4=51 75% cover
 5 = > 75% cover.


 Tree Cover by Vines

 The 6 meter wide elongated quadrats (Figure 6.3) were used to assess presence or
 absence of vines on trees on a per area basis. A minimum of 600 square meters were
 sampled for tree cover by vines in each wetland. Additional sampling occurred when
 time and resources allowed. Tree species identification and naming relied on numerous
 sources including: Alden and others (1998), Foote and Jones (1998), Godfrey and
 Wooten (1981), and Harrar and Harrar (1962). Species and diameter at breast height
 (DBH) were recorded for every tree present. When vines were present, the vine species
 and percent cover by vines was also recorded. Percent cover of the tree canopy by vines
 was visually estimated, using the following modified Braun-Blanquet (1932) cover scale:

 1 =< 10% cover
 2 = 10 25 % cover
 3 = 26 50% cover
 4 =51 75% cover
 5 = > 75% cover.


 Abiotic Data Collection

 Abiotic data collected on the chronosequence sites included sunlight
 transmittance, mean water depth, and soil characteristics.


 Sunlight Transmittance

 Sunlight transmittance was measured using a LiCor 185B Quantum/Radiometer/
 Photometer and a Quantum sensor that measures the photosynthetically active radiation
 (PAR) available. Within each meter square quadrat, five PAR measurements were taken
 at 50 cm above the forest floor, in the center and at each corer of the quadrat. A light
 reading was also taken outside the canopy cover to calculate sunlight transmittance as a
 percent of the available radiant energy. Sunlight transmittance was recorded between the
 hours of 10:00 am and 2:00 pm to insure similar conditions for each site.


 Mean Water Depth

 Water depth within each square meter quadrat was measured at each corer and in
the center, providing a mean water depth in each square meter quadrat. Values were
averaged for each chronosequence site.


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