Elk Vegetation Management Plan Analysis: Baseline-2018 Data
Contact: edgage@rams.colostate.edu
PROVISIONAL DATA AND ANALYSES
Updated: 2020 January 27
This is a working document. All analyses are provisional. Please do not distribute.
Introduction
In 2008, Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) began implementation of the Elk and Vegetation Management Plan (EVMP). The EVMP is intended to guide management of elk and vegetation over a 20–yr period, reduce the impacts of elk on vegetation, and bring target ecosystems into the natural range of variability for elk and vegetation in three target vegetation communities: aspen, montane riparian willow, and upland. The plan relies on the principle of adaptive management and includes management options such as fencing, non-lethal redistribution and culling of elk herds, and active vegetation restoration. Implementing the goals of the EVMP requires monitoring of target vegetation communities.
RMNP and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) developed a vegetation monitoring program focused on EVMP goals (Zeigenfuss et al. 2011 ). Monitoring sites were established and baseline data collected from 2006-2009 in core winter range aspen, willow, and upland communities. Subsets of sites have been annually sampled for vegetation offtake by ungulates, while more intensive and extensive sampling has been done on a five-year basis. A second five-year-round of sampling was completed in 2018 and is the focus of this document. Preliminary analyses of data collected in willow, aspen, and upland herbaceous plots in sites on the east side of RMNP and the Kawunechee Valley are presented.
In addition, we evaluate the effects of the 2012 Fern Lake wildfire that burned through Moraine Park providing a unique opportunity to study willow and aspen recovery after fire in both grazed and ungrazed conditions. EVMP measurements are focused on the core elk winter range, but non-core areas are also included. Data collected in the Kawuneeche Valley (primarily summer range) was collected to provide information on this critical and changing area of the park.
Methods
Data collection
This report analyzes data from the first 10 years of EVMP monitoring to help assess progress towards program goals. Monitoring in the EVMP program is focused on assessing several community attributes (Zeigenfuss et al. 2011) including:
- Vegetation offtake by herbivores in riparian shrub (primarily willow, Salix spp.) and upland herbaceous communities assessed through annual subsampling of sites
- Willow height and cover resampled every 5 years across plots
- Aspen stem density and stem size distribution, assessed every 5 years through a full resampling of sites.
Protocols detailed in the EVMP monitoring plan were used to collect vegetation data at study plots (Zeigenfuss et al. 2011). Baseline measurements were collected from 2006–2009, with RMNP staff collecting subsequent data. Willow offtake measurements were usually made in May and June, but were delayed in some years to as late as mid-July due to weather.
Upland line intercept transect data were collected in core upland (UC) and upland noncore areas (UNC) along a 30m transect line. Observations included the presence of tracks, scat, burrows, plant damage, or browse. In addition, observation of animal sign were made for elk, deer, moose, and other notable species.
Willow data were collected in the spring and fall each year. Comparison of the spring measurements to the previous fall’s shoot measurements allows calculation of winter offtake by herbivores.
| EVMP plots listed as 'Removed' | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SITE_ID | UTM_E_NAD83 | UTM_N_NAD83 | FENCED | BURNED | REMOVED | pType | RANGE_TYPE |
| WC06-R | 445763 | 4473259 | Y | NA | 2014 | willow | core winter range |
| WC07-R | 445511 | 4473459 | Y | NA | 2014 | willow | core winter range |
| WC08-R | 445671 | 4473369 | Y | NA | 2014 | willow | core winter range |
| WC11-R | 445949 | 4473326 | Y | NA | 2014 | willow | core winter range |
| WC18 | 446343 | 4473189 | N | NA | RECOMMENDED | willow | core winter range |
| WC33-R | 446868 | 4467304 | N | Not burned | 2014 | willow | core winter range |
| WC42 | 449605 | 4468709 | Y | NA | RECOMMENDED | willow | core winter range |
| WC48 | 447441 | 4472271 | N | NA | RECOMMENDED | willow | core winter range |
| WC49 | 449268 | 4468988 | Y | NA | RECOMMENDED | willow | core winter range |
| WC70 | 450709 | 4466958 | N | Not burned | RECOMMENDED | willow | core winter range |
| WC80 | 447471 | 4467342 | N | Completely | RECOMMENDED | willow | core winter range |
| AC41-R | 449707 | 4473015 | N | NA | 2018 | aspen | core winter range |
| UC09-R | 450596 | 4468507 | N | NA | 2018 | upland | core winter range |
| UC14-R | 450949 | 4468313 | N | NA | 2018 | upland | core winter range |
| UC24-R | 450416 | 4467757 | N | NA | 2018 | upland | core winter range |
A total of 15 plots were removed from subsequent steps. Confirm the final status of these records.
