sibec okanagan tsa - british columbia · (sibec) for determination of annual allowable cut (aac)....

24
Site Index estimates by Site Series (SIBEC) Okanagan TSA 2008 Project: SOTSA22 4948003 Contract Report December 4, 2008 To: Glen Dick, RPF Executive Director Okanagan Innovative Forestry Society R.R. #2 4280 Highway 6 Lumby, B.C. V0E 2G7 From: Alex Inselberg, M.Sc. Consulting in Vegetation Ecology and Soils 123 Glenmary Rd. Enderby, B.C. V0E 1V3 Tel. 250-838-2141 E-mail: [email protected] and Tanya Seebacher, M.Sc. Consultant 10870 Tyndall Road Winfield, BC V4V 1N8 Tel. 250-766-5051 E-mail: [email protected]

Upload: buithuan

Post on 08-Dec-2018

216 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Site Index estimates by Site Series (SIBEC)

Okanagan TSA 2008

Project: SOTSA22 4948003 Contract Report

December 4, 2008

To: Glen Dick, RPF Executive Director Okanagan Innovative Forestry Society R.R. #2 4280 Highway 6 Lumby, B.C. V0E 2G7

From: Alex Inselberg, M.Sc. Consulting in Vegetation Ecology and Soils 123 Glenmary Rd. Enderby, B.C. V0E 1V3 Tel. 250-838-2141 E-mail: [email protected]

and Tanya Seebacher, M.Sc. Consultant 10870 Tyndall Road Winfield, BC V4V 1N8 Tel. 250-766-5051 E-mail: [email protected]

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 2 of 24

Acknowledgements

The support of Glen Dick and the Okanagan Innovative Forest Practices Society (OIFS)

is gratefully acknowledged (see http://www.okanagan-ifpa.org/index.html).

We thank Shikun Ran of Timberline Natural Resource Group in Kelowna for spending a

day with us in the field, as part of his quality assurance process. This allowed us to

discuss a variety of important field methodology details. He also helped us with plot

location, tree selection, soil pit excavation, and assorted other tasks. Tanya and I both

really appreciated Ran’s cooperation.

We thank Bob Macdonald, Growth and Yield Forester, Southern Interior Forest Region at

the Ministry of Forests and Range in Kamloops, for continuing to help us resolve a variety

of important field methodology questions. Thanks are also extended to Mike Ryan,

Research Ecologist, Southern Interior Forest Region, for helping us resolve a number of

site classification problems and questions.

Last, but not least, we thank Gordon Nigh, Strategic Analyst at the Ministry of Forests in

Victoria, who also provided helpful advice on important methodology questions.

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 3 of 24

Table of Contents

Introduction _________________________________________________ 5

Methods ____________________________________________________ 6

Reduction of tree sampling bias _________________________________________ 6

Site classification used ________________________________________________ 7

Field navigation _____________________________________________________ 7

Data ______________________________________________________________ 8

Resolution of site classification issues from 2006 and 2007 ___________________ 9

Results and Discussion ______________________________________ 10

Literature Cited _____________________________________________ 12

Internet Resources Cited _____________________________________ 12

Appendix 1. Summary of data collected for the SIBEC model in 2008 13

Appendix 2. Representative sample plot photos __________________ 14

Appendix 2. Representative sample plot photos __________________ 15

Appendix 2.1 Sample plots 3670-3681 ___________________________________ 15

Appendix 2.1 Sample plots 3793-4596 ___________________________________ 16

Appendix 2.3 Sample plots 4597 - 4600 __________________________________ 17

Appendix 3. Sample plot and track navigation maps. _____________ 18

Appendix 3.1 Plots 4592 – 4594 off Bear Cr FSR and Esperon Lake FSR, NW from Kelowna. __________________________________________________________ 18

Appendix 3.2 Plot 3673 off Mable Lake Rd and Brash Cr Rd E from Enderby. ___ 19

Appendix 3.3 Plots 3677- 3678 off Hwy 6, E from Vernon and N from Lavington up Noble Canyon Rd and Coldstream FSR. _________________________________ 19

Appendix 3.4 Plot 4551 off Hwy 6, E from Vernon and S from Lavington. _______ 20

Appendix 3.5 Plots 3671, 3672, 3674-3676 and 3679-3681 off Hwy 6, E from Lumby, S on Creighton Valley Rd and off Harris Cr Rd. _____________________ 21

Appendix 3.6 Plots 3670, 3793, 3794, 3796-3800 and 4595-4600 off Hwy 6, E from Vernon, S from Cherryville, and off Kettle River FSR. _______________________ 22

Appendix 4. Record of resolved 2005 versus 1990 sample plot site classifications for 2006 and 2007 SIBEC data. ____________________ 23

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 4 of 24

Table of Figures

Figure 1: Histogram showing the distribution of the age classes sampled in the 2008 SIBEC Okanagan project __________________________________________________ 7

Figure 2: Sample plots and tracks overview map for 2008, see map details in Appendix 3. ___________________________________________________________________ 11

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 5 of 24

Introduction

The purpose of the current project is to continue building SIBEC site index-site unit

reference tables in the Okanagan TSA, by increasing sample sizes to the required

minimum for second approximation SIBEC (total of 7 trees required in each site series).

