In Terraware, baseline assessments can be done through Biomass Observations, which involve recording data, including information about soil and vegetation observed in specific plots of land that are related to a forestry project's planted areas.
Carbon foresters can use the data collected in the plots to determine the initial state of their forestry projects, before planting starts. Data collection through Terraware complies with carbon measurement protocols and methodologies that are approved by standard-setting bodies, and the data can be used to estimate the carbon impact of forestry projects. Project data in Terraware can be shared with project funders.
At this time, Biomass Observations are conducted using the Ad Hoc Plot Observations feature in the mobile app. (To learn more about Ad Hoc Plot Observations, visit Ad Hoc Plot Observations.)
Note: Users who are part of the Terraformation Accelerator Program will use Ad Hoc Plot Observations for baseline data collection prior to planting and will use Assigned Plot Observations for Plant Monitoring activities post-planting. (To learn more about Plant Monitoring within Assigned Plot Observations, visit Plant Monitoring through Observations.) Terraformation will provide additional documentation and training on how to use these features to satisfy Accelerator Program requirements, including project reporting.
Ad Hoc Plots for Biomass Observations
You will need to have the Terraware mobile app to conduct Observations. And before you can conduct Biomass Observations, you will set up an Ad Hoc Plot Observation in the mobile app. (To learn more about Ad Hoc Plot Observations, visit Ad Hoc Plot Observations.)
Once an Ad Hoc Plot has been set up, you will be able to conduct a Biomass Observation within the plot. The Observation screens appear right after the setup screens for the Ad Hoc Plot Observation.
Ad Hoc Plot set up for Observation
Conducting Biomass Observations
There are four main sections within the Biomass Observation screens:
- Plot details, including the forest type and soil information
- Herbaceous and invasive and/or threatened species in plot corner Quadrats
- Invasive and/or threatened species outside of Quadrats
- Trees and Shrubs, including measurements.
You do not have to complete the Observation screens in the order that they are presented. You will be able to use the Next and Back buttons in each screen to navigate between screens.
Once you have completed the Observation, you will be able to use the Done button to proceed to the last screens of the Observation and to save the recorded data so that it can be uploaded to Terraware whenever you have a network connection.
To be able to complete a Biomass Observation, you will need to provide input in all of the fields that are marked as required (with an asterisk) in all of the sections. The required fields described below are marked with an asterisk and are within the Required Fields list below.
Plot Details
At the top of the Plot Details screen, you will see the coordinates - latitude and longitude - of the Southwest corner of the 30m by 30m Ad Hoc Plot.
Plot Photo(s)* - A plot photo is required. The photo that was taken for the Southwest corner of the plot during plot set-up will be shown by default. You can add more photos, as needed, either to help identify the plot or to record information about the plot.
Plot Description - Provide a name and/or description that could help you identify the plot and that distinguishes it from other plots of the same Observation type. (Note: Users who are part of the Accelerator Program can input the Plot Name provided by the Terraformation team in this field.) After the Observation is completed and the data is uploaded to Terraware, Terraware will automatically assign a Plot ID that is a number.
Type of Forest* - Select the type of forest: Terrestrial or Mangrove. If Mangrove is selected, you will need to provide input in the following fields that are Mangrove forest -specific:
- Water Depth (cm)* - Water depth in centimeters
- Salinity (ppt)* - Water salinity in parts per thousand
- pH* - Water pH (0-14)
- Tide* - Select High or Low
- Measurement Time* - Date and time the tide was recorded; will be the current time by default and can be changed, if necessary.
Number of Small Trees* - Select the number range that includes the number of small trees observed within the plot. A "small tree" is one that has a diameter at breast height (DBH) that is less than 5cm and/or the height is less than 1.3m.
Herbaceous Cover % - Visually estimate and enter the percentage herbaceous cover.
Soil Assessment Photo* - Add a photo of the soil in the plot.
Soil Assessment* - Provide details about the soil, including the soil type and the presence of sand / silt / clay or roots.
Biomass Observation Plot Details fields
Quadrats: Herbaceous, Invasive, and Threatened Species
Herbaceous species are non-woody plant individuals, such as grasses, ferns, and wildflowers.
To record the herbaceous (non-woody) species and its abundance, you will use quadrats in the four corners of the plot. Invasive and threatened species should be recorded.
In the Quadrat fields, you will only record the species observed in the four quadrats. Only the Southwest (SW) and Northeast (NE) quadrats are required fields.
Quadrat Photo* - Add a photo of the quadrat in the corner of the plot.
Quadrat Species* - Select the species from the list or enter the name of the species if you are not able to find it in the list. Provide the scientific name of the species. If you only know the common name of the species, enter it. After the Observation is synced to Terraware, you will be able to match the species you entered with species in the Species list.
Species Abundance* - For each species recorded in a quadrat, in the Abundance field, include the number of squares of the quadrat in which the species appears.
No herbaceous plants - If no species appears in a quadrat, check the "No herbaceous plants" checkbox.
Southwest Quadrat fields, including photo, species, abundance, and description
Additional Invasive and Threatened Species
Record any additional invasive or threatened species that are observed in the plot outside of the quadrats.
Additional Invasive / Threatened Species - Select the species from the list or enter the name of the species if you are not able to find it in the list. Provide the scientific name of the species. If you only know the common name of the species, enter it. After the Observation is synced to Terraware, you will be able to match the species you entered with species in the Species list.
Include invasive or threatened trees that are regarded as "small trees", which are trees that do not meet the threshold for Diameter at Breast Height (DBH). Trees that meet the threshold for DBH are to be recorded within the Trees and Shrubs screens (see more information under "Trees and Shrubs" below).
