Hopkins Memorial Forest Permanent Plot System Census Researchers (9)
The permanent plot system was established 75 years ago by the U.S. Forest Service and the vegetation has been censused in the 1930s, 1970s, and 1990s. All woody stems (greater than 1/2″ diameter at breast height (DBH)) in each of the 0.25-acre plots are measured, while the shrub and herb layers are analyzed in 10 “milacre” (1/1000-acre) plots in one corner of the larger tree-layer plot. Sample trees are cored to determine the radial growth rates of various species. The goal for summer of 2011 is to census between 33 and 50% of the 400 permanent plots. This research requires enjoying outdoor research and the ability to hike on sometime steep and irregular terrain. A working knowledge of common woody plants of the region would be helpful. This work can be combined with Honors Thesis research projects in either Biology or Environmental Studies.
Students will be paid $370/week (not including the meal plan), the College paying for the cost of housing, however, students using college housing are required to sign up for a meal plan.
Note: Summer Science Research runs from 13 June – 19 August 2011.
For more Information contact Hank Art, 203 TBL; 413-597-2461, hart@williams.edu