nant vegetation were recorded. Approximately 15 subsamples were collected 

 with a soil auger-tube sampler from the ground-cover rooting zone (approxi- 

 mately the upper 20 cm). These subsamples were combined to form one compos- 

 ite sample for each soil unit. Composite samples were air dried and ana- 

 lyzed for pH, percent organic matter, and percent nitrogen, phosphorus, 

 and potassium. A particle size distribution analysis was conducted to deter- 

 mine the percent sand, silt, and clay in the composite sample. 



Vegetation. Vegetation surveys delineated the major cover types with- 

 in the study area. Within each habitat, the serai stage of development 

 was noted and the plant species were recorded. 



Qualitative site descriptions were augmented by limited use of quan- 

 titative sampling methods that employed a systematic, nested plot design 

 (James 1978). Strand or patch habitats required "spot" location of nested 

 plots or qualitative description only. 



Description of the overstory vegetation included the following param- 

 eters: dominant and subordinate tree species, average height and DBH (diam- 

 eter at breast height) of the stand and stand components, and representative 

 ages by species and height class. A limited number of circular plots (0.04 

 ha) were used to quantitatively sample each habitat. Forester's calipers 

 or a diameter tape, or both, were used to determine tree DBH; tree height 

 was estimated and an increment borer or cross-sectioning method was employed 

 to determine the age of woody plants. Increment cores and cross sections 

 were returned to the laboratory for staining and age determination when 

 necessary. 



Shrub growth within each habitat was described by identifying species 

 composition and relative density, average height by species, and representa- 

 tive ages by species and height class. Stem and clump density counts were 

 conducted on a limited number of systematically located, 0.004-ha circular 

 plots. Selected shrubs were aged by cross-sectioning above the root collar. 

 Evidence of herbivore browsing was noted. 



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