A Sample Plan to Quantify Old-Growth Characteristics of Balsam-IU Stands in the Prince George Forest District

Transcription

1 A Sample Plan to Quantify Old-Growth Characteristics of Balsam-IU Stands in the Prince George Forest District Prepared for Kerry Deschamps, RPF Canadian Forest Products Ltd. On Behalf of Forest Licensees in the Prince George Timber Supply Area Project: CFP-018 March 31, 2006 J.S. Thrower & Associates Ltd. Vancouver Kamloops Hinton Consulting Foresters

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3 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page i Executive Summary This document describes the procedures to sample Bl-IU stands in the Prince George Forest District. The intent is to quantify the old-growth characteristics of these stands and compare them with old stands of similar type in other areas of the District. These Bl-IU stand types were created under the era of intermediate utilization (IU) where spruce was selectively logged from mature stands. Many of these stands are now dominated by a balsam (Bl) over-story and thus are called Bl-IU (or residual-bl) stands. The proposed sample design is based on measuring tree and stand attributes from randomly located points in the Bl-IU stand population. These Bl-IU stands cannot be identified with certainty in the inventory data, thus we used a GIS-based net-down process that considered species composition, age of harvesting, and proximity to rivers or railways. This plan is based on using the provincial Vegetation Resources Inventory (VRI) standards where each sample is a cluster of five prism plots and other fixedarea plots. Measurements include large and small trees, live and dead trees, regeneration, coarse woody debris, stand structure, and ecological attributes. This design includes an initial batch of 25 sample points with an additional 10 in case they are needed. This is a point-based sample thus analysis should focus on attributes for the entire sample population (not polygons). These attributes can be compared with those in other old stands in the District measured as part of a VRI project planned for the 2006 field season.

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5 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page iii Table of Contents Executive Summary... I List of Tables...IV List of Figures...IV 1. INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND PROBLEM STATEMENT GOALS & OBJECTIVES TERMS OF REFERENCE SAMPLE POPULATION DEFINITION NET-DOWN SAMPLE DESIGN GENERAL APPROACH ATTRIBUTES OF INTEREST SAMPLE UNIT SAMPLE SIZE STRATIFICATION SELECTION OF SAMPLE POINTS LINKAGE WITH VRI PLOT TYPES VRI STANDARD SAMPLE CLUSTER LARGE TREE PLOTS SITE INDEX PLOT SMALL TREE PLOTS COARSE WOODY DEBRIS TRANSECTS SUCCESSION (OLD-GROWTH) PLOTS ECOLOGICAL PLOTS IMPLEMENTATION CONFIRM SAMPLE POPULATION SAMPLE BATCHES COMPILATION ANALYSIS APPENDIX 1 OLD-GROWTH ATTRIBUTES OF INTEREST APPENDIX 2 SAMPLE POINTS APPENDIX 3 VRI CARDS & MODIFICATIONS APPENDIX 4 EXAMPLE COMPARISON... 14

6 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page iv List of Tables Table 1. List of GIS coverages and information sources used to define the sample population....3 Table 2. Area net-down sequence and area proportions....3 List of Figures Figure 1. Example of the many Bl-IU stands that occur throughout the BC interior. Photo taken in the ESSF of TFL 18 near Clearwater, BC....1 Figure 2. Bl-IU sample population by inventory age class and leading species....4 Figure 3. Bl-IU sample population by age class of harvesting and leading species....4 Figure 4. Bl-IU sample population in the PG Forest District....5 Figure 5. Schematic of the VRI plot cluster. Diagram taken from the VRI manual....8 Figure 6. Next steps to implement this project....10

