional ~rk planned for the Upper
Susitna Basin by the Forest Service in cooperatioo with the Soil
Conservation Service.The procedures that are to be utilized by these
agencies are presented in their preliminary field procedures manual
(USFS 1979).
II.TECHNICAL PROCEOORES
LITERA'1lJRE REIlIEli
CoI11?rehensive searches of the scientific literature will be nade
to generate a bibliographic and actual data base of the Susitna region
and of similar ~pes of vegetation i n other areas of Alaska and
adjacent Canada.These studies will consist of literature searches in
standard bibliographic sources (e.g.Biological Abstracts,Wildlife
Review),data collation fran literature 00 methods and other studies of
Alaskan vegetation,goverrnnent reports,and vegetation inpact studies
in other northern regions.
Methods used in quantitative ecological studies of boreal,forest
or taiga in other regions will be included in the searches.Literature
dealing "ith the effect of water level chanqes on riparian vegetation
will al.so be reviewed.
The data base review will also include a review of pertinent 00-
going or proposed research.This information may be used to supplement
or support findings of the proposed plant ecology studies and nay
perhaps require a redirection of efforts.
Part of the data base review will also include coordination with
personnel involved in other aspects of the Susitna Hydroelectric
Project.Input will be requested from other associated disciplines
concerning schedules,methods,and types of data being collected.
Vegetation information or data will be disseminated to personnel in
associated disciplines when it is available.It is anticipated that
data exchange will take place with personnel in the hydrological and
faunal studies.
VEXiETATIQiI <XlVER/I!ABITAT MAPPm:;
LANlJSA.T imagery and high altitude (02)photography will be USL>d to
map vegetation/habitat types in the Susitna River Basin.On the basis of
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recent experience of staff of the Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station,i n
a:mjunction with the River Basin Cooperative Survey,this type of ptrltography
has proved adequate to delineate the vegetation types occurring i n the area.
The vegetation is primarily boreal,forest types and upland tundra.
Vegetatioo cover/habitat maps will be produced at various scales.The
entire Upper Susitna Basin will be mapped at a scale of either 1:120,000
or 1:250,000.LAN:lSAT imagery,as well as U2 ptrltography,will be used as
a basis for this maWing.Much of this area has already been mapped for
the Denali Planning Unit Rerrote Sensing Project.It is anticipated ':hat
these ex isting IlBPS will be incorporated into the Susitna mawing effort,
with artI areas that are not currently mawed being oovered under the
proposed mawing effort.The existing vegetation maps will,however,be
llIXlified 00 that the classificatioo scheme will more awropriately match
that envisioned for the proposed mawing effort.
Vegetatioo cover/habitat maps,to a scale of 1 :63,360,will be
produced for an area 10 to 12 miles 00 either side of the Susitna River
fran the Devils Canyon Dam site to the confluence of the Maclaren River .
Imagery enlarged to a scale of 1 :63,360 will be utilized for this mawing
effort.This area will be mawed primarily for use by personnel involved
in the faunal studies,especially the big game studies.US:;S topographic
maps, which are available for this area at the 1 :63,360 scale,will be
useful in field orientation when used in ronjunction with the oover maps.
If possible,the cover maps will be printed over their corresponding
topographic rraps for use by field personnel.
The inpoundment area and the downstream floodplain from Devils Canyon
to Talkeetna will be mapped at a scale of 1 :25,000,since these will be
the primary areas of direct irrt:"'ct.This will all"",smaller areas of
vegetation to be delineated.However,mawing at the 1:25,000 scale will
not necessarily include finer levels of classification (i .e.no new
vegetation types in addition to those delineated in the 1 :63,360 scale
maps will be added in the 1 :25,000 scale mawing).Some selected moose
habitat areas upstream and downstream will al.so be mapped at th is scale
for use in the moose habitat and successional studies.This maWing
effort is detailed in later sections.The ptrltography to be utilized for
the 1 :25,000 maWing will be enlarged fran existing color infrared (eIR)
obtained from NASA U2 flights.This scale was selected because the U.S.
Geological SUrvey is mawing Alaska at this scale.Also,an enlarged
scale of this nature has been requested by the Alaska Department of Fish
and Game for use in the big garne studies.
The two remaining areas for which vegetation oover/habi tat maps will
be produced will be the downstream floodplain bel"",Talkeetna and the
selected transmission line and access road corridors.Much of the
downstream floodplain has already been mapped by the Soil Conservation
Service as a p3rt of the Susitna River Basin Conprehensive Study,and
their mawing will be i ncorporated in the proposed !'larping effort.The
downstream floodplain is being investigated primarily because potential
changes in flow may result in changes in successional trends,which may
affect the potential of this area as key habitat for iIrportant wildlife
species,such as lllOOse.Additional maWing and studies specific to
successional trends are discussed in greater detail in the sections
entitled Moose Habitat Evaluatioo and Succession Studies.
