Project Title:
Growth and Yield Modelling of Hardwood Species and Boreal Mixedwoods with the
Tree and Stand Simulator (TASS)
Reference Numbers:
EP 1266 (TASS Hardwood &
Mixedwood Modelling); Subcomponents: EP 1266.01 (red alder calibration for TASS/TIPSY),
EP 1266.02 (aspen calibration for TASS/TIPSY), EP 1266.03 (birch calibration for
TASS/TIPSY); Modelling Boreal Mixedwoods funded under FIA-FSP
Y061051 (2005/06), FIA-FSP
Y072051
(2006/07), FIA-FSP Y083051 (2007/08)
Project Start/End Dates:
April 2002/Ongoing
Keywords:
Tree and Stand Simulator (TASS), Table Interpolation Program for Stand Yields
(TIPSY), stand development modeling, growth and yield estimates, hardwoods,
mixedwoods, boreal, aspen, spruce, pine, growth relationships, tree growth,
light levels, complex stands, stand dynamics, Northern Interior Forest Region
MFR Initiatives Supported:
timber supply, Allowable Annual Cut determination, industry competitiveness,
Future Forest Ecosystem Initiative, Coastal Forest Action Plan, second growth
management, forest inventory, hardwood density management
BEC Units:
ICH, IDF, SBS, BWBS
Objectives:
- To incorporate TASS aspen, red alder, and birch yield information into
the TIPSY database;
- To enable simulations of aspen-spruce and aspen-pine boreal mixedwood stand
development by incorporating best available information on height, diameter,
and crown growth relationships into TASS III and refining the model with
field data;
- To determine the relationships between growth and light for white spruce
and lodgepole pine in aspen-spruce and aspen-pine boreal mixedwood stands;
- To provide biologically defensible growth and yield estimates for boreal
mixedwoods and complex stands by developing TASS-III understorey growth
functions.
Summary:
Gap analysis of present boreal mixedwood management has suggested that several
key issues need to be addressed, including: lack of fundamental ecological data,
inadequate forest inventory, and limited development of site productivity and
growth and yield modeling tools tailored for boreal mixedwood forests. Northern
forest managers need to accurately forecast responses to silviculture practices,
natural disturbance, succession, and the interaction of stand dynamics with site
productivity, economics and other factors. This information will provide
managers with science-based decision-support tools to support timber supply
analysis, and enhance our ability to explore innovative silviculture and
adaptive management options.
Related Publications:
Astrup, R. 2005a. Review of the relationship between light availability and
growth of understorey spruce. Contract report for the Research Branch, BC Min.
of Forests and Range, Victoria, BC. November 2, 2005.
Astrup, R. 2005b. Review of the relationship between light availability and
growth of understorey pine. Contract report for the Research Branch, BC Min. of
Forests and Range, Victoria, BC. November 2, 2005.
Harper, G. J. In Press 2008. Quantifying the branch, crown and bole development
of Populus tremuloides Michx. from north-eastern British Columbia. For. Ecol.
Manag. [The DOI reported is now available at
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2007.12.044]
Harper, G., R. Astrup, and D. Simpson. 2006. TASS III Boreal mixedwood
modelling: light and understorey tree growth. Poster presented at the Post
Harvest Stand Development Conference, January 31st-Feb.01, 2006. Edmonton,
Alberta. Also available at B.C. Ministry of Forest and Range website as
poster # 077.
Harper, G. and K. Polsson. 207. Modelling boreal mixedwoods with the Tree and
Stand Simulator
(TASS). B.C. Min. For. Range, Res. Br., Victoria, B.C.
Exten. Note 80.
Version 4.1 of TIPSY including the aspen database is available on our website. [link]
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| Figure 1. TASS III simulation, aspen-spruce
mixedwood. |
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Figure 2. TASS III simulation, aspen-spruce mixedwood. |
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| Figure 3: White spruce-aspen canopy. |
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Figure 4: Complex aspen canopy spatial and temporal dynamics:
foliage density, clumping, and canopy gaps. |
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| Figure 5: Understorey with small white
spruce shaded by a young trembling aspen stand. |
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Figure 6: Mature white spruce-aspen mixedwood. |
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| Figure 7: Measuring branch, crown and bole
development in trembling aspen. |
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Figure 8: Aspen regeneration first summer after winter
logging of a boreal mixedwood cutblock. |
Contact
Person:
George Harper, Research Scientist, Stand Development
Email: George.Harper@gov.bc.ca
Please direct questions
regarding webpage to For.Prodres@gov.bc.ca
Updated April 2008 |
