Academic literature on the topic 'Stand Dominant Height'

Black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) is an important pulpwood species that grows on peatland sites in the clay belt region of northern Ontario. The mechanical stability of spruce found on these sites is crucial in determining how tall a stand can grow before losses due to windthrow become excessive. In this study, the stability of a sample of 58 black spruce trees, in stands of various height and density classes, was measured by winching them over and determining their critical turning moment. Regression analysis was used to express critical turning moment as a function of tree height, dominant stand height, and stand stocking. An analysis was carried out to estimate turning moments due to static wind action on the sample trees and predicting the wind speeds required to produce the static force needed to cause windthrow. A comparison of the measured critical turning moments to the estimated wind-generated critical turning moments was used to identify the wind speeds that have enough static force to cause windthrow. A table of critical wind speeds, based on a reference wind, is given for black spruce stands of various heights and densities. Based on these wind speeds and winds associated with periodic storms, black spruce stands can be expected to become susceptible to windthrow once dominant stand height reaches 20 to 21 m. Stand stability increases with stand density owing to the greater ability of dense stands to dissipate incoming winds and the added stability of interlocking root systems. These results suggest that the black spruce stands growing on peatland sites in the clay belt should be harvested before dominant stand height reaches a maximum of 20 to 21 m to avoid excessive losses due to windthrow.

A nonlinear model that yields logical predictions for tree crown ratio is presented. The model is based on data from permanent experimental plots located in even-aged Scots pine (Pinussylvestris L.) stands in southern and central Finland. Regressor variables in the model are stand dominant height, stand basal area, tree diameter, and tree height. The effect of thinning on tree crown ratio is modelled by incorporating a thinning response variable into the model. Thinning effect is dependent on thinning intensity and time elapsed from thinning, the latter of which is represented by the difference between current stand dominant height and dominant height at the time of thinning.

The aim of the study was to develop a site index model for Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon plantations in southeastern Africa based on the relationship between the dominant height and stand age. Conversely, analysis of dominant height and age data showed that the growth patterns of plantations were different. In addition, the asymptotes and forms of standwise dominant height curves varied within plantations. In developing a common site index model, instead of using the more common approach of estimating separate dominant height–age models for different plantations or sites, a mean curve approach based on a linear random parameter model with fixed and random parameters was applied. The random parameter model of this study was calibrated by predicting random parameters for the plantation and stand effects, in accordance with the standard linear prediction theory. The analyses showed that the calibration of the dominant height model was an efficient method to obtain reliable dominant height predictions of a stand, particularly when several dominant height–age observations from different stands of a plantation and at least one measured dominant height and stand age of a target stand are available. This is the case in many forest inventories based on temporary samples, i.e., cross-sectional data. The new site index model is a useful tool for use in different mensurational applications, and its properties can efficiently be utilized for example in forest inventories of P. kesiya plantations in southeastern Africa.

AbstractThe availability of a large amount of data from reliable sources is important for forest growth modelling. A permanent plot where trees are repeatedly measured provides a clearer picture of stand alterations. Various factors, including forest management, affect forest growth and accuracy of its assessment. In Estonia, mean height as a regression height prediction at mean square diameter is commonly used in forest management practice. Alternatively, dominant height can be used. The main advantage of using dominant height instead of mean height is that the growth of dominant trees is not so strongly affected by stand density (thinning). The aim of our research was to investigate the difference between mean height and dominant height when used as stand height. The research was based on the Estonian Network of Forest Research Plots (ENFRP). As a result, we found that the average mean height change was significantly greater in the case of thinning when compared to undisturbed stand development, whereas, the average dominant height change in the case of thinning compared to undisturbed development was less significant. As a side result, we developed a regression model that can be used for calculating the dominant height of the main tree species using stand attributes (mean height, quadratic mean diameter and density) with a residual standard deviation of 0.466 m.

The height growth of dominant trees in plantations is often assumed to be independent of initial planting density. This assumption allows for the use of dominant tree height as an index of site quality. We found that this assumption was false for the seven tallest trees in 184 even-aged loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) stands, planted at nine initial planting densities, at four different geographic locations. A strong, highly significant negative correlation was found between dominant height and initial planting density for stands 14 and 16 years of age. This leads to large differences in predicted site index for stands with different initial planting densities planted at the same geographic location. Use of these site indices to predict yield produced large differences in predicted yield (m3/ha) at age 25. These results provide strong evidence for density-dependent height growth, even for dominant trees in the stand, and suggest that site index, used as a measurement of site quality, is confounded with stand density.