SIBEC was initiated in 1994 to fulfill the demand for better site index estimates than those

acquired from the forest inventory in old-growth stands. In 2001, at the request of B.C.’s

Chief Forester, research was conducted to determine the suitability of PEM site series

mapping and Site Index by BEC (Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification) site series

(SIBEC) for determination of annual allowable cut (AAC). Results showed first

approximation SIBEC estimates were higher than SI estimates currently used by the

forest industry. Although the AAC determination results were positive on test locations for

the combination PEM/SIBEC approach, substantial additional data were required for

priority BEC site series in order to facilitate operational second approximation SI

estimates. Subsequent SIBEC second approximation estimates of productivity have

commonly continued to be higher than forest inventory estimates of productivity for old-

growth stands (Mah and Nigh, 2003).

Site series are, by definition, relatively uniform with regard to climate and soil conditions

(Pojar, Meidinger and Klinka, 1991). Individual site series (e.g. ESSFxc2/08 ‘Bl – Valerian

– Globeflower’) are thus polygons on the landscape with an overall similar site quality.

Since site index, and hence volume or biomass production, tends to be closely correlated

with site quality, it follows that site index is predictably similar for a given tree species

throughout the distributional range of any given site series, in the absence of localized

site quality or biotic impacts (cf. SIBEC sample plot and tree selection criteria).

The sample plot and sample tree selection criteria have been designed to minimize bias,

in order to support the development of reliable site index – site series relationships.

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 6 of 24

Methods

SIBEC data collection methodology, as described in the document at the following link:

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/sibec/documents/standards.pdf (ver. 2, 2007 revision) was

consulted frequently.

Reduction of tree sampling bias

In recognition of the fundamental importance of obtaining site index estimates which best

reflect the normal population, two or more candidate tree species were typically sought

(e.g. Fdi + Sxw + Cw) within close proximity of a potential sample plot (uniform site series

and stand conditions throughout). Prolonged searches for single sample trees with site

index values superior to those thus far documented were not undertaken, as this

undermines the intention, validity and integrity of the SIBEC program.

However, it is realized that tree selection criteria as defined in the above SIBEC

methodology already introduces considerable bias in favor of trees with above average

qualities and growing conditions. By looking for sample sites with two or more candidate

tree species the educated assumption was made that sample trees which all have

abnormal site indices are less likely to be sampled. Furthermore, it is acknowledged that

a sample size of 7 trees per species and site series combination, is a minimum, and is for

all intensive purposes likely too small a sample size. Thus, if unbiased site index values

for more than 7 replicates can be efficiently gathered, this is more than desirable.

During this work, the entire range of stand ages (20-120 years) was sampled, aiming, in

particular, for 40-60 (50) years old stands (Figure 1). Since most BC Interior managed

forests are younger than 30 years, harvesting will continue largely in existing mixed

history older stands for the next 50+ years. Since the Interior managed forests will likely

not be harvested until around 2060, when they are closer to 80 years old, it is helpful to

collect samples from a broad range of tree ages. Sampling younger stands exclusively,

where their ages are lower than their predicted site index benchmark age may create

needless risk and uncertainty. Furthermore, younger trees in cutblocks are more likely to

have been affected negatively by recent extreme weather conditions such as the severe

droughts in our area in 1998, 2003 and 2004. Larger, older trees, with more established

root systems, will generally not have been as seriously impacted by extreme climate

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 7 of 24

events. Broad sample tree age ranges will help moderate the effects of wild fluctuations

in weather conditions.

Figure 1: Histogram showing the distribution of the age classes sampled in the 2008 SIBEC Okanagan project

Site classification used

Since the existing SIBEC program in the Okanagan TSA is based on the 1990 site

classification, the 1990 Guide to Site Identification for the Kamloops Forest Region was

used to identify sample sites. However, reference was also made to the latest site series

classification for the Southern Interior Forest Region (Lloyd, et al. 2005). A new

crosswalk classification was made between the 1990 and the 2005 field guides. The

more informative 2005 site series classification field guide was also used to help identify

the desired site series from the 1990 field guide. Sample plot site series classifications

from the 2005 and the 1990 versions of the site identification field guide were both

provided in the 2008 SIBEC data.

