Harvard Forest

Data Archive

HF236

Vascular Flora of the Harvard Farm at Harvard Forest 2014

Related Publications

Data

• hf236-01: sample area flora (preview)
• hf236-02: voucher specimens (preview)
• hf236-03: permanent plots (preview)
• hf236-04: plot substrates (preview)
• hf236-05: plot flora (preview)
• hf236-06: sample area map

Overview

• Lead: Glenn Motzkin, Martha Hoopes
• Investigators:
• Contact: Information Manager
• Start date: 2014
• End date: 2014
• Status: complete
• Location: Harvard Farm (Harvard Forest)
• Latitude: +42.44 to +42.55 degrees
• Longitude: -72.23 to -72.16 degrees
• Elevation: 345 to 375 meter
• Datum: WGS84
• Taxa:
• Release date: 2023
• Language: English
• EML file: knb-lter-hfr.236.6
• DOI: digital object identifier
• EDI: data package
• DataONE: data package
• Related links:
• Harvard Forest Flora Database from 1980 to Present
• Harvard Forest Herbarium Database from 1908 to Present
• Study type: long-term measurement
• Research topic: biodiversity studies
• LTER core area: population studies
• Keywords: habitats, history, inventories, plant species, vegetation dynamics
• Abstract:

  The objectives of this study were to: (1) Inventory the vascular flora of the former Petersham Country Club (now the Harvard Farm). (2) Collect voucher specimens for the HF Herbarium of species that were not previously documented from Harvard Forest, or that were found historically at HF but were not recorded in 2004–2007 by Jenkins et al. (2008). (3) Establish and sample a series of permanent plots to characterize current vegetation composition, and to enable evaluation of vegetation change over time. (4) Sample soils within permanent plots to document initial conditions and to facilitate future work on soil dynamics and ecosystem processes.

• Methods:

  Vascular Plant Inventory

  Field inventories were conducted from June through September 2014. Meander surveys were conducted in each of the major grassland areas (i.e., former fairways and putting greens) and each of the woodlands or brushy areas, recording all vascular plant species that appeared to be naturally established. Species lists were recorded within the Sample Areas indicated on the map below. All areas were visited at least once, and most sections were visited both early and late in the growing season. Species that spread from plantings and appeared to be naturalized at the site were noted; no attempt was made to inventory numerous planted species that did not show clear evidence of having become naturalized at the site.

  Voucher specimens were deposited at the Harvard Forest Herbarium of species that: (1) had not previously been reported from Harvard Forest, or (2) were reported historically but were not found in an inventory of Harvard Forest in 2004–2007 (Jenkins et al. 2008). Nomenclature and taxonomy follow Haines (2011).

  Permanent Plots

  In order to document vegetation composition and abundance prior to agricultural grazing or mowing, a series of permanent plots was established across the former PCC lands. All plots were 10 m x 10 m and were subjectively located within areas of relatively uniform vegetation. A total of 27 plots were distributed as follows: 12 plots in grasslands on former fairways (four each in areas to be used for ‘traditional grazing’, ‘intensive, rotational grazing’, and ‘hayfield’); nine plots on former putting greens (one on each green); and six plots in recently cut woodlands or brushy areas across the site.

  A compass and tape measure were used to lay out plots oriented to the cardinal directions, and corners were adjusted as needed by measuring the plot diagonals. All plot corners were permanently marked with 2-foot rebar with aluminum caps stamped to indicate the plot number and corner (i.e., 1-SW, 1-SE, etc.). Permanent markers were driven flush to the ground, and a painted 4’ fiberglass rod was placed at the southwest corner of each plot to facilitate plot relocation. Minor (less than 0.5 m) shifting of the location of permanent markers was occasionally needed to successfully drive rebar into rocky soils. Coordinates of the southwest corner of each plot were recorded using a Garmin 60 CSx GPS unit.

  In each plot, all vascular plant species were recorded and the cover of each species estimated within the following classes: A=less than 1%; B=1–3%; C=4–5%; D=6–15%; E=16–25%; F=26–50%; G=51–75%; H=greater than 75%). These classes were also used to estimate the cover of woody debris/leaf litter, rocks, and mineral soil within each plot. All plots were sampled prior to the initiation of grazing or mowing in mid-to-late summer 2014. However, because plots were sampled over a period of approximately two months, the ability to identify some taxa varied among plots. In particular, some taxa were identifiable to species only when reproductive material was present. As a result, grouping of taxa within the following genera is recommended for data analyses: Agrostis, Digitaria, Epilobium, Hieracium, Plantago, and Taraxacum. Estimates of the cover of grass species should also be used with caution because plots were sampled after the dominant grasses (especially Agrostis spp. and Poa pratensis) were ‘matted down’, making it difficult to accurately estimate cover.

  In each plot, Brian Hall collected two mineral soil samples in summer 2014 (one each within one meter of the SW and NE corners). A cylindrical bulb planter (2.5” diameter) was used to collect surface mineral soils to a depth of 4.5” for analysis of soil texture, nutrients, and bulk density.

• Organization: Harvard Forest. 324 North Main Street, Petersham, MA 01366, USA. Phone (978) 724-3302. Fax (978) 724-3595.

• Project: The Harvard Forest Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) program examines ecological dynamics in the New England region resulting from natural disturbances, environmental change, and human impacts. (ROR).

• Funding: National Science Foundation LTER grants: DEB-8811764, DEB-9411975, DEB-0080592, DEB-0620443, DEB-1237491, DEB-1832210.