7 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND Maintaining forests with old-growth characteristics is a key objective of sustainable forest management in the Prince George (PG) Timber Supply Area (TSA). Although there are a variety of definitions of old-growth, most scientists and forest managers consider a stand with old-growth characteristics to have some combination of large trees, wide variation in tree sizes and spacing, accumulations of large dead and fallen trees, multi-layered canopies and canopy gaps, and signs of decay such as broken tops and dead branches. Management targets to maintain old-growth areas in BC have primarily been based on stand age as given in forest-level inventories. Old-growth in many areas of BC is defined as stands with ages greater than age class 8 (141 years and older). In the PG TSA, old-growth is defined as 141 years and older for most areas and 121 years for others. 1 The assumption is that inventory age is highly correlated with old-growth characteristics. This assumption works well for some stand types and in some areas of BC, but there are many situations where inventory age is not well correlated with old-growth characteristics. Some old stands do not have old-growth attributes because of their unique history, stand structure, or site conditions while others much younger have well developed old-growth attributes. One of the most problematic stand types in the BC interior, in regard to managing for old-growth and biodiversity attributes, are balsam-iu (or balsamresidual) stands. These stands were created in the early era of harvesting in the BC interior from about 1950 to Many of these stands were created under the policy of intermediate utilization (IU), and many are now dominated by balsam (Bl) (sub-alpine fire, Abies lasiocarpa) in the upper canopy thus the name Bl-IU. These stands are common in many parts of the central interior, especially in low elevation areas near major transportation corridors such as rivers and railways where spruce (Sx) harvesting originally occurred. These stands also occur in the higher elevation areas in the southern interior where Sx was harvested during the same period and under the same utilization policies (Figure 1). Harvesting during that time was done through a variety of partial cutting methods where the largest and best Sx Figure 1. Example of the many Bl-IU stands that occur throughout the BC interior. Photo taken in the ESSF of TFL 18 near Clearwater, BC. 1 Personal communication with Kerry Deschamps relating to the PG TSA biodiversity order.

8 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page 2 trees were cut, leaving advanced regeneration and some larger trees for a source of seed for natural regeneration. The resulting post-harvest stands had a complex structure of large Sx and Bl trees, polesized trees, and regeneration. Other trees species often regenerated in these stands including lodgepole pine (Pl), aspen (At), cottonwood (Ac), and birch (Ep). Most of these Bl-IU stands are now growing rapidly and contain a wide range of tree sizes and species, and many now have what are considered key old-growth attributes. 1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT The problem addressed by the PG TSA licensees is that most Bl-IU stands are not considered eligible for achieving old-growth and biodiversity targets because of their indicated age in the inventory. Many forest practitioners believe that these Bl-IU stands have characteristics of old-growth, but there is no information to quantify these characteristics or compare them with other stands that are considered old-growth. 1.3 GOALS & OBJECTIVES The overall goal of the licensees is to describe Bl-IU stands in the TSA and assess their appropriateness for contributing to the old-growth and biodiversity targets. The goal of this document is to provide the plan to sample Bl-IU stands in the PG Forest District. The specific objectives of this plan were to: 1. Define the sample population (Bl-IU stands). 2. List the attributes of interest (related to assessing old-growth) to estimate in these stands. 3. Describe the sample design. 4. Provide sample packages and maps to support field sampling. 1.4 TERMS OF REFERENCE This sample plan was developed by J.S. Thrower and Associates Ltd. (JST) for the forest licensees in the PG TSA. The licensee contact was Kerry Deschamps, BScF, RPF of Canadian Forest Products Ltd. (Canfor). The JST project team was Rene de Jong, BScF, RPF (project manager), Jim Thrower, PhD, RFP (technical support), and Darryl Klassen, BNRSc, DoT (GIS) (GIS support). This project was funded by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range (MOFR), Forest Investment Account (FIA) program.

9 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page DEFINITION 2. SAMPLE POPULATION The area of interest is all Bl-IU stands in Crown Forest in the PG Forest District (excluding TFL 30 and 53). It was not possible to specifically identify the Bl-IU stands, thus we approximated the area using information provided by Canfor 2, attributes in the Vegetated Resources Inventory (VRI), BEC ecosystem classification, and other coverages (Table 1). The sample population was ultimately defined as vegetated treed Crown forest in the SBS (excluding SBSvk), Bl leading or Sx leading with a Bl component, within 30 km of the Fraser or Nechako rivers or any railway, harvest date prior to 1973, and with the tallest trees (layer 1) over 10 m in height. Table 1. List of GIS coverages and information sources used to define the sample population. Coverage Description Source Date Received VRI for entire TSA Anja Tolman, MOF October 14, 2005 Provincial BEC (BGC variant) BC Land & Resource Data Warehouse January, 2006 Ownership Eric Anderson, Canfor February 3, 2006 Parks / Protected Areas Eric Anderson, Canfor February 3, 2006 General location of Bl-IU stands Kerry Deschamps, Canfor March 10, NET-DOWN The net-down process resulted in a sample population of 34,922 ha (Table 2). Most area was Bl leading over a range of age classes (Figure 2) and with harvest ages from 1960 to 1970 (Figure 3). The identified area (Figure 4) corresponded well with the expected general location of the Bl-IU in the PG Forest District as identified by Canfor. The process did not identify stands around the Aleza Lake Research Forest, which we expected would be shown in this process. The VRI did not indicate harvest history in this area, which suggests that the sample population should be carefully reviewed before proceeding (discussed in Section 5.1). Table 2. Area net-down sequence and area proportions. Netdown Category Area (ha) Proportion of Area in Previous Category Proportion of Total Area PG Forest District (excluding TFLs) 3,300, % Crown forest (ownership code 62, 69, 70) 2,716,457 82% 82% Crown forest outside parks / protected areas 2,515,149 93% 76% Vegetated-treed Portion 2,089,954 83% 63% Harvested portion (polygons having any harvest history) 456,432 22% 14% SBS (all subzones except the SBSvk) 308,627 68% 9% Harvest history before 1973 (some dates were missing) 113,436 37% 3% Bl leading or Sx leading with Bl secondary 47,718 42% 1% Within 30 km of Fraser R., Nechako R., or a railway 42,933 90% 1% Largest trees taller than 10 m (layer 1 > height class 1) 34,922 81% 1% 2 Overview map showing likely areas of Bl-IU logging provided by Kerry Deschamps (via ) March 10, 2006.

