 |
![[enfor consultants ltd]](/clipart/n4logo1.gif) |
WOODLOT for Windows 2.2 - Reference Manual | ||
|
Appendix 14 - 1 Data Entry 1.1 Where can I find a list of variables used in WOODLOT? A list of WOODLOT variables can be found in:
Yes. Set up your Excel file to use the same column headings as the variable names described in Appendix 9, then save the file as a CSV file format. This may be loaded directly in using the Polygon Data screen menu. The column headers must contain the variable names as described in Appendix 9 of the manual. A minimum of three columns of data must be used; the mapsheet, the polygon, and one other. Do not leave any rows blank. The mapsheet and polygon number must not be duplicated. 1.3 Can I do other calculations in the Excel data list? Yes. WOODLOT will only read in those columns with the variable names specified. Remember to save your Excel file as well as the CSV file if you use cells with formulas. The CSV file only contains the information shown in the cell, NOT the formula. 1.4 Do species have to be in order? Yes. You should always enter the leading species first, followed in descending order by other species. This will affect the way that yield curves are derived. This is particularly important in TIPSY, as the Site Index is attached to the leading species (unless you turn others on in the Settings screen). Do not enter a blank or zero for species %. If you don't know, then don't enter a species. 1.5 What is the ideal size of polygon to analyse? We usually suggest splitting polygons downs to about 10-15 ha to ensure that they are all harvested in a reasonable sequence. You should arrange your polygons to match an operational development plan over time. Woodlot works best when polygon sizes are less than about 10% of the total area, especially when using partial cuts. This will allow a smoother harvest forecast by allowing more polygons to be available for harvest, which will tend to ensure that polygons get harvested closer to the target age. An optimum Woodlot would have 30 to 60 polygons that are 2 to 15ha in size. 1.6 Can we use FIP data directly? No, but Enfor has developed a FIP to CSV program that can be purchased separately. This will include a guide to instruct your inventory specialist which FIP data is required/preferred for use in WOODLOT. A FIP file can be expanded into a comma delimited file. The headings must then be updated to match WOODLOT (see appendix 9). 1.7 When should I change the Volume Adjustment Factor (VAF)? If you have cruise information for the woodlot, it may be more accurate than the forest cover map data and projected yields, which were derived to be accurate at the Timber Supply Area level. The VDYP yields can be modified to match the cruise information using the VAF. Caution is recommended, as doing this will scale up (or down) the entire yield curve, and will assume that the stand will develop at approximately the adjusted rate. Refer to the next question regarding amounts to use. A VAF of 0.9 will denote having 90% of the volume on sight as compared to VDYP yield projections. 1.8 How much should the VAF be changed by? Note that the VAF will scale your whole yield table up, and should be used with caution. If you know the age and the current volume of the stand, you can calculate a VAF:
No. The only way to adjust TIPSY yields is to use the OAF's. You should not change the OAF's from the defaults unless you have good field information to verify this. 1.10 Why does the harvest age next to "Yield Type" in the Polygon Data screen sometimes indicates an age lower than the current age? The harvest age next to "Yield Type" is the minimum harvest age that the polygon can be harvested. This is the lowest age where all harvest parameters have been reached. It will be defaulted to the culmination age if harvest parameters are met earlier than the culmination age. You may reset the harvest age manually by typing over. 1.11 How can I exclude a polygon from a calculation temporarily while I assess the implications of including it? There are three ways. Exclude it from the Polygon Data screen, exclude it from the Calculations screen, or set a very high harvest age, say 999 yrs. It will contribute to overall ht/age constraint needs if you use the last technique. 1.12 Can you net out 100% of the species in a polygon in VDYP? You could not do this in earlier versions of WOODLOT. This has been corrected in version 2.2. It is better to exclude the polygon in Polygon Data, or in the Calculations. Alternately to stop a harvest of a polygon, set the harvest age to 999 yrs. 1.13 When I update a polygon, it didn't accept my changes when I went to recalculate the yields. You must move your cursor to another data box to activate and save the last changes. This is a Windows requirement. 1.14 How do I reset the polygons to use default values & Harvest Parameters? Some data boxes use defaults set by the operator, others use defaults calculated by VDYP. Refer to the new appendices for a description of defaults, and questions in Section 2 below. You can reset the defaults by entering a non-numeric character in the databox. Defaults are used if the databox has a [ ] square bracket around the number (e.g. [3]). 1.15 How do I get WOODLOT to ignore the harvest parameters for a particular polygon? Select the Polygon (CTRL & Click) on the Summary screen, and then open Harvest Parameters. Click on "Ignore Harvest Parameters". WOODLOT will ignore the three Harvest Parameters and the culmination age for the selected polygons in the Summary screen. | ||
|