DEC Forest Products Utilization Program Revised USFS State-Wide Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA)--- Background, Process & Selected Year Two Results
Revised US Forest Service State-Wide Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) - Topics - State-Wide Inventory Background Why a New Design? Overview of Revised FIA Design Selected Year Two Results
History/Background Four Previous Inventories -1949-1952 -1966-1968 -1978-1979 -1991-1994 Data Collection-- State Wide Mostly Timber Variables Reporting-- State, Regional, County Focused on Timber on Non-Reserved Land
Why a Revised Inventory Design. …. User Community Demand Why a Revised Inventory Design?….. User Community Demand! Recognition of Importance of Data Led to AF&PA Blue Ribbon Panel Recommendations (91 & 97) Led to--- Requirements in 1998 Farm Bill Authorizing Legislation Section 253(c)
Major Changes Overview • Produce More Current Data (periodic to annualized 5 yr. cycle inventories) • Improve and Expand Information on Health, Ecosystems and Non-commodity Values (merge FIA and FHM) • Increase Consistency and Compatibility among FIA Units • Improve Service/Reporting to User Groups • Sample All Land (includes Forest Preserves) • 50 Year Projections
Inventory Phases Phase One – Remote Sensing to Develop Expansion Factors Phase Two – Revised Ground Sampling of Forest Variables 5,094 Plots Total (3,178 Forest Plots) revised method for plot distribution and revised plot design Phase Three – Forest Health Monitoring Ground Sampling 338 Plots Total (Approx. 240 Forest) Each sample plot represents 95,000 acres---subset of Phase two plots
Phase Two – Sampling Grid Grid Design Sample Intensity = 1 sample location per 5,933 acres of land (same precision as previous inventories) Reflects Five Year annualized Inventory Cycle Length Advantage Each year’s panel is evenly distributed across the state. Includes Forest Preserve and other reserved land.
Phase Two – Sampling Grid (cont.) Assigning Sample Locations Step One: Utilize existing FHM samples within a given hex. Step Two: Utilize previously measured FIA samples within a given hex. Step Three: Locate new sample at a random distance and azimuth from hex center.
Changes Affect Time Frame for Reliable Change Data--- in Two Ways New Sampling Grid-- A Short-Term Problem for Identifying Change ----------------------------------- Changes Affect Time Frame for Reliable Change Data--- in Two Ways 1. Just one-half existing plots will be re-measured. Balance to be abandoned. So final sample on forestland is: 1,520 re-measured 1,638 new 3,158 Total Forestland Plots
New Sampling Grid--A Problem for Identifying Change (cont.) 2. Will not re-measure the entire existing plot. Just 1/24 acre. Not 1/5 acre.
Revised Sample Plot Design Tree Variables Species Yellow Poplar DBH 12.9 inches Tree history Live Tree Class Growing Stock Sample-Location Variables Location ID St, Un, Co, # Date Mo, Day, Yr Sample Kind Remeas. 1/5th GPS Lat-Long. Old 1/5-acre plot Condition Variables Slope & Aspect Pct & Degrees Land Use Forest Stand Origin Natural Owner Class Individual New Sample Design Trees 5.0 inches & larger: Four 24-foot radius fixed subplots spaced 120 feet apart. Trees from 1.0 to 4.9 inches: One 6.8-foot radius plot per subplot (not shown). Tree Seedlings/ Woody Shrubs: One 3.7-foot radius plot per subplot (not shown). .
Sample Location Variables - Forested Sample Locations - Location ID Sample Kind Measurement Date Previous Land Use Terrain Position Site Productivity Class GPS Coordinates Use Identifying and locating the plot Referencing with satellite imagery Accounting for sample locations
Condition-Level Variables - Forested Sample Locations - Slope and Aspect Land Use Forest Type Stand Origin Stand Size Stand Age Physiographic Class Stand History Owner Class
Tree-Level Variables - Forested Sample Locations - Species Tree History Diameter at Breast Height Condition Class Sawlog Length Board-foot Cull Bole Length Cubic-foot Cull Total Height Crown Class General Damage/Cause of Death Special Damage Tree Class Use Compute Derived Variables Forest Type Stand-Size Class Stocking Class Inventory Volume (CF and BF) Inventory Change Components Others
Phase Three – Forest Health Monitoring FHM and FIA sample locations will be co-located under the annual system. Standard FIA protocols. Standard FHM protocols. FHM intensity will be boosted under the annual system. Convert to a 5-year measurement cycle From 1 sample per 160,000 ac. to 1 sample per 95,000 ac.
Phase Three – Measurement Variables. - Many Classes of Phase Three – Measurement Variables - Many Classes of Health Indicators Addressed Crown Condition Classification Crown Ratio, Crown Diameter, Crown Density, Crown Dieback, Foliage Transparency and vigor class (seedlings). Damage and Catastrophic Mortality Assessment Tree Damage, Location, and Severity. Vegetation Structure Plant Occupancy of a three dimensional cone by Life Form. Ozone Bio-indicator Plants Species, Number, Amount and Severity of Injury. Lichen Communities Collection of Voucher Specimens and Estimate of Abundance. Soils Soil Litter, Erosion Measures, Soil Texture, and Lab Analysis of pH, Organic Carbon, Nitrogen, Exchangeable Calcium, Exchangeable Magnesium, Exchangeable Potassium and Phosphorus.
