Resampling Issues Associated with Calcareous Glade Monitoring Transects Established in 1993

ABSTRACT: Baseline vegetation monitoring transects were established in calcareous glade habitats in 1993 at Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park and resampled in 2006 and 2008. The resampling results show an increase in woody cover and a correlated decrease in density of herbaceous plants characteristic of this habitat. In addition to documenting changes in glade habitats, the resampling effort highlighted some of the difficulties associated with successful implementation of long-term monitoring, with important lessons for other repeated measures studies. These include the importance of good data archiving procedures, as well as adequate planning and documentation to facilitate: (1) re-location of sample units, (2) implementation of consistent sampling methods, (3) reliable and repeatable species identification, and (4) sampling at the right season of the year.