Basic Silviculture Survey Training Dave Weaver RPB

1. Basic Silviculture Survey Training Dave WeaverRPB Live Meeting Course May 31, 2011

2. Silviculture Survey Training Session

3. A. Survey Fundamentals Section 1 SILVICULTURE SURVEY DEF’N& LEGAL CONTEXT Stratification Reporting & Precision

4. Silviculture Survey Procedures Manual • Only a reference for data collection. • No explicit legislated survey requirements, -- Only reporting precision standards. • Manual provides guidance to meet the standards. • Procedures will be used to measure achievement of an obligation – C&E – unless alternative procedure in FSP

5. What is a Silviculture Survey? “An examination of an opening for the purpose of providing information to a “forest manager” on how the site and stand are progressing relative to the prescribed management objectives.”

6. How are the Data & Prescriptions used? • Silviculture Label • Inventory Label • Treatment Prescription & Critical Site Factors • Measure of compliance to Stocking Standards • Monitoring achievement of Management Objectives & Treatment Success • UpdateInventory Database – VRIMS • Base data for Timber Supply Review, Forest Estate Modeling & Annual Reports • Basis for Prioritizing Treatments &Treatment Planning • Identification of Forest Health Issues & Forest Health Trends

7. FPC vs. FRPA to a surveyor Old FPC Openings “options” New Openings FRPA 1 2 FDP & Silv Prescription FSP & Site Plan Survey Procedures? Stocking Standards Stocking Standards FRPA “Optional”

8. Surveys in FRPA Context • FRPA • May submit REGEN & FG • If submit must have Forest Cover Inventory - as required by minister Optional for Licensee or via FSP procedure (except for Forest Cover Inventory) Silv. Surveys Procedures Manual FIA, FFT, BCTS “C&E” RESULTS Information Submission Specifications Inventory & Silviculture Label Content Defined

9. New Stratification Legislation & Standards Forest Cover & Milestone Regulation - 2007 (FPPR 46.11) Minimum Polygon Size • SU’s < 1 ha. Entire SU • Regen Declaration SR or NSR – 1 ha • Free Growing FG - 1 ha • Free GrowingNFG -1 to 2 ha if “mappable” and less than 5% NAR • “mappable” suggested definition: polygon > 20m length and > 20 m from nearest NFG area RISS • Reserves, NP, NPBr areas: 0.25 ha

10. Example #2: Free Growing Milestone Is SU 1 (40.0 ha) free growing? Details: • Stratum A — 31.5 ha; FG • Stratum B — 1.5 ha; NFG • Stratum C — 7 ha; WTP

11. Reporting requirements FPPR (or any outstanding FPC obligations): Declarations - Section 97 (7) • …declaration under section 107 of the Act to the effect that the requirements for the regeneration date or free growing date on an area have been met….must include or incorporate by reference a current forest cover inventory for the area. Definitions • “forest cover inventory” means a survey of trees and tree-related matters in an area that includes information required by the minister. Delegated to Chief Forester

12. RESULTS Info Submission Specifications • RESULTS Information Submission Specifications (RISS) : Licensee Submissions (Edition 3b) • Signed by Chief Forester – Oct 10, 2008, Updated Jan , 2011 • mostly regarding reporting of dispersed retention over 5 m2. • Available on web site:http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/his/results/business.htm#Submission_Specifications

13. RISS Content • Polygon Data • Stocking Status & Type; Reserve Type & Objective; Site Index; Tree Cover Pattern • Inventory Label • Layer; Spp &%; Age & Ht.; Damage Agent & %; TT; Crown Closure; (BA) • Silviculture Label • Layer; Spp &%; Age & Ht.; Damage Agent & %; WS & FG; (BA) • Spatial Data – required with each submission • Precision Standards

14. Precision Standards

15. Section 2 Survey Types per Stand Structure

16. Complex Stand Structure ~ Surveys Manual 2010 1) CC Even-aged 2) Complex Vertical 3) Complex Horizontal 1) CC Even-aged 3 m

17. 2) Complex Vertical Stand Structures Multi-storey Uneven-aged Layered Even-aged – Layered & Deviation from Potential (DFP)