Site information:
| Valid EVMP plots from 'site_info' worksheet | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SITE_ID | UTM_E_NAD83 | UTM_N_NAD83 | FENCED | BURNED | pType | WILDERNESS | RANGE_TYPE | VALLEY | valley_full | EastWest |
| WC01 | 446951 | 4472400 | Y | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC02 | 448273 | 4472498 | Y | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC03 | 448084 | 4472416 | Y | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC04 | 448012 | 4472375 | Y | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC09 | 447086 | 4472636 | Y | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC10 | 447137 | 4472575 | Y | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC12 | 445199 | 4473442 | N | NA | willow | Y | core winter range | EV | EndoValley | East |
| WC13 | 445229 | 4473620 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | EV | EndoValley | East |
| WC14 | 446300 | 4473324 | N | NA | willow | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC15 | 445046 | 4473536 | N | NA | willow | Y | core winter range | EV | EndoValley | East |
| WC16 | 447178 | 4472426 | Y | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC17 | 444617 | 4473831 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | EV | EndoValley | East |
| WC19 | 446920 | 4472937 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC20 | 447510 | 4472353 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC21 | 447623 | 4472377 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC22 | 446983 | 4472334 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC23 | 448498 | 4472431 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC24 | 448869 | 4467197 | Y | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC25 | 448775 | 4467204 | Y | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC26 | 448601 | 4467122 | Y | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC27 | 448429 | 4467243 | Y | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC28 | 448534 | 4467209 | Y | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC29 | 447975 | 4467463 | Y | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC30 | 447528 | 4467447 | Y | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC31 | 448190 | 4467015 | N | Not burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC32 | 447941 | 4467022 | N | Not burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC34 | 449274 | 4466827 | N | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC35 | 448431 | 4466681 | N | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC36 | 448190 | 4469123 | Y | NA | willow | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| WC37 | 449532 | 4466813 | Y | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC38 | 449906 | 4466871 | Y | Burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC39 | 450405 | 4467180 | N | Not burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC40 | 448848 | 4469350 | Y | NA | willow | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| WC41 | 449195 | 4468959 | Y | NA | willow | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| WC43 | 449474 | 4468791 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| WC44 | 448910 | 4469156 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| WC45 | 446261 | 4473006 | N | NA | willow | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC46 | 447046 | 4472273 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC47 | 447376 | 4472311 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| WC50 | 449252 | 4468991 | Y | NA | willow | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| WC51 | 449851 | 4468688 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| WC52 | 447144 | 4467375 | N | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC53 | 448084 | 4467338 | Y | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC54 | 447107 | 4466862 | N | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC55 | 448615 | 4466623 | N | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC56 | 448928 | 4466765 | N | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC57 | 450025 | 4467191 | N | Burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC58 | 448810 | 4469506 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| WC59 | 449061 | 4469019 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| WC60 | 449455 | 4468802 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| WC61 | 449468 | 4468824 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| WC62 | 450534 | 4467135 | N | Not burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC63 | 449023 | 4469066 | N | NA | willow | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| WC64 | 450543 | 4467021 | Y | Not burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC65 | 450579 | 4467004 | Y | Not burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC66 | 450525 | 4467031 | Y | Not burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC67 | 450497 | 4467074 | Y | Not burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC68 | 450697 | 4466939 | N | Not burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC69 | 450619 | 4466993 | N | Not burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC71 | 450429 | 4467182 | N | Not burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC72 | 450619 | 4467021 | N | Not burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC73 | 445413 | 4473308 | Y | NA | willow | Y | core winter range | EV | EndoValley | East |
| WC74 | 450681 | 4466964 | N | Not burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC75 | 448689 | 4469078 | Y | NA | willow | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| WC76 | 447415 | 4467454 | Y | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC77 | 447355 | 4467542 | Y | Burned | willow | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC78 | 447302 | 4467535 | Y | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC79 | 447490 | 4467370 | Y | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC81 | 447283 | 4467438 | N | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC82 | 447062 | 4467386 | N | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC83 | 446781 | 4467347 | N | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC84 | 447740 | 4467281 | N | Burned | willow | NA | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC85 | 447255 | 4467515 | Y | Burned | willow | NA | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WC86 | 449602 | 4466842 | Y | Burned | willow | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| WK01 | 427118 | 4469782 | Y | NA | willow | Y | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK02 | 427137 | 4469831 | Y | NA | willow | Y | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK04 | 427405 | 4462244 | N | NA | willow | Y | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK05 | 427148 | 4469921 | Y | NA | willow | Y | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK06 | 427695 | 4470805 | N | NA | willow | Y | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK07 | 426372 | 4465775 | N | NA | willow | Y | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK08 | 426593 | 4465120 | N | NA | willow | Y | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK09 | 427104 | 4465281 | N | NA | willow | NA | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK10 | 427251 | 4469724 | Y | NA | willow | NA | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WNC01 | 457031 | 4475714 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| WNC02 | 457086 | 4475717 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| WNC03 | 448811 | 4465825 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| WNC04 | 448549 | 4465606 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| WNC05 | 448062 | 4465584 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| WNC06 | 448096 | 4465437 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| WNC07 | 445193 | 4472329 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| WNC08 | 445184 | 4472469 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| WNC09 | 445504 | 4472319 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| WNC10 | 445619 | 4472301 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| WNC11 | 458094 | 4475970 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| WNC12 | 457360 | 4475700 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| WNC13 | 448223 | 4465547 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| WNC14 | 448441 | 4465543 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| WNC15 | 448456 | 4465491 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| WNC16 | 448250 | 4465526 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| WNC17 | 444418 | 4471717 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| WNC18 | 444645 | 4471890 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| WNC19 | 446782 | 4471584 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| WNC20 | 446626 | 4471625 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| WNC21 | 445142 | 4472375 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| WNC22 | 445129 | 4472436 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| WNC23 | 445244 | 4472334 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| WNC24 | 449263 | 4465018 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | GB | Glacier Basin | East |
| WNC25 | 449107 | 4464774 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | GB | Glacier Basin | East |
| WNC26 | 457493 | 4475421 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| WNC27 | 448305 | 4465588 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| WNC28 | 448220 | 4465588 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| WNC29 | 458049 | 4475924 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| WNC30 | 457799 | 4475894 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| WNC31 | 445048 | 4472406 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| WNC32 | 448375 | 4465632 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| WNC33 | 448521 | 4465723 | N | NA | willow | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| WNC35 | 457522 | 4475689 | N | NA | willow | N | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| AC02 | 446448 | 4473381 | N | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC03 | 447593 | 4469538 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| AC04 | 446536 | 4472512 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC05 | 445533 | 4473033 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC06 | 446403 | 4472414 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC07 | 450088 | 4467825 | N | Not burned | aspen | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC08 | 449578 | 4472678 | Y | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC09 | 446646 | 4472398 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC10 | 446929 | 4467463 | Y | Burned | aspen | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC11 | 446570 | 4472380 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC13 | 445672 | 4473067 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC15 | 445643 | 4473011 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC16 | 449692 | 4473147 | N | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC17 | 447397 | 4467667 | N | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC18 | 448210 | 4468377 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC19 | 447095 | 4467489 | Y | Burned | aspen | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC20 | 446518 | 4472547 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC22 | 446417 | 4472619 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC23 | 446458 | 4472450 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC24 | 449564 | 4467771 | N | Not burned | aspen | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC25 | 446506 | 4472362 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC26 | 446543 | 4467366 | N | Not burned | aspen | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC27 | 446615 | 4467326 | N | Burned | aspen | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC28 | 449852 | 4468593 | Y | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| AC29 | 446578 | 4467393 | N | Not burned | aspen | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC30 | 450548 | 4468274 | N | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | BME | Beaver Meadows Entrance | East |
| AC31 | 447795 | 4469425 | Y | Not burned | aspen | Y | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| AC32 | 445348 | 4473650 | N | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | EV | EndoValley | East |
| AC33 | 446665 | 4472816 | Y | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC35 | 448326 | 4471308 | Y | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC36 | 446445 | 4472409 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC37 | 445481 | 4473501 | N | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | EV | EndoValley | East |
| AC38 | 446758 | 4472273 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC39 | 446984 | 4471928 | N | NA | aspen | Y | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC40 | 445622 | 4473468 | N | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | EV | EndoValley | East |
| AC44 | 448324 | 4471345 | Y | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC45 | 448413 | 4471356 | Y | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC60 | 448150 | 4468965 | Y | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| AC61 | 450099 | 4467680 | Y | Not burned | aspen | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC62 | 449259 | 4472916 | Y | NA | aspen | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AC63 | 446545 | 4467340 | N | Burned | aspen | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC64 | 447124 | 4467439 | N | Burned | aspen | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC65 | 447086 | 4467415 | N | Burned | aspen | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC66 | 447005 | 4467494 | Y | Burned | aspen | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC67 | 447129 | 4467489 | Y | Not burned | aspen | Y | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| AC68 | 449645 | 4472711 | N | Not burned | aspen | NA | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| AK01 | 429010 | 4456921 | N | NA | aspen | N | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK02 | 429158 | 4459206 | N | NA | aspen | Y | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK03 | 428188 | 4472615 | N | NA | aspen | Y | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK04 | 428091 | 4470500 | N | NA | aspen | Y | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK05 | 427634 | 4469270 | N | NA | aspen | Y | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK06 | 429082 | 4459687 | N | NA | aspen | Y | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK07 | 429128 | 4458149 | N | NA | aspen | N | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK08 | 428992 | 4456815 | N | NA | aspen | N | Kawuneeche Valley | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| ANC01 | 447093 | 4469969 | N | NA | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| ANC02 | 444852 | 4472473 | N | NA | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| ANC03 | 451186 | 4470889 | N | NA | aspen | N | non-core winter range | DM | Deer Mountain | East |
| ANC04 | 446289 | 4474613 | N | NA | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | RR | Roaring River | East |
| ANC05 | 450604 | 4471635 | N | NA | aspen | N | non-core winter range | DM | Deer Mountain | East |
| ANC06 | 446962 | 4468262 | N | NA | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| ANC07 | 450451 | 4471734 | N | NA | aspen | N | non-core winter range | DM | Deer Mountain | East |
