The final step in the OASIS project is the timber supply analysis. There are many facets to a timber supply analyses. This chapter describes the setting up of analysis units using the results from the OASIS sampling. Other facets are not covered here, but they can be done using the same procedures and protocols with non-OASIS analyses. The discussion that follows is conceptual. Actual implementation details will depend on the timber supply model that is used.

The timber supply analysis proceeds by using standard procedures up until the time sites are harvested in the timber supply model. That is, the forest inventory information is used to develop initial analysis units, yield tables, etc. Once a site is harvested in the model, the following procedures are followed to create new ecologically-based analysis units.

1. The area that is harvested is allocated into site series in the same proportions as found in the OASIS sampling. For example, if the SBSmc2/01 site series occupies 12 percent of the landbase (from step 3 in Chapter 5) and 100 ha is harvested in the timber supply model, then 12 ha is allocated to the SBSmc2/01 site series, and so on for the other site series. This can be refined if the biogeoclimatic zones or subzone/variants in the harvested area are known. In this case, use the proportions calculated in step 5 in Chapter 5.
2. Decide which species will be regenerated on each site series. If more than one species is regenerated, the area will have to be divided to represent the respective proportions for each species. For example, if 30 percent of the SBSmc2/01 is regenerated with spruce and 70 percent is regenerated with pine, then following with our example above, 3.6 ha of the 12 ha harvested in the SBSmc2/01 will be regenerated with spruce and 8.4 ha will be regenerated with pine.
3. Using the latest version of SIBEC, assign a site index to each site series/species area. These areas can form new analysis units.
4. If desired, the analysis units created in step 3 can be combined based on similar management practices, species, and site indices.
5. Yield tables for the new analysis units can be created using the ecologically based site indices, species, and management assumptions.

At this point the timber supply analysis can continue with the new analysis units.

Continue to Chapter 7.
Return to Table of Contents.