The relationship between age-5 pine height and vegetation cover was estimated for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelm.) stands using regression analysis. This paper utilizes results from four locations of a vegetation control study that included herbicide treatments to control woody shrub and herbaceous vegetation. Age-5 average dominant height was predicted from first-year herbaceous cover, untreated first-year shrub cover, and fifth-year shrub cover. Dominant height increased 0.5 m for each decrease of about 30% in either first year herbaceous cover, untreated first-year shrub cover, or year-5 shrub cover. Lack of vegetation control on beds where vegetation was allowed to recolonize before planting reduced dominant height an additional 0.5 m. A competition index was constructed that estimates the difference between "potential" and actual age-5 pine height. Stand-level models were developed to link age-5 pine height and occupancy of competing vegetation to quadratic mean DBH, specific DBH percentiles, and stand basal area. The effects of interspecific competition on stand basal area and diameter percentiles could be accounted for through the effects of competing vegetation on dominant height except for treatments that did not control woody shrubs.

Site index (SI) is commonly used in natural stands, even when their diameter distribution deviates from that of the monospecific, even-aged, fully stocked stands used to develop basic age–height relationships. Since deviations from basic age–height trajectories can be reflected in deviations of stand diameter distribution from a bell shape, we incorporated different diameter diversity indices into an age–height equation to help improve height predictions and determine which index is best related to stand dominant height. This procedure was performed using black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) stands from a large network of permanent sample plots established across the province of Quebec, Canada. The age–height model that minimized the Akaike’s information criterion used the Shannon evenness index (ESh) as an equation modifier accounting for the diameter diversity variable. The model showed that for stands established on relatively poor sites (SI = 9), no substantial differences in dominant height were found between two contrasting ESh values. For SI = 15, however, the larger ESh value increased the dominant height by as much as 1 m at 80 years. These results suggest that introduction of ESh into an age–height model can improve calculation of site index, particularly in regions characterized by the presence of numerous uneven-aged stands.

The advance regeneration often present following clear-cutting in black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) stands is generally composed of individuals of various heights. This initial height difference is hypothesized to affect the yield of the future stand. Height of the advance regeneration at time of release was determined on several black spruce trees within 33 stands distributed across the boreal forest of the province of Quebec, Canada. From these data, a regeneration structure index was developed and used to explain a part of the variation in subsequent stand yield. Dominant trees of stands developing for 38 to 65 years since clear-cutting generally originated from the tallest advance regeneration at time of release. Stands with the tallest regeneration at time of release produced the largest yields for a given site quality and number of years since harvesting. A 3-m increase in advance-regeneration height resulted in a similar yield gain as a 3-m increase in site index. Site indices calculated from age-height relationships of dominant trees originating from tall advance regeneration were less than those calculated from trees that have undergone a relatively short period of suppression. These results suggest that traditional management tools developed for fire-origin black spruce stands, i.e., stands mainly composed of seed-origin trees established after perturbation, should be adjusted for clearcut-origin stands that largely develop from advance regeneration.

Abstract Site index, estimated as a function of dominant-tree height and age, is often used as an expression of site quality. This expression is assumed to be effectively independent of stand density. Observation of dominant height at two different ponderosa pine levels-of-growing-stock studies revealed that top height stability with respect to stand density depends on the definition of the dominant height. Dominant height estimates calculated from a fixed number of trees per acre (ranging from 10 to 60 of the tallest trees per acre) were less affected by density than those calculated from a proportion (with the cutoff ranging from 95th to the 70th percentile) of the largest trees in the stand.

