Data Collection Guide for OFP Field Agents
This guide provides the best practices to ensure your ground monitoring data is of high quality.
Last updated
This guide provides the best practices to ensure your ground monitoring data is of high quality.
Last updated
What will you have to do?
Every stage, you are required to collect specific information about trees in your Sample Plots. This information includes the following:
Tree status
Tree height
Trunk circumference at breast height (1.3m above the ground)
Tree photo and tree tag + tape measure photo
What do you need?
1. Number of trees to monitor in each Sample Plots
For MRV projects: You can choose the number of trees to monitor in each Sample Plot. The recommendation is 10 trees.
For carbon projects: You must monitor every tree that is 1.3 meters or taller within each Sample Plot.
In the next monitoring stages, add any tree that reaches or exceeds this height.
If the sample plot contains fewer than 10 trees of this height, the count should be completed with the trees inside the Sample Plot closest to 1.3 meters in height until the total of 10 trees is met.
Only measure trees, not bushes.
2. Tree status
Report if the tree is:
Alive - Full, healthy foliage and vibrant green leaves (species dependent).
Damaged - Bark damage, pests or diseases present.
Dead - Lack of foliage, dry or fallen branches, decayed wood, no signs of new growth.
Tag Lost - The tree tag was lost and therefore the tree can’t be monitored.
NOTE: When a tree tag is lost and there is ANY uncertainty about which tree it was, please measure and tag a NEW TREE within the same plot that is 1.3m or above. Do this ASAP, it can be done within the same stage.
For example; If within Sample Plot 1 (S1) you have tagged 20 trees and lose tag 4 (T4) you would identify T4 as 'Tag Lost', then measure and tag a NEW TREE as (S1 T 21).
3. Tree height
To measure the height of the trees:
For trees less than 2 m tall: use a tape measure. Begin by positioning the tape measure at the bottom of the tree, then measure the height up to the top of the tree.
For trees more than 2 m tall: use the Arboreal Mobile App or a Hypsometer. OFP will soon integrate tree measurements directly in the Forester Mobile App.
Submit height measurements in meters.
For MRV projects, you are not required to measure the tree height for trees taller than 1.3 m.
For carbon projects, you are required to always measure the tree height.
4. Circumference at Breast Height (CBH)
To measure the Circumference at Breast Height (CBH):
Measure the CBH at 1.3m off the ground.
Position the tape measure perpendicular to the trunk for precise CBH measurements, or use a stick measured at 1.3m.
Report CBH in centimeters in the Forester Mobile App.
You will need to take a photo of the tape measure around the tree (see 6. Tree tag photo).
5. Tree Photo
The objective of this photo is to see the entire tree and get a sense of its height.
Photo should include the entire tree.
The tree should be centered in the middle of the photo.
Photo should be taken in proper sunlight.
Ideally, place a tape measure or 1m stick next to the tree.
Ideally, ensure tree tags are visible so trees can be identified.
6. Tree Tag Photo
The objective of this photo is to show the CBH measurement and tree tag visible in 'SxTx' notation. Please do the following:
Take a photo of the tape measure when measuring CBH (circumference at 1.3 m from the ground) and make sure the tree tag is visible on the photo.
Ideally, tree tags should be placed at breast height on the tree (1.3 m from the ground).
It is recommended that you use stainless steel wire to hang the tree tags. Excess wire can be wrapped back around itself, as depicted in the photo below. As the tree grows, you can unwrap the wire and increase its length.
Click HERE to read the complete guide for Sample Plot and Tree Measurement Stand Operating Procedures.
