CLASSIFICATION AND MONITORING PLAINS COTTONWOOD ECOLOGICAL TYPE IN THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS

A multivariate statistical model was developed for the plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides) ecological type to classify seral stages and to monitor succession based on three key variables. Four ecological seral stages representing early to late succession were identified quantitatively with a classification accuracy of 95%. All seral stages were significantly different (P < 0.001). Information required to predict seral stages within 0.2 acre or 0.08 ha macroplots by the model includes DBH of plains cottonwood trees >1 inch, stem number <1 inch and tree number. These are the only measurements required for seral stage classification and monitoring. Resource managers will be able to use this model to evaluate management actions by monitoring changes within and among seral stages. This model is simple to use, reliable, repeatable, accurate, and cost effective to meet resource management objectives and monitoring plans.