1. CBST Seedlot Selection Tool
Early Implementation of Climate Based Seed Transfer
CBST Seedlot Selection Tool
Webinar and Demonstration
November 2017

2. Section 2 – CBST Seedlot Selection Tool
This webinar is comprised of two sections:
Section 1 – Background
CBST Science, Current Seed Transfer Policy Options and Requesting a CBST Alternative to the Standards
Section 2 – CBST Seedlot Selection Tool
Use of CBST Tool and a demonstration

3. Brief Overview of CBST Science Foundation
SECTION 1
Background
Brief Overview of CBST Science Foundation
and Policy Framework

4. What is Climate Based Seed Transfer (CBST)?
“Climate Based Seed Transfer (CBST) refers to a seed transfer system based on climate for the movement (transfer) of seed used in reforestation, to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

5. How does CBST compare with BC’s current seed transfer approach?
Both systems are science based and supported by data from provenance trials
CBST
A climate-based methodology that matches the climate of the seed source with the current and (near) future climate of a planting site.
Based on new and emerging climate and forest genetic science.
Includes “assisted migration.”
Current
A geographically-based methodology using, longitude, latitude, elevation and biogeoclimatic zone,

6. The climate of orchard seed sources is derived from the climates of the parent trees contributing to that seedlot (i.e. mean BECvar of PTs).
The climate of natural stand seed sources is derived based on the climate in which the seed was collected (i.e. BECvar of the collection area).
“Assisted Migration” is a climate change adaptation strategy that involves the intentional movement of tree seed, from areas they grow naturally, to planting sites that are climatically suitable for their growth at the present time and in the near future.”

7. CBST Science Foundation
Based on climate and forest genetic (provenance) data
Climate represented by BEC variants
CBST accounts for both past (adaptation lag ~70years) and future climate change (15yrs coast; 20yrs interior) = Climate migration distance is to the first quarter rotation
For more information, on the science foundation, see Technical Report No. 099
Baseline data sets
BEC10
ClimateBC
Transfer functions
Minimum genetic and species suitability thresholds
Expert opinion
Climate variables – 11 including latitude
Reference period – historical (Adaptation lag (70 years) plus future (15/20yrs, coast/interior)
Species suitability - (minimums based on probability of presence - consensus, coarse filter)
Genetic suitability - (minimums based on conservative approach)
Expert opinion - (overrides based on extensive forest genetic research and trials)

8. CBST will be informed by the Assisted Migration Adaptation Trial (AMAT)
The Assisted Migration Adaptation Trial (AMAT) is a large multi-species adaptation trial established to better understand the productivity response of orchard seed sources across a wide climatic and latitudinal range. The trial consists of 48 sites across North America. CBST will be updated as new information becomes available.

9. Assessing Risks Doing nothing about climate change is high risk
Losses from increased wildfire and pests
Loss of productivity through maladaptation
Using CBST mitigates the impacts of climate change and reduces risk
We are currently planting into sites that are too warm for the seed
With CBST, we will be planting into sites that are slightly colder (in anticipation of ongoing climate change)
CBST takes a conservative approach - focusing more on catching up with climate change to date, rather than projecting too far into the future

10. Related Reforestation Considerations
You can also lower risks by investing a bit more:
Use Class A seed with highest genetic worth
Make robust stock choices
Climate change affects other reforestation decisions – species selection, microsite selection, pests and diseases, wildlife, etc
Monitoring and evaluation will be a big part of the CBST Policy Framework still under development

11. A full assessment of impacts is needed to identify potential “gaps”; adjust seed inventories and, to seek the full suite of opportunities for the transfer and use of seed as a strategy for climate change adaptation.”
Could take up to a few (2-3?) years to fully transition over to CBST. It will largely depend on the nature and magnitude of the impacts (e.g. such as the need for realignment of seed orchards and adjustments to seed inventories)
Transitioning BC from a geographically-based seed transfer system to one that is climate based will take both measured and incremental steps. A phased approach is necessary to fully assess the impacts of moving over to CBST.

12. First Phase - Early Implementation of CBST
CBST science foundation is robust
CBST Seedlot Selection Tool available for planning and use
Taking an incremental approach for implementation of new policy starting with voluntary uptake
Allows us to collect feedback from clients and stakeholders early in the process
Encourages early adopters to act now (entry of 2018 seedling requests, Spring 2018 planting)
Coincides with increased need for seed used in wildfire forest recovery - providing increased flexibility

13. Current Seed Transfer Policy Options
Policy options available to assist you in selecting suitable seedlots for reforestation include:
Chief Forester Standards for Seed Use (see, Section 8, Seed Transfer);
CBST Alternative to the Standards (see, CBST Alternative Request process document and request form); and a
Mix of both Use of both approaches identified above (e.g. to address “gaps” where suitable seed is not identified under CBST).