Field navigation

A Garmin GPSmap 76CSx with MapSource TOPO Canada (2004 ver. 2.00) topography

base map information tool was used to assist in field navigation. However, base maps

presented in Appendix 3 were taken from the Backroads Mapbook Thompson Okanagan

BC Digital Edition v2 CD-ROM (ISBN: 978-1-897225-43-1). Rather than taking the

Frequency (%) of trees sampled within six age classes

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0-20 21-40 41-60 61-80 81-100 101-120

Age Class (yrs)

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 8 of 24

considerable extra resources to document field access notes, tracking data was collected

using a GPS. The tracks were used to help generate the sample plot location and access

maps provided in this report. The maps provided in this report in combination with sample

plot UTM coordinates, a GPS and a hard copy of the Thompson Okanagan Backroad

Mapbook (http://www.backroadmapbooks.com/index.php?main_page=product_book_info&products_id=188)

should be fully adequate for any future needs to revisit plots.

Data

Field data were collected using the Ecosystem Field Form (FS882).

General Site Information Collected: Surveyor(s) Names, Date; UTM location

(Zone, northing, easting); 1:20k map sheet number; Site number; BGC Unit (Zone,

Subzone, Site Series); Elevation, Slope gradient, Aspect, Mesoslope position, Site

photos;

Soil information Collected: Soil moisture regime, soil nutrient regime, humus

form, presence and depth of any root restricting layers, major soil horizon details,

organic soil texture and organic horizon thickness (if applicable), coarse fragment

content, soil drainage class, mineral soil texture.

Vegetation / Geological Information: Tree species, DBH (determined with a

diameter tape), total height (determined with a calibrated Vertex III Hypsometer),

BH age (determined with an increment borer and later lab age verified), Stand

structural stage, shrubs, herbs / bryoids, mosses, % cover of layers A, B, C, D,

terrain texture, surficial material, surface expression, overall crown closure.

The following recommended change to the standards, for sample trees less than 10m

tall, was made this last summer by Gordon Nigh: Top height should be taken to the

bottom of last years height growth (i.e. to the last growth whorl). This height correction

was employed during sampling at all SIBEC Okanagan sites. In addition, the diameter at

breast height was adjusted by subtracting the increment growth for 2008 in order to get

an estimate of diameter for 2007. Finally, the age entered into the Venus database, was

the age for last year in 2007. In total, there were 28 sample trees that required this age /

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 9 of 24

height / diameter adjustment and these are highlighted in red in the Appendix 1 summary

table.

Sample tree increment cores were sealed within vented and labeled plastic straws for

refrigerated storage, prior to being sent to Clive Dawson, Analytical Laboratory

Supervisor at the B.C. Min. For. Research Branch, Forestry and Technical Services in

Victoria.

Backup scans of all the field data cards were made and e-mailed to several different

addresses in order to avoid data loss. Representative site photos taken at each sample

plot are presented in Appendix 2 and are also included on the project CD.

Data were entered into VENUS 5.1 (MOE/MOF upgrade of VENUS 4.2 MOE) data entry

program using the FS882 field form option. The data were finally submitted to Shirley

Mah upon project completion in early December.

Resolution of site classification issues from 2006 and 2007

In both 2006 and 2007 the Okanagan TSA SIBEC samples were selected, as well as

identified in the field, with reference to the new revised field guide to site identification for

the Southern Interior (Lloyd, D., M. Ryan, N. Brand, M. Doney, V. Larson and J.

MacDonald, 2005). It was not until early 2008 that it was discovered the SIBEC sampling

plan was still being developed around the original 1990 Kamloops Forest Region site

classification (Lloyd, D., K. Angove, G.D. Hope, and C. Thompson, 1990). This in itself

would not have been a problem, except that the 1990 and the 2005 classifications are not

entirely synonymous.

As mentioned above, the 1990 site classification was used for the 2008 sampling. Since

the 2005 site classification sometimes uses site series numbers and names not

synonymous with the 1990 classification, the two classifications are not always

interchangeable. Consequently, since it was too late in the season to resolve the 2006

and 2007 classification issues, the Okanagan sampling avoided BEC units sampled in

2006 and 2007. Appendix 4 decodes the various differences between the 2005 and 1990

classifications, as applicable to the 2006 and 2007 Okanagan TSA SIBEC data.

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 10 of 24

Hopefully, by 2009, the existing SIBEC Okanagan TSA database will have been

reassessed to uniformly reflect only the 1990 site classification.

Results and Discussion

Twenty-nine plots and approximately 80 trees were located and sampled this summer in

the northern half of Okanagan TSA (Figure 2). The short list of summary information for

candidate sample trees is presented in Appendix 1. A set of contact sheets with the

sample plot representative photos is provided in Appendix 2. Individual maps showing

plot locations and tracks within the six general sampling locations are provided in

Appendix 3.

SIBEC field data were entered using VENUS 5.1. After resolution of certain quality

assurance questions, as well as laboratory verification of tree ages, the data were

submitted to SIBEC Research staff in Victoria in early December 2008.

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 11 of 24

Figure 2: Sample plots and tracks overview map for 2008, see map details in Appendix 3.

