Calibration of the forest vegetation simulator (FVS) model for the main forest species of Ontario, Canada

In Ontario, yield tables for forest management planning have remained relatively unchanged since initial work in the 1950s that was based on a limited number of temporary sample plots. In 2000, the Forestry Research Partnership accelerated work on the Benchmark Yield Curve Project (initiated several years earlier by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, OMNR) to update these tables. The resulting yield curves incorporated data from more than 3000 permanent sample plots (PSPs) maintained in Ontario as well as PSPs from neighbouring and ecologically similar jurisdictions. Two stratifications were considered: OMNR's Northeast Region standard forest units and leading species. The 10 forest units considered cover the major commercial species in the boreal forest in Ontario. Equations were fit to the data to predict the growth and yield by stratum. The equations were validated against independently collected data and compared to predictions from the current wood supply yield curves in Ontario: Plonski's yield tables, modified Plonski, and northeast regional curves. Results of the validation showed that, with the exception of the MW2 and SF1 forest units, the new yield curves generally had less bias for gross total volume than Plonski and modified Plonski. Results for net merchantable volume were consistent with those for gross merchantable volume. The MW2 and SF1 forest units are more mixed in terms of species type, species light tolerance, and age. A leading species approach resulted in better predictions and is recommended for these forest units.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of empirical yield curves for natural-origin stands in boreal Ontario

Penner¹,

Woods²,

Parton³

et al. 2008

“…Growth and yield plots established on the NF in 2003, in conjunction with CEC-FRP and Forest Ecosystem Science Cooperative Inc. in red pine plantations planted prior to the 1970s are showing excellent growth potential. Yield projections of these plot data using FVS Ontario (Lacerte et al 2004(Lacerte et al , 2006 indicate red pine is reaching 5.8 to 9.4 m 3 •ha -1 •yr -1 . Accordingly, potential for enhancing productivity and yield on this forest is high.…”

Section: This Issue)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Applying research for enhanced productivity on the Canadian Ecology Centre – Forestry Research Partnership forests

McPherson¹,

Bell²,

Leach³

et al. 2008

The application of enhanced forest productivity (EFP) through intensive silviculture on designated forest areas is arguably one means to maintain or increase fibre supply and global market competitiveness. The Canadian Ecology CentreForestry Research Partnership's (CEC-FRP) 10/10 objective (to increase sustainable fibre production by 10% in 10 years) has focused many years of forest research largely on the practical application of EFP. Large-scale implementation of this research, through a process of adaptive management, is incumbent on first identifying forests that are available and potentially suitable to implement EFP with more intensive silviculture on portions of the landbase. This paper describes forests in northeastern Ontario that were evaluated for EFP potential, and provides some of the rationale for their selection or rejection for this purpose. To date, the Gordon Cosens, Romeo Malette, Martel, and Nipissing forests are identified as potential CEC-FRP core forests in which research can be directed towards sustainable increases in forest production. These 4 forests are located in Ontario's boreal and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence regions and have the necessary tenure, potential productivity, protection from fire, insect and disease, and are managed under a suitably enabling planning and legislative environment. In addition, forest management planning teams for these forests are closely integrated with the CEC-FRP through core teams that are critical to identifying science priorities based on local operational issues, and moving subsequent research into practice. As such, it seems timely to move forward with EFP implementation through a process of adaptive management on these forests.Key words: enhanced forest productivity (EFP), intensive forest management (IFM), intensive silviculture, forest management planning (FMP), adaptive management RÉSUMÉ L' obtention d'une productivité forestière accrue (PFA) au moyen de la sylviculture intensive sur des territoires forestiers désignés constitue sans doute l'un des moyens permettant de maintenir ou d'accroître l'approvisionnement en fibre et la compétitivité sur les marchés mondiaux. L' objectif 10/10 (accroître la production durable de fibre de 10 % en 10 ans) du Centre écologique du Canada -Partenariat pour la recherche forestière (CEC-PRF) a consacré plusieurs années de recherche forestière principalement sur l'application pratique de la PFA. L'implantation à grande échelle de ces recherches, par l' entremise d'un processus d'adaptation de l'aménagement, dépend en premier lieu de l'identification des forêts qui sont disponibles et potentiellement en mesure de suivre une PFA générée par une sylviculture intensive sur des portions du territoire. Cet article décrit les forêts du nord-est de l'Ontario qui ont été évaluées pour leur potentiel de PFA et présente quelques-uns des éléments rationnels de leur sélection ou de leur rejet en fonction de cet objectif. À ce jour, les forêts Gordon Cosens, Romeo Malette, Martel et Nipissing ont été retenues en tant q...

