SIPAFIT
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (needs to be migrated using the "edit with form" link)
Brief overview
SIPAFIT is the forest management system used by the Forest Service of Trentino Province articulated in several sub-systems (and relative instruments and tools) which support the different steps of the management decision chain. In the following table the sub-systems - which support the different steps of the management decision chain – are described.
| Forest management phase | SIPAFIT sub-system | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Correction of forest and forest compartments boundaries | Geodatabase, mobileGIS software | Using sampling methods, it is essential a precise knowledge of the extension and position of the forest elements (compartments, stands…). |
| Production of the “forest unit” map | Geodatabase, mobileGIS software, LiDAR (CHM) data, digital orthophotos, forest type map, other ancillary layers | This phase is essential to organize a standardized description of the forest and to build the strata on which the sample network will be launched |
| Dimensioning the sample size | SAMSIZE (VBA in Excel/Access environment), forest strata map, data entry by the user | This tool allows to produce a proper distribution of the sample among the strata according to the expected uncertainties. It is possible to simulate different sampling scenarios, in terms of forest structure variability and complexity, and exploitation temporal proximity |
| Creating the sample network | SAMSIZE outputs, geodatabase, .LAUNCHER sw tool (Model Builder and Python in ArcGIS environment). | It is possible to choose between random or systematic (on a squared grid) sample distribution, with different density among the strata |
| Ground inventory | .LAUNCHER outputs, RELASKOPE mobileGIS sw (VBscript and applet programming in ESRI Arcpad environment). | |
| Inventory data control and processing | .CONTROL and .PROCESS sw tools (VBA in Excel/Access environment) | |
| Result reporting | .REPORT sw tool (Vba in Access environment); thematic maps in vector and raster format |
Scope of the system
SIPAFIT integrates statistical and sampling methods with computer and technological resources allowing an effective georeferenced description of the main (both dendroauxometric and structural) forest parameters of the managed forest stands. SIPAF allows simulation of different scenarios in terms of forest stratification, inventory strategies and sampling intensity.
System origin
Forest administration of the Province of Trento (North-Eastern Italian Alps, 400,000 ha of forest area, more than 50% of the province total area) has recently changed its inventory system from total census (full callipering, which had been progressively reduced in area, for cost reasons) to sampling methods; besides, the needs for a modern and efficient forest management require more information about an overall “description” of the forest, but at the same time can tolerate less accuracy in timber production estimates. A comprehensive system was developed to support the forest managers, the forest owners and the consultants (professionals who perform forest management plans), in each step of the forest planning. SIPAF and its sub-systems were initially tested on a pilot management plan in 2009, and then had several changes and improvements to tackle the problems met. A total of 12 experts were involved in system design, implementation and testing (5 researchers, 4 foresters from the Forest Service and 3 consultants involved in plan preparation). During this first period of application, a number of meetings and workshops has been realized with all the users of the system. The tools have been operatively used since 2009 by the forest managers of Forest Service in the Trentino Province, and therefore their users have extended from researchers to consultants and to other stakeholders (i.e. managers and technicians of the municipalities which are the public forest owners).
Support for specific issues
SIPAFIT support consultanst in field surveys, allowing an effective georeferenced description of the main (both dendroauxometric and structural) forest parameters, it support forest managers in inventory data control and procesing and it support forest manager in result reporting.
Support for specific thematic areas of a problem type
- Forest planning.
- Territorial planning.
Capability to support decision making phases
- Intelligence: the system use a fully automatic, congruent, progressive and recordable procedure.
- Design: forest planner input data in the inventory phase
- Choice: results give quantitative dendroauxometric parameters
- Monitor: a field test is implemented by the forest managers in the forest surveyed by the consultants.
Related systems
Data and data models
Typical spatial extent of application
The typical spatial extent of application is the forest management plan. The spatial unit for the output depends on what extension data input refer (the forest subjected to the planning process). Definitely we can say that the typical spatial extent of application is the single reale property scale.
