U.S. Army Land Condition-Trend Analysis (LCTA) Plot Inventory Field Methods

The U.S. Army is faced with a unique challenge in managing the lands on its installations, in meeting its needs for training land, and also in meeting environmental compliance recommen-dations and requirements. The Land Condition-Trend Analysis (LCTA) program uses standard methods to collect, analyze, and report natural resources data, and is the Army's standard for land inventory and monitoring. This report outlines standard methods for col-lecting and maintaining a permanent LCTA data base on the condition of Army land resources. Included are lists of equipment needed for data collection, and detailed procedures for establish-ing permanent field plots, collecting plant speci-mens, inventorying wildlife populations, and maintaining the data bases by periodic short-and long-term monitoring of the field plots. 92-07793 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 1 11 iiliIiIuliI1il!U The contents of this report are not to be used for advertising, publication, or promotional purposes. Citation of trade names does not constitute an official endorsement or approval of the use of such commercial products. The findings of this report are not to be construed as an official Department of the Army position, unless so designated by other authorized documents