Interpine Innovation

Collecting Tree / Stem Sectional Measurement Data in PlotSafe V1.5.2
24/04/2012 2:46:00 p.m.
A recent feature we have updated in PlotSafe is the representation of diameters recorded at the stem description level. This allows for increasing diameters to be easily recorded against the stem description. Previous versions of PlotSafe had an inbuilt rule not to allow entry of a diameter larger than previous on the stem. One of the key reasons was to allow for ease of collection of detailed sectional measurement data for the construction or validation of taper and volume equations. Data integrity is still paramount, so to warn the user that an "out of the normal form" data was entered we have introduced a new warning symbol. This looks like a yellow "Nodal Swelling" which appears to the left side of the diameter entered. Figure 1 Example of the new symbol shown next to the 68mm diameter recorded which is greater than the previous diameter lower on the stem....

COURSE: YTGEN and Plotsafe Forest Inventory 10th - 12th April 2012
2/03/2012 11:30:00 a.m.
​This course provides a three day introduction to forest inventory utilising the YTGEN and Plotsafe software packages. Held in the computing facility at Waiariki institute of Technology's Mokoia campus in Rotorua; there will also be a field day held in a local forest. A great introduction or recap for all forest inventory technicians and managers this course is taught using examples from Australasia's leading forest inventory and forest yield analysis software. For the first time this year the use of Plotsafe for collecting Field Measurement Approach (FMA) plot data under the ETS the will be covered.   Course Outline Day 1 - Classroom and computer room based Course introduction / Forest inventory sampling design Inventory planning and mapping considerations YTGEN and Plotsafe Introduction Considerations for Field Computers Stem Feature Cruising - RAD05 Collecting FMA data with Plotsafe Plotsafe hands on Day 2 - Field Based Locating and Establishing Plots Field Measurement Techniques Feature Cruising Using RAD05 Techniques for Auditing Inventory Work Day 3 - Computer Lab...

How Accurate Can We Expect Routine Location of Plots Under Forest Canopy Using GPS
24/02/2012 1:50:00 p.m.
Recently, we looked at GPS Precision (EPE). A few questions were also raised about plot location and I thought it might also be good to look at how accurate we could expect to locate the survey point inside the forest under a range of conditions and forest canopies. The dataset used contains 320 survey points located throughout New Zealand. A recreational grade GPS (Garmin Map 60CSX) was used to locate the survey point in the field. At this point a survey grade Trimble ProXT GPS unit was raised to 5m and recorded 300-500 data points over a period of 20mins to 3 hours. This was then post-processed to "geo-fix" the actual field plot. Precision of the fix from the survey grade GPS was usually within 2m.  See this earlier article for more information. Figure 1 shown below displays the horizontal distance from the intended survey point location to that actually fixed in the field using the...

COURSE: Forestry Orientated LiDAR Analysis – 24th April 2012
22/02/2012 9:26:00 a.m.
​This is an introductory course learning how to manipulate and process LiDAR datasets, with a specific focus on forestry derived outputs, such as terrain and vegetation surfaces, vegetation related metrics, down to extracting plot and tree level data. The course covers the topics with hands-on labs and presentations. Held at computer facility at the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua, participates work with forestry specific LiDAR derived datasets using the software such as FurgoViewer and FUSION. FUSION is one of the forest industry's leading LiDAR tools for analysis, and is available free from USDA Forest Service. FUSION allows 3D terrain and canopy surface models and LIDAR data to be fused with more traditional 2D imagery (e.g., orthophotographs, topographic maps, satellite imagery, GIS shapefiles). The course will focus on getting started with LiDAR data, visualising data, creating surfaces models of terrain or vegetation, single tree or plot extraction, and calculation of...

Diameter Breast Height – Where Does it Start From, Ground Level Right?
7/02/2012 2:50:00 p.m.
A discussion recently arose on "what should be considered as the starting point for measurement of diameter breast height, that is at what point does the stump height / tree stem start". Seems simple doesn't it; "high side of the tree at ground level" Well this forest type had a range of buttressing, exposed roots, was mostly on flat ground with spot and line cultivation evident. We were intrigued in the lack of clarity here that sparked this debate, so to offer some clarification and to help guide standards, let's look over the guidelines available to us in this area.       Figure 1 – DBH Height measurement examples. Firstly a look at the trees in question (Figure 1). Red mark-up shows correct / accepted technique: locating highest ground soil level immediately around tree base (after removing needles / leaves), see Figure 20 diagram D below. Yellow lines show the incorrect method...