Within the framework of large-scale forest management, the application of Eichhorn's law, which employs dominant height or mean height exclusively to predict tree volumes per hectare, is certainly rapid, but high accuracy is not guaranteed. Substantial error occurred when this method was used in a study of boreal black spruce stands (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.). Use of both basal area per hectare and dominant height, however, permitted estimation of total volume per hectare and volume to 9 cm top with only 11 and 12% error, respectively. The form factors for total volume and volume to 9 cm top showed great stability. For this reason, use of the simple conventional formula (V = G.H.F.) to estimate standing volumes is justified. Key words: Stand volume table, Eichhorn's law, stand form factor

The interest in renewables for energy has increased in the last 2-3 decades because of the negative environmental impact caused by the burning of fossil fuels, the raising prices of traditional fuels, the dependence on foreign oil, and the decrease in fossil fuels resources. Biomass energy represents one of the most promising alternatives. Many studies worldwide were devoted to investigate growth and yield of short rotation forestry plantations for energetic use and several empirical and process-based models were developed to predict the potential production of biomass. The current work was concentrated on modelling site productivity (potential of biomass production) of specific poplar clones planted on arable Saxon land under different stocking densities. Empirical data collected from several experimental areas were used. Site productivity has been predicted depending on stand age and site variables using a two-step model. In step one age and site variables were used to model stand dominant height and in step two the constructed dominant height was involved with stocking density to predict stand oven dried biomass. Depending on data availability the model was parameterized for four different groups of poplar clones: Androscoggin (clone Androscoggin), Matrix (Matrix and hybrid 275), Max (Max 1 …Max 5) and Münden (clone Münden). Both stand dominant height and stand dry biomass were modelled for ages 2 – 9 years for clone groups: Matrix and Max and for ages 2 – 7 years for clone groups: Androscoggin and Münden. The model has been tested and validated using several statistical and graphical methods. The relative bias (ē %) in the dominant height estimates ranged between 0.5 % > ē % > - 0.5 % in all clone groups and had a maximum bias of 10.41 % in stand biomass estimates. Model accuracy (mx %) in the dominant height estimates ranged between 12.25 and 17.56 % and between 8.05 and 27.32 % in stand biomass estimates. Two different scenarios were presented to show the potential of biomass that can be produced from poplar plantations on arable and former fallow Saxon lands at different stocking densities. ArcGIS has been used to visualize model application results. In order to produce a mean annual increment ≥ 8 [dry t/ha/a] from poplar plantations (Max group) for more than 50 % of arable or former fallow lands in the first rotation at least 9 years are required under stocking density of 4000 stems/ha and 7 years for both stocking densities 8333 and 10,000 stems/ha
Die Nachfrage nach Holz für energetische Zwecke nimmt in Deutschland und ganz Europa zu. Um diesen Bedarf künftig besser befriedigen zu können, müssen verstärkt Ressourcen aus verschiedenen Quellen wie z. B. Holz aus Niederwäldern oder Durchforstungsreserven im Hochwald mobilisiert und ergänzend Holz in Kurzumtriebsflächen produziert werden (Guericke, M. 2006). Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, das Ertragspotential von Pappelklonen in Kurzumtriebsplantagen unterschiedlicher Baumdichte auf sächsischen Ackerflächen zu untersuchen. Hierzu wurden die potentiellen Erträge anhand empirischer, auf verschiedenen Versuchsflächen erhobener Daten modelliert. Zur Schätzung des Ertragspotentials wurde ein zweistufiges Modell entwickelt: Im ersten Schritt erfolgte die Modellierung der Oberhöhe eines Bestandes (ho, m) in Abhängigkeit von Bestandesalter und Standortfaktoren unter Verwendung einer multiplen linearen Regressionsanalyse, dabei wurden Bestimmtheitsmaße (R²) von 0,975 bis 0,989 erreicht. In einem zweiten Schritt lässt sich dann der Biomassevorrat [tatro/ha/a] mittels nichtlinearer Regressionsanalyse durch die Bestandesoberhöhe schätzen. Das Bestimmtheitsmaß von R² ≥ 0,933 weist auch hier auf eine hohe Anpassungsgüte hin. Die Modellparametrisierung erfolgte für folgende vier Gruppen von Pappelklonen: • Max-Gruppe: Klone Max 1, Max 2, Max 3, Max 4 und Max 5, Altersbereich 2 – 9 Jahre, Baumdichten von 1150 – 13000 Stämmen/ha; • Matrix-Gruppe: Klon Matrix und Hybride 275, Altersbereich 2 – 9 Jahre, Baumdichte 1550 Stämme/ha; • Androscoggin-Gruppe: Klon Androscoggin, Altersbereich 2 – 7 Jahre, Baumdichte 1550 Stämme/ha; und • Münden-Gruppe: Klon Münden, Altersbereich 2 – 7 Jahre, Baumdichte 1550 Stämme/ha. Die Güte des Modells wurde mit Hilfe verschiedener statistischer Verfahren überprüft. Bei der Validierung anhand des Datensatzes, welcher für die Modellkonstruktion Verwendung fand, zeigte das Modell eine Verzerrung bzw. einen Bias von 0,5 % > ē % > - 0,5 % bei der Bestandesoberhöhenschätzung und einen maximalen Bias von 10,41 % bei der Schätzung der Bestandesbiomasse. Die Treffgenauigkeit (mx %) des Modells hingegen variierte zwischen 12,25 % und 17,56 % bzw. 8,05 und 27,32 % (bei Schätzung der Bestandesoberhöhe bzw. der Bestandesbiomasse). Zudem wies das Modell keinen systematischen Fehler zwischen den geschätzten und den realen Werten auf. Bei der Validierung mit einem unabhängigen Datensatz betrug die Treffgenauigkeit (mx %) für die Schätzung der Bestandsoberhöhe und des Biomassevorrates 15,72 bzw. 26,68 %. Um das Ertragspotenzial von Pappelplantagen für die gesamte sächsische Ackerfläche bzw. die gesamte ehemalige Stilllegungsfläche zu bestimmen, wurden die zu Schätzung erforderlichen Standortvariablen auf Gemeindebasis kalkuliert, mittels ArcGIS dargestellt sowie Simulationsrechungen für verschiedene Bestandsdichten vorgenommen und ebenfalls visualisiert. Den Ergebnissen der Simulationsrechnungen zufolge wäre bei einer Stammzahl von 4000 N/ha eine Rotationslänge von 9 Jahren, bei 8333 bis 10.000 N/ha von 7 Jahren erforderlich, um einen durchschnittlichen Gesamtzuwachs (dGz) von ≥ 8 [tatro/ha/a] auf mehr als 50 % der sächsischen Ackerflächen bzw. ehemaligen Stilllegungsflächen in erster Rotation zu erreichen. Würde die gesamte ehemalige sächsische Stilllegungsfläche mit einer Baumdichte von 10.000 Stämmen/ha bepflanzt werden, könnten Pappelplantagen im Alter 9 einen dGz von 520.000 [tatro/a] (entsprechend 250.000 Kubikmeter Diesel) erreichen. Bei Bestockung aller sächsischen Ackerflächen würde sich der Ertrag auf bis zu 9.087.000 [tatro/a] (entsprechend 4.367.000 Kubikmeter Diesel) erhöhen

