2. 2
Table of Contents
Contents Page #
List of Tables and Figures 3
Purpose 4
Methodology 4
Location 4
Results 5-7
Stems per Hectare 8
Recommendations for Further Treatment 8
Sources of Error 8
Conclusion 8
3. 3
List of Tables and Figures
Table Page #
1. Forest Health Survey Results 5
2. Diameters by Class 6
Figure Page #
1. Google Map of Site Location 4
2. GeoNOVA Arial Photo of Site 5
3. Species Composition 6
4. Balsam Fir Health Results (%) 6
6. Spruce Health Results (%) 7
7. Diameter Distribution Results 7
4. 4
Purpose
The purpose of this exercise was to complete a forest survey on a woodlot. In this forest survey
data was collected to find the forest health, stems per hectare, diameter distribution, and species
composition.
Methodology
The forest survey was conducted in groups of four or five spread out through the woodlot. Each
group was equipped with PPE including hardhats, hard toe boots, eye protection, and high visibility vests.
The groups picked five different areas in the stand for plot samples. Each plot had a radius of 3.99 meters
(50m²). Inside the plot sample circle, every tree diameter was measured and the health was recorded. The
diameters were broken down into classes which were 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 centimeters, and so on. The health
was classified as either healthy (0-15%), or infested (16%-59%), or dead (60%-100%). Equipment used
included: diameter calipers, diameter tapes, 50m measuring tapes, map of property, clipboard, pencil,
and compass.
Location
The property is located at the intersection of Port Malcolm Road and the Highway 104 in the
county of Richmond, Nova Scotia. It is located between the community of Evanston and Port Hawkesbury.
The woodlot that was surveyed is located east of St. Francis de Sales Parish, 17 Church Rd., RR1 Cleveland
B0E 1J0. Figure 1 shows a map of the approximate area of woodlot. Figure 2 shows an aerial photograph
of the Forest Health Study Area.
Figure 1. Showing an image of the woodlot taken from Google Maps (2015).
5. 5
Figure 2. Showing an aerial photo of the woodlot taken from GeoNOVA (2008).
Results
The data results from the survey indicate forest health, density, and diameter categories in the
tables and figures below. The forest health investigated the health of the spruce and balsam fir of the
current state of the stand.
Table 1. Showing data collected for forest health (2015).
Healthy Infested Dead Healthy Infested Dead
1 4 0 1 27 3 9 1 3 3 0 51
2 5 7 1 4 27 12 7 1 0 0 64
3 1 0 0 34 6 7 1 0 0 1 50
Total 10 7 2 65 36 28 9 4 3 1 165
LA OT Total
ForestHealth
Plot #
Spruce Balsam Fir
RM WB
6. 6
Table 2. Showing the data collected of the diameter class (2015).
Figure 3. Showing the species composition.
Figure 4. Showing balsam fir health (2015).
8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28+ Average
Group 0 4 7 11 9 7 6 4 2 0 0 16.31cm
Total 7 12 20 30 25 23 18 16 6 5 5 16.44cm
DiameterClass(cm)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Spruce Balsom Fir Red Maple White Birch Larch other
PERCENTAGE(%)
SPECIES
Species Composition- Group vs. Total Results
Group Total
70.73170732
7.317073171
21.95121951
50.3875969
27.90697674
21.70542636
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Healthy Infested Dead
PERCENTAGE(%)
HEALTH
Balsam Fir Health: Group vs. Total
Group Total
7. 7
Figure 5. Showing spruce health (2015).
Figure 6. Showing diameter class (2015).
80
0
20
52.63157895
36.84210526
10.52631579
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Healthy Infested Dead
PERCENTAGE(%)
HEALTH
Spruce Heath: Group vs. Total
Group Total
0
7.843137255
13.7254902
21.56862745
17.64705882
13.7254902
11.76470588
7.843137255
3.921568627
0
1.960784314
0
5
10
15
20
25
8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28
PERCENTAGE
DIAMETER CLASS
Diameter Class Group vs. Total
Team 1 Total
8. 8
Stems per Hectare
The SPH calculation provides an indication of the stocking levels of the current state of the
woodlot. The results from our group and the total data from the class shows that the stand is well-
stocked. The results were as follows:
Group
51 Stems / 5 Plots * 200 = 2040 Stems per Hectare
Total
165 Stems/ 16 Plots * 200 = 2062 Stems per Hectare
Recommendations for Further Treatment
The compiled data throughout the forest health survey indicates that some forest management
practices are required to minimize any further contamination of the unharmed softwoods. Harvest of
the infected and dead trees should be practiced to remove them from the stand, which will reduce the
potential spread of the decease. The limbs and other debris from the trees should be placed into piles
throughout the woodlot to be burnt under Nova Scotia Burn Guidelines. Permanent Plot Samples and a
forest health monitor plan should be established and followed into the next five years. A clear-cut could
also be completed and harvest and burn the remaining piles of debris.
Sources of Error
Being a first year class in the Natural Resources program at NSCC means there is a lack of
experience, which would be the most common source of error in this survey. Record keeping, tree
identification, knowledge of the health of a stand, and skills using equipment required are possible
sources of human error. There could be a lack of consistency when collecting data because the students
took turns with different tasks throughout the survey. Weather conditions such as snow could cause the
data to be off, and example is the snow making the diameter at breast height to be too high.
Conclusion
The results of the Forest Health and Stocking Survey determined by the Natural Resources
Environmental Technology program show the balsam wooly aphid is attacking this forest and causing
damage and death to the trees. Stocking levels are consistent in this woodlot, the majority of the trees
are healthy and under the proper management. The problem could be resolved with further silviculture
procedures and monitoring.
