Density and Composition

During our third visit to our site, we measured 5 plots, each with an area of about 78.5 m^2.  Each plot had different characteristics, and will be described in more detail below.

1.

Species	DBH (inches)	Height (feet)
White Pine	20.5	60
White Pine	14	50
Paper Birch	13.5	40
Paper Birch	13.5	25

South facing slope, maple saplings, fern ground cover, dead standing and dead downed wood.

2. 

Species	DBH (inches)	Height (feet)
White ash	16.5	30
Norway Maple	8.5	16
American Beech	13.5	20
Norway Maple	10	20

Northwest facing slope, hickory, maple, and beech saplings, fern and small bamboo ground cover

3. 

Species	DBH (inches)	Height (feet)
White Pine	27.5	65
White Pine	18	50
Paper Birch	17	20
White Pine	11.5	30
White Pine	18	50
White Pine	10	25

Butternut and maple saplings, dead leaf ground cover.

4. 

Species	DBH (inches)	Height (feet)
Black Cherry	15	20
White Pine	20	35
Paper Birch	13.5	30

Ironwood, musclewood, maple, and beech saplings, fern ground cover.

5. 

Species	DBH (inches)	Height (feet)
Black Cherry	14	20
Butternut	7	16
Red Maple	10.5	16
Basswood	9.5	20

Maple, hemlock, and butternut saplings, fern ground cover.

The 5 plots effectively represent the diversity of our site.  Listed below are the different species found, and the total volume in board feet between the plots.

White Pine: 464,654.01 (8 trees)

Paper Birch: 24,855.34 (4 trees)

American Beech: 238.44 (1 tree)

Norway Maple: 94.53 (2 trees)

Red Maple: 115.4 (1 tree)

White Ash: 534.29 (1 tree)

Black Cherry: 2,200.62 (2 trees)

Butternut: 51.29 (1 tree)

Basswood: 118.08 (1 tree)

Density of our most common species (stems/ha):
1. White Pine: 251.08
2. Paper Birch: 42.78

Total estimated biomass on our plot:
To estimate biomass, we estimated the density of the trees to be 50 lb/ft^3.  We arrived at this value by using an internet site (http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/weigt-wood-d_821.html).  We multiplied this value by the estimated volume of wood on our site.

Biomass: 26160 tons.  We understand that this only includes merchantable lumber.  The actually number is most likely MUCH higher because of the saplings and ground cover, along with the leaves/needles from the trees, that were not included.