Difference between revisions of "Practi-SFM"

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== General System description ==  
 
== General System description ==  
  
−
'''System name:''' Practical Sustainable Forest Management  
+
'''System name:'''   Practical Sustainable Forest Management  
  
−
'''Acronym:''' Practi-SFM
+
'''Acronym:'''       Practi-SFM
  
  
 
=== Brief overview ===
 
=== Brief overview ===
−
The Practi-SFM system is designed to facilitate the practical implementation of SFM the management of privately owned forests in Ireland. The system comprises a multi-resource inventory protocol and a MS Excel-based DSS.   
+
The Practi-SFM system is designed to facilitate the practical implementation of SFM in the management of privately owned forests in Ireland. The system comprises a multi-resource inventory protocol and a MS Excel-based DSS.   
−
 
+
−
 
+
  
  
Line 16: Line 14:
  
 
=== Scope of the system ===
 
=== Scope of the system ===
−
* This tool allows the user to develop a forest management plan based on a timber and multi-resource inventory
+
 
−
* This tool facilitates the user in developing a number of optional plans which can be compared over a series of  
+
Practi-SFM supports the development of a ten-year forest management plan based on a detailed multi-resource (timber and non-timber) inventory. It allows the user to develop a number of different plans which can be compared across a series of headings, for example, volume harvested, total clearfell area, fellings adjacent to watercourses, fellings in visually sensitive areas, etc.
−
* tool allows decision maker to actively create new knowledge when faced with a new problem and to develop novel solutions
+
The system also facilitates collecting and updating a series of non-timber data that may be useful in achieving third party forest management certification.
−
* tool allows decision maker to capture knowledge, making it available to decision makers who are seeking solutions from previously solved problems
+
 
 +
 
 +
[[image:user input sm labelled.jpg | center]]
  
 
=== System origin ===
 
=== System origin ===
−
* Who and when was it developed
+
* This system is the result of a [http://www.coford.ie/iopen24/ COFORD]-funded research project  based in University College Dublin, Ireland. The project was initated in 2001. The project leader was Prof. Maarten Nieuwenhuis and the project researcher was Dr. Frank Barrett.
−
* how was it developed
+
* The multi-resource inventory protocol was based on the criteria and indicators identified in the [http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/publications/ Irish National Forest Standard] (<ref> Irish Forest Service (2000) Irish National Forest Standard. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Dublin, Ireland </ref>). Existing methodologies were selected and tested on a diverse privately owned estate in County Wicklow and further tested on a number of other forest areas typical of privately owned forests in Ireland. These methodologies were then adapted for use in Irish privately owned forests <ref> Barrett, F., Somers, M., and Nieuwenhuis, M. (2007) Practi-SFM - an Operational Multi-Resource Inventory Protocol for Sustainable Forest Management in Sustainable Forestry: from Monitoring and Modelling to Knowledge Management and Policy Science (eds. Reynolds, K., Thomson, A., Kohl, M., Shannon, M., Ray, D. and Rennolls)</ref>. 
−
* is it a commercial product
+
* The project is now in Phase II of development. It is being field-tested by Irish forest management companies with a view to developing its functionality and the inventory collection procedures. Phase II will also examine the suitability of MS Excel as a basis for the DSS and investigate the possibility of introducing optimisation at stand level.
−
* does it have real-life application cases
+
 +
 
 +
===Support for specific issues ===
 +
The Practi-SFM system offers support for the user in selecting the most suitable forest management options, on a per stand basis, that will ensure that the forest as a whole is managed according to the principles of sustainable forest management.
  
−
=== Support for specific issues  ===
 
−
Is the system designed to take into account specific uses? E.g. guidance on ways to characterize biodiversity, economic-biodiversity tradeoff analysis methods, risk assessment methods, landscape analysis methods, timber harvest effects, climate change effects, biological effects (pests, pathogens, invasives), fire,...
 