The interest in renewables for energy has increased in the last 2-3 decades because of the negative environmental impact caused by the burning of fossil fuels, the raising prices of traditional fuels, the dependence on foreign oil, and the decrease in fossil fuels resources. Biomass energy represents one of the most promising alternatives. Many studies worldwide were devoted to investigate growth and yield of short rotation forestry plantations for energetic use and several empirical and process-based models were developed to predict the potential production of biomass. The current work was concentrated on modelling site productivity (potential of biomass production) of specific poplar clones planted on arable Saxon land under different stocking densities. Empirical data collected from several experimental areas were used. Site productivity has been predicted depending on stand age and site variables using a two-step model. In step one age and site variables were used to model stand dominant height and in step two the constructed dominant height was involved with stocking density to predict stand oven dried biomass. Depending on data availability the model was parameterized for four different groups of poplar clones: Androscoggin (clone Androscoggin), Matrix (Matrix and hybrid 275), Max (Max 1 …Max 5) and Münden (clone Münden). Both stand dominant height and stand dry biomass were modelled for ages 2 – 9 years for clone groups: Matrix and Max and for ages 2 – 7 years for clone groups: Androscoggin and Münden. The model has been tested and validated using several statistical and graphical methods. The relative bias (ē %) in the dominant height estimates ranged between 0.5 % > ē % > - 0.5 % in all clone groups and had a maximum bias of 10.41 % in stand biomass estimates. Model accuracy (mx %) in the dominant height estimates ranged between 12.25 and 17.56 % and between 8.05 and 27.32 % in stand biomass estimates. Two different scenarios were presented to show the potential of biomass that can be produced from poplar plantations on arable and former fallow Saxon lands at different stocking densities. ArcGIS has been used to visualize model application results. In order to produce a mean annual increment ≥ 8 [dry t/ha/a] from poplar plantations (Max group) for more than 50 % of arable or former fallow lands in the first rotation at least 9 years are required under stocking density of 4000 stems/ha and 7 years for both stocking densities 8333 and 10,000 stems/ha.
Die Nachfrage nach Holz für energetische Zwecke nimmt in Deutschland und ganz Europa zu. Um diesen Bedarf künftig besser befriedigen zu können, müssen verstärkt Ressourcen aus verschiedenen Quellen wie z. B. Holz aus Niederwäldern oder Durchforstungsreserven im Hochwald mobilisiert und ergänzend Holz in Kurzumtriebsflächen produziert werden (Guericke, M. 2006). Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, das Ertragspotential von Pappelklonen in Kurzumtriebsplantagen unterschiedlicher Baumdichte auf sächsischen Ackerflächen zu untersuchen. Hierzu wurden die potentiellen Erträge anhand empirischer, auf verschiedenen Versuchsflächen erhobener Daten modelliert. Zur Schätzung des Ertragspotentials wurde ein zweistufiges Modell entwickelt: Im ersten Schritt erfolgte die Modellierung der Oberhöhe eines Bestandes (ho, m) in Abhängigkeit von Bestandesalter und Standortfaktoren unter Verwendung einer multiplen linearen Regressionsanalyse, dabei wurden Bestimmtheitsmaße (R²) von 0,975 bis 0,989 erreicht. In einem zweiten Schritt lässt sich dann der Biomassevorrat [tatro/ha/a] mittels nichtlinearer Regressionsanalyse durch die Bestandesoberhöhe schätzen. Das Bestimmtheitsmaß von R² ≥ 0,933 weist auch hier auf eine hohe Anpassungsgüte hin. Die Modellparametrisierung erfolgte für folgende vier Gruppen von Pappelklonen: • Max-Gruppe: Klone Max 1, Max 2, Max 3, Max 4 und Max 5, Altersbereich 2 – 9 Jahre, Baumdichten von 1150 – 13000 Stämmen/ha; • Matrix-Gruppe: Klon Matrix und Hybride 275, Altersbereich 2 – 9 Jahre, Baumdichte 1550 Stämme/ha; • Androscoggin-Gruppe: Klon Androscoggin, Altersbereich 2 – 7 Jahre, Baumdichte 1550 Stämme/ha; und • Münden-Gruppe: Klon Münden, Altersbereich 2 – 7 Jahre, Baumdichte 1550 Stämme/ha. Die Güte des Modells wurde mit Hilfe verschiedener statistischer Verfahren überprüft. Bei der Validierung anhand des Datensatzes, welcher für die Modellkonstruktion Verwendung fand, zeigte das Modell eine Verzerrung bzw. einen Bias von 0,5 % > ē % > - 0,5 % bei der Bestandesoberhöhenschätzung und einen maximalen Bias von 10,41 % bei der Schätzung der Bestandesbiomasse. Die Treffgenauigkeit (mx %) des Modells hingegen variierte zwischen 12,25 % und 17,56 % bzw. 8,05 und 27,32 % (bei Schätzung der Bestandesoberhöhe bzw. der Bestandesbiomasse). Zudem wies das Modell keinen systematischen Fehler zwischen den geschätzten und den realen Werten auf. Bei der Validierung mit einem unabhängigen Datensatz betrug die Treffgenauigkeit (mx %) für die Schätzung der Bestandsoberhöhe und des Biomassevorrates 15,72 bzw. 26,68 %. Um das Ertragspotenzial von Pappelplantagen für die gesamte sächsische Ackerfläche bzw. die gesamte ehemalige Stilllegungsfläche zu bestimmen, wurden die zu Schätzung erforderlichen Standortvariablen auf Gemeindebasis kalkuliert, mittels ArcGIS dargestellt sowie Simulationsrechungen für verschiedene Bestandsdichten vorgenommen und ebenfalls visualisiert. Den Ergebnissen der Simulationsrechnungen zufolge wäre bei einer Stammzahl von 4000 N/ha eine Rotationslänge von 9 Jahren, bei 8333 bis 10.000 N/ha von 7 Jahren erforderlich, um einen durchschnittlichen Gesamtzuwachs (dGz) von ≥ 8 [tatro/ha/a] auf mehr als 50 % der sächsischen Ackerflächen bzw. ehemaligen Stilllegungsflächen in erster Rotation zu erreichen. Würde die gesamte ehemalige sächsische Stilllegungsfläche mit einer Baumdichte von 10.000 Stämmen/ha bepflanzt werden, könnten Pappelplantagen im Alter 9 einen dGz von 520.000 [tatro/a] (entsprechend 250.000 Kubikmeter Diesel) erreichen. Bei Bestockung aller sächsischen Ackerflächen würde sich der Ertrag auf bis zu 9.087.000 [tatro/a] (entsprechend 4.367.000 Kubikmeter Diesel) erhöhen.

