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Timber Resource Analysis

Introduction

The Forestry Act (1991) stipulates that, every five years, the Minister is to “prepare a timber resource analysis for the province”. The 2011 Timber Resource Analysis for the island established AACs for each of the 18 Forest Management District on the Island for the 2011-2016 period. This analysis determines the volume of timber (or wood) that can be harvested sustainably each year and is commonly referred to as the Annual Allowable Cut or AAC. The Minister can permit this AAC volume to be harvested each year, until the next analysis is completed.

• Background
• Forest Description
• AAC Tables

Background

The first formalized Timber Resource Analysis for the island of Newfoundland was undertaken in 1989. Analyses have been undertaken and AACs set, every five years since then. The five year renewal requirement under the Forestry act allows for consideration of: changes in the forest land base; new forest management strategies; disturbances such as harvesting, wildfire and insects; new information on forest growth rates compared to previous wood supply forecasts; and many other factors.

• The key underlying principles that guide the Timber Resource Analysis are: The AAC must be sustainable during the planning period (160 years);
• The level of uncertainty associated with calculating the AACs must be minimized, using the most current empirical information available;
• There must be conformity between the information and assumptions used in the analysis and management actions taken on the ground;
• Other forest values must be considered; and
• The analysis must account for economic factors, as well as the physical supply of timber.

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Forest Description

Productive Forest

The natural fragmentation of the island’s forested landscape (see Figure1) also poses a challenge when setting the AACs. The island is dotted by many ponds, bogs, rivers, streams and rock outcrops, resulting in relatively small, scattered pockets of timber; resulting in a highly diverse, fragmented landscape, where accessibility causes timber stands to vary greatly in their economic viability.

Figure 1. The general distribution of productive forest land on the Island

Age Class Structure

The forests of the island vary greatly in age. A typical Forest Management District (FMD) contains unbalanced age class structure ; where there are more older forests (over 80 years) and younger regenerating forests than intermediate-aged forests (40-60 years) (see figure 2). As a result of this unbalanced forest age class distribution, most FMDs will experience a period when there will be a limited amount of harvestable forest available. Thus, this unbalanced age class structure significantly impacts AACs on the island.

Figure 2. Island’s forest age class structure

Land Availability

For the 2011 analysis, productive forest land on the Island was categorized as Class I (available for harvest) and as Class III Operable (partially available for harvest), plus Class III Regulatory (legally prohibited from harvest), and Class III 5000 (impossible to harvest). As indicated below in Figure 3, Class I & III Operable contains 2,403,612 hectares or 68% of the productive forest land base, while Class III Regulatory and 5000 contains 1,099,686 hectares or 32%.

Figure 3. Forested land base classification for Island portion of province

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AAC Tables

• Provincial Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) 2011-2015 (15 KB)

Summary

The 2011 analysis has been undertaken, utilizing the best available data and using the most advanced modeling and analytical techniques. As a result of the new technologies and an enhanced data base, the 2011 analysis is an improvement over past analyses.

While the Department of Natural Resources is confident the 2011-2016 AAC are accurate and sustainable, it is important to remember that the strength of the analysis is not necessarily in the numbers themselves. The strength lies in the continued commitment to constantly gather better data and to refine the assumptions and techniques employed in each analysis, using the best science available and taking into consideration non- timber values /uses.

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