Broadened Program… Other Elements of FIA Woodland Owner Study Full Vegetation Survey Mapping Services -species distribution -forest typing -forest fragmentation -land use change Urban Forest Area Inventory Integrating FHM data with other data sources (e.g.--USGS, Weather Data) for Risk Mapping Non-Forest Tree Inventory Special Projects
NYS Buy-Down to Five Year Cycle?? Where do we stand? Buydown funds included in DEC Budget Proposal Governor’s 2005-2006 Budget…..Again ESFPA Region 7 FPB User’s that helped to make a difference
Selected Year Two Results…. based on 40% of Forested Plots Measured
Forestland Stabilized
Forest Types Stabilized
Still Increasing Total Volume Statewide…+20% Ave. Annual 1.8%
Still Increasing Sawtimber Volume…+21% 1.9% Ave. Annual Increase
But Look at Recent History…. +46% --1980-1993 3. 5% Ave But Look at Recent History…. +46% --1980-1993 3.5% Ave. Annual Increase
% Increase in Small-Sawtimber Stocking… Slowdown
Possible Causes of Sawtimber Stocking Slowdown Structural Balance Changes Ingrowth vs. Accretion Increased Harvest Level Increased Acres of Poorly Stocked Stands….. caused by heavy partial cutting?
Sugar Maple—Still the State Tree??
Sugar Maple—Still the State Tree?? (Cont.)
But In Fact…Red Maple More Prevalent for 25 Years+
Small Diameter Classes Rate of Volume Increase— 1993-2004 Sugar Maple vs. Red Maple
Top Species--Harvest Pressure
Percent of Log Harvest Level ---Top 6 Species 1952 2003 White Pine--23% of Log Harvest Sugar Maple--26% of Log Harvest Sugar Maple Red Oak Birch Red Maple Beech Black Cherry White Pine Hemlock White Ash 83% of Harvest 82% of Harvest
1999 NYS Timber Products Output (TPO) Study -Topics- Purpose of TPO Why do a TPO Study? Study Method Production NY Consumption (Receipts) Exports
Primary Purpose: To assess the most important and largest component of wood removals in New York State, namely, wood harvested for industrial use… by: Type Quantity and Species The interim study does not measure the following: Fuelwood harvested for residential use Quantities of logging residue Wood removed due to land use change
Secondary Purposes: • Determine Primary mill Consumption (receipts) level • Determine status as net importer or exporter
Why do a TPO Study? • Allows New York to know where it stands regarding current and past use, sustainability, and economic importance of the timber resource - enhance resource assessments - improves response to public issues and policy making - timely, easy to carry out
Why do a TPO Study? (cont.) • Can verify and/or supplement other data sources such as: --FIA timber removals and --U.S. Census Current Industrial Reports Program • Chance to update Primary Directory
Study Method 100% survey of all fixed primary wood products manufacturers and consumers in New York using roundwood or roundwood chips Determine receipts by industry out of state* using reported data or survey Estimate receipts by portable and Amish mills and non-responding mills *does not include negligible volume states or some overseas exports
Total Production 189 MM ft3 62% Sawlogs/Veneer Logs 38% Pulpwood or Roundwood Chips
Total Production HW vs. SW
Total Production by Product and HW / SW 71% Log Harvest --Hardwood 58% Pulpwood Harvest --Hardwood
Total Sawlog/Veneer Log Production 893.2 MMbf (International 1/4 inch) 5 species--2/3rds Reported Production Sugar Maple alone--1/5th Reported Production
Sawlog/Veneer Log Species Specific Harvest Level vs Sawlog/Veneer Log Species Specific Harvest Level vs. Level in the Resource Base Function of Relative Scarcity and Markets
Sawlog/Veneer Log Species Specific Harvest Level vs Sawlog/Veneer Log Species Specific Harvest Level vs. Average Annual net Growth 1979-1992 Used extrapolated harvest level
Total Pulpwood and RW Chip Production 851,000 Cords Mostly to Pulpmills--NY, Canada, PA, MD Mostly Roundwood 6% to Industrial Wood Energy & Other Does not Include Mill Residues
Fixed Sawmill Profile 250 Active Sawmills--1999 179 Reporting--86% of mills >1MMbf 10 % of mills account for 42% of total 50% for just over 90%
NY Sawmill Consumption Reported & Estimates 651.8 MMbf Total Consumption 57% of Total Volume Consumption by NY Facilities
Estimated Consumption-- Non-Responding Mills and Portables
NY Pulpwood/RW Chip Consumption 65.2 Million cu. ft. (767,000 Cords)_ 43% of Total Volume Consumption by NY Facilities
Total Production Exported
Export by Product and HW/SW
Disposition of Exports-- All Products
Export by Product and The Canada Question 32% of Sawlog/Veneer Logs Production 77% of this to Canada (218.4 MMbf) 44% Hardwood 56% Softwood So……………About 25% of our total Production in this Product Category is shipped to Canada. ------------------------------------------------ 24% of Pulpwood and Roundwood Chip Production 45% of this to Canada So………….About 11% of our total Production in this Product Category is shipped to Canada
Summary Production-Consumption-Trade 1993 vs. 1999
Reporting Forest Service Publication (Resource Bulletin) mid 2002 1-2 Page Summary for Industry
Sugar Maple—Still the State Tree??