GPS Accuracy Estimate (EPE) What is It ?
7/02/2012 1:58:00 p.m.
The use of recreational grade GPS (for example Garmin 60csx or Garmin 62S) is now standard practice for the location of forest inventory plots in New Zealand and Australia. We recently reviewed a few questions regarding the accuracy and precision of these GPS units, with many in the industry not understanding the measure of precision displayed to the user. If the GPS displays an Accuracy of 10m, does this mean it is 10m from the actual / absolute location? MOST DEFINITELY NOT !! Firstly it is a measure of precision and in no way indicates accuracy. GPS's display to the user an estimate of position error (EPE). An EPE is displayed on most recreational GPS devices, although there is no general specification on what this should display between manufacturers or in some cases models from the same supplier, so an EPE from a Garmin device cannot be directly compared to...

A Move to Variable-Form Tree / Stem Taper Equations
4/02/2012 2:47:00 p.m.
History of Stem / Tree Taper Equation Development Taper equations can be used to provide predictions of inside bark diameter at any point along the tree stem and stem volume based on widely recorded tree dimensions. Equations that can accurately predict tree diameter at any point of the stem based on total tree height and diameter at breast height have long been the focus of research (Bi 2000). Beginning with the earliest taper equations by Hójer (1903) increasingly complex methodologies have been have been developed stimulated by improvements in computational capacity. Kozak (2004) reported on a history of taper function research at the University of British Columbia that dates back to 1956. The intensity and longevity of research into taper functions has led to an extensive array of different approaches and a considerable body of literature. In New Zealand a compatible polynomial approach (Goulding and Murray 1976, Gordon 1983) is most...

Interpine Conducting a Review of Forest Mensuration Equipment from Haglof Sweden
20/01/2012 4:13:00 p.m.
Interpine is working closely with Halgof Sweden in 2012 to review the cost effectiveness of deployment of a range of Haglof forest mensuration equipment in NZ and Australia. Based in Northern Sweden, Haglof has been developing and building professional measurement equipment for the forest industry world-wide for many years. Many foresters around the world have become very familiar with the Haglof Vertex, which has become the industry standard worldwide for measuring accurate heights, distance and horizontal distance in the field. With its ultra-sonic measuring system, the Vertex is perfect to use in the forest to provide accurate readings in even the thickest undergrowth. Interpine on behalf of the NZ and Australian forest industry will be conducting a range of field trials and work studies around forest inventory measurement techniques, looking at optimisations in both productivity and accuracy using some of the newest technology available from Haglof Sweden. This will also...

Guide to PlotSafe Data Collection – ETS Forest Measurement Approach – V1 Released
18/01/2012 1:57:00 p.m.
A freely available publication and data collection template is now available to help forest owners and forest inventory providers with electronically capturing carbon forest inventory data for the MAF Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) Forest Measurement Approach (FMA). The manual is a free download from the www.interpine.co.nz website, with only free online registration required to gain access. This provides the New Zealand forest industry with the first way to capture all the ETS FMA data electronically in one place. Data can be captured in PlotSafe forest inventory software in the field using Windows mobile field computers, or in the office using the Windows desktop version of PlotSafe. PlotSafe being the most widely used dedicated forest inventory software in New Zealand and Australia, current licensed users can use this freely available template "FMA11" to collect ETS FMA data immediately without any additional costs. While the guide outlines the collection of ETS FMA data within PlotSafe...

ETS FMA Standardised Inventory Systems for Collection and Analysis
9/12/2011 4:18:00 p.m.
The New Zealand ForestTech 2011 conference was held recently in Rotorua. Interpine's David Herries presented to the delegates a review of a standardised data collection system for electronic collection, storage and export of carbon forest inventory measurement data collected for the ETS FMA (emissions trading scheme forest measurement approach) into formats compliant with the MAF XML information standards. An overview of the Forest Measurement Approach was looked at, allowing delegates to realise the simplicity of the FMA carbon forest inventory, but still understand the importance of correct work scope definition to ensure cost-effective implementation of their FMA measurement programmes. Some practical advice was also covered around pre-deployment specifications for field staff, field plot placement considerations which should be completed before crews travel into the field, stand record observations and photographs, quality assurance considerations and expected productivity of field crews. The main focus of the presentation was to overview the release of...