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'lbe classificatioo system to be utilized for the mappiO'J is the
system developed ~Viereck and Dymess (1980).The mapping will be to
the third and fourth level of this system.It is anticipated that this
system will be ncdified to increase its applicability and usefulness for
faunal studies.An atterrpt wi ll be made to factor in parameters,such as
physiognorrr{(ove rall growth form ),that will help attain this <pal.Several
such parameters have been identified ~the u.s,Fish and Wildlife Service
during the River Basin Survey.Personnel involved in this study will be
contacted for their input into the proposed classificatioo scheme.
Preparatioo of the vegetation CDver/habitat naps will begin in early
1980 with the acquisitioo of Ll\IDSAT and presently available cm aerial
imagery.These Ftlotographs will enable delineation of vegetation types in
the SUsitna River Valley .'lbe delineatioo will be preliminary and require
extensive field verificatioo.The initial mapping will attempt to
delineate the wetland areas .This will be done to aid in the CO!I1?liance
with Section 404 of the Clean water Act prior to surface disturbing
activity.
The actual delineation of wetlands will depeOO 00 the definition of
wetland which is used.One definitioo includes arrj land which has gleyed
soils present.This definition loOuld include nost of the land in Alaska,
since JlDst soils in the state are saturated with water at least seasonally
or are in other ways deficient in oxygen at times.Other definitions are
tied JlDre directly with specific vegetatioo types or associat ions,o r
specific plant species which are characteristically associated with high
water table or i nundat ion.'lbe easiest method to delineate wetlands is on
the basis of vegetatioo cover alone.If individual species are used as
indicators of wetlands,care will be taken to insure that only those species
truly characteristic of wet areas are used.The actual approach to be used
will depend to a great extent 00 the concensus of opinioo held ~the land
managerrent agencies having j u risdic tion over these or CO!I1?Mable lands.The
problem will not be resolved until a clearer definitioo of wetlands is agreed
upoo ~the federal land management agencies.
For the above reasons,the initial approach will be to categorize the
wetlands encountered in the Susitna Basin.This will involve classific-
atioo of wetlands accordirq to ways in which they may be unsuited to
disturbance.For exanple,rome may represent prime or sensitive wildlife
habitat,while others may be unsui::.able for supportiO'J structures or roads .
Still others may pose serious watershed or erosioo hazards.These possibil-
ities and others will be considered and noted in the survey and mappiO'J
efforts.
Field verificatioo will,in large part,be <ICCO!I1?lished through
cooperatioo with the Forest Service (FS)and Soil Conservation Service
(SCS).These tw:>agencies will be CDnductiO'J a vegetation inventory of
the entire Upper Susitna River Basin.They have recently CO!I1?leted a
similar inventory of the Lower susitna,and art!willing to provide the AES
wi th these data as well.Where their d istributioo of 5aIIllle plots is insuf-
ficient for mapping purposes,AES personnel will obtain additional plot data.
All inventory data which have been or will be CDllected ~the FS,SCS or AES
have followed or will follow the Field Procedures Manual (USFS 1979).Th is
manual describes the methods to be used for collectioo of data 00 species
COITpOsition and productivity in both understory and overstory,as well as
elevation,slope,aspect,and rome soil characteristics.'1lle Field Procedures
Manual was develope:!jointly ~FS,sm,and AES personnel.
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AES personnel responsible for mapping will attend the Forest service's
training session,June 9-13,1980,to learn the procedures covered in the
manual.Additionally,one AES person will assist the FS and SCS in all of
their plot sarrpling of the Upper Susitna Basin.A concerted effort,such as
this,will be beneficial to all three organizations since it will eliminate
duplication of effort.More i1rp:>rtantly,h:Jwever,it will allow ready
cross-referencing to Upper Susitna data with ongoing classification"'11lapping
efforts in other regions in Alaska.
Phase I of the study requires descriptioos of all major plant
CDI11lIJllities which occur in the river basin.This will be acalllt>lished with
"walk throughs"or reronnaissance-level surveys of each vegetation type.
Reconnaissance techniques are most applicable here,because they allow good
coverage of different vegetation types over a large area in a relatively
short sanpling period.Walk throughs will be located in areas visually
jUdged to have lx:lnDgeneous vegetation representative of the vegetation types
identified at aerial photography.DJring the walk throughs,daninant species
conposition,species abundance,estimated heights,and percent cover will be
recorded.IJTP)rtant environmental characteristics such as edaphic,geologic,
or topogtaphic factors and their awarent relationship with vegetation
patterns will be noted.Tables of species and estimated abundance will be
constructed.Additionally,the structure and layers of each major plant
CDI11lIJllity will be described.A 5aIltlle data form and procedures for
conpleting this fotm are presented in Section III-Data Procedures.
IDENl'IFICATICN AND IQ1ENCIA'lURE
For the purposes of identifying plant species,bolO Ot"three reputable
keys or floras will be used.The major publications of this nature for
Alaska include Hulten (1968),Viereck and Little (1972),Argus (1973)and
welsh (1974).Specimens of species that are difficult to identify will be
sent to personnel at the Herbarium of the University Museum in Fairbanks.
Willow specimens will be sent to Dr.George Argus in Ottawa,Ontario.Nc:rnen-
clature in the reports will,in ge<leral,follow Hulten (1968)for herbaceous
species,and Viereck and Little (1972)and Argus (1973)for woody species.
