4.5 Physical and Biological Site Form Databases

The field sampling program is an integral part of the estuarine mapping system. The spatial variability of the materials and biota within an estuary, and the detailed level of mapping make ground surveys necessary to verify mapped boundaries and polygon attributes. Clear objectives and pre-planning of the field program is required to ensure efficient field survey and coordination between physical and biological mappers. Objectives may include: sampling of homogeneous areas for descriptive purpose, checking polygon boundaries or confirming the distribution of materials (including subsurface) and species compositions of areas to be used for description of new site series definitions.

Field Sampling Procedures

The field sampling of the physical and biological character of an estuary can be conducted together or independently although the former is recommended. The Physical and Biological Site Form Databases are outlined in Tables 9 and 10. Codes and definitions explaining codes and definitions of each form follow each site form. The field survey physical and biological site forms are supplied in Figure 5.

As a general rule most physical and biological map units should be surveyed or visited during the field sampling because of the detailed level of mapping. The level of survey can range from a visual overview to subsurface sampling (physical) or full plot (biological). While minimal site survey would include a visual inspection at each mapped polygon, full geological and biological plots should be conducted as often as possible. Several full biological plots should be undertaken in areas where new site series are being developed (as in TEM, 1998). A minimum of 3 to 5 full plots is recommended for defining new site series.

A detailed site sample for physical mapping will include documentation of subsurface materials and a description of their character (e.g. texture, bedrock type, etc.). Field sampling procedures for biological mapping are based on the protocols described in detail in Field Manual for Describing Ecosystems in the Field (RIC 1998), the Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping manual (RIC, 1998) and the BC Biotic Shore-zone Mapping System (Searing and Frith, 1995).

Detailed site selection for geological sampling or biological plots depends on:

• the size of the estuary
• existing data about the estuary and other field sampling results
• knowledge of local site series or species assemblages being sampled
• questions or concerns developed during pre-typing

Location of the plots in the estuary may be subjective or placed at intervals along a transect which has been laid out to cover the greatest variety of polygon types. In biological sampling, areas of transition between types should be avoided and plots should be representative of a homogenous example of the species present in the site series or bio-band. Recommended plot sizes are smaller than those used to sample vegetation in forested lands. Full plots or visual plots may be circular with radius of as small as 1.8m (10m² plot) up to 4m radius (50m² plot). Plot shapes may be adapted to best sample the sometimes narrow extent of biotic community present.

4.6 Site form and associated databases

BC ESTUARY MAPPING, BIOPHYSICAL PLOT SITE FORM SITE DATA
Date:_______Time start:_______ end:_______
EstuaryID:_______Project ident:_______
Location:____________________________
Plot GPS latitude:______________Plot GPS longitude:______________
Photo Number(s):_____________________ Elevation:_____________________

PHYSICAL DATA

Surveyor Name(s):_____________________ Phy_ident:______________PhyunitID:_______
Primary form:____________________________ Secondary form:____________________________

MATERIAL

Strata

Depth

First

Second

Third

P1

S1

%

P1

S1

%

P1

S1

%

PROFILE DESCRIPTION AND SKETCH

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

SAMPLE ID:____________(CHECK IF SAMPLE COLLECTED)

BIOLOGICAL DATA
Plot ident number:____________ Bio_ident:________________________ BiounitID:____________
Date:____________________________________Time start: ____________ end: ____________
Biotic Unit polygon Ident:____________________________________________________________
Surveyors:________________________________________________________________________
Survey type: Full plot____________Visual inspection plot: ____________Plot area:____________
Site series/Bio-band of plot:____________________________________________________________
Wetland class if applicable:____________Aspect____________Slope:________________________

Layer*	% Cover
A - total tree
B - total shrub
C - herbaceous
D - mosses and lichens

*For plots in the upper estuary, areas described by WREC methodology:

*Dominant species in the plot to verify polygon mapping in pre-typing:

SPECIES OBSERVED

* Include all biota observed at the plot: vascular and non-vascular flora and invertebrate fauna, both sessile and infauna if possible.