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The latest news and articles from Interpine
April 24
Collecting Tree / Stem Sectional Measurement Data in PlotSafe V1.5.2

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.

Interpine have developed a new PlotSafe template, based on the NZ Ministry of Forestry, Forest Research Institute Standards for collection of tree volume and taper equation information (FRI 1987). An example of which is shown below in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Example of Sectional Measurement Template for collection to the FRI 1987 Standards.

If you would like to know more about collection, construction, or validation of volume and taper equations feel free to contact us.

References:

Gordon. A, Penman. J, 1987 Sampling and Measuring Procedure for Tree Volume and Taper Equation Construction and Testing, Forest Research Institute, Rotorua, New Zealand.

March 02
COURSE: YTGEN and Plotsafe Forest Inventory 10th - 12th April 2012

​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.

gh.jpg
 


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 Hands on

  • Handling Production data From the Field
  • YTGEN Set-up
  • Processing Yields
  • YTGEN Advanced Features
  • Open Book Test
  • Student Choice/Questions
  • Examples

For more details please contact Jonathan Dash 07 345 75 73 ex: 709

Course Costs $350 +GST


Fore enrollment please copmlete the registration form and e-mail to jonathan.dash@interpine.co.nz

YTGEN Course Registration Form.docxYTGEN Course Registration Form.docx




February 24
How Accurate Can We Expect Routine Location of Plots Under Forest Canopy Using GPS

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 survey grade GPS above.   This shows 99% of the plots were within 20m of their intended point, and more surprisingly 85% within 10m (with 65% within 6m !).   

This shows with the correct GPS use, knowledge and experience survey points can routinely be placed within +/-20m of their intended location.  

Figure 1 – Horizontal difference from intended GIS survey point to post processed fixed field plot location.

Figure 2 – Trimble ProXT in action at top of 5m pole within a typical radiate pine forest in New Zealand.

 

Garmin GPS
 
Figure 3 - Gamin Map60CSX recreational type GPS used to locate plot centers

 

Note we should always expect outliers when conditions for satellite reception are extreme, and an experienced field staff should realise this and use all tools given to them to locate the survey point correctly (good topographical maps, compass, altimeter etc).   This dataset was based on a nationally important permanent sample plot set, therefore staff also had access to good topographical maps and aerial photos of the plot locations to assist with placement of plot, therefore being the high end of what is achievable.

Interpine can provide trained staff or rent out high-grade GPS equipment suitable for use under forest canopy.   For more information feel free to contact our team or see here for more information.

February 22
COURSE: Forestry Orientated LiDAR Analysis – 24th April 2012

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 LiDAR forest metrics, there will be something to learn for all those interested in taking the next step in utilising their own LiDAR datasets.

There is also a brief opportunity to look at the tools available in GRASS GIS and ESRI ArcGIS Spatial Analyst for handling LiDAR datasets.
 
 
Course Outline:
Understanding LiDAR Use, Collection and Application
  • Overview of LiDAR
  • LiDAR Data Collection Parameters
  • Considerations for LiDAR Survey Collection
  • Review Derived Products
  • Direct Application of LiDAR in Forestry
Hands-on LiDAR Analysis Lab
  • Getting started with LiDAR data
    • Exploring LiDAR data
    • Understanding data formats
    • Quickly visualising LiDAR data in 2D and 3D with FUGROVIEWER
       
    • LiDAR Data Classification
  • Getting started with FUSION
    • Understanding LiDAR data viewer
    • File types
    • Digital terrain models / bare earth filters
  • Simple Measurements in FUSION
  • Create Surfaces with FUSION
    • Terrain / vegetation surfaces
  • Extracting Plot Subsets with FUSION
  • Calculate LiDAR Forest Vegetation Related Metrics
Overview of Additional LiDAR Analysis Tools
  • GRASS GIS
  • ESRI ArcGIS Spatial Analyst
 

Date: Tuesday 24th April 2012
Location: Waiariki Institute of Technology, O Block (Forestry Building), Rotorua
Time: 9-5pm
Course Costs: $350 per person
Enrolment: hamish.marshall@interpine.co.nz 07 345 7573 ext 704

Download the Course Outline Here:  Interpine LiDAR Course - Apr 2012.pdfInterpine LiDAR Course - Apr 2012.pdf
February 21
Interpine Maintains Tertiary Level ACC Workplace Safety Accreditation

​Interpine shows its commitment to the safety within its operations with the recent update of its accreditation for Tertiary Level ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) Worksafe Health & Safety Management System. Interpine's most recent ACC audit procedure was completed in Jan 2012 with outstanding results.