I-O)SE HABITAT EVAIIJATICNS
IJlllact prediction for several animal species will be dependent,to a
certain extent,m the vegetatiat cover/habitat maps.This is especially
true for i1rp:>rtant big game species such as noose,However,the total
acreage of habitat,especially key winter habitat,is not the only factor
inllOlved.Information at total available browse,browse q.Ja1ity,
utilization,CDI11lIJllity trends,and other factors i;necessary for the
prediction of iJll)act at noose,and IlllSt be obtained from literature and
quantitative vegetatiat sanpling methods.
Phase I of the habitat study will be limited primarily to the pr0-
duction of vegetation cover/habitat maps that will provide acreage,location,
and distribution information at habitat types for use in faunal studies.The
selectim of areas to be mapped,map scales,and classification scheme has
resul ted from input of the personnel inllOlved in the faunal studies.The
quantitative informatiat required for more detailed iJlllact predictions will
be obtained during the Phase II (post-license application)effort.
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'!be succession studies will be directed primarily toIoIards identifying
the i nte rrel at i onships between the existing river characteristics and the
perpetuation of key rroose habitat in the flood plain of the Susitna River.
Certain vegetation cover/habitat types,especially willew and balsam
FOplar types,found on the flood plain of the Susitna River provide
inportant winter rroose habitat.'!bese types are thought to be maintained
by certain river characteristics,such as annual or catastrol=hic flooding.
'!he ptq:osed project will alter the flew regimes of the river and may,
therefore,cause changes in the types of vegetation that will eventually
cbninate that area.'!bis may,in turn,either increase or decrease the
capacity of the area for inportant wildlife species,such as rroose.
'!he area of rrost ooncem for the succession studies will be the cDwn-
stream flood plain below Talkeetna.'!be purpose of the succession studies
will be to attelTpt to establish historical trends in succession for this
area and to i dent i fy causal factors in sufficient detail to permit a
koowledgeable prediction of the magnitude of the downstream ~cts.
'!be approach to be used for the succession studies will be to gather
i nforma tion fran specific literature surveys;interpret existing current and
historical aerial l=hotogral=hs for changes in vegetation CNer tirre;relate
the vegetation changes to hydrological changes,topogra!=hy,soils,and
perhaps other Fhysical factors;and oollect information on age and CCIlIlUIli.ty
structure for selected habitats of various ages.
Specific searches will be perforrred for pertinent published literature
and ongoing research on succession.Literature on selected inportant
species will be oollected and reviewed.For these species information on
root systems,abi lity to withstand flood ing,shade tolerance,ability to
pioneer areas,etc.,will be inportant in the succession studies.Part of
the literature review will also i nclude the i d ent ifica tion of types and
sources of ava ilable historical aerial l=hotogral=hs and hydrological
i nforma tion pertinent to the succession study.'!bis will be coordinated
with efforts planned by other groups (urder Subtasks 2.08 and 3.01)to avoid
duplication of effort.
'!be vegetation mawing effort for the succession studies will involve
the production of vegetation cover/habi tat maps fran current and past aerial
l=hotogral=hs,a Ctlllparison of vegetation changes CNer tirre,and an investiga-
tion of the relationships of these changes with hydrological changes and
other ttJysical factors,such as topogral=hY and edal=hic ccndi tions.'!be
vegetation cover/habitat type mawing will be performed on selected
historical aerial l=hotogral=hs.Information on the type,age,ooverage,and
other factors related to the historical aerial l=hotogral=hs will be reviewed
i n oonjunction with the available l=hotogral=hs.'!be current aerial
l=hotographs on the 1 :25,000 scale will be used for the iJrp:lurdnent areas.
'!be vegetation mawing for the succession studies will rot be per-
formed for the entire flood plain area,but only in selected ~ling areas.
It is anticipated that selected areas in bands running across the flood
plain perpendicular to the long axis of the river will be mapped between
Talkeetna and the rrouth of the Yen tna River.'!be lU1tler and location of
these bands will be based on a nLllDer of biological and [hysical factors,
including noose utilization ,vegetation types,soi Ls,hydrological ~ling
l ocat ions,and river characteristics.
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Once the mapping in these selected bands is CXX11?leted for the current
and historical aerial Fhotographs,a ~rison of the changes that have
occurred over time will be made.These maps will be analyzed with past
hydrological information,such as flood flow records and other information on
physical factors to see if correlations exist among the different factors
involved.
The succession studies will require a certain anount of field sanplinq.
The sanpling will include determinaticxl of age of OJITIIUIlities,observational
information,and determination of species COIlp:)Sition and structure of the
OJITIIUIlities.The ages of various ...:x:ldy COllPOnents of the a:xmunities will be
used to date major Feriods of plant establishment,di~ffs,or catastrophic
sequences relative to historical flow regimes.
camunity age information will be obtained by rounting tl :e runt>er of
annual rings en cores of the dominant ...:x:ldy vegetation.The additional
sanpling ll'ethods to be utilized for this p::lrtion of the study will be
selected during the first year following literature revie'w'S and input from
persoonet involved in faunal studies.The field sanpling will be performed
primarily during the 1981 field season.Areas to be sanpled will be selected
in the inpoundment area and the downstream flood plain.In the cbwnstream
flood plain the sanpling areas will probably be within the selected bands
that will be maPPed as part of the mapping effort.