14. Strategic Use of Policy Options
If your goal is to maximize productivity of your site then, use policy options is this order of priority:
Use CBST seed transfer and Class A seed with the highest Genetic Gain
Use Current transfer standards with Class A seed with the highest Genetic gain
Use CBST seed transfer and Class B seed
Use Current transfer standards and Class B seed
If none of these policy options have seed availability – consult with FIRM.

15. Process for Requesting CBST Alternatives (Voluntary)
Complete CBST Tool training
Determine seed needs (by species and BEC variant)
Use the CBST Tool to identify suitable seedlots
Check SPAR to see if sufficient seed is available - and concurrently enter your request into SPAR (as pending)
Complete CBST Alternatives request form
If your Alternative is approved, proceed with seedling request in SPAR.
If you are ordering seed for FFT, FES or FCI, an approved CBST Alternative Form is only required for reforestation under FRPA

16. Process for Requesting CBST Alternatives (Voluntary)
CBST Alternatives Request Form
Complete Section A (administrative information)
Complete Section B1 (seedling request information) and/or Section B2 (planting)
the completed form to FLNRO, Forest Improvement and Research Management Branch (FIRM)
Margot Spence with copy to Susan Zedel
You will be advised of the decision (approval / rejection) at the address provided.

17. SPAR: Seedling Request
In the ‘Subject To:’ field select ‘CSTA-FRPA CFS Alternative’ from the drop-down list
When entering a seedling request, select ‘CSTA-FRPA CFS Alternative’ from the drop-down list in the ‘Subject To:’ field.

18. SPAR: Seedling Request
In the ‘Lot number(s)’ field enter the suitable seedlot identified in CBST
Scroll down to the Lot number(s) field. Enter the suitable seedlot that you identified in the CBST tool. Click on the ‘Go to Lot Selection’.

19. Select the suitable seedlot identified in CBST
SPAR: Lot Selection
Select the suitable seedlot identified in CBST
On the Lot Selection Screen, select the suitable seedlot that you originally identified in the CBST tool. Scroll to bottom of page and click on ‘Select Lot’.

20. SPAR: Selected Lot
Click on the ‘TG’ tab to go to the Transfer Guideline Exceptions screen
Back on the Seedling Request screen, click on Save. If prompted to enter a Transfer Guide Exception, click on the ‘TG’ button.

21. SPAR: Transfer Guideline Exceptions
In the ‘Override Comment’ field enter ‘Approved CBST Alternative ’
On the Transfer Guideline Exceptions screen, enter “Approved CBST Alternative’ in the ‘Override Comment’ field. Click on ‘Save’ to save your comment and return to the Seedling Request screen.

22. CBST Seedlot Selection Tool
SECTION 2
CBST Seedlot Selection Tool
Presentation and Demonstration

23. Enhancements are currently underway to make available these same features within the Seed Planning and Registry (SPAR) system.
The CBST Seedlot Selection Tool is available to assist you in identifying seed deployment areas and suitable seed sources (seedlots) based on climate. The CBST Tool was developed by Forsite Consultants, Ltd, Vernon, BC.

24. CBST Seedlot Selection Tool
Instructions
Go to this TAB to learn more about how to use the tool
“I have a Cutblock”
Use this feature to determine where to procure your seed
To identify suitable seedlots and seed sources by BEC
based on climate
“I have a Seedlot”
Use this feature to determine where to deploy your seed
To identify suitable plantation BEC variants
based on climate
Link to demo of CBST tool here.
To learn about
features available
in the tool

25. To identify suitable plantation
I Have a Seedlot
“I have a Seedlot”
Use this feature to determine where to deploy your seed
To identify suitable plantation
BEC variants
based on climate
Link to demo of CBST tool here.

26. ‘I have a Seedlot’
Step 1: Enter seedlot, or set species and BEC variant
Step 3: View seed deployment map, and the list of suitable plantation BEC variants
Step 2: Click ‘Go’

27. ‘I have a Seedlot’
Current seed deployment area
Current Area of Use
CBST seed deployment area
CBST Area of Use
The CBST seed deployment area (i.e. CBST Area of Use) comprises the orange and purple areas marked on the map. The current seed deployment area (or Area of Use) is marked in the brick red colour.

