1

2006-2007 Cutblock Level Soil RSM Pilot

Results

Sandy Currie Soil Resource Value

Team Lead

2

Cutblock LevelMonitoring 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 LevelMonitoring Indicators

Dispersed soil disturbance in the net area to be reforestedGreen tree retentionOrganic matter retention

4

Protocol ToolsGeneral

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 ToolsApplication

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 ToolsApplication (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 (2007-2008) 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 completedThis resulted in processing, or completing a mosaic of, the digital photography of 50 of the planned 80 cutblocksThese 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 2006-2007 aerial photography and field sampling will be used to prepare a final report on the 2006-2007 Cutblock Level Soil Pilot

15

Next Steps (cont.)

Lessons Learned:

Administrative pre-work must begin enough in advance to ensurethe 2007-2008 digital photography program takes place during the best weather conditions

16

Next Steps (cont.)

Preparation for 2007-2008 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 2006-2007 Landscape Level Soil Pilot