| ANC08 | 450390 | 4471564 | N | NA | aspen | N | non-core winter range | DM | Deer Mountain | East |
| ANC09 | 446752 | 4468213 | N | Not burned | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| ANC10 | 444070 | 4474481 | N | NA | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| ANC11 | 453900 | 4475162 | N | NA | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| ANC13 | 445844 | 4466470 | N | Burned | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| ANC15 | 447601 | 4471808 | N | NA | aspen | N | non-core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| ANC16 | 454012 | 4475215 | N | NA | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| ANC17 | 445298 | 4474073 | N | NA | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| ANC18 | 444462 | 4472113 | N | NA | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | HV | Hidden Valley | East |
| ANC19 | 450235 | 4471843 | N | NA | aspen | N | non-core winter range | DM | Deer Mountain | East |
| ANC21 | 446804 | 4470477 | N | NA | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| ANC22 | 447078 | 4470114 | N | NA | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| ANC23 | 450336 | 4466209 | N | NA | aspen | N | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| ANC24 | 447089 | 4465357 | N | NA | aspen | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| UC01 | 451270 | 4469454 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | DM | Deer Mountain | East |
| UC02 | 447904 | 4470247 | N | NA | upland | Y | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| UC03 | 450012 | 4469237 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | DM | Deer Mountain | East |
| UC05 | 447446 | 4472914 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| UC08 | 448368 | 4468651 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| UC11 | 449913 | 4472426 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| UC12 | 448426 | 4470599 | N | NA | upland | Y | core winter range | DM | Deer Mountain | East |
| UC13 | 449437 | 4466417 | N | NA | upland | Y | core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| UC16 | 447056 | 4473043 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | EV | EndoValley | East |
| UC17 | 448380 | 4468128 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| UC18 | 451502 | 4469047 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | BME | Beaver Meadows Entrance | East |
| UC19 | 448666 | 4470784 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | DM | Deer Mountain | East |
| UC20 | 448162 | 4469344 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| UC21 | 451094 | 4468529 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | BME | Beaver Meadows Entrance | East |
| UC25 | 447803 | 4469149 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| UC26 | 451897 | 4468682 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | BME | Beaver Meadows Entrance | East |
| UC28 | 449108 | 4469453 | N | NA | upland | Y | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| UC29 | 449858 | 4467613 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| UC31 | 448019 | 4470032 | N | NA | upland | Y | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| UC34 | 447879 | 4469600 | N | NA | upland | Y | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| UC35 | 448511 | 4469380 | N | NA | upland | Y | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| UC36 | 448398 | 4471481 | N | NA | upland | N | core winter range | HSP | Horseshoe Park | East |
| UC37 | 451737 | 4468340 | N | NA | upland | NA | core winter range | BME | Beaver Meadows Entrance | East |
| UC38 | 449176 | 4467556 | N | NA | upland | NA | core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| UC39 | 449478 | 4468871 | N | NA | upland | NA | core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| UNC02 | 445921 | 4473932 | N | NA | upland | Y | non-core winter range | RR | Roaring River | East |
| UNC04 | 447916 | 4465885 | N | NA | upland | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| UNC05 | 457229 | 4475444 | N | NA | upland | Y | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| UNC06 | 452777 | 4468445 | N | NA | upland | N | non-core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| UNC09 | 450439 | 4464434 | N | NA | upland | N | non-core winter range | EM | Emerald Mountain | East |
| UNC10 | 452917 | 4472952 | N | NA | upland | Y | non-core winter range | BC | Black Canyon Creek | East |
| UNC14 | 455392 | 4475400 | N | NA | upland | Y | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| UNC16 | 451864 | 4471022 | N | NA | upland | N | non-core winter range | DM | Deer Mountain | East |
| UNC21 | 454255 | 4475375 | N | NA | upland | Y | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| UNC22 | 447475 | 4470266 | N | NA | upland | Y | non-core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| UNC24 | 450286 | 4464631 | N | NA | upland | N | non-core winter range | EM | Emerald Mountain | East |
| UNC27 | 451236 | 4470793 | N | NA | upland | N | non-core winter range | DM | Deer Mountain | East |
| UNC30 | 449199 | 4465947 | N | NA | upland | N | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| UNC32 | 451501 | 4470866 | N | NA | upland | N | non-core winter range | DM | Deer Mountain | East |
| UNC34 | 449355 | 4465323 | N | NA | upland | N | non-core winter range | GB | Glacier Basin | East |
| UNC38 | 457139 | 4475734 | N | NA | upland | N | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| UNC40 | 446556 | 4470825 | N | NA | upland | Y | non-core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| UNC41 | 447898 | 4465477 | N | NA | upland | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| UNC42 | 446825 | 4468359 | N | NA | upland | Y | non-core winter range | MP | Moraine Park | East |
| UNC49 | 456219 | 4475605 | N | NA | upland | Y | non-core winter range | CC | Cow Creek | East |
| UNC50 | 446690 | 4469679 | N | NA | upland | Y | non-core winter range | UBM | Upper Beaver Meadows | East |
| UNC60 | 448367 | 4466075 | N | NA | upland | Y | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
| UNC61 | 448489 | 4466013 | N | NA | upland | NA | non-core winter range | HLWP | Hollowell Park | East |
Study Area
Excluding plots removed from the data set due to issues like the 2013 flood, their were 241 plots in total. Aproximately 49% (n=118) were willow plots, followed in abundance by aspen and upland plots:
| Plot type | n | percent |
|---|---|---|
| aspen | 75 | 31.2% |
| upland | 48 | 20.0% |
| willow | 117 | 48.8% |
Plots were most anundant in Moraine Park, followed by Horseshoe Park and Upper Beaver Meadows.
| Location | n | percent |
|---|---|---|
| Moraine Park | 62 | 25.8% |
| Horseshoe Park | 45 | 18.8% |
| Upper Beaver Meadows | 32 | 13.3% |
| Hollowell Park | 21 | 8.8% |
| Kawuneeche Valley | 17 | 7.1% |
| Cow Creek | 15 | 6.2% |
| Hidden Valley | 14 | 5.8% |
| Deer Mountain | 12 | 5.0% |
| EndoValley | 9 | 3.8% |
| Beaver Meadows Entrance | 5 | 2.1% |
| Glacier Basin | 3 | 1.2% |
| Emerald Mountain | 2 | 0.8% |
| Roaring River | 2 | 0.8% |
| Black Canyon Creek | 1 | 0.4% |
| Location | aspen | upland | willow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moraine Park | 17 | 5 | 40 |
| Horseshoe Park | 26 | 3 | 16 |
| Upper Beaver Meadows | 7 | 12 | 13 |
| Hidden Valley | 2 | 0 | 12 |
| Hollowell Park | 3 | 6 | 12 |
| Kawuneeche Valley | 8 | 0 | 9 |
| Cow Creek | 2 | 5 | 8 |
| EndoValley | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Glacier Basin | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Beaver Meadows Entrance | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Black Canyon Creek | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Deer Mountain | 5 | 7 | 0 |
| Emerald Mountain | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Roaring River | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Map of fenced and unfenced areas - all plots
Change basemap or pan and zoom.