10 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page 4 8,000 6,000 Area (ha) 4,000 2,000 Sx Bl Age class Figure 2. Bl-IU sample population by inventory age class and leading species. 14,000 12,000 10,000 Area (ha) 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 (blank) Harvest year Sx Bl Figure 3. Bl-IU sample population by age class of harvesting and leading species.

11 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page 5 Figure 4. Bl-IU sample population in the PG Forest District.

12 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page GENERAL APPROACH 3. SAMPLE DESIGN Our approach in developing this sample design was to meet the project goals using cost-effective methods and building on existing programs and experiences where possible. Given that a VRI Phase II sample was taken in the PG District in 2000/01, and another is planned for this year, using similar VRI sampling methods in these Bl-IU stands would provide the link to compare with other old stands. We have used modified VRI standards for sampling old-growth in other areas 3 and developed this plan from that experience, other publicly funded studies, 4 and several proprietary studies in Bl-IU stands. The advantages of using the VRI standard for this project are: 1. The VRI methods will provide all of the important information needed for this project. 2. We have tested modified VRI standards for sampling old-growth in other projects and can transfer those results to this project. 3. VRI data from old stands in the PG District can provide the benchmark to compare attributes. 4. Using the VRI standard will minimize the bureaucracy of funding approval under the FIA program. 5. The standards are well known and thus administering contract field crews is simpler. 6. Data compilation cost can be reduced by combining with the VRI Phase II sample planned for the PG District in ATTRIBUTES OF INTEREST A wide range of old-growth related attributes can be reported from the data collected in this study (Appendix 1). A more exhaustive list could be addressed with more detailed and expensive field methods; however, we expect that given the convenient benchmark from other VRI data, that the attributes resulting from these methods are the most cost-effective to consider. 3.3 SAMPLE UNIT The sampling unit in this design is individual points on the ground within the sample population. The two options are to sample points or polygons. Either approach can be used; however, given the intended use of the data, we suggest that points are more appropriate and cost effective for this project. The use of points as the sample unit means that the analysis will produce statistics about the population as a whole but not for individual polygons. The point sampling approach will not provide information on withinpolygon variation; however, if desired the within-cluster variation can be examined and extended to the population as a whole (with certain assumptions). 3 J.S. Thrower and Associates Ltd Pilot study to sample and evaluate old growth attributes in the Kamloops Timber Supply Area. Contract report to Tolko Industries Ltd., Louis Creek Division. JST Project TOL-003. Mar. 19, pp. 4 J.S. Thrower and Associates Ltd Growth and yield of residual balsam stands on TFL 18. Contract report to Slocan Forest Products Ltd., Vavenby, BC. JST Project SGV-008. v. 17, pp.

