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

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