  
 
=== Support for specific thematic areas of a problem type  ===
 
=== Support for specific thematic areas of a problem type  ===
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* Restoration  
 
* Restoration  
 
* Transportation  
 
* Transportation  
−
* Development choices / land use zoning
 
−
* Policy/intervention alternatives
 
 
* Sustainability impact assessment (SIA)
 
* Sustainability impact assessment (SIA)
  
−
=== Capability to support decision making phases  ===
 
−
''(NOTE I do not quite know what to do with this, as I do not understand it myself, although it seems related to system use)''
 
  
−
(Click [[Simon's decision making model|here]] to see a more detailed explanation)
+
=== Capability to support decision making phases  (Simon Decision Making Model) ===
−
* Intelligence (+ explicit description of the support given by the DSS)
+
* Intelligence (searching for conditions that call for decisions):  the system identifies the stands that are due for harvesting 
−
* Design (+ explicit description of the support given by the DSS)
+
* Design (inventing, developing, and analysing possible courses of action): the system offers a number of options for the timing and levels of appropriate harvesting operations; also offers users the opportunity to develop a number of different scenarios
−
* Choice (+ explicit description of the support given by the DSS)
+
* Choice (selecting a course of action from those available): the user manually selects the preferred option based on the objectives for the forest
−
* Monitor (+ explicit description of the support given by the DSS)
+
* Monitor - the system facilitates monitoring over a 10 year period if the inventory is updated at the expiration of the plan
  
−
=== Related systems  ===
 
−
Describe (and/or link to) other systems related
 
  
−
== Data and data models ==
+
=== Related systems ===
 +
The Practi-SFM system is currently not related to any other system.
  
−
=== Typical spatial extent of application  ===
 
−
Define the scale of use for the application (user defined, regional, multi-owner forest single ownership forest, Multiple scale interaction)
 
  
−
=== Forest data input  ===
+
== Data and data models ==
−
Describe the basic forest input (forest level, stand level, or individual tree level), and appropriate meta-data, such as data provenance (Areal coverage, Sample of plots, stands, Contiguous forest cover). GIS information is to be considered here, namely include cover tyes and type of information (raster or vectorial, necessity of topological information) If necessary describe surrogate sources of information
+
=== Typical spatial extent of application ===
 +
The system is designed to support the production of a management plan for privately owned forest holdings.
 +
   
  
−
If necessary describe other types of required data (economic, social)
+
=== Forest data input ===
 +
Data input is at forest stand level. Conventional timber plot data is used (plot area, plot slope, mean height, DBH distribution, etc.) as well as a range of non-timber data relating to stand health, terrain conditions, amenity use, landscape sensitivity and a range of variables used to report on biodiversity (deadwood, invasive species, evidence of wildlife).
  
−
=== Type of information input from user (via GUI) ===
 
−
Describe what is the information that the user directly inputs in the system if any): expert knowledge, opinion, goals and production objectives, preferences, stand/site information....
 
  
 
== Models ==
 
== Models ==
−
 
 
=== Forest models ===
 
=== Forest models ===
−
Growth, Yield, Carbon, Wood quality, biodiversity and habitat suitability, environmental and external effects (fire, storms, pests, diseases, climate change, etc)
+
The Practi-SFM system uses the following models:
 +
* British Forestry Commission (BFC) Yield Models
 +
* Irish Dynamic (ID) Yield Models
 +
 
  
 
=== Social models  ===
 
=== Social models  ===
−
historical and cultural values of sites, values due to peace and quiet, esthetic values, values due to recreational activities, ethical values): E. g. Recreation, Health, Game
+
The system does not use social models but the multi-resource inventory requires input on the historical and cultural values of the site, amenity use, adjacent dwellings and the landscape sensitivity of the site.  
  