13 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page SAMPLE SIZE We generated a sample of 35 points in two batches (Appendix 2). The first batch of 25 points should be installed as the minimum to provide information about the sample population. The second batch of 10 points can be added if sufficient time and money are available. This provides maximum flexibility for implementing this project. Each batch is random and independent of each other. More samples can be added at any time. After the data analyses and comparisons are complete, additional samples may be required in the Bl-IU population or the benchmark stands. This sample design can be easily modified to accommodate those additional samples at that time. 3.5 STRATIFICATION We stratified the Bl-IU population for the purpose of selecting sample points, but maintained equal selection probabilities for all samples. This is not stratification in the usual sense, but is the terminology used in the VRI standard. For analysis, this has no impact and all samples have equal weights, which maximizes flexibility in linkage with the PG District VRI or with future modifications. The data can be poststratified without compromising this flexibility and without complicating the analysis. 3.6 SELECTION OF SAMPLE POINTS We selected the 35 sample points, with equal weight, using the PPSWR methods of the VRI standard. 5 The strata were based on leading species (Bl and Sx) and height class (class 2 and 3+). The sample points were selected on the provincial 100 m VRI grid from points within selected polygons, or from the 50 m grid where small polygons did not contain a 100 m grid point. 3.7 LINKAGE WITH VRI This plan is linked with the VRI Phase II sample taken in 2000/01 and the one planned for Only one of the 110 samples taken in 2000/01 is located in this Bl-IU sample population, which is no practical use to help describe the Bl-IU population or reduce the cost of the sampling described in this plan. However, other VRI Phase II samples were located in old stands (age class 7-9) outside of the Bl-IU population that can be used as a benchmark to compare old-growth attributes with the Bl-IU population. 6 We have also coordinated the VRI Project Implementation Plan (VPIP) 7 for the PG District with this sample plan to ensure information can be compared. 5 PPSWR is probability proportional to size with replacement. This is a misnomer and misleading because in this process sample points are selected with equal probability it is only the polygons that are selected with probability proportional to size and with replacement, which is only the first of two steps needed to select a sample point. When the unequal weight of selecting a given polygon is combined with the unequal weight of a point selected within that polygon, they cancel each other and the weights of individual points are then equal. 6 The 2000/01 VRI Phase II sample included 110 points in the vegetated-treed landbase. Sixty-six (66) of the plots were in age class 7-9 stands, 52 in Bl or Sx leading, 26 in the SBS, 16 in the SBS subzones included in our definition of the Bl-IU population (the SBSvk excluded), and one in our Bl-IU sample population. 7 J.S. Thrower and Associates Ltd Prince George Forest District Vegetation Resources Inventory Project Implementation Plan. Contract report to Canadian Forest Products Ltd., Prince George, BC. JST Project CFP-017. March 31, 2006.

14 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page VRI STANDARD 4. PLOT TYPES We suggest using the VRI timber emphasis standard with the addition of other information to help assess old-growth attributes. In VRI terminology, this is best described as full VRI with NVAF enhancement. We suggest some minor additions to the VRI standard such as installing all four auxiliary plots in the sample cluster. Appendix 1 lists the VRI cards to collect this information and the recommended modifications. 4.2 SAMPLE CLUSTER We suggest installing all four auxiliary plots in the cluster (Figure 5). The 50 m standard interval is important in these stand types to help capture some the spatial variation from previous partial cutting methods. The standard VRI cluster includes plots to measure large trees, small trees, regeneration, site index, coarse woody debris, and record old-growth attributes. 4.3 LARGE TREE PLOTS Measure large trees (>4.0 cm DBH) from the Integrated Plot Center (IPC) and all four auxiliary plots (Appendix 1). Enhance the auxiliary plots using NVAF procedures. This will capture information for dead trees. 4.4 SITE INDEX PLOT Take the site index plot at the IPC and all four auxiliary plots according to VRI standards (Appendix 1). Site index is not an important indicator of old-growth but will maintain consistency with the VRI standard. 4.5 SMALL TREE PLOTS Take information for regeneration, small trees, and stumps in the 2.5 m radius plot at the IPC according to VRI standards. Also take this information at each auxiliary plot (Appendix 1). This will strengthen estimates of stand density and species composition for the small trees and regeneration component for these stands. 4.6 COARSE WOODY DEBRIS TRANSECTS Take coarse woody debris along the two 24 m transects according to the VRI Figure 5. Schematic of the VRI plot cluster. Diagram taken from the VRI manual.

15 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page 9 standard without modification (Appendix 1). However, because we suggest installing all auxiliary plots, the bounce-back from polygon boundaries is not needed. Where polygon boundaries are encountered along these transects, it should be noted on the plot cards for more detailed analyses if required. 4.7 SUCCESSION (OLD-GROWTH) PLOTS Take the succession and old-growth information from the 25 m plot according to the VRI standard without modification (Appendix 1). 4.8 ECOLOGICAL PLOTS Take a reduced set of information for the VRI ecology standard. Most of this information is not needed for this project and is costly to collect (Appendix 1).