Particular attentien will be given to the structure and pattern of
vegetation on i sl ands or bars which are apparently stable and have reached a
late stage of plant succession.If possible.oblique aerial Fhotographs will
be taken in 1981 during a per.iod ooinciding with river flow which equals the
average flow predicted for dam opP.ration during per.iods irrportant to plant
succession.This loOuld aid in the determination of flood plain areas that
100uld I'D longer be subjected to flooding.This,in conjunctien with data on
soils,topography,and plant distribution in late successional stands,will
be useful for predicting acreage of various COllPOnents of rn:x>se habi tat which
"OUld be available when flood plain equilibrium is reached after CXX11?letion
of the dam.
Data gathered from the succession studies will be used in the
preliminary i~ct prediction of the proposed action.InforT1)ation en flow
regimes and predicted changes in hydrological characteristics cbwnstream will
be utilized in an atten¢to answer the downstream impact question.l'his
effort will be performed in the latter part of 1981 when succession
information is available and flow regimes fron the project have been
defined.
<X>RRIOOR SELECTICN
The selection process for the transmission and access road oorricbrs is
detailed in Subtasks 7.09 and 7.14,respectively.The plant ecology studies
will provide input into these subtasks.In the initial route selection
analysis,the alternative routes will be evaluated on a superficial basis for
major vegetation ronstraints (e.g.stations of proposed endangered species,
unique habitats.etc.).Once the primary routes have been selected for these
facilities.they will be rover mapped as detailed in the Vegetation
Cover/llabitat Mapping section.This mapping effort is anticipated to be
performed in the latter part of 1981.
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~OR '1HRFATENED SPOCIES SURVEYS
Presently there are 36 plant taxa listed for Alaska as rare,threatened.
or endangered (Murray,1980).On the basis of existing habitats an:l range
for these plants.probably only 5 are likely to occur in the Upper Susitna
River Basin.These are Slnelowski.a pyriformis,Papaver alboroseln,Slnelowski.!
borealis var.villosa,Taraxacun carneocaloratim,and Erigeron hultenH.
Three of these species have been considered by the u.s .Department of
Interior for possible inclusion in the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Probable habitats of all of these species will be searched and attempts made
to find specimens.
IMPJ\CT l\SSESSMENl'
All identified potential ~cts of the proposed project 00 vegetation
will be disCUSSErl in the rep:::>rts.The level of detail of impact prediction:3
and discussion will vary depending upon the area under ronsideration.For
the irrp:lUllCinent areas,and access road an:l transmissioo line rights-of-way,
accurate values of the total acreage of each vegetation type to be affected
(inundated or traversed)by the proposed facilities can be determined.
These values will be presented in tabular form toth as actual acreage and as
a percent of total acreage irrpacted.These data can be CDflllared to the total
existing acreage of each vegetation type an:l the percent that each type
represents of the entire study area,which will al.so be presented in tabuler
format.
In the cbwnstream area,plant ecology information will be used in
conjunction with various physical data to aid in predicting changes.
Depending upon the accuracy with which the totany personnel feel they can
predict vegetatioo changes.a map indicating type and extent of changes may
be produced.Supplementary field information required for predicting ~cts
will be acquired during the 1981 field season.
The need for data exchange and roordination with other groups has been
mentioned in several previous sections.A more thorough review of input
required is presented in this section.The information needed falls into the
follcwing categories:hydrology,aerial photography,wildlife populations and
habi tat,and proposed facili ties.
Hydrology
Hydrological information is needed for the cbwnstream area,especially
the area fran the confluence with the Chulitna to the confluence with the
Yentna.Information is needed on historical,baseline,and projected flows
for the dcwnstream area.Historically,the dates,duration.an:l frequency of
peak flews that exceed that projected for the Susitna project will be useful.
Dlring the course of the baseline studies a determination of the flows
at various key times will be needed.Projected changes in flows after the
project is c:orrpleted and the effects on the hydrologicill system dcwnstream
will be required.This information is expected to be supplied by R&M and
Acres.
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Aerial POOtogra£hY
Ebr the purposes of IlOst of the vegetation/habitat napping,existing
aerial Ftx>tographs will be utilized.However,the new Ftx>tographs tD be taken
of.the inpoundment area,downstream area,and access and transmission routes
(Subtask 2.08)would be quite helpful for the ma\=ping effort.Acres will
notify TES when any new Ftx>tographs are taken and/or available.Plant ecology
personnel should be given an o!=PQrtunity to review new photographs and
determine their usefulness tD the plant ecology studies.If deemed useful,
copies should be provided tD the plant eoology team.In addition,the
plant ecology group will need the list of available Ftx>tographs that is being
developed under Subtask 2.08 or arrt related effort by other project team
menDers.Information or availability of historical as well as current aerial
Ftx>tography is desired.