  
 
== Decision Support ==
 
== Decision Support ==
−
 
 
=== Definition of management interventions ===
 
=== Definition of management interventions ===
−
Define what is available for the manager to intervene in the forest: time of harvest, plantations, thinnings, reconversions...
+
The user can intervene in all forest management decisions - harvesting scheduling, thinning intensity, type of thinning, clearfelling, species selection, underplanting, costs associated with all operations and incomes.  
−
Existence of prescription writer, simple enumeration of all possibilities, scenario simulation , etc.  
+
Currently, the Practi-SFM system lists all the management options that exist for a stand based on the BFC and ID yield models (user defined operations are also possible) and simulates the growth and output associated with the selected options.  
 +
 
 +
 
 +
[[image:forescasting options labelled.jpg | right]]
 +
 
  
 
=== Typical temporal scale of application ===
 
=== Typical temporal scale of application ===
−
Define the temporal scale of the application: E.g., operational and immediate level, Tactical planning (short term) and strategic level.  
+
The system supports the generation of ten year management plans with operations scheduled over five two year periods.  
 +
 
  
 
=== Types of decisions supported  ===
 
=== Types of decisions supported  ===
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**administrative decisions
 
**administrative decisions
 
**operating control decisions
 
**operating control decisions
−
* Management function
+
* Planning decisions
−
* planning decisions
+
**organising decisions
−
**organizing decisions
+
 
**command decisions
 
**command decisions
 
**control decisions
 
**control decisions
−
** coordination decisions
+
** co-ordination decisions
−
*decision making situation
+
*Decision making situation
 
**unilateral
 
**unilateral
 
** collegial
 
** collegial
−
**Bargaining / participative decision making
 
  
−
=== Decision-making processes and models ===
+
=== Decision-making processes===
−
*Logic modeling
+
*Simulation (without stochasticity)
−
*Operations research modeling
+
−
**Direct approaches
+
−
**Heuristic manipulation of simulation models
+
−
*Business modeling
+
−
*Simulation (with and without stochasticity)
+
−
*Multiple criteria/ranking
+
−
*Other
+
  
−
== Output ==
 
  
 +
== Output ==
 
=== Types of  outputs ===
 
=== Types of  outputs ===
−
 
+
The output consists of a schedule of operations over five two-year periods with associated costs and incomes.
−
Types of outputs produced (tables, maps, 3-D visualizations, pre-programmed summaries, etc)
+
  
 
=== Spatial analysis capabilities  ===
 
=== Spatial analysis capabilities  ===
−
* integrated capabilities
+
The system has a limited interactive mapping capability. Univariate and bivariate maps can be produced for a number of predefined variables, for example, retention areas, thinnings in a particular period, harvest areas adjacent to watercourses, harvesting in visually sensitive areas, etc.
−
* facilitates links to GIS (wizards, etc.)
+
 
−
* provides standard data import/export formats
+
−
* allows spatial analysis (e.g. topology overlays (e.g. multi layering of different maps, selection of objects based on selection criteria, aggregation by attributes (e.g. areas of similar characteristics), Linking by logical means, Statistics by area, analysis with digital terrain model)
+
  
 
=== Abilities to address interdisciplinary, multi-scaled, and political issues  ===
 
=== Abilities to address interdisciplinary, multi-scaled, and political issues  ===
−
Evaluate interactions between different basic information types (biophysical, economic, social). Produce coordinated results for decision makers operating at different spatial scales facilitate social negotiation and learning
+
The system was designed to support the decision making process of an individual forest owner. Issues are therefore addressed at stand and forest level. Current field-testing is investigating the possibilities for supporting decision-making at multi-forest scale.
  