The ACC Workplace Safety Management Practices programme strengthens Interpine's existing health and safety systems. Having first joined the scheme at secondary level in 2007, Interpine has been at Tertiary level status since 2009.
 
The programme developed by ACC aims to:
  • works to reduce injuries
  • gives Interpine an externally audited, national safety framework to work to
  • proves our safety commitment to our staff
  • demonstrates Interpine's commitment to customers, the business community and the public
  • rewards Interpine with ACC levy 20% discounts.

Some comments from the auditor:

"The employees appeared to have a sound knowledge of health and safety issues and displayed a strong commitment to reporting any concerns immediately and working in a safe environment. There was also a commitment to looking after each other, ensuring each other’s safety and addressing any issues with each other"

"The employee focus group members indicated that the company was prompt in following up on any issues deemed to be hazards that were raised by employees"

"A number of health and safety initiatives have been put in place since last audit and include the use of Skype communication for all the health and safety meetings to engage remote work stations, the change in colour of the hi-viz clothing from yellow to orange to be more visible in the forest, the upgrading of the vehicle fleet to the VW Amarok vehicles that have the highest safety rating possible for vehicles of this type, the introduction of SPOT GPS’s in all vehicles, and the change of seat covers in all vehicles designed for air bags. The company has also recently introduced a critical rules policy"

ACC_Tertiary_2012-2014.jpg

February 07
Diameter Breast Height – Where Does it Start From, Ground Level Right?

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.

 

020612_2302_DiameterBre1.jpg
 

 

BH_HeightExample2.JPG

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 of selecting the general ground surrounding ground level thus ignoring the spot mounding effect of solid soil being present higher on the tree than the surrounding ground level. A simple practical application of this guideline is "can you put a chainsaw through the stump at this point without clogging the chain with soil".

Guidance on the Assessment of Diameter Breast Height

Interpine developed a comprehensive guide for the placement of breast height for the Ministry for the Environment, LUCAS Carbon Measurement Planted Forest Measurement Manual (Herries et al, 2010), which has also been used in the Emissions Trading Scheme Forest Measurement Approach (ETS FMA) manuals published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in New Zealand (MAF, 2011), Figure 20 below. These are published documents and serve a basis for some clarification, specifically diagrams C,D.

Figure 20 – Standard Points of Diameter Breast Height Assessment (extracted from Herries et al, 2010)

Guide to Figure 20:

  • (A) 1.4m above ground level, 90 degrees to the tree axis.
  • (B) leaning tree, 1.4m on the inside of the lean.
  • (C) sloping ground, taken on the high side.
  • (D) uneven ground, taken on the higher side.
  • (E) large swelling, two diameters are taken at equal distances from breast height, record averaged diameter. Record the bottom height in DBH height column and the other actual measurement point as a comment in data file.
  • (F) small swelling, single diameter taken if moving <+/-15cm from breast height (ensure the height of the diameter is recorded).
  • (G) forked below breast height, two diameter are taken each being considered a separate tree.
  • (H) fork at breast height, single diameter taken where practical below fork (ensure the height of the diameter is recorded).
  • (I) butt flaring or buttressing at breast height, single diameter taken where practical above;
  • (J), (K), (L) small bent and crooked stems showing breast height measured 1.4m in a straight line from the base of the tree.
  • (M), (N) are down live trees with tree-form branches growing vertical from main bole: when a down live tree, touching the ground, has vertical (less than 45 degrees from vertical) tree-like branches coming off the main bole, first determine whether or not the pith of the main bole (averaged along the first log of the tree) is above (M) or below the duff layer (N). If the general pith line of the main bole is above the duff layer, use the same forking rules specified for a forked tree as shown in (M). If the general pith line of main tree bole is below the duff layer, ignore the main bole, and treat each tree-like branch as a separate tree; take DBH and length measurements from the ground, not necessarily from the top of the down bole. However, if the top of the main tree bole curves out of the ground towards a vertical angle, treat that portion of that top as an individual tree originating where the pith leaves the duff layer, as shown by (N).

