Cutblock Level Soil RSM Pilot Results Sandy Currie Soil Resource Value Team Lead

2 Cutblock Level Monitoring Indicators Lost productivity due to access construction In-block area affected or potentially affected by landslides, drainage diversion (overland flow), or significant erosion In-block area affected by disturbance to natural drainage patterns resulting in water accumulation

3 Cutblock Level Monitoring Indicators Dispersed soil disturbance in the net area to be reforested Green tree retention Organic matter retention

4 Protocol Tools General Use of high quality digital photography as the primary means of analyzing the impact of harvesting on a random sample of cutblocks Use of ground sampling as a means of checking the reliability of the digital photography methodology

5 Protocol Tools Application The digital photography is analyzed to assess the impact of harvesting on each of the six identified Indicators A line transect sampling method is used in the field to provide an on-the- ground check of the digital photography results

6 Protocol Tools Application (cont.) During this final pilot year field sampling was set at 100% of the cutblocks that are sampled using the digital photography methodology During the first year of implementation ( ) 100% of the digital photography samples will once again be field-checked

7 Expected Results The target for this year’s sampling was to: Take and then analyze digital photographs of approximately 80 cutblocks throughout the province Conduct field assessments on these same 80 cutblocks

8 Expected Results (cont.) Training in conjunction with the sampling comprised: One training session that was held in Prince George December 5 – 8, 2006

9 Actual Results Digital Photography: Of the 15 districts that were planned for photography 11 were either fully or partially completed and the remaining 4 were not completed This resulted in processing, or completing a mosaic of, the digital photography of 50 of the planned 80 cutblocks These 50 images are currently being simultaneously analyzed and the data captured by Selkirk College staff (principal analysis centre) and district forest stewardship staff

10 Actual Results (cont.) Field Sampling: Field sampling of all 80 sample cutblocks has been completed and these data will be compared to the associated photographic images

11 Next Steps Digital Photography: Analysis will be completed on the 50 digital photographs The resulting data will be captured and cleaned and sent to Victoria

12 Next Steps (cont.) Field Sampling: The remaining field data that have not already been sent to Victoria will be captured and cleaned and sent to Victoria

13 Next Steps (cont.) Analysis: The digital images and field data will be: compared to assess the accuracy and capability of digital imagery as a FREP sampling tool

14 Next Steps (cont.) FREP Final Report: The results of the aerial photography and field sampling will be used to prepare a final report on the Cutblock Level Soil Pilot

15 Next Steps (cont.) Lessons Learned: Administrative pre-work must begin enough in advance to ensure the digital photography program takes place during the best weather conditions

16 Next Steps (cont.) Preparation for Aerial Photography: Seventeen districts comprising 80 cutblocks have been randomly selected An Invitation to Tender is in the final revision stage and will be posted on BC Bid by March 15, 2007 to allow a viewing period of 6 weeks The targeted date for the start of aerial photography is May 22, 2007

17 The End Thank You Peter Jordan and Tom Millard will now present the results of the Landscape Level Soil Pilot