Approximately 21% of plots occur in fenced locations:
| FENCED | n | percent |
|---|---|---|
| N | 189 | 78.8% |
| Y | 51 | 21.2% |
| Fenced/non-fenced | ||
|---|---|---|
| Location | N | Y |
| Moraine Park | 37 | 25 |
| Horseshoe Park | 32 | 13 |
| Upper Beaver Meadows | 24 | 8 |
| Kawuneeche Valley | 13 | 4 |
| EndoValley | 8 | 1 |
| Beaver Meadows Entrance | 5 | 0 |
| Black Canyon Creek | 1 | 0 |
| Cow Creek | 15 | 0 |
| Deer Mountain | 12 | 0 |
| Emerald Mountain | 2 | 0 |
| Glacier Basin | 3 | 0 |
| Hidden Valley | 14 | 0 |
| Hollowell Park | 21 | 0 |
| Roaring River | 2 | 0 |
Map of burned plots
Map of Kawuneeche Valley EVMP sites
A total of 17 plots occur in the Kawuneeche Valley:
| SITE_ID | FENCED | BURNED | pType | Valley code | Valley name | EastWest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WK01 | Y | NA | willow | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK02 | Y | NA | willow | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK04 | N | NA | willow | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK05 | Y | NA | willow | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK06 | N | NA | willow | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK07 | N | NA | willow | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK08 | N | NA | willow | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK09 | N | NA | willow | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| WK10 | Y | NA | willow | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK01 | N | NA | aspen | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK02 | N | NA | aspen | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK03 | N | NA | aspen | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK04 | N | NA | aspen | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK05 | N | NA | aspen | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK06 | N | NA | aspen | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK07 | N | NA | aspen | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
| AK08 | N | NA | aspen | KV | Kawuneeche Valley | West |
Counts by location in Park
| pType | n |
|---|---|
| core winter range | |
| aspen | 46 |
| upland | 25 |
| willow | 74 |
| Kawuneeche Valley | |
| aspen | 8 |
| willow | 9 |
| non-core winter range | |
| aspen | 21 |
| upland | 23 |
| willow | 34 |
Counts of plots in fenced and unfenced contexts
East-side Core Winter Range (WC) map
East-side Non-core Winter Range (WC) map
West-side Kawuneeche Valley (WK) map
Raw data files entered by RMNP staff from field data forms were processed using functions in in the R statistical package. Raw data were provided as 4 Excel files, with data split by year and type into various tabs. Data were consolidated and to facilitate cleaning and comparisons.
| file name |
|---|
| Aspen_Data_Baseline_through_2018.xlsx |
| Upland_Line_Intercept_2007_2013_2018.xlsx |
| Willow_Cumulative_Data_Baseline_Through_2018.xlsx |
| Willow_Offtake_Data_2009_Through_2018.xlsx |
Results
Shrub height [line intercept]
Max shrub height in-line intercept: Core winter range 
| SPECIES_CODE |
|---|
| SAMO |
| DAFR |
| BEGL |
| SAPL |
| NONE |
| SAGE |
| BEOC |
| SAXX |
| ACGL |
| ALIN |
| RIIN |
| SABE |
| SALUC |
| ROWO |
| RUDE |
| SADR |
| POTR |
| SAPE |
| LOIN |
| SAWO |
| RUID |
| SAER |
| SABR |
| JUCO |
| SPECIES_CODE | 2008 | 2013 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| N | |||
| BEOC | 428 | 325 | 395 |
| DAFR | 53 | 49 | 51 |
| SAGE | 96 | 140 | 119 |
| SAMO | 96 | 118 | 133 |
| SAPL | 88 | 84 | 70 |
| ALIN | NA | 313 | 312 |
| BEGL | NA | 100 | 155 |
| POTR | NA | 127 | NA |
| RIIN | NA | 79 | 59 |
| ROWO | NA | 46 | 43 |
| RUDE | NA | 50 | NA |
| SABE | NA | 205 | 209 |
| SADR | NA | 138 | 217 |
| RUID | NA | NA | 28 |
| SAPE | NA | NA | 55 |
| Y | |||
| BEGL | 42 | 130 | 165 |
| DAFR | 60 | 43 | 52 |
| SAMO | 71 | 113 | 156 |
| SAPL | 82 | 109 | 147 |
| BEOC | NA | 45 | 82 |
| LOIN | NA | 40 | 93 |
| SAGE | NA | 123 | 156 |
| SAPE | NA | 86 | 146 |
| ALIN | NA | NA | 170 |
| ROWO | NA | NA | 32 |
| SABE | NA | NA | 146 |
| SADR | NA | NA | 165 |
| SAER | NA | NA | 156 |
| SPECIES_CODE | mean.max.ht |
|---|---|
| 2008 - WC - N | |
| BEOC | 428 |
| DAFR | 53 |
| SAGE | 96 |
| SAMO | 96 |
| SAPL | 88 |
| 2008 - WC - Y | |
| BEGL | 42 |
| DAFR | 60 |
| SAMO | 71 |
| SAPL | 82 |
| 2009 - WC - N | |