 

Literature Review of Breast Height Measurement

A quick review of literature shows the ruling above to be consistent. Of interest is the use of root collar (RC) / point of germination (POG) or high side soil / ground level whichever is greater (Figure 2 below), which deals with trees growing on substrates other than soil (rocks, mounds, swamp species etc.), is useful and could be added to our general definition in the future, although is not often seem in New Zealand or Australia forest plantations.

  • "High side is defined as the highest point of the ground around the base of the tree. Kick aside any loose litter and debris. If obstacles obstruct the base of the tree at the high side, measure the DBH from the high side of the ground and not from the top of the obstacle. If high side is lower than the point of germination (POG), then measure DBH from the POG. If the lower portion of the stem has sweep, pistol grip or the tree is on the ground, then measure DBH along the curve and parallel to the centre line of the tree" (BCFS, 2010)
  • "Breast Height (BH) is defined as (X distance) from the ground level on the high side of the tree. Ground level is determined by clearing away any obviously loose sticks and leaf litter (i.e. a quick brush sideways with foot), then pressing firmly (with foot or height pole)" (Herries et al 2007)
  • "The vertical distance between ground level and the top of a stump (Source: The Canadian Forest Inventory Committee, its Subcommittees and delegates.). On slopes, ground level is generally taken on the upper side of the stump. Stump height may be the actual height of a cut stump, or some arbitrarily selected standard. In rain forests and in mountainous terrain, the point of germination (POG) is used in place of ground level" (WOD,2012)
  • "When trees are growing on objects, such as rocks or logs, measure at (X distance) above the root crown rather than above the forest floor. (Figure 37.1N). [Source: FSH2409.12-2000] Trees that reside in water much of the year can also produce prop-like roots, measure diameter in a similar method at (X distance) above the root crown" (USFS 2010).
  • "Ground level excludes loose leaves and litter that is not incorporated into to soil. Clear it away before taking measurements of height. Consistent definition of ground level on sloping ground or for leaning trees is essential to maintain precision of measurements. Conventionally, ground level on sloping ground is taken to be the uphill of a vertical tree. If a tree is leaning, imagine which would be the uphill side of the tree if the ground was rotated to make the tree vertical. Thus, on level ground, ground level would be defined from the underside of the tree" (Brack, 1999)
  • "Where trees are planted on turfed or ploughed ground, the diameter should be measured (X Distance) from the root collar or highest ground level around the tree, whichever is higher" (Hamilton, 1996)

Figure 2 – Root Crown / Point of Germination (POG) Assessment (BCFS 2010 and USFS 2010).  Showing high side or root crown / POG whichever is higher.

References:

BCFS, 2010. Cruise Manual for Timber on Crown Lands of British Columbia. British Columbia Forest Service, Canada.

Brack C, 1999. Standard Point of Tree Bole for Measurement. Australian National University, Australia

Hamilton, 1996. Forest Mensuration. Forestry Commission, HMSO, United Kingdom.

Herries D; Paul T; Beets P; Chikono C; Thompson R; Searles N, 2010. LUCAS Planted Forest Data Collection Manual, Ministry for the Environment, New Zealand.

Herries D; Hill B; Crawley D, 2007. PlotSafe Overlapping Feature Cruising Forest Inventory Procedures, CNI Regional YTGEN User Group, Rotorua, New Zealand.

MAF, 2011. A Guide to the Field Measurement Approach for the Forestry in the Emissions Trading Scheme, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, New Zealand.

USFS, 2010. Forest Inventory and Analysis, National Core Field Guide. Northern Research Station Forest Service, US Department of Agriculture.

WOD, 2012. Specialty Expressions: Stump Height (http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/stump+height), Websters Online Dictionary.

 

 

February 07
GPS Accuracy Estimate (EPE) What is It ?

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 Trimble or Magellan unit. So don't be tricked by the marketing material that one unit is more accurate than another just off a comparison of EPE. Also the EPE displayed on any type of GPS is not guaranteed to be the maximum position error.

So an EPE is a statistical level of confidence generated for each position. A wide range of factors can influence this including multipath, number of satellites, SNR, PDOP, satellites elevations and period of time GPS unit is switched on prior to recording and how long you stay in one location to record the position (let's not go into all these today).