This work, which was conducted in the Chettaba forest about the viability of the stands can be given by the PHF index, a three-digit index that gives a judgment of the position of the tree (in relation to the others and thus indicating the dominance and the stage of competition or exposure to the dominant stage), of the general shape of the crowns, and of the shape of the shafts, it allows a more detailed silvicultural interpretation to predict the future of the stand and ultimately deduce the viability of the stands. Thus, there is an essential need for a study to be conducted in this regard to understand the existing problems and to bring about proposals on the appropriate intervention in logged surface. The slenderness coefficient of a tree is defined as the ratio of the total height (H) to the diameter at 1.3 m above ground level (d). For the stand level, the slenderness coefficient is calculated using the root mean square diameter and the average tree height as (H/D). It is well known that there is a direct relationship between the stand slenderness coefficient and the risk of stem breakage. It is well known that there is a direct relationship between the stand slenderness coefficient and the risk of stem breakage or tree fall due to abiotic factors such as wind or snow. Sustainability monitoring is crucial to the credibility, validation, value of the options implemented and should be considered early on in the planning process this allows us to say that these stands are stable in the forest and always in the 6 plots studied. Analyses results show a mid-viability for the forest and more of individual listed present instability which is indicated by a medium stability of forests stand’s quality (PHF = 123) and a slenderness coefficient (H/D = 34.47).

