Plot Location Determination. Plot locations will be predetermined by the Forest Service and provided in shapefile and Georeferenced PDF Map/s that display compartment/stand boundaries. Use an Android Tablet 11 or later, with GPS, to locate the plots on the ground with datum and waypoint information provided by the government. Consider plot center located when GPS reports within 25 feet of destination. Relocate plots (using a random azimuth and distance to stay within stand) that fall in any man-made features (roads, wildlife plots, etc.), or any inclusions of the stand that are obviously not representative of the overall stand condition (i.e. – in a ½ acre patch of blowdown when the rest of the stand shows no evidence of windthrow). Plot Monumentation: Designate plot centers with pink wire flag, wooden stake, other marker by mutual agreement with the Forest Service. Tie pink “wing” flagging around two trees at eye level to aid inspectors with finding plot. Write plot number, date and examiner initials on the flagging or wire flag using a waterproof marker. For live trees on the variable plot inventory, designate the first measure tree of the plot with the numeral “1” written on flag tied around tree. Flag additional tree numbers if desired to help keep track of “IN” trees. Designate off-plot site trees with double pink flag the trunk of the tree at eye level. If off-plot site trees are more than 50 feet away from plot center, document a lat/long or distance/bearing to the site tree in field notes or on/around plot stake/pin flag.