18. 2) Complex Vertical Stand Structures Boreal Mixedwood Intimate Mixture

19. 3) Complex Horizontal Stand Structures Even-aged Clustered Intermediate Cut – Commercial Thinning

20. 3) Complex Horizontal Stand Structures Clearcut with Reserves Coastal & Interior Mixedwood – Patch Mixtures

21. Survey Methodology Selection Matrix

22. I’m confused!!!! Which survey do we use? Never mind, let’s just estimate the stocking.

23. 3 Types of Silviculture Surveys 1. Regeneration Delay Survey – Milestone • Well Spaced Assessment • Prove SR & achievement of obligation. • No Forest Health Acceptability Criteria. 2. Stocking Survey – Intermediate • Well Spaced Assessment • Monitor Performance anytime before FG. • Use of FG Damage Criteria optional. 3. Free Growing Survey – Milestone • Well Spaced & Free Growing Assessment • Prove FG & achievement of obligation • Use of FG Damage Criteria required.

24. Survey Objectives • All of the 3 types of Surveys can incorporate: • Plantability – plantable & preparable spots. • Brushing – rating competition levels & determining competition indexes. • Maximum Density – tally of countable conifers (CC). • Forest Health – incidence outside of damage hazards or focus on any presence of a specific pest.

25. Section 3 Survey TimingWell Spaced and free growing def’n

26. Survey Timing Regen Delay - on or before Regen Date Survey - any snow free time of year - if vegetation cover – survey in spring or fall - at time of planting with FS 704 is acceptable Free Growing - before 20 yrs after harvest–FRPA blocks Survey - once FG Height achieved - between max leaf out & leaf fall Only for FPC blocks In FSP In FSP Height Achieved

27. Well Spaced Tree - definition Mandatory factors are: • Preferred and Acceptable species as listed in the SP, FSP or FDP. • Minimum Inter-Tree Distance (MITD) from any other tree that is recorded as a well spaced tree, as specified in the SP, FSP or FDP.

28. Free Growing Tree & Stand - definition Mandatory factors are: • Well Spaced Tree. • Free of Unacceptable Pest Damage. -“healthy - FRPA sec 1” • Free of Unacceptable levels of Vegetation Competition. – “not impeded by competition - FRPA sec 1” • Free Growing Height achieved. • Stand Maximum Density (CC) not exceeded. • Other Criteria in SP, FSP or FDP.

29. B. Basic Even-aged Survey Methodologies Section 4 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

30. Stratification - definition “ The process of defining and identifying Populations with Similar Characteristics in an Opening” MOST CRITICAL STEP in Survey Process Quality Quality of of Stratification Survey

31. Stratification - Objectives Sampling precision, by delineating homogenous populations. Variation within each stratum surveyed, as compared to the entire opening. Efficiency of the survey by reducing number of plots to achieve the desired precision. Reliability of the treatment prescriptions.

32. Why Stratify ? • What would be the total stems per ha. for the block without stratification? • Without stratification, do we meet the objectives of a stocking survey (MSS 700 WS/ha)? 11 ha NSR 200 sph 14 ha SR 1200 sph

33. Stratification SuggestedCriteria for Stratification: • Δ SUand/or BEC • Δage class (>20 years) • Δstocking status • Δheight class (>10 m) • Δleading species • Δsite index (>3 m) • Δspecies composition (>20%) • Δtreatment recommendations • Δfrom pure to species mix (Fdc100 vs. Fdc80Hw10Cw10) • Δcrown closure (>10%) • Δstand structure

34. Stratification – When and How? When is Stratification done? How is Stratification done? • No specific rules – keep survey objectives in mind and why we stratify. • Split first and lump afterwards. • Requires good judgement – this will come with more experience. 1. Office Preliminary Stratification 2. Field Walkthrough “Refinement” 3. Field During Plots “Refinement” 4. Compilation During Summary “if required”

35. Case Study – example photo Boundary 3 2 1 3 Preliminary Stratification 2 1 Area of uncertainty – possible brush?

36. Survey Design and Methodology Survey Design is a function of: • Survey objective • Required plot intensity and desired level of accuracy • Strata variability **Remember** A formal survey is no longer required under FRPA (also applies to all old FPC openings). Required only to produce an Inventory & Silviculture Label with a declaration.