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial celebrates the lives of the Lincoln family including the final resting place of Abraham’s mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln. Lincoln’s childhood in Indiana was a formative time in the life our 16th president. When the Lincoln family arrived in Indiana, the property was covered in the oak-hickory forest type. They cleared land to create their homestead and farm. Later, designers of the memorial felt that it was important to restore woodlands to the site. The woodlands would help visitors visualize the challenges the Lincoln family faced in establishing and maintaining their homestead. Some stands of woodland may have remained, but significant restoration efforts included extensive tree planting. The Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network began monitoring the woodland in 2011 with repeat visits every four years. These monitoring efforts provide a window into the composition and structure of the wood-lands. We measure both overstory trees and the ground flora within four permanently located plots. At these permanent plots, we record each species, foliar cover estimates of ground flora, diameter at breast height of midstory and overstory trees, and tree regeneration frequency (tree seedlings and saplings). The forest species composition was relatively consistent over the three monitoring events. Climatic conditions measured by the Palmer Drought Severity Index indicated mild to wet conditions over the monitoring record. Canopy closure continued to indicate a forest structure with a closed canopy. Large trees (>45 cm DBH) comprised the greatest amount of tree basal area. Sugar maple was observed to have the greatest basal area and density of the 23 tree species observed. The oaks characteristic of the early woodlands were present, but less dominant. Although one hickory species was present, it was in very low abundance. Of the 17 tree species recorded in the regeneration layer, three species were most abundant through time: sugar maple (Acer saccharum), red bud (Cercis canadensis), and ash (Fraxinus sp.). Ash recruitment seemed to increase over prior years and maple saplings transitioned to larger size classes. Ground flora diversity was similar through time, but alpha and gamma diversity were slightly greater in 2019. Percent cover by plant guild varied through time with native woody plants and forbs having the greatest abundance. Nonnative plants were also an important part of the ground flora composition. Common periwinkle (Vinca minor) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) continued to be the most abundant nonnative species, but these two species were less abundant in 2019 than 2011. Unvegetated ground cover was high (mean = 95%) and increased by 17% since 2011. Bare ground increased from less than 1% in 2011 to 9% in 2019, but other ground cover elements were similar to prior years. In 2019, we quantified observer error by double sampling two plots within three of the monitoring sites. We found total pseudoturnover to be about 29% (i.e., 29% of the species records differed between observers due to observer error). This 29% pseudoturnover rate was almost 50% greater than our goal of 20% pseudoturnover. The majority of the error was attributed to observers overlooking species. Plot frame relocation error likely contributed as well but we were unable to separate it from overlooking error with our design.