SIBEC and Ecologically-based Yield Analysis

1. SIBEC and Ecologically-based Yield Analysis Del Meidinger MOF Research Branch Predictive Ecosystem Mapping -- Technical Workshop May 26-27, 2001 Victoria BC

2. SIBEC • Site index (SI) estimates for biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification (BEC) site series

3. IV III I II Treeless estimate: An estimate of site index that is not directly based on tree or stand mensurational data. Rather, it is usually based on productivity data assigned to units in a land classification.

4. Treeless estimates The land classification approach 1. Classify the landbase into units 2. Gather productivity data by unit 3. Calculate average productivities by unit The site factor regression approach 1. Gather site and productivity data 2. Perform regressions where SI = f (site factors) 3. Predict productivities using best equations

5. The Suite of Site Index Tools

6. Use SIBEC estimates when: • time and/or money constraints preclude • mensurational sampling • moderate accuracy is required • stand conditions are unsuitable for alternate • methods • site identification is available or obtainable

7. 2M wS Canada Land Inventory, 1967 A brief history of treeless estimates Classified landbase into 7 capability classes and 19 subclasses based on climate, soil, and vegatation. Maps with interpretive labels were produced at 1:125 K to 1:250 K. Example of a CLI Forestry Capability map Class 2, Subclass M (moisture deficit) Class 5, Subclass H (low temperatures) 5H alF “Alpine fir under good management can yield 31-50 cu. ft. per acre.” “White spruce under good management can yield 91-110 cu. ft. per acre.”

8. Krajina, 1969 (British Columbia) A brief history of treeless estimates IWHa, Picea engelmannii 0 1 IVa Contours drawn on the edatopic grid delineated site index classes for each species in a biogeoclimatic unit. 2 3 Ia 4 IIb 5 6 7 A B C D E

9. Pj Sb At Ep Beckingham et al., 1996 (Saskatchewan) A brief history of treeless estimates Bar graphs showing site index by ecosite, by species. Tables by ecosite phases by species. Site Index a b k Ecosite

10. Cajander, 1909 (Finland) A brief history of treeless estimates Cajander’s forest type classification based on ground vegetation. Later studies assessed productivity.

11. Ecosystem Management in BC BEC Climate Classification Site Classification Biogeoclimatic zone Site association Zonal Site Biogeoclimatic subzone Site series Biogeoclimatic variant Site phase Biogeoclimatic phase Management prescriptions by site series

12. Banner et al., 1993 (Prince Rupert Forest Region) A brief history of treeless estimates Regional field guide provides approximate site index by site series, by species. Notes on limiting factors also provided. ICHmc2 Site Index 0 10 20 30 40 Pl Sx 01 Hw Bl Pl Sx 05 Hw Ba

13. SIBEC Project History • high proportion of stands where height/age curve method is unsuitable • collation of the SIBEC database (Thrower / Blackwell / Oikos, 1995) • data cleaning and summaries (1995, 1996) • regression analysis (Nemec, 1996) • intensive review (Regional Ecologists, 1996-1997) First Approximation of Site Index Estimates by Site Series for Coniferous Tree Species of British Columbia, published January 1998

14. 05 01 02 09 Soil Moisture Soil Nutrients Database Means Producing the SIBEC Estimates Mean site index by site series Mean site Index by grid cell Edatopic grid and site series

15. Regression Analysis Producing the SIBEC Estimates SI = f(BEC, SMR, SNR, interactions) • Models fitted by zone - species groups • Best model chosen for each group • Regressed estimates reported by grid cell and by site series • Some values extrapolated and interpolated

16. L Regression Output Data poor ICHmc1, Pl SI=27.6 n=0 se=5.15 95% CI=7.39

17. J Regression Output Data rich CWHxm, Fd SI=31.3 n=72 se=4.15 95% CI=0.87

18. SIBEC data & regression output Ecologist Regional Ecologists’ Review Producing the SIBEC Estimates Using database means for support, ecologists adjusted regressed estimates to: • provide broad coverage • smooth out deviations due to small sample size • impose reasonable ecological trends at the extremes of the data

19. Site Index Classes The SIBEC Guide

20. The SIBEC Guide SISU Site Index Estimates by Site Series for Coniferous Tree Species of British Columbia

21. Species Selection Guidelines Free growing guidebook 1 on elevated microsites 9 on south aspects 10 on north aspects 32 risk of frost damage

22. Applying SIBEC • Timber supply • SIBEC updates to MLSIS and ISIS • SITETOOLS, SIBEC look-up table

23. SIBEC for Timber Supply SIBEC tables PEM Telkwa North C. SIBEC sampling spatial TEM CANFOR Nimpkish Timber Supply Analysis Interfor Phillips Arm WFP Vancouver Isl. SIBEC tables non-spatial OASIS Bulkley TSA

24. Telkwa and North CoastStudy Areas Ecologically based yield analysis using site series to determine site index

27. Data FlowFC SI + VDYP => Standing volumePEM/TEM => Area by site series (SS)Management intent => species selectionSS+species => SIBEC => site index (SI)species+SI => TIPSY => Yields PEM + Yields => FSSIM => EcoYield

30. Site series assignmentsusing EcoGen

33. EcoGen determined site seriesNext developmanagement assumptions.Which species to grow?

34. Species regeneration - 4 scenarios:Base: inventory species, use inventory SIEcoA: inventory species, use SIBEC SIEcoB: most productive species, SIBEC SIEcoC: current practice species, SIBEC SI

39. SIBEC indicates thesite indexto expect for each species

40. The following graphs illustratethe result of the process -

45. Volume estimatesaccording to SI

48. Timber supplymodelling results