Buffer Area(s): Vegetation For each monitoring year, estimate the actual and relative percent cover by dominant plant species (including volunteer plants) and any invasive plant species. Estimate the percent survival of woody planted material and number of native trees/shrubs per acre (including native volunteer woody species taller than ten inches). Please note that projects where the vegetation is inconsistent throughout the site may not meet the performance standards (e.g. a site where some portions have high densities of woody species but other portions have low densities). For forested buffers, measure the height of the tallest five trees within each sample plot in each monitoring year. In year ten, measure canopy cover of trees and shrubs. Measurements of vegetation based upon performance standard and methods used to evaluate the vegetative success of the mitigation site. For each monitoring year, summarize the results from the vegetation plot study, including the density trees/shrubs and percent cover of native species present in order of dominance and for each vegetative stratum. Data should be summarized for each plot and also by field or cell. Do not include the raw plot data in your monitoring report. Remediation: Describe any problems observed within the upland buffer, such as: invasion by undesirable species of plants or wildlife, disease condition for plants, poor plant establishment, human encroachment, and slope failures or erosion problems. Describe the proposed remedial measures to address the problems noted above. Remedial measures proposed by the Bank Sponsor are subject to review and approval by the IRT, acting through the Chairs, prior to implementation. In the event that remedial measures are implemented, the monitoring period may be extended on a case-by-case basis. The treatment of non-native invasive plant species does not need the approval of the IRT, but should be completed at the correct time of year by someone with a current pesticide applicator certification and the required MDE toxic materials permit. Below are the recommended techniques for monitoring mitigation sites. Alternate techniques may be considered, but must be approved in writing by the IRT prior to the commencement of the monitoring period. Recommended Wetland Vegetation Density Measurement Technique
Buffer Area(s): Vegetation For each monitoring year, estimate the actual and relative percent cover by dominant plant species (including volunteer plants) and any invasive plant species. Estimate the percent survival of woody planted material and number of native trees/shrubs per acre (including native volunteer woody species taller than ten inches). Please note that projects where the vegetation is inconsistent throughout the site may not meet the performance standards (e.g. a site where some portions have high densities of woody species but other portions have low densities). For forested buffers, measure the height of the tallest five trees within each sample plot in each monitoring year. In year ten, measure canopy cover of trees and shrubs. Measurements of vegetation based upon performance standard and methods used to evaluate the vegetative success of the mitigation site. For each monitoring year, summarize the results from the vegetation plot study, including the density trees/shrubs and percent cover of native species present in order of dominance and for each vegetative stratum. Data should be summarized for each plot and also by field or cell. Do not include the raw plot data in your monitoring report. Remediation: Describe any problems observed within the upland buffer, such as: invasion by undesirable species of plants or wildlife, disease condition for plants, poor plant establishment, human encroachment, and slope failures or erosion problems. Describe the proposed remedial measures to address the problems noted above. Remedial measures proposed by the Bank Sponsor are subject to review and approval by the IRT, acting through the Chairs, prior to implementation. In the event that remedial measures are implemented, the monitoring period may be extended on a case-by-case basis. The treatment of non-native invasive plant species does not need the approval of the IRT, but should be completed at the correct time of year by someone with a current pesticide applicator certification and the required MDE toxic materials permit. Below are the recommended techniques for monitoring mitigation sites. Alternate techniques may be considered, but must be approved in writing by the IRT prior to the commencement of the monitoring period. Recommended Wetland Vegetation Density Measurement Technique
IRT_NT_WetlandBuffer_Monitoring_Protocol_Bank5_8_15.docx