Although Garmin's calculation of EPE is propriety, most regard Garmin GPS to use an EPE based of 50% circular error probable (CEP) (*1). This means that 50% of all measurements calculated are within a horizontal radius of 10m. On the other hand, 50 % of all measured positions are outside of this horizontal radius ! So there is an equal probability that the error is greater than 10m.

Commonly it seems wise to double the EPE presented on your Garmin device to give you a higher confidence of your position precision (*1,*2, *7).

For those interested, 50% CEP can be calculated on the higher grade GPS units from additional information: EPE = HDOP * URA (1-sigma) * 0.73 gives a measure of the 50% confidence circle, i.e., 50% of your position fixes would fall within and 50% would fall outside (*5).   Two other common methods are used by GPS makers of higher grade survey units; Horizontal Root-Mean-Square (HRMS): The horizontal distance within which 63% of positions are predicted to fall, Twice distance Root-Mean-Square (2dRMS): The horizontal distance which 98% of positions are predicted to fall. 

A good way to visualise this is to plot each individual calculated position (in this case I'm using a TerraSync connected to a recreational grade SiRFstarIII GPS in a Trimble Nomad (similar to the Garmin GPS Chip). As shown by the dimension arrow the location moved by some 30m in just 1 minute, yet the EPE shown in the top of the screen is calculated at 14m, and of course the GPS physically did not move and had been operating for more than 10mins at this location prior to recording. TerraSync EPE is based on 63% HRMS precision estimate (*6).

Figure 1: Example of a Recreational Grade GPS plotting last 60 positions calculated (brown dots), showing displacement of some 30m, without physical movement of the GPS unit.

So remember your GPS's EPE readout is just a quantity used to characterize the performance of the GPS, derived from the statistical analysis of the measurements of position being calculated.

It is NOT an indication that the given position readout is within "EPE" distance of the absolute/actual position.

Definitions:

  • HDOP - Horizontal Dilution of Precision,
  • URA - User Range Accuracy is a quantity that is transmitted in the navigation message that is the predicted (not measured) statistical ranging accuracy. Since it is defined for SPS (Standard Positioning Service), it includes SA.

Theoretical Conversion Between Measures of Horizontal Precision*7

To convert from a statistical measure of left hand side to a different measure on top, multiply by the factor in the intersecting cell.
 

 

HRMS​ 2dRMS​ CEP​
​HRMS ​1 ​2 ​0.83
​2dRMS ​0.5 1​ ​0.41
​CEP ​1.2 ​2.4 1​
 

 

References

  1. Understanding GPS Error Measures (http://gpsinformation.net/main/errors.htm)
  2. How Accurate if a Garmin GPS (http://www.bluepeak.net/blog/2010/10/20/how-accurate-is-a-garmin-gps/)
  3. Accuracy Values by Garmin Recievers (http://www.kowoma.de/en/gps/accuracy.htm)
  4. PDOP vs EPE (http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=97584)
  5. GPS, What is EPE ?, US National Park Service (http://www.nps.gov/gis/gps/WhatisEPE.html)
  6. Trimble Office Help V4
  7. Differentiating between recreational and professional gradeGPS receivers
February 04
A Move to Variable-Form Tree / Stem Taper Equations

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 commonly used. The compatible polynomial approach, along with many other taper functions, fails to account for differences in stem form between trees and so lacks the flexibility to describe changes in stem form resulting from site specific or silvicultural factors (Bi and Long 2001). A large degree of local bias over some portions of the stem may also exist despite a low global bias (Bi 2000); this has implications for log bucking algorithms which rely on accurate stem diameters. To negate these weaknesses a series of polynomial equations can be developed to reflect a wide range of geographical and stand conditions or a more flexible approach is required.

The Variable-Form Taper Equation 

Kozac (1988) introduced an approach which uses a single continuous function as the base with an exponent that changes along the stem to describe the changing stem form.

Following on from this work Bi (2000) developed a variable-form taper model;

where the base function is constructed from a trigonometric volume-ratio equation following the geometry of a tree stem and the exponent includes variables that depict changes along the stem and differences in stem form associated with changes in tree size.

This function was found to be stable, flexible in its suitability for species and trees where stem form is variable, and an accurate predictor of stem taper. This model was fitted to 25 species of Australian native trees (Bi 2000) and later to Pinus radiata in New South Wales (Bi and Long 2001) where it was found to have greater prediction accuracy than nine individual site-specific taper functions currently in use. This superior performance is a result of the flexibility of functions of this type in depicting change not only along the stem but between trees of different sizes which is beyond the capacity of polynomial taper equations.