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 12 of 24

Literature Cited

Lloyd, D., K. Angove, G.D. Hope, and C. Thompson. 1990. A Guide to Site Identification and Interpretation for the Kamloops Forest Region. Research Branch. BC Min. For., Victoria, B.C. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Lmh/Lmh23.htm Lloyd, D., M. Ryan, N. Brand, M. Doney, V. Larson and J. MacDonald. May 2005. Site Classification for 52 Biogeoclimatic Units in the Southern Interior Forest Region. Draft. BC Min. For. Kamloops. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/ftp/RSI/external/!publish/Dennis_Lloyd_BEC_Materials/ Mah, S. and G.D. Nigh. 2003. SIBEC site index estimates in support of forest management in British Columbia. Res. Br., B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. Tech. Rep. 004. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/tr/tr004.htm

Internet Resources Cited

SIBEC Sampling and Data Standards (Version 5.2): http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/sibec/documents/standards.pdf (May 2007)

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 13 of 24

Appendix 1. Summary of data collected for the SIBEC model in 2008

* 2005 Site Classification for 52 BGC Units in the Southern Interior Forest Region (May 2005) Lloyd, Ryan, Brand, Doney, Larson, MacDonald

** 1990 A guide to Site Identification and Interpretation for the Kamloops Forest Region LMH23 (Feb 1990) Lloyd, Angove, Hope, Thompson

*** (1992) A Field Guide for Site Identification and Interpretation for the Nelson Forest Region (LMH 20)

Highlighted red DBH, Total Ht. and Lab Ages are adjusted values to account for the change in standards in 2008 for trees less than 10m tall

Site Date UTM Elev (m) *2005 BEC *2005 SS **1990 BEC **1990 SS Species DBH (cm) Total Ht (m) Lab Age

OK3670 7-Aug-08 11 U 375194 5532292 1587 m ESSFdc1 1 ESSFdc1 4 Pli 24.1 22.6 64

OK3670 7-Aug-08 11 U 375194 5532292 1587 m ESSFdc1 1 ESSFdc1 4 Se 19.3 19.9 61

OK3670 7-Aug-08 11 U 375194 5532292 1587 m ESSFdc1 1 ESSFdc1 4 Bl 15.1 16.6 59

OK3671 8-Aug-08 11 U 371004 5555369 1539 m ICHmk1 1 ICHmk1 1 Sxw 23.1 17.4 43

OK3671 8-Aug-08 11 U 371004 5555369 1539 m ICHmk1 1 ICHmk1 1 Lw 15.2 15.4 35

OK3671 8-Aug-08 11 U 371004 5555369 1539 m ICHmk1 1 ICHmk1 1 Cw 16.1 13.4 42

OK3672 8-Aug-08 11 U 370827 5555308 1492 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Sxw 17.7 14.2 31

OK3672 8-Aug-08 11 U 370827 5555308 1492 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Bl 21.5 16.3 40

OK3672 8-Aug-08 11 U 370827 5555308 1492 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Fdi 27.9 19.4 33

OK3673 12-Aug-08 11 U 361313 5609087 1649 m ESSFwc4 1 ***ESSFwc4 4 Se 16.7 9.6 23

OK3673 12-Aug-08 11 U 361313 5609087 1649 m ESSFwc4 1 ***ESSFwc4 4 Bl 14.8 11.7 35

OK3674 13-Aug-08 11 U 369853 5555371 1400 m ICHmk1 5 ICHmk1 4 Sxw 8.5 7 12

OK3674 13-Aug-08 11 U 369853 5555371 1400 m ICHmk1 5 ICHmk1 4 Lw 13.4 10.1 18

OK3674 13-Aug-08 11 U 369853 5555371 1400 m ICHmk1 5 ICHmk1 4 Bl 7.8 5.8 13

OK3674 13-Aug-08 11 U 369853 5555371 1400 m ICHmk1 5 ICHmk1 4 Cw 9.4 6.4 15

OK3675 14-Aug-08 11 U 369302 5556996 1177 m ICHmk1 1 ICHmk1 1 At 14.3 17.3 48

OK3675 14-Aug-08 11 U 369302 5556996 1177 m ICHmk1 1 ICHmk1 1 Cw 25 19.5 77

OK3676 14-Aug-08 11 U 369942 5557109 1294 m ICHmk1 1 ICHmk1 1 Lw 23.3 20.4 35

OK3677 18-Aug-08 11 U 354514 5576479 1221 m ICHmk1 1 ICHmk1 1 Sxw 26.1 25.3 71

OK3677 18-Aug-08 11 U 354514 5576479 1221 m ICHmk1 1 ICHmk1 1 Lw 38.9 29.6 82

OK3678 19-Aug-08 11 U 352509 5575507 1214 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Cw 28 18.3 55

OK3678 19-Aug-08 11 U 352509 5575507 1214 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Fdi 62.8 37.4 98

