TITLE: Tree Mapping for Leaf Collection (Megantic Only)
AUTHORS: Sabine St-Jean, Anna Crofts

[DESCRIPTION]
<div class = "text-blocks"><div class = "text-block"><span>Here, we describe the standardized protocol used by the </span><a href="http://www.caboscience.org" style = "text-decoration:underline;color:blue;cursor:pointer;"><span style = ":;">Canadian Airborne Biodiversity Observatory</span></a><span> (CABO) in preparation of the collection of trees during the leaf spectra effort at Parc national du Mont-Mégantic. It represents what the leaf spectra crew asked the veg crew to do prior to their arrival at the Megantic site, in order to save time, as the veg crew has easier access to this site and is familiar with it.</span></div></div>

[STEPS]
?. [Tree Selection and Scouting]
During site reconnaissance (walking between plots), pay attention to: 1) individuals of rare tree species (see attached Species List per Site and step 11 of the Canopy Trees Survey Protocol - Forests of Southern Québec), and 2) trees that meet the Leaf Spectra selection criteria.
Leaf Spectra Selection Criteria:Leaves exposed to direct sunlight for at least 6 hrs a day.Tree height that allows for leaf collection (target leaves located at ____ m at most).Within 30 mins, ideally 15 mins, from parking spots for the Leaf Spectra van.If possible, sample individuals of the same species across the park (i.e., in both sectors and across the altitudinal gradient).Goal: 10 individual trees per species, for the common species; and 5 individual trees per species, for rare species (see attached Species List).Details to know to assist the Leaf Spectra Crew during leaf collection:The Leaf Spectra van, once settled, won’t move for the rest of the day.Once harvested from the tree, the leaves must remain attached to the branch during transportation to the Leaf Spectra van. If leaf collection occurs before aerial imagery, do not collect leaves inside the plots.Details to know to assist the Leaf Spectra Crew during leaf collection:The Leaf Spectra van, once settled, won’t move for the rest of the day.Once harvested from the tree, the leaves must remain attached to the branch during transportation to the Leaf Spectra van. If leaf collection occurs before aerial imagery, do not collect leaves inside the plots.
?. [Record Creation and Tree Marking]
Save your record.
?. [Record Creation and Tree Marking]
Under Plants → Plant First Occurence, indicate the names of the team members (one or more) who first observed the plant as well as the date of the first observation of the plant.
?. [Record Creation and Tree Marking]
Under Plants → Taxonomic Identification, indicate the team members (one or more) the tree was Identified By, enter the Date Identified, and indicate the Identification Protocol.
?. [Record Creation and Tree Marking]
Under Plants → Location, precisely georeference the tree location by clicking Update location with GPS on your field cellphone connected to the Trimble GPS –coordinates will automatically be imported to the Latitude, Longitude, Horizontal Accuracy and Altitude fields.
?. [Record Creation and Tree Marking]
Under Plants → Taxon, select the name of the plant species from the VASCAN Taxon list.
?. [Record Creation and Tree Marking]
Under Plants → Metadata → Project, select the appropriate project name (see Site Specific Info).
?. [Record Creation and Tree Marking]
Under Plants → Site and Plot, select the appropriate Site and leave the Plot field blank (see Site Specific Information).
?. [Record Creation and Tree Marking]
Permanently tag the tree using aluminium tree tags numbered 1-200 –place tag on the far side of tree, so it cannot be seen from the trail. Under Plants → Plant, answer 'Yes' to Plant Tagged?, record the tag number next to Tag ID, and answer 'aluminium tag' to Tag Type. Add any other relevant info next to Plant Remarks.
?. [Record Creation and Tree Marking]
Create a new record.
?. [Record Creation and Tree Marking]
From the Fulcrum main menu, go to the Plants app to create and save individuals.