−
== System ==
 
  
 +
 +
== System ==
 
=== System requirements  ===
 
=== System requirements  ===
−
* Operating Systems: (Windows, Macintosh, Linux/UNIX, Web-based, Others)
+
* Windows or Macintosh
−
* Other software needed (GIS, MIP packages, etc...)
+
* MS Excel
−
* Development status  
+
* GIS access for creation of map (file could also be imported)  
 +
* Development status: used in teaching and under development for potential use by private forest sector in Ireland.
 +
 
  
 
=== Architecture and major DSS components ===
 
=== Architecture and major DSS components ===
−
Describe the basic architecture of the system in software and hardware. Desktop client-server, web based, as well as the  integration with available systems. Basic data flow, focusing on retrieval of required input and propagation and implementations of decisions. Mention its modular and scalability capabilities.
+
The current version of Practi-SFM is written in VBA.  
 +
 
  
 
=== Usage ===
 
=== Usage ===
−
Describe the level of use: Research level use, Industry use, Government use
+
The system is currently used to support undergraduate learning for forest management and multi-resource inventory development.
 +
 
  
 
=== Computational limitations ===
 
=== Computational limitations ===
−
Describe the system limitations: e.g. number of management units, number of vehicles, time horizon
+
The system is designed to support a ten year management period. The functionality of the system is somewhat constrainted by the limitations of MS Excel.
 +
 
  
 
=== User interface ===
 
=== User interface ===
−
Describe the quality of user interface and the Prerequisite knowledge for using the system
+
Familiarity with MS Excel is required to operate the system.
 +
 
  
 
=== Documentation and support ===
 
=== Documentation and support ===
−
Describe the connection to Help-system and possibilities for assistance, as well as the required training and user support levels
+
A user manual for the DSS has been developed to support the user with inputting data and plan generation.
 +
 
  
 
=== Installation ===
 
=== Installation ===
−
* Prerequisite knowledge: Level of effort to become functional
+
* The current structure requires four MS Excel files.
−
* Cost: (purchase price, development costs, demonstrated return on investment, cost of use, training costs, licence and maintenance costs)
+
 
−
* Demo: allows the download/utilization of a trial version. If yes, where is it available and what are the trial conditions.
+
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
Line 155: Line 151:
 
===Cited references===
 
===Cited references===
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 +
  
 
===External resources===
 
===External resources===

Latest revision as of 16:47, 14 June 2010

General System description

System name: Practical Sustainable Forest Management

Acronym: Practi-SFM


Brief overview

The Practi-SFM system is designed to facilitate the practical implementation of SFM in the management of privately owned forests in Ireland. The system comprises a multi-resource inventory protocol and a MS Excel-based DSS.



Scope of the system

Practi-SFM supports the development of a ten-year forest management plan based on a detailed multi-resource (timber and non-timber) inventory. It allows the user to develop a number of different plans which can be compared across a series of headings, for example, volume harvested, total clearfell area, fellings adjacent to watercourses, fellings in visually sensitive areas, etc. The system also facilitates collecting and updating a series of non-timber data that may be useful in achieving third party forest management certification.


User input sm labelled.jpg

System origin

  • This system is the result of a COFORD-funded research project based in University College Dublin, Ireland. The project was initated in 2001. The project leader was Prof. Maarten Nieuwenhuis and the project researcher was Dr. Frank Barrett.
  • The multi-resource inventory protocol was based on the criteria and indicators identified in the Irish National Forest Standard ([1]). Existing methodologies were selected and tested on a diverse privately owned estate in County Wicklow and further tested on a number of other forest areas typical of privately owned forests in Ireland. These methodologies were then adapted for use in Irish privately owned forests [2].
  • The project is now in Phase II of development. It is being field-tested by Irish forest management companies with a view to developing its functionality and the inventory collection procedures. Phase II will also examine the suitability of MS Excel as a basis for the DSS and investigate the possibility of introducing optimisation at stand level.


Support for specific issues

The Practi-SFM system offers support for the user in selecting the most suitable forest management options, on a per stand basis, that will ensure that the forest as a whole is managed according to the principles of sustainable forest management.