28. ‘I have a Seedlot’
Current seed deployment area
Current Area of Use
To turn off the Current ‘Area of Use’ (brick red colour), go to the top right corner and click on “Layers”. A dropdown list will appear, uncheck the “AOU” layer. Note: Seedlots recently registered (e.g. in 2016 or 2017) may not have a current AOU spatial layer.

29. ‘I have a Seedlot’
List of suitable plantation BEC variants
A list of suitable plantation BEC variants for a seedlot (species and seed BEC variant) is displayed along with the CBST seed deployment map.
Click on any column header (highlighted in yellow) to sort in ascending/descending order.

30. ‘I have a Seedlot’
May not be a suitable tree species in these BEC variants (purple) – refer to Reference Guide
Plantation BEC variants marked with an asterisk “*” may not be suitable
Although, areas marked in purple are genetically suitable based on climate, these areas (BEC variants) may not be suitable for tree species selection. It is recommended that you refer to the FLNRO Reference Guide for Species Selection and Stocking.

31. To identify Suitable Seedlots
I Have a Cutblock
“I have a Cutblock”
Use this feature to determine where to procure your seed
To identify Suitable Seedlots
based on climate
Link to demo of CBST tool here.

32. ‘I have a Cutblock’
Step 1: Enter species and BEC variant (of cutblock)
Step 2: Click ‘Go’
Step 3: View seed procurement map, and a list of suitable seed BEC variants and seedlots

33. CBST seed procurement area
‘I have a Cutblock’
CBST seed procurement area
CBST migration distances for procurement consider both historical (adaptation lag) and future climates(15 yrs. coast; 20 yrs. interior).
CBST Seed Procurement Areas are those areas (Seed BEC variants) in which seed can be sourced (e.g. purchased or collected) to enable the matching of seed (seedlots) to the climates in which they will grow – shown in orange.

34. Select a polygon to identify BEC variant
‘I have a Cutblock’
Select a polygon to identify BEC variant
CBST Seed Procurement Areas are generally comprised of multiple BEC variants. Click on any BEC polygon to identify the BEC variants on the map.

35. ‘I have a Cutblock’
May not be a suitable tree species in these BEC variants (purple) – refer to Reference Guide
CBST seed procurement area
Purple BECv – may not be suitable
For some combinations of Species and BECv, you will see BECv marked in purple. These are genetically suitable based on climate, but they may not be suitable for tree species selection. Refer to the FLNRO, Reference Guide for Species Selection and Stocking.

36. ‘I have a Cutblock’
View suitable
seedlots here
View suitable seedlots on the sidebar to the left of the map.
Seedlots may be sorted by clicking on a column header.

37. Select suitable seedlot with the highest Genetic Worth
‘I have a Cutblock’
Select suitable seedlot with the highest Genetic Worth
Chief Forester Standards for seed selection still apply (i.e. use seed with a Genetic Worth (greater than or equal to 5%, where available).
Sort suitable seedlots by clicking on GW. Note: Currently only GW-G; for Growth) is displayed..

38. CBST Tool - Recap Troubleshooting Tips
CBST Tool comprises two main features:
I have a Seedlot
Where can I deploy my seedlot?
I have a Cutblock
Where can I procure my seed?
CBST Tool is available as an interim measure. Development of CBST Tool functionality within SPAR is currently underway.
Troubleshooting Tips
Map not loading?
Expect some delay, files are large.
See maps and/or data that does not make sense?
Could be carried over from your previous query, refresh your “cache” regularly.
Seedlot not in tool?
Could be an lot without a BEC 10.
Climate variables – 11 including latitude
Reference period – historical (Adaptation lag (70 years) plus future (15/20yrs, coast/interior)
Species suitability - (minimums based on probability of presence - consensus, coarse filter)
Genetic suitability - (minimums based on conservative approach)
Expert opinion - (overrides based on extensive forest genetic research and trials)

39. For more information, contact:
Margot Spence, Seed Policy Officer/CBST project lead, Forest Improvement and Research Management Branch
Susan Zedel, Seed Resource Specialist, Forest Improvement and Research Management Branch
Leslie McAuley, Decision support Officer, forest Improvement and Research Management Branch

40. Climate Based Seed Transfer (CBST)
See, Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Tree Seed and CBST webpages,
Climate Based Seed Transfer (CBST)
CBST Seedlot Selection Tool Version 1.0
Link may need to be refreshed