37. Survey Methods 1. Grid Sampling • Very structured • Plots often 100m x 100m pattern, not always along cardinal bearings • Contract rules for PoC, moving plots, distance from timber edge, etc. • Suitable for: • Strata with high variability • Where many plots are required • Statistical analysis is required

38. Survey Methods 2. Vector Sampling • Moderately structured • Pre-determined bearings (not usually more) • Plot spaced evenly along the lines • Suitable for: • Unusually shaped openings < 10 ha. • Where few plots are required • Statistical analysis is required

39. Survey Methods **Use caution** 3. Representative Sampling • Lightly structured • Establish plots as if “the plot data collected adequately represent the conditions on the stratum” • Suitable for: • Obvious stocking status • Skilled Surveyors • Very few plots are required • Statistical analysis is required 3 1 2

40. Survey Methods **Use caution** 3. Visual Assessments • Not structured • Relies on surveyor professionalism and experience • Suitable for: • Obvious stocking status • Skilled Surveyors • No formal plots are required • Statistical analysis is not required

41. Dispersed or Mosaic Strata SU B/C • Two or more strata that can be clearly defined & described, but impractical to map. • May have to move plots on a pre-defined off set to completely sample each strata. • Summarize each strata, but do not map. A - 6 ha B/C – 10 ha 80% B ( 8 ha) 20% C ( 2 ha) B & C ? A A B/C

42. Draft Field Map

43. Section 5 Data collection

44. Survey Parameters – Where & What? What’s needed for FS 657? • Preferred & Acceptable Species. • Target & Minimum Stocking Standards. • Minimum Inter-Tree Distance. • Regen Date. • Early & late FG Dates (FPC). • Regen Height (Contract). • FG Height. • Conifer to Brush Ratio. • Maximum Density. • Specific Forest Health Criteria • Any others? Where? • SP, FSP, and/or FDP • RESULTS Opening file. • Aerial Photos – conventional, ortho., high resolution digital. • Forest Cover map. • Previous silviculture treatment prescriptions or post treatment reports. • Previous Surveys. • Survey Contract Standards. • Any others?

45. FS 660 Survey Reference Field Card 26 pages of good stuff!!! • Damage Agent Codes • Damage Criteria – Even-aged; Uneven-aged; Broadleaf; Advanced Regen • Crown Closure Est. • Stats Cheat Sheet • Site Index Selection Key • Inventory and Silviculture Label Guide • Steps to Complete Survey • Stratification • History Symbols • Plot Conversion factors • Tree Species Codes • Soil Texture Key • Appendix 9 Summary

46. Virtual 3.99 m radius plot – Well Spaced W W W W W W W p a P S 12 12 6 1 M 6 1.1 0 0

47. Data Collection – Cards or Handheld? 3 Software providers currently

48. Tally 5 313 282 228 14 6 6 4 1 9 / 3M 10 1.7 5 1 Sali ~22 2.3 DRA 5F 5FS 13 5 2 3 17 / 1M 12 2.4Rupa ~35 1.3 DRA 3Pl GI 4 2.5 Fdi AD 2F IWS 1Sx

50. Inventory Labels = Inventory Update & TSR A Roughly averaged species composition to the nearest 10% based on visual observations recorded on the FS 658. The leading and second species are particularly important to be correct. B Using the FS 658 data, roughly average the age of the dominant and co-dominant leading (13 years) and then repeat for the second species (12 years). C Using the FS 658 data, roughly average the height of the dominant and co-dominant leading species (2.4 m) and then repeat for the second species (1.4 m). D Site index of the leading species in the label. The Fdi is predicted to be 23 m tall at 50 years after 1.3m in height is reached. I in this example indicates the method used to determine the site index is growth intercept. (see Table 30) E Crown closure estimated by visual observation of aerial photograph. Ground observation is possible but commonly less accurate (see Table 27 a, b, c). The trees described in A and F have a crown closure of 19%. F The average number of total trees of commercial species per hectare. 12520 total trees per hectare. G The last 2 digits of the year the survey was conducted. 2008 = (08).