Stem-Maps of Forest Restoration Cuttings in Pinus ponderosa-Dominated Forests in the Interior West, USA

Justin P Ziegler,Chad M Hoffman,William Mell,Mike A Battaglia

doi:10.3390/data4020068

Abstract

Stem-maps, maps of tree locations with optional associated measurements, are increasingly being used for ecological study in forest and plant sciences. Analyses of stem-map data have led to greater scientific understanding and improved forest management. However, availability of these data for reuse remains limited. We present a description of eight 4-ha stem-maps used in four prior research studies. These stem-maps contain locations and associated measurements of residual trees and stumps measured after forest restoration cuttings in Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Data are published in two file formats to facilitate reuse.

Highlights

Stem-maps, maps of tree locations with optional associated measurements, are increasingly being used for ecological study in forest and plant sciences
It has been recognized that the properties and dynamics of ecological systems arise from the cumulation of adaptive behaviors of, and changes to, individual organisms [1,2]
The affordability and availability of technologies such as laser rangefinders, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and geospatial information systems software as well as statistical software has led to a growing capacity for data collection and analysis

Summary

It has been recognized that the properties and dynamics of ecological systems arise from the cumulation of adaptive behaviors of, and changes to, individual organisms [1,2]. Once a sufficient corpus of research using stem-maps had been published, Larson and Churchill’s [6] meta-analysis concluded that spatial heterogeneity was a hallmark of historic pre-settlement forests in the western US. This recognition is insightful for management in drier forests with a once-frequent fire regime. Data 2019, 4, 68 ecological significance of tree spatial patterning by Larson and Churchill [6], forest managers are likely to incorporate spatially-explicit cutting guidelines into forest restoration plans. A greater proportion of forestry and ecology research articles are collecting data to investigate spatial forest structure at fine scales [5]. Results from the growing body of research using stem-maps have directly informed recommendations for forest management [9,10] and the development of forest management software [20]

Data Description

Methods

Findings

Geographic locations of stem-mapped studystudy sites insites southwestern