Wildlife Information
Wildlife information needed for the vegetation studies concerns big
game (especially ITOOse)p:>p..1lations and habitat,and all other wildlife
habitat information oollected.A copy of the ptoceclures manuals and all
reports produced by ADF&G will be needed.The plant eoology group is
especially interested in IlOOse p:>p..1lation densi ties,habitat preference by
season,and the conditicn of ITOOse subp:>p..l1ations.Results of the habitat
studies fur birds and non-game lIBJ1I11a1s and arrt other habitat information
will provide useful information to the plant eoology group.This
information will oome primarily from ADF&G and other nert>ers of the
enviravnental team.
Proposed Facilities and Actions
For the purposes of impact predictions and also for part of the
vegetation/habitat ma\=ping,the locaticn and specifications of proposed
facilities will be required.The location of proposed alternative routes
for access roads and transmissicn lines is needed as socn as they are
available.Selected primary routes fur toth the access roads and
transmissicn lines should be defined by stmner 1981 for cover ma\=ping
purposes,In addition,the locations and specifications of torrow areas,
tenporary haul roads,and arrt other ancillary facilities will be needed for
vegetation ma\=ping and inpact predictions.
Concerning the inpouncInents,basic information sud!as the locaticn of
all structures,full pool elevation,seasonal and diurnal water
fluctuations,and flew regimes will be required for impact assessment.
Since sunrner 1981 is the latest that vegetation w:>rk can be performed in the
field,nearly all the informaticn detailed in this secticn should be
available prior tD this field season (i.e.by May 1981).This information
will probably be SUFPlied primarily by Acres.
III.IlI\TA PIO:mlRES
I)}ring the initial stages of the plant eoology studies,data forms
will be used primarily in the qualitative assessment effort.This data
form is presented in Table 1.It is divided intD the follewing three
sections:1)totanical characteristics,2)physical d!aracteristics,
and 3)wildlife habitat information.
Table 1.Qualit ative assessment f orm.plant ecology s t udies .Page 1 of 2
Commun it y Type:~Date:_
Location:Initials:_
Ave.I'.gt .'-=m
Percent Cover _
3 0t anic al Characteristics:
Ground (All herbaceous plants ••oody plants <0 .5 m t all )
Species &Characters (a)-woody'__
I ,:"
[
Sp eci e s &Characters -Herbaceous:_
Percent Cover Ave.Hgt.m
..
~(~0 .5 m tall and <2.5 cm dbh )
Species &Characters:_
Percent Cover__~Av e .ilgt ..;m..Und e r st ory (2.5 cm t o <10 em dbh)
Species &Characters ,_
Percent Cover __---"Ave.Hgt.~Overstory (dbh ~l O cm)
Species !o Characters :_
'C Past Disturbance:_
~u c c e s s io n al Comments'_
'.Mosaics/Unique Features ,_
General Comments '_
I .,
a.Characters include cov er classes of,AA-95 to 100~,A-75 to 9 4~.B-50 t o 74 %;-C-25 to
49%.D-6 t o 2 4%.DD-O to 5%;and icportance classes of : l -Dominant .2-Abundant .
3-:requent,4-So1it a.-J to Sparse .Record as letter-number .Ex.I A-l .
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Table 1.~itative assessment form,plant e col ogy studies (Cont 'd .)Page 2 o f 2
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COIlllIIUIlity Type:Dat e :_
Location :I nit i als:-----
Physical Characteristics:
Elevation,Slope Aspect ,_
Landform'--Positiono _
3011s:_
Comment s :_
.ildli fe Habitat :
Available Brovse (Stems >40 cm hgt .,<13 cm CBH/4 sq. m.~lo t):
Species and Number :_
Brovse Ut il i zat ion :
Species and number stems brovsed:_
Brovse VigOr(b)
Species and rating :_
Pellet groups /12 .6 sq .m.plot:
C=ents:_
b .Vigor:1 (Healt hy:strong CAG, no sign of hedging),2 (moderate amount of hedg ing
and breaking ),3 (numerous hedged and /or dead plants).
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OOI'l\NICAL CJiARl\C'mRISTICS
The cbjective of this portion of the qualitative assessment is IX>
rollect data that will permit the preparatien of a descriptien of each
CXlIIIIlJni ty.Included in the description will be a species list,a
descriptien of CXlIIIIlJlli ty structure (daninant species by layers),
general information en succession and unique features,and conments.
Definitions of Vegetation Layers
B:>tanical descriptions are a:>nm:lIl1y done by growth forms (trees,
shrubs,eec.),For this assessnent,the vegetatien will be described
in layers or strata.In order IX>standardize the assessment for all
CCIlllllIOity types,oonsistent definitions for each vegetatien layer will
be utilized.The layers and corresponding definitions are as follows:
Grourrl Layer -This ,;t ratun includes all herbaceous plants.It
also includes all w:xxly VE<]etation below 0.5 m in height.For
ccnvenience in data reduc'cion,w:xxly species will be listed together
and the herbaceous 5peCles will be listed together.
Shrub Layer -All w:xxly vegetatien greater than or equal to 0.5 m
in height and less than 2.5 em diameter breast height (~h).The cf)h
is the diameter 1.4 meters fran the base.
