returns a specific plot observation via the observation accession code

Database generated identifier assigned to each unique plot observation.

Link to data from the previous observation of this plot.

Link to data and metadata that do not change between observations and which are stored in the plot table.

Link between an observation and the project within which the observation was made

This is the code or name that the author uses to identify this plot observation event. Where a plot has only one observation, this will often equal plot.authorPlotCode.

The date of the observation, or the first day if the observation spanned more than one day.

If the observation event spanned more than a single day, this is the last day on which observations were made.

Estimated accuracy of the observation date.

Date that the observation was added to VegBank

Link to the scale used to estimate taxon cover. The database stores estimated cover to the nearest percent, but the conversion details are recovered by reference to the specific scale employed.

Were cover values for the total taxon list collected from one contiguous area or dispersed subplots?

TRUE indicates that taxonObservation.taxonCover was automatically calculated from the values of all stratumObservation.taxonStratumCover

Link to the definitions of strata used in recording taxon-specific values of cover.

Additional metadata helpful for understanding how the data were collected during the observation event.

the total surface area (in m^2) used for cover estimates and for which a complete species list is provided. If subplots were used, this would be the total area of the subplots without interstitial space. RESERVED VALUE: -1 is used to indicate the complete list of species had no known boundaries.

Lower diameter limit in centimeters for inclusion of a tree in the stem count (stemCount).

the total surface area (in m^2) observed for recording woody stem data. RESERVED VALUE: -1 means no known area.

The method used to obtain basal area or tree stem data (e.g., full census, point quarter, random pairs, Bitterlich, other).

Location where the hard data reside and any access instructions.

This is the effort spent making the observations as estimated by the party that submitted the data (e.g., Very thorough, Average, Hurried description).

Quality of plot as determined by an automated filter system, including values such as (1) sufficient for determining type occurrence, (2) sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision, and (3) fully compliant with recommendations.

Subjective assessment of floristic quality by the party that submitted the plot (e.g., Highest, High, High but incomplete, Moderate, Moderate and incomplete, Low).

Subjective assessment of the taxonomic quality of the bryophyte data by the party that submitted the plot (e.g., Highest, High, High but incomplete, Moderate, Moderate and incomplete, Low, Very incomplete, absent).

Subjective assessment of the taxonomic quality of the lichen data by the party that submitted the plot (e.g., Highest, High, High but incomplete, Moderate, Moderate and incomplete, Low, Very incomplete, absent).

Additional unstructured observations useful for understanding the ecological attributes and significance of the plot observations.

Unstructured observations on the landscape context of the observed plot.

How homogeneous was the community (e.g., homogeneous, compositional trend across plot, conspicuous inclusions, irregular mosaic or pattern).

Season expression of the community (e.g., typical growing season, vernal, aestival, wet, autumnal, winter, dry, irregular ephemerals present).

How representative was the plot of the stand?

How mature is the stand. Could be young, mature but even-aged, old-growth, etc.

Description of the assumed successional status of the plot. This description is of necessity highly subjective.

Total basal area of woody stems (in m²/ha). 0 should be used to indicate that plots have no stems.

What is the hydrologic regime, which is a reflection of frequency and duration of flooding? List is taken from Cowardin et al. 1979, 1985.

How moist was the soil at the sampling event?

Identifies the natural drainage conditions of the soil and refers to the frequency and duration of wet periods. The soil drainage classes are defined in terms of (1) actual moisture content (in excess of field moisture capacity) and (2) the extent of the period during which excess water is present in the plant-root zone. Soil drainage class categories conform to the FGDC Soil Geographic Data Standards, September 1997. (http://www.fgdc.gov/standards/documents/standards/soils/soil997.PDF.) Definitions are derived from Grossman et al. (1998) and Sims et al. (1997).

How saline is the water, if a flooded community?

For aquatic or marine vegetation, what was the water depth in m.

For aquatic or marine vegetation, what was the closest distance to shore in m.

Median depth to bedrock or permafrost in m (usually from averaging multiple probe readings).

Depth of the surficial organic layer, where present, in centimeters.

Foreign key into table of soil taxa within the USDA classification hierarchy, including Order, Suborder, Greatgroup, Subgroup, Family and Series.

How was the soil taxon determined (e.g., field observation, map, other sources)?

Percent of surface that is exposed bedrock.

Percent of surface that is exposed rock and gravel.

Percent of surface that is wood.

Percent of surface that is litter.

Percent of surface that is bare soil.

Percent of surface that is water.

Percent of surface that belong to an additional itemized category

Name of additional itemized ground cover category (e.g., beer cans).

Height of the tree layer in m.

Height of the shrub layer in m.

Height of the field layer in m.

Height of the nonvascular layer in m.

Height of the submerged layer in m.

Total cover of the tree layer in percent. Includes tall trees (single-stemmed woody plants, generally more than 5 m in height or greater at maturity under optimal growing conditions). Very tall shrubs with tree-like form may also be included here, as may other life forms, such as lianas and epiphytes.

Total cover of the shrub layer in percent. Includes shrubs (multiple-stemmed woody plants, generally less than 5 m in height at maturity under optimal growing conditions) and shorter trees (saplings). As with the tree stratum, other life forms present in this stratum may also be included (however, herbaceous life forms should be excluded, as their stems often die back annually and do not have as consistent a height as woody life forms). Where dwarf-shrubs (i.e. shrubs shorter than 0.5 m) form a distinct stratum (either as part of a series of strata, as in a forest, or as the top stratum of more open vegetation, such as tundra or xeric shrublands), they should be treated as a low version of the shrub stratum (or short shrub substratum). In many vegetation types, dwarf-shrubs may simply occur as one life form component of the herb stratum.

Total cover of the field layer in percent. Also referred to as Herb stratum. Includes herbs (plants without woody stems and often dying back annually), often in association with low creeping semi-shrubs, dwarf-shrubs, vines, and non-woody brambles (such as raspberries), as well as tree or shrub seedlings.

Total cover of the nonvascular layer in percent. Also referred to as moss, bryoid, or ground stratum. Defined entirely by mosses, lichens, liverworts, and alga. Ground-creeping vines, prostrate shrubs and herbs should be treated in the herb stratum. Where herbs are entirely absent, it is still possible to recognize this stratum if other very low woody or semi-woody life forms are present.

Total cover of the floating layer in percent. Includes rooted or drifting plants that float on the water surface (e.g., duckweed, water-lily).

Total cover of the submerged layer in percent. Includes rooted or drifting plants that by-and-large remain submerged in the water column or on the aquatic bottom (e.g., pondweed). The focus is on the overall strata arrangement of these aquatic plants. Note that emergent plants life forms in a wetland should be placed in above water strata (e.g., cattail or sedges would be placed in the herb stratum, whereas the duckweed would be in the floating aquatic stratum).

Which of the six standard strata is dominant?

The predominant growth form?

The second-most predominant growthform?

The third-most predominant growthform

Total cover of the predominant growthform?

Total cover of the second-most predominant growthform?

Total cover of the third-most predominant growthform?

The total cover, in percent, of all vegetation on the plot.

Code that uniquely references this record, allowing reference to this record for this version of this database. Better than a primary key, which is automatically generated by a database and not globally unique. VegBank Accession codes are only generated by VegBank, and therefore data integrity can be guaranteed, unlike with a primary key (number).

TRUE indicates that public notes pertaining to this plot exist in 'vegPlot.note'

TRUE indicates that nonpublic management notes pertaining to this plot exist in 'vegPlot.note'

TRUE indicates that revisions exist in 'vegPlot.Revision'