The Tree Improvement
Branch (TIB) recognizes the need for
spatially-enabled decision support tools
to support seed planning activities such
as cone collection and seed inventory
management. The aim is to allow forest
managers, stewards and practitioners to:
conduct Genetic Resource Management
(GRM) impact and risk assessments; map
current and future tree improvement and
seed use opportunities; and determine
where forests are vulnerable with
regards to genetic adaptation,
diversity, and resilience to climate
change. The impact of the mountain pine
beetle (Dendroctonus
ponderosae) is equally important
when gauging forest health and assessing
the implications for seed planning. The
results of this decision support project
are meant to support both strategic and
operational level planning activities;
however, these maps are not intended to
replace on-the-ground verification; or
negate the need to look at current or
forecast seed inventories.
GIS analyses have
been undertaken to integrate seed
planning spatial data with the Mountain
Pine Beetle Impact Mapping project and
geodatabase (MPBBIO). The MPBBIO
geodatabase includes the following seed
planning spatial data sets: Orchard and
Natural Stand Seed Planning Zones (SPZ),
new Western larch climate change Seed
Planning Zones, Orchard Seed Planning
Units, and natural stand seedlots. A
series of interactive PDF maps have been
developed in 22 priority management
units (Timber Supply areas (TSAs). In
addition, opportunity maps were
developed to identify potential
opportunities related to cone collection
within two of the management units
(Williams Lake TSA and Quesnel TSA).
Pine mask
The model identifies
potential opportunities for seed
planning and cone collection within pine
stands identified as having
greater than or equal to 30% pine in
the management unit (TSA). The pine mask
includes Vegetation Resource Inventory
(VRI) polygons with >= 30% lodgepole
pine (Pl and Pli), and/or ponderosa pine
(Py), whitebark pine (Pa), Western white
pine (Pw), jack pine (Pj), and limber
pine (Pf).
Spatial MPB Data Layer Updates
The MPB Seed Planning Impact geodatabase
and interactive PDF maps include the
following updates:
|
Source
(Spatial)
Data
|
Date of
Source
Data
|
|
MPB
attack
status
and
severity
|
2009
|
|
Timber
Harvest,
including
small
scale
salvage
areas
|
combination
of 2009
and 2010
|
|
|
(small
scale
salvage
2006/07)
|
|
Fires
|
2010
|
|
BEC
|
combination
of
Version
6 and 7
|
|
Seed
Planning
(zones,
units,
seedlots)
|
2010
(Jan,
2011)
|
Cone Collection Opportunity Mapping
Cone Collection Opportunities scoring
system
These maps amalgamate
Seed Planning spatial data with MPB
impact mapping and, through the
application of a rating system, are used
to develop derivative map results and
queries to assess potential cone
collection opportunities as
LOW, MODERATE or HIGH. The
collection opportunities are based on a
scoring system that assigns a relative
ranking based on the following
parameters and assumptions:
Mountain Pine Beetle Attack Status
– Sites are assigned to one of three MPB
attack status classes: red, new grey,
and no attack. The older the attack
status (e.g., new grey), the lower the
potential for cone collection
opportunity.
New Grey
(attacked 4-7 years ago) =
Low Opportunity
Red Attack (attacked 1-3 years ago) =
Moderate Opportunity
Green Attack
(none/trace) =
High Opportunity
Age Class
– Only stands with an age class of 2 to
5 (21 to 100 years) are considered to
provide opportunity for cone collection.
Elevation
– Opportunities are classified into
three elevation bands that group
potential cone collection sites into
low, mid and high elevation seedlots as
follows : 800-1000 metres, 1000-1300m,
and 1300-1600m.
Supporting
documentation
The following information is available
to help guide you in using the GIS (geodatabase)
and map products:
MPB Mapping Methodology – Overview (2008
update) Report,
Seed Planning Mapping, Summary Report,
March 2011
(includes metadata),
and the
Cone Collection Opportunity Mapping,
April 2011
The reports are available on the MFLNRO,
Forest Analysis and Inventory Branch,
Remote Sensing web page at:
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/rs/mpb_impact/mpb_impact2009.html
GIS
Data and Map Products
MPB Seed Planning Impact interactive PDF
map plots are available for the
following 22 management units:
|
§
100 Mile
|
§
Dawson
Creek
|
§
Kootenay
Lake
|
§
Morice
|
§
Vanderhoof
|
|
§
Arrow
|
§
Fort St.
James
|
§
Lakes
|
§
Okanagan
|
§
Williams
Lake
|
|
§
Boundary
|
§
Golden
|
§
Lillooet
|
§
Prince
George
|
|
|
§
Bulkley
|
§
Invermere
|
§
Mackenzie
|
§
Quesnel
|
|
|
§
Cranbrook
|
§
Kamloops
|
§
Merritt
|
§
Robson
|
|
MPB Seed Planning Impact interactive PDF
map plots are available under
‘Interactive Map Plots’ at:
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/rs/mpb_impact/mpb_impact2009.html
MPB Cone Collection Opportunity map
plots are available under ‘Cone
Collection Opportunities’ at:
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hts/rs/mpb_impact/mpb_impact2009.html
GIS spatial data sets (MPB
Seed Planning geodatabase) are available
upon request, by contacting:
Susan Zedel
Seed Information Officer, Tree Improvement Branch
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
Susan.Zedel@gov.bc.ca
Historical Mountain Pine Beetle Seed Planning
A series of Mountain Pine Beetle Seed Planning communications outlined below were developed in 2007, highlight our understanding of the current state of Interior Lodgepole Pine (Pli) seed availability, including short term seed inventory analysis, legal considerations for cone collections and registrations, and superior provenance stand collection opportunities. Seed planning is an important aspect of our forest stewardship and reforestation activities.