Understory Layer -All w:xxly vegetation from 2.5 em cf)h IX>less
than 10.0 en dbh.
Overstory Layer -All w:xxly vegetation 10.0 em cf)h and greater.
Data Collected by Layer
The information to be collected for each layer includes:percent
cx>ver for the entire layer,average height for the entire layer,species
list,and an estimate of cover and relative inp:lrtance for each species.
The percent cx>ver for the entire layer is an estimate of the total
percent of available space (on a horizcntal plane)occupied by aerial
portions of plants in that layer.Since it is an estimate,it is
usually given as a range of percentages (e.g.60-80%).
Average height is estimated for each layer.It is usually given
in a range of ITeters (e.g• 10-12 meters).
Each species that is found in a layer will be listed.It is
inportant IX>list all species regardless of their iIrtx>rtance in other
layers.To save space a species acronym ronsisting of the first two
letters of the genus followed by the first two letters of the species
will be used (e.g.Populus balsamifera =roBA).A master list of all
species will be llBintained IX>allOid possible duplication of an
acronym.
Fbr each species listed an estimate of percent cover and relative
inp:>rtance will be made.Standard categories or classes will be
utilized for percent cx>ver and relative inportance.The categories for
percent cx>ver are:AA - 95 to 100%,A - 75 to 94%,B - 50 to 74%,
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C - 25 to 49%,D - 6 to 24%,and lD - 0 to 5%.'!he relative illp:lrtance
catE!C}:lries are:1 -dominant,2 -abuOOant,3 -frequent,and 4 -
solitary to sparse.'!he percent cover class arxl relative iIIp:lrtance
class will be recorded in parentheses after the species acronym.For
exanple,if Pop..ll.us balsamifera was estimated to be in the 75 to 94%
class arxl was also the d::>minant species in that layer it would be
recorded as roSA.(A-1).
Relative iIIp:lrtance classes are used in CDIljWlCtion with actual
cover classes to provide a means of describing the <XlII1lUni ty.'!he bID
classes nay not be directly related,because relative i.n'portance is
dependent upcn the total mnber of species that OCCUP.{a given strabmt.
For exanple,if there is ally cne species in the grouro layer arxl it is
in cover class D (6 to 24%),it would be the dominant species arxl thus
be in iIIp:lrtance class 1 (d::>minant)•
General Infonnation
General infonnation will be collected en past disturbance,
succession,arxl lI'OSaics/unique features,arxl general botanical axrrnents
will be nade.'l1le past disturbance category w:>uld include evidence of
arrj of the following:snow damage,fire,flooding,wildlife
disturbance,arxl nan's disturbance.'l1le time frame of the disturbance
or its periodicity will also be recorded if Jcrown.
'l1lere are several different types of infornation that can be noted
under succession.Any infonnatien relative to what the COIIIllJni ty was
in the past,what it will be in the future,arxl row long it will take
to change is iIIp:lrtant.'l1le tree species fourxl in the shrub arxl ground
layers will provide infornation en '-OCldy axmunities.In a forest
CXlIlITUIlity,if the sane tree species dominates the overstory arxl lower
layers,it probably indicates that the <XlII1lUnity is stable (possibly
climax).Different dominant tree species in the groun:l layer arxl the
overstory may indicate that a different forest type is developing.Much
of this type of infonnatien relates to the actual species under
ronsideration.Issues such as loIhether shade-intolerant species are
dYing out or being overtaken by different species,arxl whether species
that invade an area following fire or flooding are present,will be
investigated.lqa infonnatien will also be collected through the use of
increment cores from the d::>minant '-OCldy vegetation or indicator
species.
Any lI'OSaics or unique features in a colllllJnity will be recorded.
Some CXlIlITUIlities may be lx:rrogeneous throughout,while other <XlII1lUnities
may frequently include snall scattered patches of a different CXlIlITUIli ty
type.Unique features would include arrjthing unusual included in the
<XlII1lUni ty such as snall ponds,wetlands,or a colony of a unique
species.General axrrnents loIOUld include arrj infonnatien that will
supplement or clarify the t:otanical description.
PHYSICAL OlARAC'l'ERISTICS
'lhe cbjective of this portion of the qualitative assessment is to
collect data that will describe characteristics of the physical environ-
ment loIhich nay be closely associated with the occurrence of a particular
vegetation/wildlife habitat type.'l1le physical characteristics portion
of the data form is presented en the second page of Table 1.
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One person en the survey team is assigned to record the physical
variables at each site ..nere the vegetation is described.Elevation is
determined fran tq;x:lgtaphic maps or the altimeter of the helicopter.
Degree of slope typical of "the site is rreasured with an ABNEY level.
Aspect is determined with the use of a c:onpass and recorded in degrees.
Position ~rally refers to elevational location of the site with
respect to the land fom en which it occurs (e.g.canycn site:mid ,
upper or :Lower level:llDWltain top:etc).
