ABI 198- Operation Protocol

ABI 198 Section B- Operation Protocol

May 09, 2025

Great job to everyone for presenting your findings from our field work on May 7th, 2025. We are getting ready to head into the field next week and start collecting the large chunk of our data. We currently have 17 total granaries! There are 8 granaries at Cahill and 9 granaries at Quail Ridge.

Meeting minutes 5/9/25:

12:10pm- Meet at Briggs 122

12:15pm- Satellite group presents their findings

12:25 pm- Granary seekers present their findings

12:45 pm- Acorn analysts present their findings

12:55pm- Go over protocols

1:30pm- Split into two groups

• Group 1: Make spreadsheet for granary data
• Group 1 focused on making 2 spreadsheets; one for in the field, quick data, the second one is a master list that will include slower data
• Group 2: Make schedule for the rest of the quarter
• Group 2 focused on keeping us on track and ensuring we have an idea of what we need to have accomplished by each meeting.

1:50pm- Group back together to discuss what we did in each group

1:55pm- Quick talk about next meeting

What was discussed today:

Satellite Team:

• The team was able to test multiple platforms to find which one reflects our goals the best.
• Biggest conflict that team satellite has ran into is that we cannot zoom in super close to get specific details
• ImageJ: 
• Benefits:
• flight patterns from tree to tree
• contrast of colors to see burned severity
• Will give us the height of the tree
• Can tell burnt severity of multiple trees in the area

Cahill Granary Seeking Team:

• 3 new granaries found
• 2 oak and 1 pine
• oak trees had fewer holes
• the team was able mark the trees
• we will need to go back for measurements
• 1 granary that is difficult to access
• Lot of woodpecker activity
• dead, oak tree

Quail Ridge Granary Seeking Team:

• 7 new granaries found
• need to revisit last 3 trees to get information 
• potential "Mother Tree"
• All granaries found are gray pine
• Gators helped team get to locations much faster and further

As a class there were a few things that we had to make some decisions on:

    1. Did we want to keep the satellite team? 

• time consuming
• group of 3 would have to stay dedicated to satellite
• We could potentially get some interesting data on burn severity in these regions
• We let the satellite team decide if they wanted to continue their search, they all wanted to and so we will continue to have Ashley, Annika, and Cameron continue collecting satellite data.   

    2. How will we collect the bark sample?

• chisels seem to be the best bet to ensure that we can an intact piece of bark
• as we had tried on 5/7/25, the axe split the bark when we tried to remove it making it unusable.
• auger wrench could also potentially help us remove the bark with extra help from a PVC pipe
  
     

Protocol and In-Field Guide: 

1. We will sample 60 holes per tree and do quick measurements on each of the holes at each tree:

1. Stratify measurements by cardinal directions and height categories

1. 4 directional categories: North South East West 

1. Use a compass (either one provided or on phone)

2. 3 height categories: 0.5m, 1m. 1.5m from the ground

   

3. 5 holes per category (12 categories total x 5 holes = 60 holes)

2. Greater depth measurements:

1. Stand close to the tree at one of the 12 categorical areas (you will need to bend down)

2. Use the finger to nose method to prevent bias. Close your eyes, move finger randomly within the categorical area, and then open your eyes– measure whichever acorn hole your finger is closest to

   
   
   
   

3. For each hole measure:

1. Diameter of hole using calipers

   
   
   
   

2. Height Category (1-0.5m, 0.5-1m,1-1.5m)

3. Directional category (North,East,South,West)

1. Use compass to determine direction

4. Next, note the acorn status: empty vs intact

1. Please note it acorn shell is still in hole and if acorn is partially removed

   
   

   

   Partially removed

   

   Completely removed

   
   

   

   Acorn shell still present

   

   Acorn occupied

   
   
5. When measuring the 5th hole in each category, remove the acorn (if present) with the wine opener

1. Measure acorn length

2. Measure acorn width

3. Measure hole depth- stick object in hole (such as a pencil) and measure that amount with the calipers

4. Bark thickness- drill into the tree until drill hits the living layer

1. Use calipers to measure thickness

5. After collecting bark and acorn (if present) put into ziploc bag

1. Make sure to label with Granary ID (C or QR), tree #, directional category, height category, and hole #

1. Ex: C1, N, 0-0.5m, #10

6. Repeat the previous step for all 12 categories

3. Neighborhood survey: 

1. Take a 6-inch PVC square and use masking tape to label what part of the tree it belongs to

1. Please write on the masking tape Granary ID (C or QR), tree #, directional category, and height category

1. Ex: QR3, S, 1-1.5m

2. Center the PVC square on one of the 12 categories on the tree

3. Take a photo of the square and keep these photos organized and labeled

4. When we get back to the lab we will do these things:

1. Count the holes: total occupied AND total unoccupied

2. Determine burn severity estimate per square

Wednesday's Meeting:

10:00am- meet at Mann Parking lot

• Meet with our groups:
• Group 1: Satellite Group
• Ashley, Cameron, and Annika
• Group 2: Cahill Group
• Marshall, Taylor, Serenity, Mia, Marlee, Ana, Amy, Josh, Yusuf, Damian, Arianna, Kelly, Megan, Stephanie, Elizabeth
• Group 3: Quail Ridge
• Crystal with one student (TBD)

10:05am- Satellite groups continues to work on collecting data and finding the best possible way to view Cahill and Quail Ridge

10:10am- Group 1 depart for Cahill

11:00am- Arrive at Cahill

• Each group grab equipment to take on your hike
• compass, clipboard, papers (should have protocol and data sheet), chisel,  caliper, sharpie, PVC square, masking tape, phone to take pictures with, auger wrench, wine opener, ruler, DBH tape (if going to tree that has not yet been measured), drill

11:10am- in groups on 2 or 3, go to assigned tree and start collecting data

• The amount of time it can take is highly variable since all trees have a different abundance of holes and acorns. Also since this is our first time measuring everything
• If your group happens to finish early, please go to an unassigned tree and continue collecting data.
• If you are going to a tree that does not have DBH, burn severity, and % of tree used for granaries/ acorns occupied, please make sure to also collect that data.

1:00pm- Head back to van

1:10-1:20pm- Group at van to return to campus

1:50pm- Quick grouping and next MC can go over plan for Friday

What you need to bring on Wednesday:

• Please make sure to bring at least 1 sharpie per group and a pen/pencil to write down data. Data sheet and protocol paper will be provided Wednesday, so no worries about printing anything out.
• Please make sure to bring plenty of water and lunch to eat on the way. Make sure to bring sunscreen and bug repellent if you want.
• Make sure at least one person in the group has the app Avenza Maps with the coordinates of your tree to make it easier to find

As an ending note- we are making great progress on finding data that can potentially teach us tremendously about woodpeckers, fires, and other properties of trees. Continue with the great work and start working on the methods of your paper to help with the writing progress.