This approach was later extended to South Australia where the model was fitted to a large South Australian data set (See here for more details) further underlining its flexibility. With an adequate dataset this model could be fitted to New Zealand conditions to provide a solution with greater prediction accuracy capable of predicting stem form across the range of growing conditions and management types. This may be particularly relevant in the light of potentially changing management objectives and harvesting systems in the light of forest expansion, carbon forestry, and increased mechanisation.

flexible-form-taper2.jpg
Figure 1 - Derived stem profiles from the use of a Variable Form Taper Equation, (Source: Bi, H 2000 Figure 3)

 

 

The trigonometric variable-form taper function is publicly available and has been implemented in YTGEN with species specific coefficients available for Pinus radiata and several other species. If you have the latest release of YTGEN installed you will find these installed in sample methods file in this location:  

C:\ProgramData\Silmetra\YTGen\samples\method_files\methods.ytm.  

Interpine have used the function commercially in Australia and trialled its use for research purposes in New Zealand with promising results.

For more information on taper functions or any other aspect forest resource assessment please contact us


flexible-form-taper.JPG

References

Bi, H. 2000. Trigonometric Variable-Form Taper Equations for Australian Eucalypts. Forest Science 46 (3) 397-409

Bi, H. and Long, Y. 2001. Flexible taper equations for site specific management of Pinus radiata in New South Wales. Forest Ecology and Management 148 79-91

Goulding, C. J. and Murray, J. C. 1976. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Sciences 5 (3) 313-22

Gordon, A. 1983. Comparison of Compatible Polynomial Taper equations. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science 13 (2) 146-55

Hojer, A. 1903. Growth of Scots pine and Norway spruce. Stockholm, Bilaga till. Loven, F. A. om vara barrskorar.

Kozak, A. 1988. A variable-exponent taper equation. Can. J. For. Res. 18 1363-1368

Kozak,A 2004. My Last Words on Taper Functions. The Forestry Chronicle 80 (4)

January 20
Interpine Conducting a Review of Forest Mensuration Equipment from Haglof Sweden

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 include some integration with our software products like PlotSafe.

If you would like to keep in touch with developments feel free to contact us.

January 18
Guide to PlotSafe Data Collection – ETS Forest Measurement Approach – V1 Released

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 it also covers practical tips for implementation and measurement of survey plots that compliments the information provided in the MAF ETS FMA Guide. Topics covered include:

  • FMA11 PlotSafe Template for ETS FMA Data Collection
    • Data entry structure.
    • Plot, subplot and subsample naming.
    • Additional data fields available for the full complement of data collection from shrubs, small trees, entry of all stand record datasets, entry of PSP standard fields or stem cruising using overlapping features.
    • Known limitations of FMA11
    • Conversion of data to MAF XML standards
  • Practical Tips for Implementation and Collection of ETS FMA Data
    • Background learning
    • Locating plots, including topics on relocating plots, locating plot centres with vertex equipment, witness tree measurements.
    • Measurement impact and tree marking
    • Plot photos
    • Stand history observations
    • Dead and wind-thrown/toppled tree measurement
    • Use of sub-plot and sub-samples
    • Definition of multiple stems at DBH height
  • Quality Assurance Audit System    
    • Plot grading and auditing system built around industry standards
  • Contracted Inventory Specifications Template
    • A useful question and specification template to ensure ETS FMA inventory is deployed consistently and instructions are well understood by forest owners, inventory contractors and survey field teams.

If you already have a login for the website you can follow this link to download the guide and PlotSafe templates.

Just complete our Feedback form for a free login to the website or to request further information about this guide and the PlotSafe templates.

PlotSafe ETS FMA Guide.png

 

INTENT: This field manual has been produced by Interpine Forestry Ltd (Interpine) as a reference guide for the use of PlotSafe forest inventory software for the collection of New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme Field Measurement Approach Inventory. The data collection procedures are based on the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Forest Measurement Approach (FMA) standards and guidelines referenced below. This guide is intended for public release to current users of PlotSafe software, and assumes a level of familiarity with PlotSafe and its terminology. For more information on PlotSafe see the provided help documentation by pressing <F1> from within the software.

 

Update 16/02/2012: V2 of the guide is now available from the download links shown above.

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