At least one soil pit will be dug at each site,and the horizons
of each described in tetlllS of depth,texture,ealcr ,wetness,and
structure.Texture and color will be described in CDIi11D,soil
classification tetlllS.Wetness will be recorded as satucated,wet,
llD ist,or dry.'!he pits will be dug to a depth of at least 30 en or
until frost or rock is encountered.Parent IlBterial will be identified
in each case.In addition,core sarrples of approximately 20 en depth
will be taken £rem 5 to 8 locations within the site.The sarrples
will be placed in a CDIll1Dt plastic bag,labelled,and sealed fot later
texture and chemical analysis.They will be stored in a cool place.
WIIDLIFE HABITAT
'!he focus of this part of the qualitative assessment is the
descriptien of ungulate habitat values for each col11ll1rlity/habitat type.
Secondarily,this study will record the presence or sign of other
wildlife species,such as birds,small mamnals,and bears.
'!he data form for wildlife habitat infotmation is ptesented en the
second page of Table 1.Available btQIse,btQl5e utilization,btQl5e
vigor,pellet groups,and a:mments relative to wildlife habitat are
recorded 00 the form.
Available browse refers to stems of any browsed species ..nich are
greater than 40 en in height,but less than 13 en circunference breast
height (CBH).These criteria are similar to those used en the Kenai
I'oose Refuge (Wayne Regelin pers.ccmn.)and proposed in the USF&WS
Criteria Handbook (USF&ws 1980).Available btQI5e will be described
for each species in tetlllS of the nlllber of stems originating at or
below the grouro surface within a 4 square JTeter plot.At least 6
plots will be rand:lmly located and assessed at each site.At the same
tiJTe available btQI5e information is rollected,the rurber of stems
within the aIxlve restrictions which have been btQIsed will als:>be
recorded.Snowshoe hare browse will be differentiated i f possible.
After the 4 square meter plot measurements have been recorded,a 2
m tadius plot (cent e ring en the first established corner of the 4
square meter plot )will be checked for noose,cartbou,ptatmigan,bear
or other fecal groups,and the lUTtler of each recorded.Only those
fecal groups that have been deposited within the past boo years will be
recorded .
Finally,the structure and health of each btQI5ed species will be
described for the site in general.'!he btQl5e vigor is described using
the following classes:1)healthy:strong current annual gtQIth (CAG),
00 sign of hedging,2)llDderate:llDderate arount of hedging and
breaking,and 3)pror:numerous hedged and/or dead plants.
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IV.CUALI'1Y <XNI'IVL
VEXiETATICN OOVER/lWlITAT MAPPINi
Ma{:ping accuracy will be checked in ooe to three ways .Low al ti tude
flj'-Qvers will be used whenever possible to obtain 350m color photographs o f
selected areas.tt1e area covered I:1t each color photograph will be recorded
I:1t locating the center fYlint of each frarre 00 mylar-covered (1 :120 ,000
scale)prints of the oontrolled aerial photos.ttIe direction of camera
projectioo will be i ndi cat ed I:1t drawing an arrool through the "center
points"•When possible,oo-<:JrOUnd 35mn oolor photographs wi ll be taken of
typical vegetatioo within the area oovered I:1t the le-altitude photograph.
A third form o f vegetation docunentat ion will involve lU!of field plot data
collected I:1t FS, SCS and lIES personnel,and qualitative assessnents
conducted I:1t lIES personnel.ArTf of all ex the above information will be
used to verify species corrp:>sitioo of areas 00 the eIR imagery used in
actual nap preparation.If questionable areas renain,on-qround checks of
those specific areas will be made.
<;UALITATIVE ASSESSHENl'S
Since the qual itative assessments require a certain rurt>er of subjec-
tive judgements,all personnel CX>nducting walk-throughs will be required to
"trai n"together periodically to ensure that vegetation characteristics
(d:minant species OOII(XlSition,bro.rse availability,utilization,etc.)are
being designated to the proper class or category.'Ibis training will also
ensure that plant species identificatioo is accurate.Field personnel will
be required to report classification problems to the project leader.'Ibey
will als:>collect questionable plant specimens in plastic bags for identi-
fication at the field caIItl.Species that cannot be i d ent i f i ed will be
placed in a plant press for later identificatioo at the herbarium.
All field plot data will be referenced to location 00 US:;S topographic
maps (1 :63,360 scale),and the initials of ,each field persoo i nvo lved i n
the plot rorvey will be placed at the top of the data sheet.Data sheets
and plot locatioo maps.wi ll be copied as soon as possible and f iled
according to geogtaphic location.
v.SCHE1XJLE
Table 2 outlines the activity schedule that will be followed during
Phase I.'Ib is schedule will be reviewed and nodified if necessary in early
1981.
VI.PE:RSCNNEL
Table 3 lis ts the names,positions,and expertise of individuals
working 00 the plant ecology portion of the Susitna study.Assigned tasks
are als:>indicated.
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Tabl"2.Activity schedulc for Phase I of the Plant Ecology Studies.
