The original PSPs ranged in area from 405 to 4047 m², though the majority were less than or equal to 1012 m². This modest size precludes meaningful studies of spatial patterns, gap dynamics, and demographic investigations of other than the few dominant species, all features of forests critical to understanding succession. For this reason we have also mapped and repeatedly sampled large forest blocks. The 10 largest plots together cover approximately 24 ha of forest and include 38,000 living trees.

Download the species code translation spreadsheet. This provides full names for the 4-letter species codes used in the data files for these plots.