For the past few years I have been working on a forest management
simulation model named HSG (for Harvest Schedule Generator). HSG is a
forest inventory projection model (see below for a full description)
that can be easily linked to a GIS system in order to graphically depict
predictions of future forest conditions. Initially developed on a
UNIX workstation, we ported the software onto the MS-DOS environment
in order to make it more accessible for classroom and workshop
environments. For our work on the MS-DOS version, we chose to link up
with the IDRISI GIS (for a variety of reasons: cost, ease of use,
short learing curve for students).
Initially intended as a workshop tool to convey the concepts of
predictive modelling and adaptive management, we realized that the
basic package of simulation models and utilities was robust enough
to be used in 'real world' planning environments. Since I am with a
small research team in a government research lab, I could not possibly
have handled the burden of 'product support' in trying to get this
material into use. Our strategy instead has been to team up with a
service sector firm (Dendron Resource Surveys Inc) as a partner in
the technology transfer effort. The fruits of this effort is what
we are calling the HSG Forest Modelling System. This software system
is being distributed in two versions:
- a demonstration version suitable for classrooms and workshops
which we are able to give away for almost free (except a $15
shareware fee on one of the supporting software packages); and
- a fully supported version suitable for application on large
forest management problems (e.g. 1 million ha, 30,000 stand
datasets), available for fee from Dendron Resource Surveys Inc.
These two version have similar functionality, but the full version
includes: additional software to support large datasets (using virtual
memory management); full documentation; and full telephone support.
At this time I'm pleased to announce the availability via anonymous FTP
of the almost-free demonstration version. If you are researching,
building, using or teaching about forest management planning systems
then this software package may interest you. It provides an
interactive environment to simulate forest management regimes
and explore the impact of management actions on future forest
conditions. This software is now being used in several undergraduate,
graduate and extension service curriculums. Whether you use this
package, are able to get some ideas from it, or simply note what I
have done wrong and try to do better, I will consider it a success if
this in some way helps to move forward the yardsticks on how we try to
solve complex resource management problems.
A description of the software package and instructions on how
to retrieve this software via anonymous FTP are included below.
Let me know if you have any problems retrieving or installing
this software. I would also be pleased to hear about your experiences
(good or bad) with this software, or any other type of forest management
decision support system. I can be reached by email at
'tmoore@pnfi.forestry.ca'
Tom Moore
Canadian Forest Service - Petawawa National Forestry Institute
February 11/94
============= Description of the Software Package ==============
HSG (Harvest Schedule Generator) is a spatially referenced forest
inventory projection tool developed by Tom Moore and Cary Lockwood
of the Petawawa National Forestry Institute. This tool is designed
to assist forest managers and others in the design and evaluation of
forest management strategies.
HSG differs from conventional forest simulation models, in that the
spatial identity of individual stands is maintained as a forest is
projected in time. Benefits of this spatially referenced approach
include:
- stand-level inventory information is retained during
forecasting, eliminating errors associated with the
aggregation of stands;
- outputs which retain stand boundaries are readily mapped and
analyzed using geographic information systems (GIS);
- silvicultural treatments can be scheduled with consideration
given to spatially dependant factors which influence
operations, such as road access.
In HSG, each stand is modelled as a group of components which are
grown independently along user-defined yield curves. Though
components are usually cohorts of trees expected to follow similar
development patterns, they may also be defined by other parameters
such as water yield or wildlife habitat. In this way HSG can be
used to project future yields of non-timber values on a stand-by-
stand basis.
HSG contains a suite of programs designed to assist the user in
preparing inputs, running simulations and generating queries that
graphically display and map simulation results. This PC version
generates IDRISI compatible datasets that may be analyzed and displayed
using the full range of tools from the IDRISI GIS.
OTHER FEATURES
HSG contains a host of other useful features:
- run by a system of interactive menus,
- simulations can be run over an indefinite planning horizon and
step sizes can range from 1 to 20 years and may vary between
iterations,
- a flexible method of modelling the development of forest
stands and succession patterns,
- harvest targets can be set for individual species,
- harvest priority rules can be assigned independently to
species-volume components.
- preferred silvicultural treatments and priority rules for
harvest (e.g. oldest first) are specified by the user and can
be changed at each iteration of the model;
- eligibility constraints as well as mandatory harvest and
silviculture activities can be specified at each iteration.
With HSG a forest resource manager/planner can examine strategic
issues such as "What level of harvest can be sustained from the
forest?", "What type of forest will result from the harvesting
operations?", "What are the implications for wildlife habitat?",
or, "How will an increased level of silvicultural treatment alter
the sustainable harvest level?". A number of simulation runs can be
made where the planner systematically alters program parameters to
reflect different management strategies. By comparing output from
different simulation runs the planner can assess the impact that
different management strategies might have on the forest.
