PFPP Changes from version 1.05 to 1.06

Changes from version 1.05 (30 July 2012) to version 1.06 (30 Aug 2014)

New Plot Variables:

Site Web Link (p. 16, optional);
Data Quality Assurance (p. 16, required);
PlotDataUpdates (p. 17, required);
Soil Texture (p. 12, optional);
Distance to Edge (p. 14, optional);
Border Type (p. 14, optional);
Border Width (p. 14, optional)
Border Aspect (p. 14, optional);
Border Slope (p. 14, optional)

Changes in existing Plot Variables: Uses are requested to record number and name for Bailey’s Ecoregions (p. 9).

New Tree variable: Tree Damage (Optional for PFPP but required for the EAB subproject) (p. 25).

Changes in existing Tree Variables:

Soundness Tree Variable made optional (p. 24);
-Added new Inv_Status options (FS, MS, DD);
-Tree numbers can now range from 1.0 to 99999.99 (p. 21).

New Small Stem Variable:

Notes  (p. 26; This variable allows users to add their own small stem data. Allows up to 100 characters, and can include commas.)

Text only changes:

-Addition of a Table of Contents
-Clarification of Plot Month and Plot Year updating frequency (p. 10).
-Added emphasis on checking units and time interval when entering precipitation data (p. 10).
-Clarification of what is meant by “Soil Order” (p. 11).
-Clarification of what to enter in % Slope, Aspect, and Plot Description for plots located
on hilltops or in saddles that have more than one dominant aspect (pp. 12-13).
Disturbance History Notes – Added information on what to include in this section. (p. 15).
-Clarification of tree numbering requirements (p. 18).
-Additional clarification for Multiple Stems (p. 21).
-Clarification for the measurement of Vines (p. 19).
-Clarification of Inventory Status codes for RD stems, and sprouts. (p. 21).
-Instructions on data entry for small stem subplots that lack small stems (p. 26).
-Instructions for filling blank cells in CSV files prior to upload (p. 29).
-Added updated references for calculating tree biomass and carbon from tree dbh (pp. 27-28
-Added sections on:

-Frequency of Online Data Entry (p. 28);
-Administrator Responsibilities and Data Quality guidelines (p. 29);
-PFPP Subproject Variables not  stored in PFPP database (p. 26), and
-Suggested Citation Format (p. 31) for the protocols.

Plot, Tree and Small Stem Data Entry Forms Updated to include new variables.

Site and Plot Data Entry Form divided into 2 forms (Site-Plot Indoor Data and Plot Outdoor Data) to more clearly separate data collected in the forest from data that can be completed indoors, to provide some additional explanation, and to provide room for the newly added variables.

Database: Updated to reflect the new variables. Because of the new variables for both Trees and Small Stems, Researchers will need to download the new CSV templates before uploading Tree or Small Stem Data. Note that “null” should be included in ALL cells that lack data, even if the variable is optional.