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Alternatives to estimate statewide changes in aspen cover type volumes

Informally Refereed

Abstract

For Minnesota, the only data available to conduct regional or state-wide level assessments across all ownerships is the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program (FIA). Some of the many alternatives available to estimate regional changes in standing volume are referred to here as 1.) FIA alternative, 2.) a commonly applied growth and yield system referred to as Walters and Ek, 3.) a calibrated Walters and Ek alternative, 4.) a different calibrated Walters and Ek alternative, and 5.) Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) estimates. The purpose of this study is to quantify the ability of these alternatives to estimate standing merchantable volume five years into the future of unmanaged aspen cover/forest types, particularly to see whether FVS provides reliable estimates. Aspen forests are by far the dominant cover type in the state.

FIA data from 1999 and 2004 were used to calibrate models, and in some cases to project data. Projections were compared to 2009 plot data, considered to be the true values.

If large-scale, strategic, short term projections are needed, the FIA alternative (1) or the Walters and Ek Alternative Two (4) will be superior. However, for long-term planning, the FVS (5) or either the uncalibrated Walters and Ek alternative (2) or, if calibration can be easily calculated, Alternative One (3) will likely be best.

Parent Publication

Citation

VanderSchaaf, Curtis L. 2015. Alternatives to estimate statewide changes in aspen cover type volumes. In: Stanton, Sharon M.; Christensen, Glenn A., comps. 2015. Pushing boundaries: new directions in inventory techniques and applications: Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) symposium 2015. 2015 December 8–10; Portland, Oregon. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-931. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 387-390.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/50422