FIA and FHM Data

1
FIA and FHM DataAnalyzing Succession

• Kenneth M. Laustsen
• Biometrician, Maine Forest Service
• Bio 237 Woody Plants
• October 13, 2006

2
Discussion

• Data
• Introduction
• Phase 1 Remote Sensing
• Phase 2 FIA
• Phase 3 FHM
• Analytical Examples
• Succession
• Network of Plots
• Visualization

3
Introduction

• Data is part of the USDA Forest Service
  Northern Research Station, which handles tree
  census data collection for the 20 northern
  states.
• As a colleague notes trees count, so we count
  trees
• Maine Forest Service is a full-fledged cooperator
  in data collection and analysis.

4
There is a spatial distribution of hexagonal
cells (6,000 acres per cell) across each states
land area regardless of owner or land use. Maine
has a current sample of 3,379 plots
5
Interpenetrating Panel Design provides a temporal
distribution across 5 years, adjacent cells are
never sampled in the same year. Each panel of
approximately 700 plots can be a stand-alone
estimate. Phase 1 Uses remote sensing to
allocate and assign a stratum weight
(forest/nonforest ratio) to the 9 pixels
including and surrounding each plots GPS
location and assignment of an acreage expansion
from current county level US Census data. Phase 2
a.k.a. FIA, P2 at an intensity of 1 plot per
6,000 acres, or a sample roughly every 3
miles. Phase 3 a.k.a. FHM, P3 at an intensity
of 1 plot per 96,000 acres, a FHM cell contains
16 FIA cells, or a sample roughly every 12 miles.
6
Phase 1 - Remote Sensing

• All plots are GPS located and get assigned to a
  unique 30 meter X 30 meter pixel. This pixel and
  the adjacent 8 pixels are evaluated for their
  spectral reflectance.
• From this neighborhood reflectance, the plot is
  assigned to a strata.
• Strata represent different proportions of
  forest/nonforest signatures within the
  neighborhood. Individual Maine counties vary
  from 2 to 5 strata. Strata are used to
  proportion the countys census acreage, creating
  a stratum-based weight for each plot.

7
Phase 2 - FIA

• Starting in 1958, Forest Inventory Analysis
  (FIA) began a periodic assessment of Maines
  timber resources.
• Periodic Inventory reports were issued in 1959,
  1972, 1981, and 1995. Each required about 3
  years of data collection, then a year of
  analysis, before publication on the above dates.
• Focus on Timber BEAST analytics.
• 2003 was the first report using annualized data,
  collected 1999 2003, and an expansion of
  analysis to include ecological metrics (report
  copies are here).

8
Phase 3 FHM

• Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) began in the
  early 1990s collecting periodic (annual) data on
  tree health and environment attributes, i.e.
• Ozone
• Lichen
• Soils
• Crowns
• Vegetation Diversity
• Down Woody Material (DWM)
• Tree Damages

9
(No Transcript)
10
Data Collection

• Soils
• Erosion Compaction
• Soil Samples
• Crowns
• Vigor, Density, Dieback, Transparency
• Vegetation Diversity
• 4 Cover Layers
• 11 cover types ( area)
• Down Woody Materials
• Course/Fine Woody Debris
• Duff/Litter/Fuel bed
• Fuel loading
• Tree Damages
• Location, Type, Severity

• FIA Data Levels
• Plot
• Condition Class
• Subplot
• Tree
• Sapling
• Seedling
• Site Index Trees
• FHM Data Levels
• Ozone
• Off-site bioindicator plants
• Lichen
• Sample procurement
• Abundance metrics

11
Analytical Examples

• Late Successional Old Growth (LSOG)
• Acres meeting large tree size ( 16 DBH) and
  stocking criteria in 1982, 1995, and 2003
• The dynamics of change, reductions due to
  disturbances/management vs. additions due to
  continuing stand development
• Visualization tools (more later)
• Disturbed Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP)
• A model that assesses harvest impacts and the
  probability of erosion using local site and
  weather data

12
LSOG Transitions for 1982 to 1995 to 2003 LSOG Transitions for 1982 to 1995 to 2003 LSOG Transitions for 1982 to 1995 to 2003 LSOG Transitions for 1982 to 1995 to 2003 LSOG Transitions for 1982 to 1995 to 2003 LSOG Transitions for 1982 to 1995 to 2003 LSOG Transitions for 1982 to 1995 to 2003
for White/Red/Jack Pine MFTYP for White/Red/Jack Pine MFTYP for White/Red/Jack Pine MFTYP for White/Red/Jack Pine MFTYP for White/Red/Jack Pine MFTYP for White/Red/Jack Pine MFTYP for White/Red/Jack Pine MFTYP
1982 1995 2003
Start Acreage 477,645
Core Acreage       106,784   13,343
Gains            
New LSOG Acreage to this MFTYP       143,209   93,053
From SF           56,797
From MBB       47,123    
Retained Acreage      
1995 - 2003     41,823
Losses            
To SF       (52,092)    
To MBB       (17,134)    
To Non LSOG/Other MFTYPs       (301,635)   (255,293)
Net Acreage 477,645 297,116 191,673
13
Analysis, cont.