1962
ACTIVITY
l~')
MJJASOIID
1961
J F M A M J J A SON D J F M
Acquisition of photos and interpretation X
equipment
Crev orientation and field preparation X
St udy of photo s and planning of over-X
flights and reconnaisswlce surveys
Submit Procedures Manull1 X
Ground check mapping criteria and do
qualitat ive assessments.Map repre-
sentative areas at 1:120,000 and
1:6 3,360 scale
Revise mapping c riteria and develop
l"gends
14ap impoundment area (1:25,000 s cale)
AsseS R downstream areas and develop
sampling procedures for succes sion
Perform ov erflights to ch"ck and modify
mapping
X X X
X X
X
X X
X X
Report preparat ion and submission o f s emi-X X
annual r eport t o TES
Data analysis,report preparation,and
development of a vorking copy of
veg etation/hahitat cover maps at all
scales
X X X X X
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Table 2.Activity schedule for Phase I of the Plant Ecology Studies.(Cont'd.)
1980 1981 1982
ACTIVITY
8ubmi t Annual Report to TES
Determine plot locations (sample allo-
cation)and procedures for 1981 studies
Develop vegetative cover/habitat maps for
variously aged aerial photographs of
portions of lower Susitna flood plain
Survey-in permanent plots for succession
study and age mature trees
M J J A SON D J F M A M J J A SON D
x
x X
X X
X X
J F M
Concentrated literature search for infor-
mation pertinent to plant succession in
region and develop historical perspective
of extent and severity of alluvial dis-
turbance on Susitna flood plain
Sample succession plots
Final field check of vegetation mapping,
cover ~~p proposed access road and
transmission line routes
Data analysis and report preparation for
second semi-annual report,and submit to TES
Prepare description of plant succession,
predict vegetation cover for various
times following alteration of river
flow,and predict impact on moose
habitat
X X
X X
X X
X X
X X X X
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Table 2 .Activity schedule for Phase I of the Plant Ecology Studies.(Cont'd.)
1980 1981 1982
ACTIVITY
Oata analysis and report preparation
including baseline description,impact
and mitigation for project
Submit D,'al't Phase I Report to TES
Respond to comments and submit Final
Phase I Report to TES
M J J A SON 0 J F M A M J J A SON 0
x X X X
J F M
X
X
X X
Tabl e 3 . Personnel de scr i ptions ,qual i fi cation s,and ass igned tasks f or the Plant Ecology St udie s .
NAME/PO l.:1TION
J os eph M.McMullen
Group Lead er
:~J D. McKendr i ck,PhD.
Pr inc ipal I nve stigator
Wi l l iam B.Collins,PhD.
Proj ec t Leader
Pet er C.Uc o rup
Res ear ch As si stant
Do t Helm, PhD.
Laboratory Te chni cian
Davi d Lane ville
EXPERTISE
Expe rience i n Bot any and Plant
Ecology
ExPerienc e in Range Sc ience and
Plant Eco logy
ExPeri e nce in Range Sc ience,An imal
Nut rition and Behavior.Range-
Wi ldlife Habitat Research is
s pecial ty.
Exper ience i n Range Sci e nce .
Se veral y e ars ex per i ence in mapping
o f Alaska v ege tati on.Memb er o f
ALMCTF Comm it t ee o n Vegetation
Descr i pt ion and Clas sification.
B.S .and M.S .in Mathematics,M.S.
an d PhD.in Range Sc ience.Veg-
etation Sampl ing Research is
spec ial i ty.
8 y e ars e xpe rience in Civil and
Me chanical Drafting.Certified
Engineer ing Technic ian.
TAS K
Overal l c oord inat ion and direct ion
o n all a spect s of stUdy.
Proj e ct Coordinator and Advisor .
Assist with fi eld mapping.
Fie ld Team Leader . Aer ial phot o
int erpretation,vegetation su r veys ,
mapping.
Advisor on aer i al ph o to interpre-
tati on and mapping .
Aerial photo i nterpretation,mapping
reconnai ssance survey s.data i nter-
p reta tion and an alys is .
Cartography .
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VII.LITERl\'lURE CITED
Argus,G.W.1973.The genus salix in Alaska and the Yukon.National
Museun of Natural Sciences PubHcatioo in Botany,No.2 .Ottawa.
Hulten,E.1968.Flora of Alaska and neighboring territories.Stanford
University Press,Stanford.
Murray,D. F.1980.Threatened and endangered plants of Alaska.USDA
Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management.
USFS.1979.Preliminary field procedures for the rooperative vegetation
inventory of the Susitna River Basin,Alaska.US>A -Forest Service
Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station in rooperatioo with
US>A -Soil Conservation Service,USCI -Fish and Wildlife Service,and
Alaska Division of Lands.
USF&WS.1980.Terrestrial habitat evaluation criteria handbook -Alaska.
Division of Ecological Services,U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service,
Anchorage.
Viereck,L .A.,and E.L.Little,Jr.1972.Alaska trees and shrubs.
Agric.Ilanclbook No.410.USDA For.serv,Washington,D.C.265p.
Viereck,L.A.,and C.T.Dyrness.1980.A preliminary classification
systan for vegetation of Alaska.USDA.Forest Service,Pacific
Northwest Forest and Range Exp.Stn.Gen.Tech.Rep.PNW-106.
Welsh,S.L.1974.Anderson's flora of Alaska and adjacent parts of
canada.Brigham Young University Press.Provo,Utah.