Monitoring Program
Biodiversity
Forest Plan Objectives and Monitoring Plan Questions
The following objectives, monitoring questions, evaluation criteria, and adaptive feedback mechanisms are identified in Table 6-1 of the 2008 Forest Plan.
ObjectivesIdentify areas that are not adequately restocked within 5 years and take action to reforest. Manage young-growth to improve habitat for wildlife and for commercial timber production. |
Monitoring Plan Question1. Are harvested forest lands restocked within 5 years after harvest? 2. Following young-growth treatments, is the change in understory vegetation providing improved habitat for key old-growth associated species? 3. Are young-growth treatments improving other key habitat components for old-growth associated species? |
Sampling/Reporting Period
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Evaluation CriteriaRestocking of all acres of harvested forest land following a regeneration harvest. TIM9 I.A.2 (f) and (g). Assessment of understory species composition, abundance, and response of key wildlife species will be evaluated in two ways: evaluate the amount of young growth treatments across the Forest by treatment type and to assess effectiveness of treatments look at composition and abundance of understory vegetation following treatment, through time, and assess the response by key wildlife species habitat to this change. |
Data and Inventory SourcesThe results and certification of the stand as restocked resides within the Oracle database, Forest Service Activity Tracking System (FACTS). Tongass-wide young-growth study (TWYGS) plot information, Small Mammal Response, and POW commercial thinning study. In the future, project level monitoring may be included. |
Feed Back MechanismsEvaluate and change, if needed, silvicultural prescriptions; KV Plans; Timber Standards and Guidelines; and Wildlife Standards and Guidelines |
Monitoring Activities and Projects
The following activities and projects are being conducted to address the monitoring plan questions identified above (also see Biodiversity Question 1 Protocol, Biodiversity Question 2 Protocol, and Biodiversity Question 3 Protocol):
Question 1: A Region 10 certified silviculturist shall certify that a stand meets minimum stocking standards. The silvicultural prescription (approved by a Region10 certified silviculturist) should contain the minimum number, size, species composition, and distribution of regeneration to consider the stand adequately restocked. The status of reforestation 5 years after the Final Harvest Report will be prepared annually by the Regional Forest Management staff. The report will quantify the areas that met and failed to meet stocking requirements established by the Region. The report will also characterize (e.g., soil series, aspect, community type) lands where stocking requirements were not achieved.
Results:
- Tabulate results from the stocking surveys including any areas that failed to meet stocking requirement.
- List characteristics associated with substandard stocking.
Analysis:
- Summarize the reforestation performance and provide a description of circumstances where stocking requirements were not achieved. Include a detailed description of the requirements needed to achieve required stocking levels.
Question 2: Acres of young growth treatment by silvicultural prescription will be totaled annually and classified by development and non-development LUD, biogeographic province, stand age, soil type and elevation. Summarize results from TWYGS, commercial thin study and other ongoing studies specific to % change in key understory plant abundance.
Results:
- Results by silvicultural prescription will be reviewed and compared with general desired conditions by prescription as outlined in Tongass Young Growth Strategy
Analysis:
- Assess if the prescriptions meet the desired understory conditions - are we increasing abundance of key forage?
- Assess whether or not there are meaningful differences between prescriptions.
Inventory and Monitoring Data and Reports
The 2009 Tongass National Forest Monitoring and Evaluation Report summarizes the 2009 Biodiversity Q1 Monitoring, the 2009 Biodiversity Q2 Monitoring, and the 2009 Biodiversity Q3 Monitoring that was conducted along with the results of these programs.
Procedures and Tools
The Procedures and Tools subsection of this web site provides information on important procedures and tools used in Forest Plan implementation. These procedures and tools are provided on this web site to help ensure that they are applied in an accurate and consistent manner.