NEBC VRI Old Forest

This dataset was created to provide operators and decision makers with current old forest stand information for the northeast. Existing old forest datasets have either been retired or are out of date. The dataset is generated following a similar approach to the legacy RSEA Old Forest Dataset, using a newer and more comprehensive version of the VRI, to capture stands that have matured to the 140 age criteria, and address known gaps in the older datasets related to Tree Farm Licenses. The data was derived using RSEA methodology where old forest polygons were extracted from VRI with the following logic: BCLCS_LEVEL_2 = 'T' And PROJ_AGE_1 >= 140. This dataset has not been modified or adjusted for Crown Forest Land Base or any other forest land base criteria. As such, this data is purely for the identification of old forest stands, irrespective of forest productivity, land ownership, or forest fire burn severity, and is not suitable for estimating stand reserves such as Range of Natural Variability without further analysis. The 140 age criteria has been applied to deciduous and coniferous stands. Data Properties Attributes / Column Name Field Alias Data Type Data Precision Comments OBJECTID Object ID Object ID Unique row number auto generated by database SHAPE Shape Geometry (Polygon) BCLCS_LEVEL_4 BC Land Cover Class L4 Text 2 British Columbia Land Cover Classification Scheme Level 4 Coded Values: TC = Treed - Coniferous TB = Treed - Broadleaf TM = Treed - Mixed PROJ_AGE_1 Leading Species Projected Age Short Projected Age for Leading Species VRI_YEAR VRI Year Short Vintage of VRI used to generate the dataset SHAPE.AREA Double Area auto calculated by database (m2) SHAPE.LEN Double Polygon perimeter auto calculated by database (m) Renewal Triggers and Service Levels As Needed References 1 Holt R.F, Myers D. “OLD FOREST CURRENT CONDITION: A CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ANALYSIS FOR THE NORTHEAST RSEA STUDY AREA – Final Report”. British Columbia’s Environmental Stewardship Initiative: Northeast Regional Strategic Environmental Assessment (RSEA), 01 JUN. 2019, https://www.bc-er.ca/files/gis/RSEA_Old-Forest_June2019_Version1.0.pdf Contact Information: For further information please contact Jacqueline Howard Environmental Management Specialist Responsible Development & Stewardship [e-mail] Anna Regnier Land and Resource Specialist Ministry of Forests (FOR) – North Area [e-mail] Hannah Wilson Land and Resource Specialist Ministry of Forests (FOR) – North Area [e-mail]