16 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page IMPLEMENTATION 5.1 CONFIRM SAMPLE POPULATION The next step to implement this project should be to review and confirm the Bl-IU sample population using orthophotos and stereo paired photos (Figure 6). Sampling can proceed if the sample population is considered to adequately represent the area of interest (all Bl-IU stands in the PG District); however, a more refined process to identify these stands may be required if the sample population contains too many other stand types, or if too many Bl-IU stands have been missed. This is especially important given the apparent lack of this net-down process to identify Bl-IU stands in the Aleza Lake area. 5.2 SAMPLE BATCHES We provide two sample batches of independent and random sample locations to increase flexibility in implementing the project (Appendix 2). The first 25 samples should be installed as the minimum to extract meaningful information from the population. The second batch can be added after the first is complete, or can be included with the first 25 if adequate funds are available. Additional sample batches can be added later if needed. 5.3 COMPILATION The data should be compiled using a combination of the provincial VRI compiler and programs specially designed for these data. The provincial VRI compiler will not take any non-standard data, and thus additional compilations are required. 5.4 ANALYSIS The data can be analyzed and reported in many ways; however, to be most effective there should be a benchmark to compare with other stands that are considered to be oldgrowth. Data from the PG District VRI can provide the benchmark for these Bl-IU stands. Most attributes listed in Appendix 1 can be summarized in the Bl-IU population and compared to the 2000/01 VRI Phase II samples or the new Phase II samples planned for An example of such an analysis is given in Appendix 4. Analyses of the data from these Bl-IU stands should be coordinated with the 2006 VRI Phase II samples to ensure similar processes are used and costs are minimized. Figure 6. Next steps to implement this project.

17 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page 11 APPENDIX 1 OLD-GROWTH ATTRIBUTES OF INTEREST Attributes Species Composition Proportion of trees by volume or basal area Proportion of trees by size class Proportion of trees by live/dead class All combinations of the above Diameter (DBH) Distribution DBH class of trees by species DBH class of trees by live/dead class Largest DBH trees by species Largest DBH trees for live/dead class All combinations of the above Vertical Distribution Distribution of trees by height class by species Distribution of trees by live/dead class All combinations of the above Spatial Distribution Average distance among trees of different sizes Basal area among plots within clusters Occurrence of canopy gaps (from the 25 m fixed-area plots) Occurrence of canopy gaps (from air photos) Age Distribution Distribution of ages for largest DBH (top height) trees Distribution of ages for all trees Distribution of ages for dead trees Regeneration Density by species Patchiness Branches Size of branches for different trees sizes and live/dead classes Bark Characteristics Integrity and other characteristics Dead Tops Frequency of dead tops for live/dead classes Dead Trees Number of dead trees Number of dead trees by DBH class and height class DBH of dead trees (average and distribution) Height of dead trees by DBH class All combinations of the above Coarse Woody Debris Number of pieces by size class Volume by species by size class by decay class Lichen Arboreal lichen Shrubs Species and frequency list Horizontal and vertical distribution Ecology and Site General site and BGC description Soil description Humus form Estimated From This Design

18 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page 12 APPENDIX 2 SAMPLE POINTS Sample. Mapsheet. Polygon. Area (ha) UTM rthing UTM Easting BGC Unit Leading Species Secondary Species Age (yrs) Height (m) Crown Closure (%) Year of Harvest First Batch 1 093G ,958, ,743 SBSwk1 Bl Sx G ,979, ,943 SBSwk1 Sx Bl J ,058, ,305 SBSmk1 Bl Sx G ,955, ,279 SBSmk1 Sx Bl J ,032, ,164 SBSwk1 Bl Sx G ,979, ,548 SBSwk1 Sx Bl G ,939, ,889 SBSdw3 Sx Bl J ,062, ,304 SBSwk1 Bl Sx J ,048, ,897 SBSwk1 Bl J ,040, ,600 SBSwk1 Bl J ,031, ,938 SBSwk1 Bl Sx J ,032, ,218 SBSmk1 Bl PL G ,956, ,813 SBSmk1 Bl AT J ,080, ,988 SBSwk1 Sx Bl I ,984, ,786 SBSwk1 Bl Sx J ,987, ,321 SBSwk1 Bl Sx J ,042, ,938 SBSwk1 Sx Bl J ,058, ,824 SBSwk1 Bl Sx G ,938, ,020 SBSwk1 Bl Sx J ,087, ,884 SBSwk1 Sx Bl J ,050, ,294 SBSwk1 Bl DEC J ,034, ,209 SBSwk1 Bl FD G ,944, ,220 SBSwk1 Sx Bl J ,061, ,902 SBSwk1 Bl Sx J ,987, ,960 SBSwk1 Bl Sx Second Batch J ,055, ,680 SBSwk1 Bl Sx G ,960, ,433 SBSwk1 Bl Sx J ,053, ,802 SBSmk1 Bl Sx G ,943, ,968 SBSdw3 Sx Bl J ,047, ,731 SBSmk1 Bl J ,044, ,602 SBSwk1 Bl Sx J ,037, ,645 SBSwk1 Bl Sx G ,956, ,101 SBSwk1 Bl Sx H ,979, ,625 SBSwk1 Bl Sx I ,992, ,045 SBSwk1 Bl Sx

