Jennifer Shiu
frenchie@u.washington.edu

In order to run FORSEE, you need to first manually enter the stand data. The requirements for the stand table are:

• Description - type of trees
• Species Code - code can be found in Forsee table (202 - Douglas fir, 263 - Western Hemlock)
• DBH - diameter breast height
• TPA - trees per area or density
• CrDiam - crown diameter
• CrRatio - crown ratio (decimal in range 0 to 1)
• CrType - crown type can be found in Forsee table (1 - conifer)

The stand data can be found in the Stand Module. Be careful as to not use the same specie code and dbh for different inputs, because these values are used as unique identifiers in FORSEE. To avoid this problem, assign the dbh a value extended out to the hundredths place, i.e. 8 to 8.01. This small "addition" will not affect your data.

Once the stand information is entered, you must then enter the appropriate data in the Utilization table: Minimum log length, preferred length, length increment, minimum top diameter, minimum top (residuals) and minimum length (residuals). For this report, we used the values that were found using the existing stand information and the desired log conditions, as seen in Table 1.

Table 1. Standard log data for Douglas fir which was entered into the Utilization table.

Next, you must enter the proper defect information: Scaling Defect %, woods defect %, breakage % and long butt %. We assumed the average defect for second growth Douglas fir, Table 2.

Table 2. Defect values for second growth Douglas fir.

The next table to complete is the form class and weights table. This can be attained from the Stand Model or from related texts. If all else fails, ask a silviculturist. We used an average form class and weight because the actual timber is not clearly specified. The gross board-foot weight was found using the previous Clayoquet Project. These values are in Table 3.

Table 3. Form class data for timber in Washougal Basin.

Now, you must set the Parameters for your harvest design. Because we are using PLANS, SVS and FVS for the same harvest unit, we chose to use the similar payloads. Note that when Helipace runs FORSEE a more accurate payload will be given for the HELIPACE yarding system.

Table 4. The harvest design parameters for our analysis.

Next, the Treatment table must be adjusted, but first you must lock the stand data. This can be done in the Stand File. This allows the program top analyze the new data. Editing may still be done, when table is unlocked.

Finally, you must now determine the characteristics of the harvest. In the Treatment table, you designate the amount of trees taken and left behind, and the additional fiber weights (slash in tons). For this harvest project, our harvest was limited by the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and the Forest Practices Act (FPA). According to HCP Module, we are allowed full control over management for 50% of our land and must abide by HCP and FPA regulations for the other 50%. Within these regulations, we are to leave 30% of the timber for retention and dispersal. Hence, for this project, we left all trees with a dbh less than 6 in and 30% of all other trees. We used 5 tons as our additional fiber weight because this is an average value for second growth Douglas fir. As we are not a part of the Forest Service, it is not required to transport slash out of the site. Therefore, we will not yard the 5 tons out of the stands.

Instead of adjusting the data in the Treatment table, you may use the Graphic function found in the Stand File and Treatment file. Here, you use the mouse to adjust the proper information by using the graphic.

Once the data has been entered, you are ready to run the program. Click on the Analysis File and use Start. From here, you may begin generating reports as desired.

Note that any adjustments can be made at any time, even if the program has already been run. Just be sure to rerun the program.

Berg, Dean R. and Schiess, Peter. 1996. Alternative Silviculture Harvest System Planning. Clayoquot Symposium on Alternative Silviculture Systems. Mc-Millan-Bloedel, INTERFOR and B.C. Ministry of Forests, Tofino, B.C., March 6, 1996.

Helipace User Guide: version 2.0. Aerial Forest Management Foundation, April 1993.