Trees of Yosemite Forest Dynamic Plot

B.S. Capston Project

 

I spent three weeks in an intensive field experience in learning field ecology methods, natural history, and ecological theory. The fieldwork occurred on The Yosemite Forest Dynamics Plot (www.yfdp.org), a long-term study of forest community dynamics affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. I spent multiple days in the field with professional ecologists and land managers from several organizations. I learned measuring techniques for forest research, how to plan and execute forest surveys, to correctly and accurately use traditional (compass, diameter tape, quadrats) and modern field equipment (Total Stations, lasers, GPS), an appreciation for required accuracy levels in measurements, and to document work and observations using a field notebook. I also learned the natural history and ecological theory, illustrated by the forest ecosystems of the Sierra Nevada, the Great Basin, and the White Mountains. I learned all woody species in the YFDP, tree pathogen and beetle identification, fire ecology, and the identity and importance of contributing causes of tree mortality.