BAU Exploration - TRTCD1 and/or BAAC removal of 25%

Cat Chamberlain

2023-06-23

Selecting FIA data

For initial exploration of the data, we will first get FIA plots from NY, MA, NH, VT, and ME. We are downloading data directly from DataMart for most up to date information. We are then subsetting to ecosections 211, 221, 222, and M221. A harvest is defined as either a 10 in the TRTCD1 column and/or 25% BA removed per acre.

To clean the data, we are only selecting FIA data that was measured in 1997 or later, when annualized data began. Finally, we are selecting plots that:

  1. Have accessible forestland
  2. Are not reserves
  3. Are of private ownership
  4. Are single condition class
  5. Are greater than or equal to 2000 gross BF per acre (initial)
  6. Are of Maple/Beech/Birch or Oak/Hickory forest types
  7. Are natural stands (not planted stands)

Harvest Likelihoods by forest type

Using the Best Practices formula but with avg time between measurement dates rather than invyr

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\(\color{forestgreen}{\text{For Maple / beech / birch group the harvest likelihood is: 55.14%}}\)

\(\color{forestgreen}{\text{For Oak / hickory group the harvest likelihood is: 27.15%}}\)

Breakdown of FIA plots

This table subsets to sites with initial forest types matching Maple / beech / birch group and Oak / hickory group and also initial gross board foot volume being greater than or equal to 2000.

Map of FIA plots

Make a map of proportion of plots harvested in a Unit

Histograms of Previous BAA across forest types

The dotted red line represents the MSU cap (62.5)

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\(\color{red}{\text{For Maple / beech / birch group, the mean BAAC for all plots is **131.05 sqft/acre** and the mean for harvested plots is **133.19 sqft/acre**.}}\)

\(\color{red}{\text{For Oak / hickory group, the mean BAAC for all plots is **130.86 sqft/acre** and the mean for harvest plots is **132.05 sqft/acre**.}}\)

Histograms of Previous QMD across forest types

The dotted red line represents the MSU cap (7)

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\(\color{red}{\text{For Maple / beech / birch group, the mean QMD for all plots is **10.58in** and the mean for harvested plots is **10.75in**.}}\)

\(\color{red}{\text{For Oak / hickory group, the mean QMD for all plots is **10.68in** and the mean for harvest plots is **10.5in**. }}\)

Change in BAA by forest type

\(\color{red}{\text{For Maple / beech / birch group, the number of clearcut plots (i.e., removed at least 70% BAAC) is **49** and the number of thinned plots is **233**.}}\)

Change in QMD after harvest

Harvest behaviors by change in QMD

Percent TPA removed