Forest Vegetation Analysis

Please come up with a discussion part based off this forest vegetation analysis paper that has been put together. Forest Vegetation Analysis Saint Peter’s University Introduction One of the main differences between different reservations include the forest cover. Forest cover dictate the diversity of flora and fauna in the reservation. However, part of the work of reservations is to conserve as much as possible areas that have little or no growth. One of the metrics used in measuring forest cover is by inference of the girth. The Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) is a measure of a tree’s girth taken at about 1.3 meters from the ground (Pearson, Brown, Birdsey, 2007). The reasoning behind this metric is that as trees grow bigger (in girth) so does their size of their cover; and consequently forest tree cover (Pastor, Aber, Melillo, 1984). In this study, we sampled data from two forest reserves, New Jersey forests South Mountain Reservation and Watchung Reservation Methods/Site Description This study explores the influence DBH measures in determining the forest cover. The analysis involved the use of data on DHB and forest cover in two forest reservation of New Jersey forests South Mountain Reservation and Watchung Reservation. Two analyses were carried out, first, we investigated whether there was a significant difference in the tree sizes in the two forests. Additionally, we investigated whether there was a relationship between DBH and forest cover. First each tree species was recorded within our plot on a data sheet. After the recording of the tree species, we used the diameter tape measure to get the DBH of each tree in our plot. The plot was made by placing a stake in the ground and measuring in a nine meter radius. To measure the DBH it was to be sure that the tape measure was leveled and not twisted. The measurement is read where the tape overlaps with the zero marker. Noted observations made in South Mountain Reservation on provided data sheets was how it contained litter such as napkins, plates, and coconuts. Tulip trees were leaning on each other and some of the dead trees had visible roots. There were numerous decaying leaves, branches and acorns on the ground. Beech trees also grew in this forest. Some were severely damaged, most probably due to human activity. Most trees observed were black oak and beech trees. At Watchung Reservation, there were also dead trees; most of them were quite tall. A majority of these trees had open roots. The trees were mostly on the ground; most probably they fell due to rotting and/or Hurricane Sandy. Litter, broken bottles and glasses were on the ground. This implied that many people visited the area and did not care to disposing the litter the right way. The canopy was also dense and close to the highway. Tree measured in this forest included red and chestnut oak. The ground was also quite rocky as well as uneven. RESULTS To understand whether there was a difference in the sizes of trees in the two reserves, a One-Way ANOVA was carried out under the null hypothesis that there is no statistically significant difference in the mean DBH in the two forest reserves. The data was analyzed using SPSS software. The results of the test are shown below. ANOVA Plot Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig. Between Groups 264.388 1 264.388 5.049 .025 Within Groups 20473.923 391 52.363 Total 20738.310 392 The anova table above shows that there is statistically significant difference in the mean DBH in the two reserves (F = 5.049, p<0.05). A test of homogeneity of variance was also carried out and the results, as presented in the table of test of homogeneity of variance below. Test of Homogeneity of Variances Plot Statistic df1 df2 Sig. 1.301 1 391 .255 The results suggest that there is no statistically significant variance of data in forests. Descriptive Plot N Mean Std. Deviation Std. Error 95% Confidence Interval for Mean Minimum Maximum Lower Bound Upper Bound SMR 196 14.16 7.461 .533 13.11 15.21 1 25 WR 197 12.52 7.006 .499 11.54 13.51 1 25 Total 393 13.34 7.274 .367 12.62 14.06 1 25 From the table of the descriptive above, it can be seen mean DBH of trees in South Mountain Reservation is higher (mean = 14.16) than the DBH of trees in and Watchung Reservation (mean = 12.52). This suggest that there is a little more forest cover in the South Mountain Reservation than Watchung Reservation by a mean margin of about 2.36 meters. DISCUSSION In conclusion, it can be said that DBH has a statistically significant relationship with forest cover. The plot of the mean above shows the relationship between the means of the two reserves. What was also investigated is whether the trees in the different forest had to do with the forest cover. To understand this relationship, the chi-square test of independence was carried out under the null hypothesis that there is no relationship between the tree species and the forest reserve. The result of the analysis is as below. Chi-Square Tests Value df Asymp. Sig. (2-sided) Pearson Chi-Square 192.388a 20 .000 Likelihood Ratio 231.719 20 .000 N of Valid Cases 394 The chi-square test above indicates that there is a statistically significant relationship between tree species and the different reserves (X-square = 192.388, DF = 20, p<0.05). This suggests that there are different plants in the different forest. References Pastor, J.; Aber, J.D.; Melillo, J.M. (1984). Biomass prediction using generalized allometric regressions for some northeast tree species. Forest Ecology and Management. 7: 265-274 Pearson, T. R, Brown, S. L., & Birdsey, R. A. (2007). Measurement guidelines for the sequestration of forest carbon. 3rd ed. New York: W. H. Freeman and Co