“…Accordingly, the sub-models were recalibrated and re-evaluated. Based on the additional data, many model forms were modified from those of Miner et al (1988) and Lacerte et al (2006a).…”

Section: Forest Vegetation Simulator (Fvs)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Results of the validation exercise (Lacerte et al 2004) not adequately represent growing conditions throughout Ontario for the species evaluated, and that model calibration would be required. A calibration of FVS was undertaken with a moderate number of Ontario G&Y plots (Lacerte et al 2006a) that improved performance of the new model forms. These findings were documented in a validation report (Lacerte et al 2006b).…”

Section: Forest Vegetation Simulator (Fvs)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Ontario's forest growth and yield modelling program: Advances resulting from the Forestry Research Partnership

Sharma¹,

Parton²,

Woods³

et al. 2008

The province of Ontario holds approximately 70.2 million hectares of forests: about 17% of Canada's and 2% of the world's forests. Approximately 21 million hectares are managed as commercial forests, with an annual harvest in the early part of the decade approaching 200 000 ha. Yield tables developed by Walter Plonski in the 1950s provide the basis for most wood supply calculations and growth projections in Ontario. However, due to changes in legislation, policy, and the planning process, they no longer fully meet the needs of resource managers. Furthermore, Plonski`s tables are not appropriate for the range of silvicultural options now practised in Ontario. In October 1999, the Canadian Ecology CentreForestry Research Partnership (CEC-FRP) was formed and initiated a series of projects that collectively aimed at characterizing, quantifying and ultimately increasing the economically available wood supply. Comprehensive, defensible, and reliable forecasts of forest growth and yield were identified as key knowledge gaps. The CEC-FRP, with support from the broader science community and forest industry, initiated several new research activities to address these needs, the results of which are outlined briefly in this paper. We describe new stand level models (e.g., benchmark yield curves, FVS Ontario , stand density management diagrams) that were developed using data collected from permanent sample plots and permanent growth plots established and remeasured during the past 5 decades. Similarly, we discuss new height-diameter equations developed for 8 major commercial tree species that specifically account for stand density. As well, we introduce a CEC-FRP-supported project aimed at developing new taper equations for plantation grown jack pine and black spruce trees established at varying densities. Furthermore, we provide an overview of various projects undertaken to explore measures of site productivity. Available growth intercept and site index equations are being evaluated and new equations are being developed for major commercial tree species as needed. We illustrate how these efforts are advancing Ontario's growth and yield program and supporting the CEC-FRP in achieving its objective of increasing the supply of fibre by 10% in 10 years while maintaining forest sustainability.Key words: permanent sample plots (PSPs), permanent growth plots (PGPs), normal yield tables, sustainable forest management, NEBIE plot network, forest inventory, Forest Vegetation Simulator RÉSUMÉOn retrouve environ 70,2 millions d'hectares de forêt dans les limites de la Province de l'Ontario, soit 17 % des forêts du Canada ou encore 2 % des forêts du globe. Environ 21 millions d'hectares de ces forêts sont aménagées en tant que forêts commerciales pour lesquelles la récolte annuelle au début de la décennie atteignait près de 200 000 ha. Les tables de rendement développées par Walter Plonski dans les années 1950 ont constitué la base de la plupart des calculs d'approvisionnement en bois et de projections de croissance en Ontario. ...