OK3678 19-Aug-08 11 U 352509 5575507 1214 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 At 35 28.4 106

OK3678 19-Aug-08 11 U 352509 5575507 1214 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Pli 35.8 30.8 102

OK3678 19-Aug-08 11 U 352509 5575507 1214 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Lw 46 35.7 96

OK3678 19-Aug-08 11 U 352509 5575507 1214 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Bl 29.9 23.1 43

OK3679 20-Aug-08 11 U 369323 5558913 1469 m ICHmk1 2 ICHmk1 3 Lw 16.3 11.5 22

OK3679 20-Aug-08 11 U 369323 5558913 1469 m ICHmk1 2 ICHmk1 3 Fdi 11.2 9.1 17

OK3679 20-Aug-08 11 U 369323 5558913 1469 m ICHmk1 2 ICHmk1 3 Pli 12.5 8.2 18

OK3680 20-Aug-08 11 U 369278 5559083 1464 m ICHmk1 1 ICHmk1 1 Lw 16.2 12.9 20

OK3680 20-Aug-08 11 U 369278 5559083 1464 m ICHmk1 1 ICHmk1 1 Se 22.3 13.8 25

OK3681 22-Aug-08 11 U 370689 5560791 1393 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Se 34.5 21.3 52

OK3681 22-Aug-08 11 U 370689 5560791 1393 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Pli 20.4 20.5 38

OK3681 22-Aug-08 11 U 370689 5560791 1393 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Fdi 21.1 18.7 33

OK3681 22-Aug-08 11 U 370689 5560791 1393 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Lw 23.7 20.7 32

OK3681 22-Aug-08 11 U 370689 5560791 1393 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Bl 24.1 18.2 38

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 14 of 24

Appendix 1 continued…

* 2005 Site Classification for 52 BGC Units in the Southern Interior Forest Region (May 2005) Lloyd, Ryan, Brand, Doney, Larson, MacDonald

** 1990 A guide to Site Identification and Interpretation for the Kamloops Forest Region LMH23 (Feb 1990) Lloyd, Angove, Hope, Thompson

*** (1992) A Field Guide for Site Identification and Interpretation for the Nelson Forest Region (LMH 20)

Highlighted red DBH, Total Ht. and Lab Ages are adjusted values to account for the change in standards in 2008 for trees less than 10m tall

Site Date UTM Elev (m) *2005 BEC *2005 SS **1990 BEC **1990 SS Species DBH (cm) Total Ht (m) Lab Age

OK3793 29-Jul-08 11 U 382479 5537978 1128 m ICHmk1 5 ICHmk1 4 At 9 9.4 19

OK3793 29-Jul-08 11 U 382479 5537978 1128 m ICHmk1 5 ICHmk1 4 Sxw 9.4 6.4 12

OK3793 29-Jul-08 11 U 382479 5537978 1128 m ICHmk1 5 ICHmk1 4 Bl 11.5 8.1 22

OK3794 30-Jul-08 11 U 386257 5542849 1167 m ICHmk1 2 ICHmk1 3 Pli 15.6 14.2 28

OK3794 30-Jul-08 11 U 386257 5542849 1167 m ICHmk1 2 ICHmk1 3 Fdi 19.7 13 24

OK3796 31-Jul-08 11 U 385289 5543339 1247 m ICHmk1 1 ICHmk1 1 Hw 9.3 8.6 23

OK3796 31-Jul-08 11 U 385289 5543339 1247 m ICHmk1 1 ICHmk1 1 Sxw 9.7 8 17

OK3797 5-Aug-08 11 U 374305 5537495 1816 m ESSFdc1 3a ESSFdc1 3 Pli 14.4 8.1 20

OK3797 5-Aug-08 11 U 374305 5537495 1816 m ESSFdc1 3a ESSFdc1 3 Se 9.4 7 19

OK3797 5-Aug-08 11 U 374305 5537495 1816 m ESSFdc1 3a ESSFdc1 3 Bl 9.2 6.8 22

OK3798 5-Aug-08 11 U 375181 5536814 1705 m ESSFdc1 5.1 ESSFdc1 1 Pli 13.1 8.9 20

OK3798 5-Aug-08 11 U 375181 5536814 1705 m ESSFdc1 5.1 ESSFdc1 1 Se 10 8.3 24

OK3799 6-Aug-08 11 U 378447 5536524 1326 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Bl 17.2 16.7 44

OK3799 6-Aug-08 11 U 378447 5536524 1326 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Cw 23.1 16.1 55

OK3799 6-Aug-08 11 U 378447 5536524 1326 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Fdi 17.2 15.4 38

OK3799 6-Aug-08 11 U 378447 5536524 1326 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Sxw 17.8 16.1 45

