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Point Centered Quarter Analysis of East and West Facing Slopes

INTRODUCTION
A Point Centered Quarter analysis was executed at Wildwood Park in Radford Virginia.
The purpose of the Point Centered Quarter method was to make two determinations. The first
was to determine differences in forest composition, density, and structure in relation to
topographic aspect, the second was to look at saplings to determine future forests at each sample
site.
METHODS
When using the PCQ analysis, a series of points must be plotted along a transect. In this
case the points were 10 meters apart on a 50 meter transect for the West facing slope and 40
meter transect for the East facing slope. Each point was then divided into four 90quadrants and
the closest tree (DBH 10 cm) and sapling (DBH 2.5-10 cm) in each quadrant was identified, the
diameter at breast height was measured, and the distance from the sampling point was measured.
All of the class data was then compiled and four separate analyses were executed. (Tree analysis
and sapling analysis for each slope) Each analysis shows calculations of frequency for each
species, average diameter at breast height for each species, total tree density, tree density for each
species and species richness.
RESULTS
The data table below shows data from trees on the westward facing slope. Based on the
data below the forest on the westward facing slope can be described as having a greater species

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richness and diversity than the eastward facing slope, also it can be noted that total tree density is
greater on the westward facing slope than eastward facing slope. In this case Virginia pine is the
most dominant tree and the trees are smaller on the westward slope than the eastward slope.

The data table below shows data from trees on the eastward facing slope. Based on the
data below the forest on the eastward facing slope can be described as having a less species
richness and diversity than the westward facing slope, also it can be noted that total tree density
is less on the eastward facing slope than westward facing slope. In this case sugar maple is the
most dominant tree and trees on the eastward slope are larger than on the westward slope.

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The data table below shows data from saplings on the westward facing slope. Based on
the data below the saplings on westward facing slope can be described as having a greater
species richness and diversity than the eastward facing slope, also it can be noted that total tree
density is much greater on the westward facing slope than eastward facing slope. In this case
hop-hornbeam and northern red oak are the most dominant species on the westward slope

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The data table below shows data from saplings on the eastward facing slope. Based on
the data below the saplings on eastward facing slope can be described as having a less species
richness and diversity than the westward facing slope, also it can be noted that total tree density
is much less on the eastward facing slope than westward facing slope. In this case sugar maple is
the most dominant sapling on the eastward slope.

CONCLUSIONS
As shown in the data tables above, it can be concluded that westward facing slopes in this
case have greater species richness and total tree density for both saplings and trees. Eastward
facing slopes had less species richness and total tree density but had larger trees than the
westward facing slopes. Based on topographic influences westward slopes are more xeric and
have a lower pH than eastward facing slopes. The most dominant tree on the westward facing

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slope is the Virginia pine which is found to be more dominant on xeric sites which is a good
indicator that the westward slope is a xeric site. The most dominant species on the eastward
facing slope is the sugar maple which are more dominant in mesic sites, this is a good indicator
of the eastward slope is a mesic site.
If the trees were to die or be disturbed in each site based on the tables above, future
forests will be similar and possibly more diverse on the westward facing slopes with the
dominant species changing from Virginia pine to hop-hornbeam and northern red oak, while the
east facing slopes would also be similar, there is no evidence that it would be more diverse, the
dominant species remains sugar maple.