Filling in the Field Form: Back Side

The back side of the Field Form contains location and habitat information and only needs to be completed once for each Survey Point. It is divided into three sections: Survey Point Characteristics, Study Site Characteristics, and Landscape Level Characteristics.

Survey Point Characteristics

These characteristics apply to the point where you actually stand to conduct the protocols. Some variables may be calculated from maps (latitude, longitude, and elevation), but sometimes they are easier to measure while you are out in the field. For example, you can get the exact latitude and longitude of your Survey Point in the field with a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.

The distances to nearest edge, road, water, and occupied building may be measured or estimated while you are out in the field, or if the distances are very large, you can use a map instead. Write the numbers on the appropriate lines, and be sure to indicate the proper units for each measurement.

Study Site Characteristics

These characteristics apply to the entire study site, the circle with a radius of 500 feet (150 meters) around your Survey Point. All of this section should be completed while you are out in the field with the possible exception of Ownership.

Some variables have check boxes while others require you to write in numbers. Notice that some variables (Hydrology and Land Use) allow you to mark more than one item, while others (Forest Cover Type, Slope, and Ownership) allow only one answer.

After estimating the vegetation cover percentages, be sure to check your math. The individual percentages should add up to whatever you have written in for the total percentage of cover.

Landscape Level Characteristics

These characteristics apply to areas ranging from the entire forest patch in which your Survey Point is located to a 2,500-acre (1,000-hectare) block around your Survey Point. For smaller forest patches, it may be possible to determine Patch Edge while you are out in the field. Otherwise, these variables will be calculated from maps or aerial photographs.

Patch Edge and Forest Patch Size should be calculated for the entire forest patch in which your Survey Point is located. Percentage of Forest and Linear Distance of Edge should be calculated for a 2,500-acre (1,000-hectare) block around your Survey Point. Isolation Measurements are the distances from the forest patch in which your Survey Point is located to other large patches.

Be sure to indicate the proper units for each measurement, and mark all sources of information that were used to make the measurements.