• Use: This dataset is released to the public under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 (No Rights Reserved). Please keep the dataset creators informed of any plans to use the dataset. Consultation with the original investigators is strongly encouraged. Publications and data products that make use of the dataset should include proper acknowledgement.

• License: Creative Commons Zero v1.0 Universal (CC0-1.0)

• Citation: Motzkin G, Hoopes M. 2023. Vascular Flora of the Harvard Farm at Harvard Forest 2014. Harvard Forest Data Archive: HF236 (v.6). Environmental Data Initiative: https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/256969c14bf179f30bc8562f17c33f54.

Detailed Metadata

hf236-01: sample area flora

1. species: nomenclature follows Haines(2011)
2. status: whether species is considered native or exotic
3. sa.01: whether or not species was observed in sample area 01
   • 0: absent
   • 1: present
4. sa.02: whether or not species was observed in sample area 02
   • 0: absent
   • 1: present
5. sa.03: whether or not species was observed in sample area 03
   • 0: absent
   • 1: present
6. sa.04: whether or not species was observed in sample area 04
   • 0: absent
   • 1: present
7. sa.05: whether or not species was observed in sample area 05
   • 0: absent
   • 1: present
8. sa.06: whether or not species was observed in sample area 06
   • 0: absent
   • 1: present
9. sa.07: whether or not species was observed in sample area 07
   • 0: absent
   • 1: present
10. sa.08: whether or not species was observed in sample area 08
    • 0: absent
    • 1: present
11. sa.09: whether or not species was observed in sample area 09
    • 0: absent
    • 1: present
12. sa.10: whether or not species was observed in sample area 10
    • 0: absent
    • 1: present
13. sa.11: whether or not species was observed in sample area 11
    • 0: absent
    • 1: present
14. sa.12: whether or not species was observed in sample area 12
    • 0: absent
    • 1: present
15. sa.13: whether or not species was observed in sample area 13
    • 0: absent
    • 1: present
16. sa.14: whether or not species was observed in sample area 14
    • 0: absent
    • 1: present
17. sa.15: whether or not species was observed in sample area 15
    • 0: absent
    • 1: present
18. sa.16: whether or not species was observed in sample area 16
    • 0: absent
    • 1: present
19. sa.17: whether or not species was observed in sample area 17
    • 0: absent
    • 1: present
20. sa.18: whether or not species was observed in sample area 18
    • 0: absent
    • 1: present
21. sa.19: whether or not species was observed in sample area 19
    • 0: absent
    • 1: present
22. sa.20: whether or not species was observed in sample area 20
    • 0: absent
    • 1: present

hf236-02: voucher specimens

1. barcode: barcode number assigned to specimens deposited at Harvard Forest Herbarium
2. genus: nomenclature follows Haines(2011)
3. species: nomenclature follows Haines(2011)
4. date: date the specimen was collected
5. collector: name of individual(s) who collected the specimen
6. town: town where specimen was collected
7. state: state where specimen was collected
8. location.notes: notes on the specific collection location
9. other.notes: other notes recorded about specimen

hf236-03: permanent plots

1. plot: plot number
2. type: type of area in which plot was established
3. latitude: latitude of southwest corner of plot (unit: degree / missing value: NA)
4. longitude: longitude of southwest corner of plot (unit: degree / missing value: NA)

hf236-04: plot substrates

1. substrates: cover of leaf litter (including woody debris), rocks, and exposed mineral soil in plot
2. plot.01: cover of substrate within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4–5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
3. plot.02: cover of substrate within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
4. plot.03: cover of substrate within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
5. plot.04: cover of substrate within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
6. plot.05: cover of substrate within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
7. plot.06: cover of substrate within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
8. plot.07: cover of substrate within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
9. plot.08: cover of substrate within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
10. plot.09: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
11. plot.10: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
12. plot.11: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
13. plot.12: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
14. plot.13: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
15. plot.14: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
16. plot.15: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
17. plot.16: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
18. plot.17: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
19. plot.18: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
20. plot.19: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
21. plot.20: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
22. plot.21: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
23. plot.22: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
24. plot.23: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
25. plot.24: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
26. plot.25: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
27. plot.26: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
28. plot.27: cover of substrate within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent

hf236-05: plot flora

1. species: nomenclature follows Haines (2011)
2. plot.01: cover of species within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
3. plot.02: cover of species within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
4. plot.03: cover of species within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
5. plot.04: cover of species within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
6. plot.05: cover of species within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
7. plot.06: cover of species within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
8. plot.07: cover of species within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
9. plot.08: cover of species within a plot
   • A: <1%
   • B: 1-3%
   • C: 4-5%
   • D: 6-15%
   • E: 16-25%
   • F: 26-50%
   • G: 51-75%
   • H: >75%
   • 0: absent
10. plot.09: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
11. plot.10: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
12. plot.11: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
13. plot.12: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
14. plot.13: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
15. plot.14: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
16. plot.15: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
17. plot.16: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
18. plot.17: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
19. plot.18: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
20. plot.19: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
21. plot.20: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
22. plot.21: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
23. plot.22: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
24. plot.23: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
25. plot.24: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
26. plot.25: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
27. plot.26: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent
28. plot.27: cover of species within a plot
    • A: <1%
    • B: 1-3%
    • C: 4-5%
    • D: 6-15%
    • E: 16-25%
    • F: 26-50%
    • G: 51-75%
    • H: >75%
    • 0: absent

hf236-06: sample area map

• Compression: none
• Format: jpeg
• Type: image