Support for specific thematic areas of a problem type

  • Silvicultural
  • Certification
  • Conservation
  • Restoration
  • Transportation
  • Sustainability impact assessment (SIA)


Capability to support decision making phases (Simon Decision Making Model)

  • Intelligence (searching for conditions that call for decisions): the system identifies the stands that are due for harvesting
  • Design (inventing, developing, and analysing possible courses of action): the system offers a number of options for the timing and levels of appropriate harvesting operations; also offers users the opportunity to develop a number of different scenarios
  • Choice (selecting a course of action from those available): the user manually selects the preferred option based on the objectives for the forest
  • Monitor - the system facilitates monitoring over a 10 year period if the inventory is updated at the expiration of the plan


Related systems

The Practi-SFM system is currently not related to any other system.


Data and data models

Typical spatial extent of application

The system is designed to support the production of a management plan for privately owned forest holdings.


Forest data input

Data input is at forest stand level. Conventional timber plot data is used (plot area, plot slope, mean height, DBH distribution, etc.) as well as a range of non-timber data relating to stand health, terrain conditions, amenity use, landscape sensitivity and a range of variables used to report on biodiversity (deadwood, invasive species, evidence of wildlife).


Models

Forest models

The Practi-SFM system uses the following models:

  • British Forestry Commission (BFC) Yield Models
  • Irish Dynamic (ID) Yield Models


Social models

The system does not use social models but the multi-resource inventory requires input on the historical and cultural values of the site, amenity use, adjacent dwellings and the landscape sensitivity of the site.


Decision Support

Definition of management interventions

The user can intervene in all forest management decisions - harvesting scheduling, thinning intensity, type of thinning, clearfelling, species selection, underplanting, costs associated with all operations and incomes. Currently, the Practi-SFM system lists all the management options that exist for a stand based on the BFC and ID yield models (user defined operations are also possible) and simulates the growth and output associated with the selected options.


Forescasting options labelled.jpg


Typical temporal scale of application

The system supports the generation of ten year management plans with operations scheduled over five two year periods.


Types of decisions supported

  • Management level
    • strategic decisions
    • administrative decisions
    • operating control decisions
  • Planning decisions
    • organising decisions
    • command decisions
    • control decisions
    • co-ordination decisions
  • Decision making situation
    • unilateral
    • collegial

Decision-making processes

  • Simulation (without stochasticity)


Output

Types of outputs

The output consists of a schedule of operations over five two-year periods with associated costs and incomes.

Spatial analysis capabilities

The system has a limited interactive mapping capability. Univariate and bivariate maps can be produced for a number of predefined variables, for example, retention areas, thinnings in a particular period, harvest areas adjacent to watercourses, harvesting in visually sensitive areas, etc.


Abilities to address interdisciplinary, multi-scaled, and political issues

The system was designed to support the decision making process of an individual forest owner. Issues are therefore addressed at stand and forest level. Current field-testing is investigating the possibilities for supporting decision-making at multi-forest scale.


System

System requirements

  • Windows or Macintosh
  • MS Excel
  • GIS access for creation of map (file could also be imported)
  • Development status: used in teaching and under development for potential use by private forest sector in Ireland.


Architecture and major DSS components

The current version of Practi-SFM is written in VBA.


Usage

The system is currently used to support undergraduate learning for forest management and multi-resource inventory development.


Computational limitations

The system is designed to support a ten year management period. The functionality of the system is somewhat constrainted by the limitations of MS Excel.


User interface

Familiarity with MS Excel is required to operate the system.


Documentation and support

A user manual for the DSS has been developed to support the user with inputting data and plan generation.


Installation

  • The current structure requires four MS Excel files.


References

Cited references

  1. ↑ Irish Forest Service (2000) Irish National Forest Standard. Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, Dublin, Ireland
  2. ↑ Barrett, F., Somers, M., and Nieuwenhuis, M. (2007) Practi-SFM - an Operational Multi-Resource Inventory Protocol for Sustainable Forest Management in Sustainable Forestry: from Monitoring and Modelling to Knowledge Management and Policy Science (eds. Reynolds, K., Thomson, A., Kohl, M., Shannon, M., Ray, D. and Rennolls)


External resources

Retrieved from "http://fp0804.emu.ee/wiki/index.php?title=Practi-SFM&oldid=2819"