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Abstract
State and transition models are being utilized in forest management analysis processes to evaluate assumptions about disturbances and succession. These models assume valid information about seral class successional pathways and timing. The Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) was used to evaluate seral class succession assumptions for the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plots located on the Hiawatha were stratified by Ecological Land Type and major forest type. A set of algorithms was developed for FVS to grow and evaluate the size class of the plot at each time step of the simulation. Results were evaluated to determine the amount of time vegetation spends in each state before it succeeds. This information was used as basic input for both the Vegetation Dynamics Development Tool and the Spectrum forest planning model used by the Hiawatha for its 2006 forest plan revision.
Parent Publication
Keywords
forest management,
forest planning,
growth and yield,
vegetation dynamics,
habitat modeling,
carbon inventory,
prognosis model,
landscape dynamics,
fire,
fuels,
climate change,
economics,
forest health
Citation
Henderson, Eric B. 2008. Development of state and transition model assumptions used in National Forest Plan revision. In: Havis, Robert N.; Crookston, Nicholas L., comps. 2008. Third Forest Vegetation Simulator Conference; 2007 February 13–15; Fort Collins, CO. Proceedings RMRS-P-54. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 89-97
