The Madagascar Vegetation Mapping Project- Field data form explained

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Mini Field Data Form

Explanation

Guidelines for completing the mini field data form

1) Fill in as much of the form as you can. IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO FILL IN THE WHOLE FORM.

2) Obligatory information that must be completed is indicated on the form by an asterisk*. These are: personnel, date, locality name/description, vegetation structure, species composition (not DBH), intactness of vegetation and geographical features of site.

3) Data fields are defined as follows:

Field	Explanation
*Personnel	All active participants should be recorded.
*Date	The date of data collection is very useful in determining vegetation phenology and should always be included.
Locality: Country*	Madagascar
Locality: Province*	1. Antananarivo ( Tananarive) 2. Antsiranana (Diego) 3. Fianarantsoa 4. Mahajanga (Majunga) 5. Toamasina (Tamatave) 6. Toliara (Tulear)
Locality: County	If known
*Locality name:	The name of the locality, if known
*Locality Size (m):	An estimated size of the area described in metres
Locality description:	Directions and orientations from a known place in a map, plus an estimate of thedistance. Put here any area notes for the locality such as sacred forest, near to forest, burnt area, etc
Waypoints:	It is useful sometimes to keep records of the waypoint on your GPS, so that you can cross check your reference later.
*Lat:	latitude in the format DD MM SS.S,
*Long:	Longitude in the format DD MM SS.S
*Source:	Source of the Lat Long (usually GPS, map, estimate). If GPS, please state datum (Datum WGS84 is prefered)
*Accuracy:	The GPS gives an accuracy of the locality given, this helps when processing the data. If using other method, please give an estimate of accuracy.
Altitude	An altimeter is more accurate than a GPS, although some more expensive GPS’s have a built in pressure altimeter. The recorder should define the instrument or map used. Altitude measurements should be given in metres.
*Vegetation structure:	A national physiognomic classification from White (1983) is given. Recorders may prefer to use a local or regional physiognomic classification, in which case field 12 should be completed. Descriptions of these classes are in the form. 1. Forest A continuous stand of trees at least 10 m tall, their crowns interlocking 2. Woodland An open stand of trees at least 8 m tall with a canopy cover of 40 % or more. The field layer is usually dominated by grasses. 3a. Bushland An open stand of bushes usually between 3 and 7 m tall with a canopy cover of 40% or more 3b. Thicket A closed stand of bushes and climbers usually between 3 and 7 m 4. Shrubland An open or closed stand of shrubs up to 2 m tall 5. Grassland Land covered with grasses and other herbs, either without woody plants or the latter not covering more than 10 % of the ground 6. Wooded grassland. Land covered with grasses and other herbs, with woody plants covering between 10 and 40 % of the ground 7. Mangrove Open or closed stands of trees or bushes occurring on shores between high and low water mark. 8. Freshwater aquatic Herbaceous freshwater swamp and aquatic vegetation 9. Halophytic Saline and brackish swamp vegetation 10. Distinct, restricted Formation of distinct physiognomy but restricted distribution, e.g. bamboo, inselbergs etc. 11. Anthropic Man-made landscapes, e.g. agricultural, urban etc. 12. Other, please describe
Veg Notes:	Notes, comments on the Vegetation etc.
Intactness:	choose between : 1 undisturbed, 2 partially disturbed, 3 severely disturbed
*Habit Impact	This is mainly relevant to woody vegetation types. If trees/shrubs have been removed by cutting, fire etc. this should be recorded as partially disturbed or disturbed. Impacts to habitat Record the causes of degradation or modification of habitat here. Where details are known regarding which species are primarily affected (e.g. tree species being cut) or are causing the impact (e.g. browsing by goats), this should also be recorded. Habit impact : choose between : Tree cutting Agriculture Grazing/browsing Fire Urbanization Industry Erosion Alien vegetation Collecting Other : please state Details species : list the species involved in here Risk : choose between Low Moderate High
Flora :	list here species with their height and DBH (if applicable), also useful to add any collection numbers. If herbarium collections are made, their collectors, numbers, institution and field identification should be given. This provides additional floristic detail, which can be verified through the specimens.
Soil type	Soil texture (gravel/sand/loam/clay) is best estimated by rolling a sample of soil between finger and thumb. Colour will indicate humic content (dark) or presence of laterite (red). Lithology if Bare rock is exposed, rock type should be enter. Likewise if lithology of the area is known.
Lithology:	Lithology if Bare rock is exposed, rock type should be enter. Likewise if lithology of the area is known. Sandstone, Limestone, Basement, Marbles, Basalt, Ultrabasic, etc
Slope	An estimate in degrees or an indication of steepness. Angle or Level (0-2º), Gentle (2-10º), Moderate(10-45º), Steep (>45º)
Aspect	If a collection is made from a slope, the aspect (i.e. the direction the slope is facing) should be recorded. This information gives an indication of sun, shelter etc. experienced by the plants.
Altitude (m)	If Known, elevation of locality in metres
Site Char:	Site Charactistics, ie hill top, valley, Plateau, Swamp, Plain, Marsh, Cliff, Waterfall, Wetland etc.
Notes:	Any additional relevant information should be given here.
Photos:	it is very useful to take a photos of the site, if you did so, state here photo number, the photographer, the direction it was taken and any description you have.
Sketches:	Can be used for any sketches, but often to draw plan of vegetation in region, useful to show boundaries etc.