How to determine site index in silviculture

Background information 

Target audience

The target audience for this course includes silviculture surveyors, contract administrators, and planners. Participants should have a working knowledge of silviculture survey systems and plans. This course is in PDF format, condensed from a one day workshop, 

Prerequisites

• Working knowledge of silviculture surveys
• Basic understanding of forest health issues
• Basic understanding of multi-story stands (PDF, 2.6MB)

The purpose of this course is to improve forest management in British Columbia by improving the ability of silviculture surveyors to estimate site index — one of the key variables that needs to be considered for effective forest management decision making.

By the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Understand the purpose of estimating site index.
• Know which method of estimating site index is best to use for each species and site.
• Collect site index data that conforms to provincial standards.

Equipment required

• Pencil/pen  
• Personal field gear (Cruiser's vest, rain gear, boots, etc.) plus whatever you can bring from the following list:
• Increment borer
• 5.64 m plot cord
• Folding hand saw
• Carpenter's measuring tape
• Field book
• DBH tape
• Suunto
• 30 m tape or loggers chain
• Hand lens
• Calculator
• Pocket knife