19 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page 13 APPENDIX 3 VRI CARDS & MODIFICATIONS Card Name Include Card Description Modifications / tes 1 CH Header General sample information and access notes. 2 CP Compass Navigation and reference point information. ne ne 3 CL Cluster Layout Plot and cluster diagrams. Maps all four auxiliary plots to be located at 25 m from IPC. 4 RS Range Sampling - Shrub Transect 1 5 RT Range Sampling - Shrub Transect 2 Shrub layer structure data and forage plot clippings along first random azimuth. Shrub layer structure data and forage plot clippings along second random azimuth. 6 EW CWD Transect 1 CWD data along first random azimuth. 7 EC CWD Transect 2 CWD data along transect at 90 to the first. 8 TD Tree Details Tree attributes including call grade/net factoring. 9 TL Tree Loss Indicators 10 TS Small Tree, Stump, and Site Tree Data Damage agents and loss indicators for trees. Regeneration and stump data, and site tree data. 11 TA Auxiliary Plot Tree attributes, damage agents, loss indicators, and site tree data for aux plots. 12 EP Ecological Description 1 13 ED Ecological Description 2 14 ET Tree and Shrub Layers 15 EH Herb and Moss Layers 16 EO Succession Interpretations Site and soil classification for pin location. Site and soil classification if pin location is not in dominant site. Species and percent cover for tree and shrub layers. Species and percent cover for herb and moss layers. Succession and old-growth attributes. NA NA Don t bounce-back when transect extends beyond polygon. te details in comments section. As above. ne ne ne Install all four plots; map those in and out of the target polygon (Card X); enhance dead trees; stem map all trees; complete small tree and stump Cards (9/10) Do not take detailed soil information. Do not take detailed soil information. NA NA ne

20 Sampling Old-Growth Characteristics in Bl-IU Stands in the PG Forest District Page 14 APPENDIX 4 EXAMPLE COMPARISON This appendix shows an example of a quantitative comparison of some old-growth attributes from two stand types sampled in the Kamloops TSA. The goal of the study 8 was to test methods to sample younger stands and compare stand attributes with older stands considered old-growth. The pilot test of the field methods and analytical procedures was done in Douglas-fir (Fd) leading stands in the ICHmw3 in the Kamloops TSA. The old stands were age class 6 and 7 with mature being age class 8 and 9. This study also used modified VRI field sampling methods and was funded by FRBC. Means, standard errors, and probability values from t-tests for stand and tree attributes for mature and old Fd stands in the ICHmw3 in the Kamloops TSA. Attribute Old (mean) Old - Mature Mature Difference (mean) (absolute) (%) Old Std. Error Mat Std. Error =0.05 (Y/N) Prob. Statistic (t) Mean Stand Age (yrs) N 0.10 Maximum Stand Age (yrs) N 0.17 Top Height Age (yrs) N 0.72 Top Height (m) N 0.99 Total Volume Live (m 3 /ha) N 0.60 Total Volume Dead (m 3 /ha) N 0.70 Basal Area (m 2 /ha) N 0.79 Quadratic-Mean DBH (cm) N 0.71 Total Stems (sph) 2,162 2, N 0.79 Live Trees >50 cm (sph) Y 0.04 Dead Trees >50 cm (sph) N 0.45 Max DBH Live (cm) Y 0.01 Max DBH Dead (cm) N 0.33 Coarse Woody Debris (m 3 /ha) N 0.19 Lichen (%) N 0.19 Open Canopy (%) N 0.15 LFH Depth (cm) N J.S. Thrower and Associates Ltd Pilot study to sample and evaluate old growth attributes in the Kamloops Timber Supply Area. Contract report to Tolko Industries Ltd., Louis Creek Division. JST Project TOL-003. March 19, pp.