Research Branch
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Site Index Basics
3. Site Index and Site Factors
4. Methodology
5. Report Format and Content
6. Field Use
7. References
Appendix 1. Species Conversion Tables
Appendix 2. Resources

Reports
2008 Approximation
SISU By Region Report (PDF Format)
SISU By Region Report (Excel Format)
SISU By BGC Unit Report (PDF Format)
SISU By BGC Unit Report (Excel Format)
Custom Reports Web Page
Comparison Report

Standards
Sampling and Data Standards Version 5.2

Products
SIBEC e-brochure
SIBEC Technical Report

 

Site Index estimates by Site Series (SIBEC) - second approximation

Content And Format Of The Site Index-Site Unit Reports

The two site index reports provide estimates of average site index by site unit for tree species in British Columbia. These reports group the site index estimates by region and by biogeoclimatic unit.

5.1 Content of the Site Index-Site Unit Reports

Where a given tree species is present within the site series, a site index point estimate is given along with its associated standard error and the number of sample plots on which the site index data are based. For some site series, the estimates did not have sufficient samples and these estimates are reported as site index class mid-points (see Table 2). Therefore, the estimates provided in the reports are a mix of:

  • second approximation mean site index estimates (or point estimates), and
  • first approximation site index class estimates.

See Section 4 for more information about these two types of estimates.

Table 2

Coast (1)

Interior (2)

Site index

Site class

0.0-5.9

4

6.0-9.9

8

10.0-13.9

12

14.0-17.9

16

18.0-21.9

20

22.0-25.9

24

26.0-29.9

28

30.0-33.9

32

34.0-37.9

36

38.0-41.9

40

42.0-45.9

44

46.0-49.9

48

50.0-53.9

52

Site index

Site class

0.0-4.4

3

4.5-7.4

6

7.5-10.4

9

10.5-13.4

12

13.5-16.4

15

16.5-19.4

18

19.5-22.4

21

22.5-25.4

24

25.5-28.4

27

28.5-31.4

30

31.5-34.4

33

34.5-37.4

36

37.5-40.4

39

  1. CWH, CDF, and MH zones
  2. All other zones

In general, site index class estimates use 3-m classes, with the exception being the Coastal Western Hemlock (CWH), Coastal Douglas-fir (CDF), and Mountain Hemlock (MH) zones, where 4-m classes are used. Classes were used for first approximation estimates to dampen some of the inherent variability in the raw data, make it easier for experts to verify and adjust the regression estimates if required, and to suggest to users an approximate level of precision.

5.2 Format of the Two Site Index-Site Unit Reports

In the Site Index-Site Unit Report by Region (PDF/Excel), the tables for biogeoclimatic subzones and variants (BGC units) are indexed alphabetically by forest region and BGC units. There is one table for each forested BGC unit in the region.

Each regional BGC unit table contains a data column for each coniferous tree species occurring in the unit and a row for each of the reported site series. Point estimates of mean plot site index are accompanied by the associated sample size and the standard error. Site index class estimates are also included in this report (see Figure 5). Most non-forested site series (wetlands and grasslands) are excluded.

Figure 5. The tabular format of the Site Index-Site Unit Report by Region.

In the Site Index-Site Unit Report by Biogeoclimatic Unit (PDF/Excel), the tables are indexed alphabetically by biogeoclimatic subzones and variants (BGC units) and numerically by site series associations.

The Report by Biogeoclimatic Unit contains both point estimates of mean plot site index and site index class estimates. The site series data summary provided includes tree species abbreviations, sample size, mean site index, and associated standard error (see Figure 6).

Figure 6. The tabular format of the Site Index-Site Unit Report by Biogeoclimatic Unit.