How Effective are LiDAR-based Forest Inventory Systems ?
9/12/2011 2:23:00 p.m.
ForestTech 2011 has held in late 2011 in both Australia and New Zealand. Interpine's Jonathan Dash and Hamish Marshall presented a discussion on Interpine's involvement in a range of trial work relating to LiDAR analysis. A quick overview of use and role of LiDAR in forest inventory systems was covered. Then a review of some of the practical decisions / advice we ourselves have worked through while planning and interrogating LiDAR datasets, including sample design, installing ground control plots, allocation of plot size and dealing with edge plots. Finally a brief summary example was given on its use in improving accuracy or reducing cost of traditional rule based sample design inventory carried out in the eastern BOP of New Zealand. Acknowledgements are given to Future Forest Research, PF Olsen Ltd, Ministry for the Environment, Susana Gonzalex-Aracil (Interpine Post-Grad Research Intern), and Outline Imagery for this assistance during some of the...

Forest Edges: Walkthrough Solution Alternative to the Plot Mirage Method
28/10/2011 5:41:00 p.m.
Existing popular methods such as the "plot mirage method" (Schmid-Haas, 1969) for eliminating bias due to boundary overlap suffer some disadvantages in practical use; having to establish a duplicate plot outside the forest edge which might not always be possible (water body, cliff, or private land boundaries), needing to assume the forest edge as straight, time consuming setup of duplicate plot centres and boundaries, corners, or coincidence with more than one forest boundary inside the plot may mean placing more than one mirage plot centre resulting in some trees needing to be counted up to four times, while others are only counted once. These problems often result in erroneous use in practice with common things heard from practitioners in the field. "just too hard to train correctly – just pull the plot into the stand" "if the plot falls on an edge just ignore it (remove from sample)" "don't even...

COURSE: Forestry Orientated LiDAR Analysis – 29th November 2011
27/10/2011 11:49:00 p.m.
This is an introductory course learning how to manipulate and process LiDAR datasets, with a specific focus on forestry derived outputs, such as terrain and vegetation surfaces, vegetation related metrics, down to extracting plot and tree level data. The course covers the topics with hands-on labs and presentations. Held at computer facility at the Waiariki Institute of Technology in Rotorua, participates work with forestry specific LiDAR derived datasets using the software such as FurgoViewer and FUSION. FUSION is one of the forest industry's leading LiDAR tools for analysis, and is available free from USDA Forest Service. FUSION allows 3D terrain and canopy surface models and LIDAR data to be fused with more traditional 2D imagery (e.g., orthophotographs, topographic maps, satellite imagery, GIS shapefiles). The course will focus on getting started with LiDAR data, visualising data, creating surfaces models of terrain or vegetation, single tree or plot extraction, and calculation of...

PlotSafe to Support Data Collection for ETS Forest Measurement Approach (FMA)
17/10/2011 4:42:00 p.m.
Interpine is working on PlotSafe templates to allow the electronic data collection of ETS Forest Measurement Approach using New Zealands most used Forest Inventory Software.    This generic public template will allow users to collect data on windows mobile handheld computers in the field.    If you have any feedback or would like to register your interest in this project and access to the PlotSafe FMA template, please complete our Feedback Form. Updates Posted Here Soon  We will be updating this article with further information over the coming few weeks. We hope to have this template tested and ready for free public distribution in Mid November 2011, about the time MAF will be finalising the MAF Information Standards for FMA.  ----------------------------------------------------------------- 31-Oct-2011 A draft template is being developed by Interpine and David Crawley from PF Olsens.   This is planned for trialling by Interpine and another inventory provider later this month for implementation.   More updates late this week. 14-Nov-2011 A trial version is now...

NZ ETS Forest Measurement Approach (FMA) Released
2/09/2011 9:47:00 p.m.
As of 1 Sept 2011, MAF have now released the New Zealand Emission Trading Scheme Forest Measurement Approach (FMA). Participates can now register to apply for their sample locations, and begin to organise field measurement operations. Interpine has been involved in the development of the FMA for the last 4 years, acting as an advisor through the Technical advisory group for MAF. Therefore we can provide expert advice on your obligations under the act and also implementation and data collection. Interpine will be providing a tailored solution for forest owners wanting to plan and execute FMA across their forests. This can include all or some of the process from initial application and sample plot allocation, through to in field electronic data collection to the FMA standards, and handling the submission and process with MAF. Some Key Questions for Forest Owners to Understand in Terms of the Forest Measurement Approach How...