METHODS
MAPPING
A theodolite was set up at a point along the edge of the exposed stump field. Starting at the northeastern edge all white-cedar stumps within a 1.7 hectare area were cleaned with wire brushes of soil and plants. The area mapped was only a portion of the stump field exposed during the mitigation. The stumps' diameters were measured. The general condition (presence of rot, missing sections, fire scars, etc.) of each stump was also recorded. A surveying rod was then placed over the estimated center of the stump (Figure 4) and polar coordinates taken (angle, stadia, and center rod measurements). Some but not all submerged logs were measured at each end (if not immediately submerged).
CROSS SECTIONS
Cross sections approximately 4 inches thick were taken
from a number of stumps and logs from the mapped and surrounding stump field
area (Figure 5).
The cross sections were transported back to the labs at Richard Stockton
College. The sections were dried, cleaned, and sanded to 400 grit (Figure
6). Three sections (from the last wood formed -inside the intact bark) from three different trees were cut, prepared, and sent
for radiocarbon dating (Figure 7) following
instructions from the radiocarbon dating laboratory (Beta Analytical).
The cross sections were aged by at least three independent observers.
During the ring counting process numerous false rings were observed so the
'final age' of the cross sections will have to wait until the data are cross
dated at a future time (Figure 8).
STATISTICAL
Data from mapped stumps were converted from polar into Cartesian
coordinates. These data were eventually mapped using ARCVIEW, then spatially
analyzed using CRIMESTAT (a spatial statistics software package) and SAS
(Statistical Analysis System). Additionally, the mapped data and stump
dimensions were combined and used to recreate the stand using SVS (Stand
Visualization System).