Additional Invasive / Threatened Species fields
When you proceed past recording species in the Quadrats and additional invasive and threatened species outside of the Quadrats, you will see a list of all of the recorded species. For each species, mark if it is invasive and/or threatened.
Invasive? Threatened?* - Check the Invasive and/or Threatened checkbox for each species, if applicable. If you recorded a species more than once, it will appear only once in the list with a count of the number of times that you recorded it.
Designating recorded species as Invasive and/or Threatened
Trees and Shrubs
Record every tree and shrub that you observe in the plot. The trees must meet the DBH threshold.
- Species* - Select the species from the list or enter the name of the species if you are not able to find it in the list. Provide the scientific name of the species. If you only know the common name of the species, enter it. After the Observation is synced to Terraware, you will be able to match the species you entered with species in the Species list.
- Tree or Shrub* - Select tree or shrub.
Trees - For each tree that meets the DBH threshold, provide all of the following:
- DBH (cm)* - Diameter of tree at Breast Height in centimeters. Though not always the case, the DBH threshold is 5cm. In that case, record all trees with DBH > 5cm. Trees with DBH < 5cm should be accounted for under "Number of Small Trees".
- POM (m)* - Point of Measurement in meters. POM will have a default value of 1.3 and can be changed, if necessary.
- H (m)* - Height of tree in meters
If a tree has multiple trunks, click Add Trunk to record each trunk of the tree, including the DBH, POM and H for each. Note: If you are recording data for a plant that has multiple non-woody stems, use Add Trunk to record the stems.
Recording Trees
Shrubs - For each shrub, provide the following:
- Crown Diameter (cm)* - Shrub Crown Diameter in centimeters.
Recording Shrubs
Click Add Tree or Shrub to record additional trees or shrubs.
When you proceed past recording trees and shrubs, you will see a list of all of the recorded species. For each species, mark if it is invasive and/or threatened.
Invasive? Threatened?* - Check the Invasive and/or Threatened checkbox for each species, if applicable. If you recorded a species more than once, it will appear only once in the list with a count of the number of times that you recorded it.
Required fields:
- Plot
- Plot Photo (one is required)
- Type of Forest
- Number of Small Trees
- Soil Assessment Photo
- Soil Assessment Description
- SW Quadrat Photo
- SW Quadrat Herbaceous Species (at least one or "No herbaceous plants")
- SW Quadrat Abundance (for each Species)
- NE Quadrat Photo
- NE Quadrat Species (at least one or "No herbaceous plants")
- NE Quadrat Abundance (for each Species)
- Mangrove-specific (if selected)
- Water Depth (cm)
- Salinity (ppt)
- pH
- Tide
- Measurement Time
- Trees (if any are recorded)
- Species
- Diameter at Breast Height (cm)
- Point of Measurement (m)
- Height (m)
- Shrubs (if any are recorded)
- Species
- Crown Diameter (cm)
When you are done providing information for all of the required fields, click Done to see the Plot Summary.
Plot Summary
The Plot Summary includes the numbers of trees and shrubs recorded, along with the numbers of species represented by those trees and shrubs. After the Observation data is uploaded to Terraware, you will be able to see all of the recorded data in the Observation Details.
Plot Summary showing Tree and Shrub species recorded
After reviewing the data in the Plot Summary screen, click Save Plot Data to enter final details.
Plot Tracking Summary - Check any of the the things in the list that you observed within the plot.
Field Notes - Add any final notes to describe what you observed within the plot. You may want to add information, such as the DBH threshold you used for recording trees or any deviations from the originally planned plot location. A few other things that can be noted are the presence of such things as natural regeneration of woody species, logging, fire, mining, grazing, infrastructure (roads, houses, etc.), electrical lines, soil erosion, difficult accessibility, contamination, steep slopes, water bodies.
Click Save to complete the Observation. The Observation will appear in the Ad Hoc Plots list and can be uploaded to Terraware whenever you have a network connection.
Biomass Monitoring Observation ready for upload to Terraware
Viewing Biomass Observations
After uploading Observation data from the mobile app to Terraware, the Observation will appear in the table for Biomass Monitoring Observations for the Planting Site associated with the Observation.
Each Observation is automatically assigned an ID (number). The ID is unique across all Ad Hoc Plot Observations. The date that the Plot was created is shown in the table.
Biomass Monitoring table including all Ad Hoc Plots
The map view of the Biomass Monitoring plots shows the locations of all of the Biomass Observation plots. The table Biomass Monitoring plots can be exported to CSV using the export feature found at the top of the table.
To access the details of an Observation, click the ID of the plot in the table. All of the data recorded for the Biomass Observation will appear in the page. This includes all of the plot details, the Quadrat species, Additional Invasive / Threatened Species, and all recorded Trees and Shrubs. The Date and Time shown are the date and time that the Observation was completed.
The details include all of the data that was recorded for the Observation. Note that the elevation of the plot used for the Observation is shown with the details. The elevation is determined by the centroid location of the plot.
The details can be exported to CSV using the menu at the top right of the Observation page.
Export features in the menu at the top right in the Observation details page
- Biomass Monitoring Details (CSV) - Includes all of the recorded plot data, including mangrove data and field notes
- Species (CSV) - Includes all of the recorded quadrat data, plus any additional invasive or threatened species observed outside of the quadrats.
- Tress and Shrubs (CSV) - Includes all of the recorded tree and shrub data (that appear in the Trees and Shrubs table)