Protocol for statistical analysis of vegetation changes at Catoctin Mountain Park

Vegetation data collected at Catoctin Mountain Park, Maryland, in a split-panel rotation design during 2004-2009 were analyzed for differences among three regions within the park and among years. Six plots were paired with plots fenced to exclude white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and differences between open and exclosed plots were also investigated. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for differences in the following variables: percentage of twigs browsed, percentage of canopy cover, and number of tree and shrub seedlings in each of five height classes. Except for some differences in numbers of tree and shrub seedlings among height classes among the regions, no differences (P > 0.05) were found among the regions or over time in the variables measured. Recommendations for future sampling and analysis are discussed.