OK3800 6-Aug-08 11 U 375409 5536031 1651 m ESSFdc1 3 ESSFdc1 3 Bl 9.5 7.3 23

OK3800 6-Aug-08 11 U 375409 5536031 1651 m ESSFdc1 3 ESSFdc1 3 Pli 12.8 7.5 17

OK3800 6-Aug-08 11 U 375409 5536031 1651 m ESSFdc1 3 ESSFdc1 3 Se 12.7 7.9 22

OK4551 17-Jul-08 11 U 353824 5546659 1450 m MSdm1 7 MSdm1 6 Pli 21.6 13.5 21

OK4551 17-Jul-08 11 U 353824 5546659 1450 m MSdm1 7 MSdm1 6 Bl 15.6 13 31

OK4551 17-Jul-08 11 U 353824 5546659 1450 m MSdm1 7 MSdm1 6 Sxw 8.8 7.8 16

OK4592 21-Jul-08 11 U 301581 5555148 1675 m ESSFdc2 8 ESSFdc2 8 Se 9.9 7.7 22

OK4592 21-Jul-08 11 U 301581 5555148 1675 m ESSFdc2 8 ESSFdc2 8 Pli 10.9 7.8 21

OK4593 22-Jul-08 11 U 301961 5555234 1694 m ESSFdc2 5.1 ESSFdc2 5 Se 11.3 10.2 29

OK4593 22-Jul-08 11 U 301961 5555234 1694 m ESSFdc2 5.1 ESSFdc2 5 Pli 20.5 12.8 31

OK4593 22-Jul-08 11 U 301961 5555234 1694 m ESSFdc2 5.1 ESSFdc2 5 Bl 11.1 8.1 33

OK4594 22-Jul-08 11 U 302738 5554767 1630 m ESSFdc2 6.1 ESSFdc2 6 Pli 9.9 8.6 26

OK4594 22-Jul-08 11 U 302738 5554767 1630 m ESSFdc2 6.1 ESSFdc2 6 Bl 16.7 12.2 33

OK4595 24-Jul-08 11 U 382266 5541711 1592 m ESSFdc1 5.1 ESSFdc1 4 Se 9 7.4 18

OK4595 24-Jul-08 11 U 382266 5541711 1592 m ESSFdc1 5.1 ESSFdc1 4 Bl 12.5 8.7 19

OK4595 24-Jul-08 11 U 382266 5541711 1592 m ESSFdc1 5.1 ESSFdc1 4 Pli 13.5 7.7 15

OK4596 24-Jul-08 11 U 381729 5543225 1628 m ESSFdc1 1 ESSFdc1 1 Bl 21 12.9 27

OK4596 24-Jul-08 11 U 381729 5543225 1628 m ESSFdc1 1 ESSFdc1 1 Pli 18.1 10.5 21

OK4596 24-Jul-08 11 U 381729 5543225 1628 m ESSFdc1 1 ESSFdc1 1 Se 14 11.2 22

OK4597 25-Jul-08 11 U 385068 5543276 1271 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Bl 14.3 18.1 33

OK4597 25-Jul-08 11 U 385068 5543276 1271 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Pli 16.6 18.2 31

OK4597 25-Jul-08 11 U 385068 5543276 1271 m ICHmk1 7 ICHmk1 5 Se 24.2 19.9 37

OK4598 28-Jul-08 11 U 376517 5539546 1671 m ESSFdc1 1 ESSFdc1 1 Se 9.6 7.8 17

OK4598 28-Jul-08 11 U 376517 5539546 1671 m ESSFdc1 1 ESSFdc1 1 Pli 16.9 10.1 20

OK4599 28-Jul-08 11 U 376231 5539186 1725 m ESSFdc1 9 ESSFdc1 6 Se 24.3 15.7 91

OK4599 28-Jul-08 11 U 376231 5539186 1725 m ESSFdc1 9 ESSFdc1 6 Bl 20 13.1 78

OK4600 30-Oct-08 11 U 379543 5535487 1091 m ICHmk1 5 ICHmk1 4 Sxw 25.2 18.6 50

OK4600 30-Oct-08 11 U 379543 5535487 1091 m ICHmk1 5 ICHmk1 4 Bl 23.3 19.4 59

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 15 of 24

Appendix 2. Representative sample plot photos

Appendix 2.1 Sample plots 3670-3681

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 16 of 24

Appendix 2.1 Sample plots 3793-4596

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 17 of 24

Appendix 2.3 Sample plots 4597 - 4600

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 18 of 24

Appendix 3. Sample plot and track navigation maps.

Appendix 3.1 Plots 4592 – 4594 off Bear Cr FSR and Esperon Lake FSR, NW from Kelowna.

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 19 of 24

Appendix 3.2 Plot 3673 off Mable Lake Rd and Brash Cr Rd E from Enderby.

Appendix 3.3 Plots 3677- 3678 off Hwy 6, E from Vernon and N from Lavington up Noble Canyon Rd and Coldstream FSR.

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 20 of 24

Appendix 3.4 Plot 4551 off Hwy 6, E from Vernon and S from Lavington.