| ACGL | 60 |
| ALIN | 40 |
| BEOC | 105 |
| DAFR | 56 |
| RIIN | 90 |
| SABE | 75 |
| SAGE | 170 |
| SAMO | 132 |
| SAPL | 88 |
| 2009 - WC - Y | |
| SAPL | 110 |
| 2012 - WC - N | |
| NONE | 0 |
| 2013 - WC - N | |
| ALIN | 313 |
| BEGL | 100 |
| BEOC | 325 |
| DAFR | 49 |
| POTR | 127 |
| RIIN | 79 |
| ROWO | 46 |
| RUDE | 50 |
| SABE | 205 |
| SADR | 138 |
| SAGE | 140 |
| SAMO | 118 |
| SAPL | 84 |
| 2013 - WC - Y | |
| BEGL | 130 |
| BEOC | 45 |
| DAFR | 43 |
| LOIN | 40 |
| SAGE | 123 |
| SAMO | 113 |
| SAPE | 86 |
| SAPL | 109 |
| 2015 - WC - N | |
| ALIN | 150 |
| BEGL | 220 |
| BEOC | 50 |
| DAFR | 48 |
| RIIN | 50 |
| ROWO | 50 |
| SADR | 370 |
| SAGE | 360 |
| SAMO | 169 |
| SAPL | 221 |
| 2015 - WC - Y | |
| BEOC | 90 |
| DAFR | 63 |
| LOIN | 65 |
| SADR | 95 |
| SAGE | 158 |
| SAMO | 137 |
| SAPL | 123 |
| 2017 - WC - N | |
| ALIN | 182 |
| BEGL | 90 |
| BEOC | 20 |
| DAFR | 47 |
| RIIN | 40 |
| ROWO | 44 |
| SABE | 400 |
| SAGE | 360 |
| SAMO | 222 |
| SAPL | 95 |
| 2017 - WC - Y | |
| BEOC | 198 |
| DAFR | 60 |
| LOIN | 82 |
| SABE | 122 |
| SADR | 138 |
| SAGE | 200 |
| SAMO | 126 |
| SAPL | 169 |
| 2018 - WC - N | |
| ALIN | 312 |
| BEGL | 155 |
| BEOC | 395 |
| DAFR | 51 |
| RIIN | 59 |
| ROWO | 43 |
| RUID | 28 |
| SABE | 209 |
| SADR | 217 |
| SAGE | 119 |
| SAMO | 133 |
| SAPE | 55 |
| SAPL | 70 |
| 2018 - WC - Y | |
| ALIN | 170 |
| BEGL | 165 |
| BEOC | 82 |
| DAFR | 52 |
| LOIN | 93 |
| ROWO | 32 |
| SABE | 146 |
| SADR | 165 |
| SAER | 156 |
| SAGE | 156 |
| SAMO | 156 |
| SAPE | 146 |
| SAPL | 147 |
All shrub species and years by type
SITE_TYPE: WC=Willow Core, WNC=Willow Noncore, WK=Willow Kawuneeche Valley
Note that because of panel design, different set of plots may be represented in different years.
Salix moniticola 
Salix planifolia
Make assumption that “NA” for fenced is not fenced?
Core winter range: fenced vs unfenced
| Mean height by shrub species | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| FENCED | 2008 | 2013 | 2018 |
| BEGL | |||
| Y | 41.7 | 130.0 | 165.0 |
| N | NA | 125.0 | 108.8 |
| BEOC | |||
| N | 251.7 | 382.5 | 158.3 |
| Y | NA | 45.0 | 82.5 |
| DAFR | |||
| N | 52.1 | 49.9 | 50.6 |
| Y | 60.0 | 42.9 | 51.8 |
| SAGE | |||
| N | 230.2 | 258.3 | 153.7 |
| Y | NA | 123.0 | 141.5 |
| SALUC | |||
| N | 80.0 | NA | NA |
| SAMO | |||
| N | 127.0 | 170.7 | 155.7 |
| Y | 71.1 | 113.3 | 149.9 |
| SAPL | |||
| N | 173.8 | 160.0 | 105.6 |
| Y | 82.5 | 108.8 | 144.8 |
| ALIN | |||
| N | NA | 285.6 | 345.3 |
| Y | NA | NA | 170.0 |
| LOIN | |||
| N | NA | 112.5 | 120.0 |
| Y | NA | 40.0 | 93.3 |
| POTR | |||
| N | NA | 64.2 | NA |
| RIIN | |||
| N | NA | 91.2 | 57.9 |
| ROWO | |||
| N | NA | 34.4 | 40.4 |
| Y | NA | NA | 32.1 |
| SABE | |||
| N | NA | 239.6 | 137.8 |
| Y | NA | NA | 131.1 |
| SADR | |||
| N | NA | 420.0 | 253.1 |
| Y | NA | NA | 114.2 |
| SAPE | |||
| Y | NA | 86.2 | 145.5 |
| N | NA | NA | 63.3 |
| JUCO | |||
| N | NA | NA | 40.0 |
| RUID | |||
| N | NA | NA | 34.0 |
| SABR | |||
| N | NA | NA | 40.0 |
| SAER | |||
| Y | NA | NA | 156.0 |
| Mean height (cm) by all willow species | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| FENCED | 2008 | 2013 | 2018 |
| N | 151.3 | 191.6 | 147.5 |
| Y | 71.7 | 110.5 | 144.6 |
Core winter range sites, maximum shrub height by species, fencing treatment, and year in line interecept dataset.
## <ggproto object: Class FacetWrap, Facet, gg>
## compute_layout: function
## draw_back: function
## draw_front: function
## draw_labels: function
## draw_panels: function
## finish_data: function
## init_scales: function
## map_data: function
## params: list
## setup_data: function
## setup_params: function
## shrink: TRUE
## train_scales: function
## vars: function
## super: <ggproto object: Class FacetWrap, Facet, gg>Statistical comparisons: willow height
Willow macroplot data
Beaver and Moose Presence in 2018
| Moose presence in 2018 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Moose presence | n | percent |
| Absence | 42 | 0.34 |
| Browse | 55 | 0.45 |
| Browse/scat | 5 | 0.04 |
| Browse/scat/tracks | 9 | 0.07 |
| Browse/scat/tracks/sighting | 1 | 0.01 |
| Browse/tracks | 6 | 0.05 |
| Scat | 2 | 0.02 |
| Scat/beds | 1 | 0.01 |
| Tracks | 2 | 0.02 |
Canopy Diameter
Canopy diameter measurements from macroplots. Calculated as the mean of CANOPY_DIA_1_CM + CANOPY_DIA_2_CM.