• Growth and Yield modeling plot/stand data to
  predict future tree conditions
• Stand Development categorizing data for stand
  structure (type, size, stocking)
• Wood Supply and Allowable Cut Imbedding the
  above two bullets into another model to assess
  the interactions, dynamics, and interplay of
  succession and disturbance with or without forest
  management.

14
(No Transcript)
15
Analysis, cont.

• High Yield assessing acreage amounts and timing
  of high yield silviculture (plantations, conifer
  release, pre-commercial thinning)
• Wildlife Habitat ME Dept. IFW uses FIA data to
  assess quality and quantity of generalized/specifi
  c habitat niches.
• Carbon Sequestration modeling and assessing the
  balance between sequestration and emissions in
  natural and managed stands

16
(No Transcript)
17
Analysis, cont.

• Pyrolysis estimating the amount of un-utilized
  biomass components that are potentially available
  for new biorefinery processing into bio-oil and
  other chemicals.

18
Biomass ComponentsAverage dry tons/acre, Maine,
2003
19
Analysis, cont.

• Spatial Analysis using plot locations and their
  attributes to create tension zones, or a nearest
  neighbor, to define a boundary when adjacent
  plots disagree.

20
Richness - number of Late-Successional lichen
species, Maine, 2003
21
3-inch Class
4-inch Class
1inch Class
All Saplings
1-inch Class
2-inch Class
22
Analysis, cont.

• Biodiversity Benchmarks Indicator 5.3 Forest
  Stand Structure

23
(No Transcript)
24
Succession

• The natural pattern of change that takes place
  over time
• Relay Floristics (Classic Succession)
• Pioneer (intolerants) are gradually replaced by
  more shade tolerant species in a series of stages
• A severe disturbance or a silvicultural
  intervention is needed to re-initiate
• Gap Replacement persistence and shade tolerance
  pay off, taking advantage of small gaps created
  by disturbances to single trees or small groups.

25
PO Series

• Periodic data on a series of permanent sample
  plots established by Great Northern Paper Co. in
  1924 to assess regeneration response. PO
  stands for permanent observation.
• All plots had recently experienced a recent
  cutting of spruce and fir to a 6 diameter limit,
  i.e. commercial clearcut.

26
PO-2
PO-3
PO-8
PO-9
27
PO-10
PO-1 in 1924, note the post
28
Succession Expectations?

• Species
• Post Harvest Merchantable Cohort
• Post Harvest Regeneration Cohort
• Tree Size
• Seedlings
• Saplings
• Merchantable Trees
• Future Disturbances?

29
1924 Plot Establishment

• Average post harvest stock and stand attributes
  per acre
• Derived stand age of 10
• 13,000 seedlings
• 101 saplings (1.0 6.5 DBH)
• 50 merchantable trees
• Basal Area 53 sq ft
• Merchantable Volume 12 cords, 95 of which is a
  post-harvest residual cohort of yellow and white
  birch
• What happens over the next 30 years?
• Remember the post?

30
PO-1 in 1932 - See the post? Only 8 years later
at Stand Age 18
One Example
PO-1 in 1938 Wheres the post? Just 6 years
later, stand age 24 years
31
(No Transcript)
32
(No Transcript)
33
(No Transcript)
34
(No Transcript)
35
Network of Plots

• Maine Natural Areas Program (MNAP) has
  established permanent sample sites within the Eco
  Reserves of Maines Public Lands (70,000 acres).
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is establishing
  permanent sample sites within their designated
  reserves in northern Maine (subset of 200,000
  acres).
• The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is
  establishing permanent sample sites within their
  ownership in the Katahdin Iron Works region
  (36,000 acres).
• Project Learning Tree (PLT) through the FIG
  program is encouraging high schools to establish
  permanent sample sites adjacent to the school and
  place the data on a MFS website for sharing.
• Goal is to document the differences between
  reserves and managed forestland or high school to
  high school.

36
Visualization

• I need to step outside this presentation and
• demonstrate a modeling tool

37
(No Transcript)
38
Thoughts?

• Contact info
• Kenneth M. Laustsen
• Maine Forest Service
• 22 State House Station
• Augusta, ME 04333-0022
• 207-287-3135
• ken.laustsen_at_maine.gov