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 21 of 24

Appendix 3.5 Plots 3671, 3672, 3674-3676 and 3679-3681 off Hwy 6, E from Lumby, S on Creighton Valley Rd and off Harris Cr Rd.

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 22 of 24

Appendix 3.6 Plots 3670, 3793, 3794, 3796-3800 and 4595-4600 off Hwy 6, E from Vernon, S from Cherryville, and off Kettle River FSR.

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 23 of 24

Appendix 4. Record of resolved 2005 versus 1990 sample plot site classifications for 2006 and 2007 SIBEC data.

SIBEC Comparison 2006-07Crosswalk of data from 2005 interim guide to 1990 Field Guide

* 2005 Site Classification for 52 BGC Units in the Southern Interior Forest Region (May 2005) Lloyd, Ryan, Brand, Doney, Larson, MacDonald

** 1990 A guide to Site Identification and Interpretation for the Kamloops Forest Region LMH23 (Feb 1990) Lloyd, Angove, Hope, Thompson

*** (1992) A Field Guide for Site Identification and Interpretation for the Nelson Forest Region (LMH 20)

Trees which should have been taken into SIBEC data warehouse by Shirley Mah in 2006

Year Site *2005 BEC *2005 SS **1990 BEC **1990 SS Trees DBH Total Ht Age

2006

2006 SIB 101 IDFmw1 1 IDFmw1 1 Lw 23.6 25 74

2006 SIB 101 IDFmw1 1 IDFmw1 1 Lw 24.7 25 72

2006 SIB 102 IDFdk2 8 IDFdk2 6 Sx 38.3 30.6 80

2006 SIB 102 IDFdk2 8 IDFdk2 6 Sx 38.8 29.1 78

2006 SIB 103 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 4 Fdi 28.8 24.3 101

2006 SIB 103 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 4 Fdi 27.5 24.6 96

2006 SIB 104 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 4 Fdi 33.2 29 116

2006 SIB 104 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 4 Pli 32.4 26.9 140

2006 SIB 105 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 4 Pli 26.4 27.2 127

2006 SIB 105 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 4 Pli 26.2 26.9 110

2006 SIB 106 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 4 Sx 20.2 20.1 105

2006 SIB 106 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 4 Sx 30.7 25.6 107

2006 SIB 107 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 4 Sx 21.2 22.6 100

2006 SIB 107 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 4 Sx 20.5 21.4 91

2006 SIB 108 ESSFxc2 1 ESSFxc 1 Sxw 21.1 19.8 139

2006 SIB 108 ESSFxc2 1 ESSFxc 1 Sxw 23 23.8 266

2006 SIB 108 ESSFxc2 1 ESSFxc 1 Sxw 21.8 22.6 121

2006 SIB 109 ESSFxc2 1 ESSFxc 1 Sxw 24.9 21.4 123

2006 SIB 110 ESSFxc2 7 ESSFxc 6 Pli 11.7 6.1 12

2006 SIB 110 ESSFxc2 7 ESSFxc 6 Pli 13.3 7.1 14

2006 SIB 110 ESSFxc2 7 ESSFxc 6 Pli 11.7 7.2 13

2006 SIB 111 ESSFxc2 1 ESSFxc 1 Se 10 5.7 12

2006 SIB 111 ESSFxc2 1 ESSFxc 1 Se 11.3 6 14

2006 SIB 111 ESSFxc2 1 ESSFxc 1 Se 11.2 6.7 14

2006 SIB 112 ESSFxc2 7 ESSFxc 6 Se 10.5 6.1 12

2006 SIB 112 ESSFxc2 7 ESSFxc 6 Se 13.1 7.9 15

2006 SIB 112 ESSFxc2 7 ESSFxc 6 Se 12.6 7.3 14

2006 SIB 113 IDFdk2 1 IDFdk2 1 Fdi 33 30.2 118

2006 SIB 113 IDFdk2 1 IDFdk2 1 Sxw 28.2 25.9 122

2006 SIB 8-13 IDFmw1 1 IDFmw1 1 Cw 42 25.3 106

2006 SIB 8-14 IDFmw1 1 IDFmw1 1 Cw 21.9 20.8 113

2006 SIB 13-4 MSxk 4 ICHmk1 4 Se 13.9 8.6 23

2006 SIB 13-4 MSxk 4 ICHmk1 4 Se 12.7 11.8 25

2006 SIB 10-4 ESSFwc4 1 ***ESSFwc4 1 Pli 13.4 8.8 20

2006 SIB 10-5 ESSFwc4 1 ***ESSFwc4 1 Pli 12.2 11.8 28

2006 SIB 14-7 IDFmw1 4 IDFmw1 1 Fdi 36.8 24.5 43

2006 SIB 18-7 ESSFdc1 5 ESSFdc1 5 Pli 34.6 27.8 123

2006 SIB 18-7 ESSFdc1 5 ESSFdc1 5 Pli 22 22.3 118

2006 SIB 18-7 ESSFdc1 5 ESSFdc1 5 Pli 31.4 24.7 119

2006 SIB 18-7 ESSFdc1 5 ESSFdc1 5 Pli 21.7 24.6 121

Site index estimates by site series (SIBEC) in Okanagan TSA – 2008 ________________________________________________________________________