Shrub Height - Macroplot
Count of Observations by Species
Repeated measures: willow height
Aspen
Master excel file: Aspen_Data_Baseline_through_2018.xlsx
The excel datafile provided by RMNP (Aspen_Data_Baseline_Through_2018.xlsx) includes 10 tabs.
Tally of records by year and core, non-core, and Kawuneeche Valley sites
| YEAR | AC | AK | ANC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 30 | 0 | 4 |
| 2007 | 16 | 16 | 26 |
| 2008 | 6 | 0 | 10 |
| 2009 | 38 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | 96 | 16 | 42 |
| 2015 | 28 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 28 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 28 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | 92 | 16 | 42 |
Tally of records by site type (e.g., core, non-core, and Kawuneeche Valley sites) and fenced status
| SITE_TYPE | N | Y |
|---|---|---|
| AC | 246 | 116 |
| AK | 48 | 0 |
| ANC | 124 | 0 |
| SITE_ID | DBH_0_2_CM | DBH_2_4_CM | DBH_4_6_CM | DBH_6_8_CM | DBH_8_10_CM | DBH_10_12_CM | DBH_12_14_CM | DBH_14_16_CM | DBH_16_18_CM | DBH_18_20_CM | DBH_20_22_CM | DBH_22_24_CM | DBH_24_26_CM | DBH_26_28_CM | DBH_28_30_CM | DBH_30_32_CM | DBH_32_34_CM | DBH_GREATER_THAN_34_CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AK01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK01 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| AK02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| AK03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK04 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| AK04 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK05 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK05 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| AK06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK07 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK07 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK08 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK08 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK01 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| AK02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| AK03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK04 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| AK04 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK05 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK05 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| AK06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK07 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK07 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK08 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK08 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK01 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| AK03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK04 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| AK04 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK05 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK05 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| AK06 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK07 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK07 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK08 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| AK08 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Tally of records by SITE_ID and YEAR
Aspen DBH: Core winter range
DBH classes: Fenced and non-burned plots 
DBH classes: Fenced and burned plots 
DBH classes: Unfenced and unburned plots 
Aspen DBH: Non-core winter range
DBH classes: Non-fenced and non-burned plots 
Aspen DBH: Kawuneeche Valley
DBH classes: Unfenced and unburned plots 
Aspen height: Core winter range
| HTclass | shortTall |
|---|---|
| HT_0_50_CM | short |
| HT_51_100_CM | short |
| HT_101_150_CM | short |
| HT_151_200_CM | tall |
| HT_201_250_CM | tall |
## # A tibble: 11 x 2
## VALLEY n
## <chr> <int>
## 1 BME 30
## 2 CC 60
## 3 DM 150
## 4 EV 90
## 5 HLWP 80
## 6 HSP 760
## 7 HV 60
## 8 KV 240
## 9 MP 850
## 10 RR 30
## 11 UBM 240
Aspen height: Non-core winter range
Aspen height: Kawuneeche Valley
Repeated measures: aspen stem tally
Willow Offtake
Master excel file: Willow_Offtake_Data_2009_Through_2018.xlsx
The Kawuneeche willow plots (KW 1 thru 8) were established in August/Sept 2011, just prior to the installation of the exclosure near Timber Creek CG.
KEY:
SITE_TYPE (WC=Willow core, WNC= Willow noncore, WK= Willow Kawuneeche Valley)
COLOR_OF_STEM_MARKER (BR=brown, G=green, BL=black, Y=yellow, GR=gray, BR-N=brown notched, W=white)
NUMBER_BROWSED_CAG_SHOOTS (# Browsed Current Annual Growth Shoots)
NUMBER_UNBROWSED_CAG_SHOOTS (# Unbrowsed Current Annual Growth Shoots)
BROWSED_OR_UNBROWSED (Measured shoot browsed (B) or unbrowsed (U)?)
ADDITIONAL_SHOOT (Additional shoot 1=yes, 0=no)
| Tabs in workbook |
|---|
| name |
| DIRECTIONS - READ FIRST |
| 2009 Spring Offtake |
| 2010 Spring Offtake |
| willow twig 2010_11 |
| 2011 Spring Offtake |
| willow twig 2011_12 |
| 2012 Spring Offtake |
| willow twig 2012_13 |
| 2013 Spring Offtake |
| 2013 fall shoots |
| 2014 Spring Offtake |
| 2015 Spring Offtake |
| 2016 Spring Offtake |
| 2017 Spring Offtake |
| 2018 Spring Offtake |
Upland
Data import
References
Johnson, T. L., L. C. Zeigenfuss, N. Thompson, and J. A. Mack. 2016. The role of science through a century of elk and habitat management at Rocky Mountain National Park. Park Science 32(2):70–72
U.S. Department of the Interior, 2007, Elk and vegetation management plan, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: Washington D.C., National Park Service, unpaged, accessed online May 6, 2013 at http://www.nps.gov/romo/parkmgmt/elkveg_mgmt_plan_feis.htm.
U.S. Department of the Interior, 2008, Record of decision, Final environmental impact statement, Elk and vegetation management plan, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado: Washington D.C., National Park Service, 21 p., accessed online May 6, 2013 at www.nps.gov/romo/parkmgmt/upload/rod_evmp_signed_2-15-08.pdf.
Zeigenfuss, L., Johnson, T., and Wiebe, Z., 2011, Monitoring plan for vegetation responses to elk management in Rocky Mountain National Park: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011–1013, 85 p.
Zeigenfuss, L.C., and T.L. Johnson, 2015, Monitoring of vegetation response to elk population and habitat management in Rocky Mountain National Park, 2008–14: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2015–1216, 44 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20151216.
