The Forest Vegetation Simulator FVS and FVSCarbon

1
The Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) and
FVS-Carbon

• Coeli M. Hoover
• Workshop on Soil Carbon Dynamics in Northern US
  Forests
• St. Paul, MN January 17th, 2006

2
What is FVS?

• FVS is the Forest Services nationally supported
  framework for forest vegetation modeling
• Developed and supported by the Vegetation
  Simulation Group of the Forest Management Service
  Center in Fort Collins, CO
• Used by Forest Service, BLM, BIA, state forestry
  and parks departments, academic institutions, and
  private landowners

3
Nuts and Bolts

• FVS is an individual tree growth and yield model,
  uses the stand as the population
• Not spatially explicit
• Uses standard forest inventory data
• Import from FSVeg, FIA-DB, and field collected
  data using formatting software
• Can handle even or uneven-aged, single or mixed
  species, single or multi-story canopy stands

4
FVS Variants

• Many geographic variants are available

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More on variants....

• Original model was Prognosis
• Each regional variant is based on local and
  regional growth and yield data (the NE variant is
  based on TWIGS)
• FVS also has the option to include local growth
  rate data predictions will be adjusted from
  those in the base model to match the local growth
  data

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Parts of the Model

• Data translators software used to read
  inventory data into the model and produce the
  files needed to run FVS
• FVS base model main growth and yield portion of
  the model
• Suppose GUI used to create keyword files needed
  to run FVS
• Extensions additions to the base model that add
  capabilities (insect and disease, fire)
• Post-processors use FVS output files as input
  to produce additional reports

7
Suppose

• FVS is a keyword model
• Keywords are needed for every action that FVS
  performs, from management actions to creating
  reports

8
FVS Advantages

• Large and flexible model, widely used
• Can simulate nearly any management action any
  type of thinning, slash treatments, prescribed
  fire, etc.
• Most parameters can be adjusted by the user to
  meet local needs or conditions
• Can run many stands at the same time
• Many extensions, post processors, and output
  types available

9
FVS Disadvantages

• Large and flexible model
• FVS has many components, and many options from
  which to choose a bit complicated
• Not hard to understand the basics, but requires a
  training class
• Model is too large to learn from a book
• BUT
• Many people are already familiar with the model
  widely used by NFS

10
Output options

• Many canned tables and reports
• Stand and stock tables, cover reports, fuel load
  reports, and much much more
• Many stock graphs also available line graphs,
  bar charts, etc for many different output
  variables
• Stand visualization simulator (SVS) produces a 3D
  graphic of your stand as it grows through time

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SVS Output Examples
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FVS - Carbon

• Because many of the components we need already
  exist within FVS, it is an ideal vehicle to use
  for carbon estimation
• FVS is widely accepted in both the science and
  policy communities
• FVS Carbon will not reside in the base model, or
  be a separate extension or post processor
• FVS Carbon will be contained in the Fire and
  Fuels Extension of FVS (FFE)

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Why the Fire and Fuels Extension?

• We aim to provide carbon accounting that will
  meet the needs of 1605b reporting requirements,
  and be compatible with IPCC guidelines
• The FFE contains equations that estimate snag
  production and decay, down wood, forest floor,
  and shrubs

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Main Carbon Report

• Aboveground live C- total and merch
• Belowground C- live and dead
• Standing Dead
• Down Dead Wood
• Forest Floor
• Shrub/Herb
• Total Stand Carbon
• Carbon removed from stand

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Harvested Wood Report

• Will include cut live trees and cut dead trees
• Products
• Landfill
• Energy
• Emissions
• Total carbon stored
• Total carbon removed from stand

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How will it work?

• Main carbon report
• Will use new keyword CarbRept
• User chooses units MT/ha or tons/ac
• User will input starting year, reporting
  duration, reporting interval, units, time frame
  for root decay (if user chooses to select)

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How will it work?

• Harvested wood report
• Will use new keyword CarbCut
• User chooses units MT/ha or tons/ac
• User will input starting year, reporting
  duration, reporting interval, units, diameter
  cutoffs for pulpwood/sawtimber
• Harvested wood disposition from Smith, J.E.,
  Heath, L.S, Skog, K.E, Birdsey, R.A., In press.
  Forest Ecosystem Carbon and Harvested Wood
  Carbon Tables and Estimation Methods for the
  United States.

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Status and Implementation

• FVS Carbon is currently being programmed
• Will test prototype in NE variant
• After testing, will be made available to general
  public through the FVS website
• Current FVS users will only need to know three
  new keywords to use this added functionality
  nothing new to learn!

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Future Additions

• The programming structure and placement within
  the FFE will facilitate future changes and
  additions
• As more FIA P3 data are available, the forest
  floor, woody debris, and shrub estimates can be
  refined
• A soil submodel can be added when developed