Cary Forest Plot Data 1993 to 1999

This dataset is a contribution to the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. The Cary Forest Plots were established in 1984 as part of The Cary Vegetation Study, which described the vegetation of the then Cary Arboretum. The project established 76 permanent plots referred to as the "Cary Forest Plots". Data collection in the plots was extensive and included a survey of mature trees, saplings, seedlings, shrubs and herbaceous species as well as soil analyses, tree ring data and physical descriptions of each plot. Subsequent re-surveys of the plots were done in 20 of the 76 original plots as part of the Forest Response to Stress and Damage (FORSTAD) project, which took place over approximately 10 years in the 1990’s. These surveys included an annual canopy census of trees. Canopy census data were also collected in other plots studied in the FORSTAD project, including Nutrient Cycling Plots A & B and in the control plots in the Yellow, Teahouse grid and the Red, Henry Grid. Another resurvey of 43 of the Cary Forest Plots was done in 2006 by Dan Katz as part of his Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) project and his senior thesis project at Bard College. His surveys included mature trees, saplings, seedlings, shrubs and herbaceous species as well as soil analyses. This repository includes canopy census data from 20 of the Cary Forest Plots from the 1993-1999 FORSTAD project.

The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies furnishes data under the following conditions: The data have received quality assurance scrutiny, and, although we are confident of the accuracy of these data, Cary Institute will not be held liable for errors in these data. Data are subject to change resulting from updates in data screening or models used. Data citation: Please click on the Cite button on the Figshare repository.

Those wishing to publish data from Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Cary Forest Plots are encouraged to contact the data manager at datamanagement@caryinstitute.org.