The information guide and sample dataset in the demonstration version
illustrate HSG's main features, including the selection and running of
simulation scenarios, the selection of user-defined parameters from
resultant summary files, the viewing of selected parameters by
means of charts, tables, and maps, and the use of growth and yield
curves to view individual stand development over time.
The demo software utilizes a dataset of 3,000 forest stands from
the Ontario Forest Resource Inventory (FRI). It covers 37,000 ha
and includes parts of four, 1:20,000 Ontario Base Maps, within the
Timmins Forest. The full-function version is limited only by
available memory and diskspace, and has been tested on a 1.2
million ha, 30,000 stand database.
The full-function, fully supported version of HSG is available from
Dendron Resource Surveys Inc. Included in the full package is the HSG
User's Guide (a document of over 220 pages containing background
information, tutorial exercises, and a technical reference), as well
as one year of telephone/fax support. The HSG model currently operates
on FRI data and translators are in place for inventory attribute files and
for ARC/INFO (copyright ESRI, Redlands, California) raster files.
Additional support services available through Dendron include:
- the building of translators to accommodate user inventory data
from outside of Ontario;
- the streamlining of linkages between HSG and user database
management systems, GIS, file editors and others;
- training packages which include focus seminars or workshops on
such topics as modelling techniques, economic analyses, and
habitat analyses;
- a full range of data collection and analysis services related
to forest resource management (from inventory design to GIS
and remote sensing applications).
For further information please contact:
Dendron Resource Surveys Inc.
880 Lady Ellen Place, Suite 206
Ottawa, Ontario, K1Z 5L9
Phone: (613) 725-2971
Fax: (613) 725-1716
LICENSE INFORMATION
The HSG Forest Modelling System is copyright Minister of Government
Services Canada, 1993. All rights to these programs are reserved to
Forestry Canada, Petawawa National Forestry Institute, and to
T.G.E. Moore and C.G. Lockwood. Dendron Resource Surveys Inc. is
licensed to distribute the software. This demonstration package is
promotional material only, and all the above-mentioned assume no
liability for its use.
All rights reserved. No part of the software may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise
for a commercial purpose without written permission of the Minister
of Government Services Canada.
Included as part of the demonstration software are several bundled
programs:
The IDRISI Geographic Analysis System is protected by US and
International Copyright Law and remains the intellectual property
of Clark University. This demo only contains a display module from
the IDRISI system. The full IDRISI system contains over 110
program modules for GIS and Image Processing. For further
information on IDRISI, call or write to: IDRISI Project, Clark
University , 950 Main St., Worcester, MA 01610-1477, USA.
Telephone: (508) 793-7526, Fax: (508) 793-8842 /Internet:
"idrisi@vax.clarku.edu".
The MarxMenu system is copyright Marc Perkel. For each of any
copies made of the software, $15 must be paid to cover the
licensing fee of the included MarxMenu 2.38 software. Please send
payment to Computer Tyme, 411 North Sherman, Suite 300, Springfield
MO 65802 USA. Phone: (417) 866-1222.
The Perl 4.19 program is copyright Larry Wall. Perl is distributed
under the GNU Public License (read the file \HSG\BIN\COPYING or
\HSG\README.DOS for further information).
Provision for including the above programs with the hardcopy
information guide version (booklet plus diskette) has been made by
Dendron. Anyone receiving this package by electronic means
(network, modem etc., or not directly from Dendron, must send
$15.00 to Computer Tyme for the MarxMenu software).
The demonstration version may be freely distributed provided that
the above copyright information is included in every copy.
====== How to obtain the software by Anonymous FTP ======
All of the files needed to install the HSG forest modelling system
are store in a single zip archive file. To retrieve and install
the software follow these steps:
1) Connect to pi19.pnfi.forestry.ca using anonymous ftp.
Copy the file hsg.zip from the /pub/hsglite directory
using binary mode. e.g.:
% ftp pi19.pnfi.forestry.ca
Username: anonymous
Password: email@address
FTP> cd /pub/hsglite
FTP> bin
FTP> get hsg.zip
FTP> bye
2) Use UNZIP, PKUNZKIP or a similar program to unpack the
the contents of the zip archive file onto a 1.4Mb
floppy diskette;
3) The archive contains a file named 'README.DOS'.
Follow the instructions contained in this file
to continue with the installation.
4) Instructions on how to use the software are contained
in the file 'DEMOGUID.TXT'.
===========================================================
--
Tom Moore tmoore@pnfi.forestry.ca
Petawawa National Forestry Institute
Canadian Forest Service, Box 2000, Chalk River +1 (613) 589-3048
ONT K0J 1J0 CANADA +1 (613) 589-2275 telefax
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