Alex Inselberg and Tanya Seebacher Page 24 of 24

Appendix 4 cont… SIBEC Comparison 2006-07Crosswalk of data from 2005 interim guide to 1990 Field Guide

* 2005 Site Classification for 52 BGC Units in the Southern Interior Forest Region (May 2005) Lloyd, Ryan, Brand, Doney, Larson, MacDonald

** 1990 A guide to Site Identification and Interpretation for the Kamloops Forest Region LMH23 (Feb 1990) Lloyd, Angove, Hope, Thompson

*** (1992) A Field Guide for Site Identification and Interpretation for the Nelson Forest Region (LMH 20)

Year Site *2005 BEC *2005 SS **1990 BEC **1990 SS Trees DBH Total Ht Age

2007

2007 SIB 120 IDFmw1 1 IDFmw1 1 Lw 37.5 27.6 104

2007 SIB 120 IDFmw1 1 IDFmw1 1 Cw 23.6 23.6 94

2007 SIB 121 IDFmw1 1 IDFmw1 1 Lw 27.7 25.1 104

2007 SIB 121 IDFmw1 1 IDFmw1 1 Cw 23.7 19.7 90

2007 SIB 122 IDFmw1 5 IDFmw1 4 Pli 14.4 9.2 15

2007 SIB 123 IDFmw1 4 IDFmw1 3 Fdi 24.5 22.2 61

2007 SIB 124 IDFmw1 1 IDFmw1 1 Pli 13.2 11 19

2007 SIB 125 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 4 Fdi 20.7 15.9 35

2007 SIB 126 MSdm1 6 MSdm1 5 Bl 8.3 8.5 22

2007 SIB 126 MSdm1 6 MSdm1 5 Pli 18.2 11.8 22

2007 SIB 126 MSdm1 6 MSdm1 5 Sxw 12.6 10.3 21

2007 SIB 127 MSdm1 1 MSdm1 1 Sxw 14.7 10.6 48

2007 SIB 127 MSdm1 1 MSdm1 1 Se 13 10.3 41

2007 SIB 128 MSdm1 8 MSdm1 6 Bl 32.2 15.9 42

2007 SIB 128 MSdm1 8 MSdm1 6 Sxw 25.9 19.4 31

2007 SIB 129 MSdm1 8 MSdm1 6 Bl 22.3 14.2 51

2007 SIB 129 MSdm1 8 MSdm1 6 Sxw 17.6 13.2 33

2007 SIB 130 MSdm1 7 MSdm1 6 Bl 22.9 18.6 93

2007 SIB 131 IDFmw1 4 IDFmw1 4 Fdi 33 25.2 81

2007 SIB 132 MSdm2 1 MSdm2 1 Se 34 24.1 64

2007 SIB 133 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 4 Sxw 27 20.3 73

2007 SIB 134 MSxk1 6 MSxk 7 Pli 17.6 17.4 64

2007 SIB 135 MSxk1 5 MSxk 1 Pli 19.4 18.3 72

2007 SIB 136 IDFdk2 1 IDFdk2 1 Sxw 13.1 11.5 29

2007 SIB 137 IDFdk2 8 IDFdk2 6 Sxw 32.1 24.6 55

2007 SIB 138 IDFmw1 1 IDFmw1 1 Pli 23 21.2 78

2007 SIB 139 IDFmw1 4 IDFmw1 3 Fdi 48.3 27.3 90

2007 SIB 140 IDFmw1 1 IDFmw1 1 Cw 31.2 21.5 80

2007 SIB 141 IDFdk2 1 IDFdk2 1 Sxw 15 9.7 19

2007 SIB 142 IDFdk2 8 IDFdk2 7 Sxw 50.1 28.9 102

2007 SIB 143 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 1 Fdi 7.9 6.7 11

2007 SIB 144 IDFdk2 5 IDFdk2 1 Fdi 14.2 8.6 14

2007 SIB 145 IDFdk2 1 IDFdk2 1 Sxw 7.7 6.4 11

2007 SIB 146 IDFdk2 1 IDFdk2 1 Sxw 13.8 8.7 29

2007 SIB 147 MSdm1 1 MSdm1 1 Se 20.4 12.2 35

2007 SIB 148 IDFmw1 1 IDFmw1 1 Lw 28.2 27.9 81

2007 SIB 149 MSdm1 8 MSdm1 6 Bl 38.7 30.7 87

2007 SIB 149 MSdm1 8 MSdm1 6 Sxw 56.6 34.9 101