Appendix 1. Data notes from E. Ertl
The following are notes from E. Ertl recorded in an describing EVMP vegetation data collection, as recorded in 2018.
Aspen
Plots lost: AC41 (plot was washed away in the 2013 flood)
Plots added: AC68 to replace AC41
Plots that had been treated with fuels management work that has not been noted before: ANC5, ANC7, ANC8, ANC19 (I think?) these areas were thinned of most large trees opening up the canopy substantially and the area was also pile burned; none of the plots appeared to be directly in the pile burn scars but a few came very close; these treatments could alter data in the future (working on getting a GIS layer for this)
Formatted 2015 – 2018 data. 2015-2017 data only consisted of burn plot sampling; no burn plot data collected in 2014
Upland
Plots lost: UC09 (this plot was most likely lost in the 2013 flood), UC14 & UC24 (plots were lost to waterline construction that occurred from 2015-2018)
Plots added: UC37, UC38, UC39 to replace the three plots that were lost
Plots have been treated by prescribed fire in the past; Prescribed fire occurred from 9/17 – 10/2 of 2008; First round of data collected for upland sites occurred in 2007 (working on getting recent GIS layers to account for any other treatments)
Prescribed burning is planned for this coming October 2018 as well, which will potentially burn several upland plots in the Beaver Meadows area
Formatted 2018 shrub data
Willow
Plots lost: WK03; this plot hasn’t been found since 2012 and we looked several times in 2018
Plots added: WK09 to replace WK03 (updated measurement schedule in the protocol), WK10 added late season after talking with Linda Z. – she suggested there be 4 fenced plots in the KV to make the data collected from this area more robust. We weren’t aware of this when we installed WK09, so there will be nine total west side plots (4 fenced and 5 unfenced).
Removed the microplot stem counts from the macroplot sampling in the protocol per Linda Z. early summer
Formatted 2015 – 2018 cumulative willow data 2015-2017 data only consisted of burn plot sampling; there is no burn data for 2014 In 2015 it appears they were only measuring willow in the macroplots, not all shrubs like they should have been.
Fixed unit and rounding issues in data. In 2016 the crew measured additional burned sites that are not on the burn survey list (WC32, WC34, WC78, WC84, and WC85). For some plots they only measured willow instead of measuring all shrubs. Fixed unit and rounding issues in data.
There is only west side data for 2016 and 2017; Nick B. said they weren’t aware that west side plots were supposed to be measured every year back in 2014/2015. Burn survey and west side data are currently combined by year measured
Formatted 2015 – 2018 offtake data (2014 was already added and analyzed in the 2013 review) 2015 offtake notes: Crew didn’t sample WC9, WC78, WC79 (plots are in fences) and sampled extra plots that are not on the protocol list for offtake including WC34, WC35, WC52, WC54, WC56, WK6, WK7, and WK8 (none of these are in fences)
2016 offtake notes: Crew didn’t sample WC79 (fenced), WC85 (fenced), WK3 (lost), WNC30 (couldn’t find plot) and sampled extra plots that are not on the protocol list for offtake including WC34, WC35, WC37 (fenced), WC50 (fenced), WC57, WC69, WC70, WC71, WC76 (fenced), WC81, WC82, WC83, WC86 (fenced)
2017 offtake notes: Crew didn’t sample WC76 (fenced), WC85 (fenced), WNC30 (couldn’t find plot), WK3 (lost), WK6 (river probably too high to access) and no extra plots were sampled
2018 offtake notes: Crew didn’t sample WC33 (removed 2014), WC76 (fenced), WC77 (fenced), WK3 (lost and removed from list in 2018, replaced with WK9 at end of season), WK6 (river too high to access plot)
There were discrepancies between the protocol and the willow master database on what sites to sample for offtake (added by C. Piper). Linda and I updated this schedule in the protocol for future years because the old schedule included plots that were no longer there and plots that have since been fenced.
Burn Surveys 2015-2019 – spoke with Linda Z. and she doesn’t think these need to be measured again in 2019 unless the data is showing something interesting.
Willow stake restoration sites – have these been cross referenced with willow monitoring sites? Were willow stakes planted in some plots? I did find notes that there were willow stakes being measured in WC76 over the years, which would need to be analyzed separately I’m assuming.
Other notes
Kept all of Linda’s original data for the last 5-year review under EVMP’s “analysis” folder
Created new (2018) versions of data for 10-year review analysis but did not delete out any data from previous years where plots were lost this year; also kept old components in the data (i.e. willow shoot measurements, microplot stem counts)
All formatted data for 2018 can be found under EVMPVegetationAnalysis10 Year Review
Blank datasheets have been updated for 2018
Protocols are currently being updated for 2018 and master databases have been updated for 2018.
Added a “Fuels Treatment Post Establishment” and “Treatment Year” column that could be queried by type (i.e. prescribed fire, mechanical treatments, etc.)
Created new shapefiles for all veg plots; trying to find shapefiles for treatment areas in the park and will put them in the EVMP_Veg_Data_2018 geodatabase Located under EVMPVegetationGISEVMP_Veg_Data_2018.gdb OR ShapefilesMaster_Veg_Sites_Shp2018
Created new veg maps. Located under EVMPVegetationLogisticsMapsEVMP vegetation plot maps2018 Veg Site MapsPlot Maps
Wild Basin Willow Data – I created a folder with all of the data collected at Wild Basin this fall. It is located under EVMPVegetationAnnual RecordsFY18Wild Basin – Willow Data
Uploaded all 4 iPads with new electronic datasheets for willow and upland, photo points and plot diagrams from 2018, willow ID keys, updated protocol from 2018, and new vegetation site maps.