International Conference on Managing Forest Resources for Multiple Ecosystem Services under Robust and Fragile Environments, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 10 Aug. 2010

1. Precision Management of Selection Forests Using Innovative Surveying Technologies in Hokkaido, Japan Dr. Toshiaki Owari Assistant Director and Lecturer Hokkaido Forest, The University of Tokyo, Japan

2. Precision Forestry … … refers to “planning and conducting site-specific forest management activities and operations to improve wood product quality and utilization, reduce waste, increase profits, and maintain the quality of the environment” (Taylor et al., 2002) The concept emerged in late 1990’s in Washington State, USA … uses geospatial information and technologies (GPS, GIS, etc.) to assist forest management planning and to improve operational efficiency (Taylor et al., 2002) 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 2

3. Precision Forestry andReduced Impact Logging Precision forestry may be a useful concept for the implementation of reduced impact logging (RIL), because it requires detailed inventories in which the trees to be harvested are mapped, marked and measured (Putzet al., 2008) Selection logging using RIL techniques will increase forest retention of carbon compared to conventional logging (Putzet al., 2008) Under the REDD-plus mechanism, all signatory countries will be required to adopt a sound logging system such as RIL (Sasaki and Yoshimoto, 2010) 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 3

4. Precision Forestry in Hokkaido, Japan In recent years, precision forestry has successfully been introduced to selection logging at the University of Tokyo Forest in central Hokkaido, northern Japan The adoption of laser-based survey system has improved operational efficiency for identifying the forests to be harvested Recent advances in global positioning system (GPS) technology enable us to pinpoint the geographic location of marked trees for harvest 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 4

5. Purpose To present practical applications of innovative surveying technologies to the precision management of selection forests in Hokkaido, Japan Selection forest refers to a forest managed with an uneven-aged silvicultural system, in which trees are removed individually from a large area periodically (Zingg et al., 1999) Topics include: The use of laser-based survey system for stand classification The use of GPS for tree marking 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 5

6. 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) The Univ. of Tokyo Hokkaido Forest Located in Furano, Hokkaido 43°10´- 20´ N, 142°20´- 40´ E Between the cool-temperate and the sub-boreal zone 22,733 ha of forestland Established in 1899 Natural mixed forest with coniferous and broad-leaved species The average growing stock is 210 m3/ha The cutting volume was 21,000 m3in 2009 6

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11. Using Laser-based Survey System for Stand Classification 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 11

12. Stand Classification … serves as the basis for spatial management planning on where to be cut (Owariet al., 2007) … identifies selection forests where natural regeneration is expectable so that selection logging is applicable (Takahashi, 2001) In-depth ground surveys are essential for stand classification (Owariet al., 2009) 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 12

13. Ground Survey for Stand Classification The ground survey was formerly conducted using a pocket compass with a measuring rope Although this method was reasonably accurate, it required much time and effort Laser-based survey system has been introduced to stand classification surveys since 2008 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 13

14. Laser-based Survey System TruPulse 200 with Mapstar compass module (Laser Technology, Inc., CO, USA) Archer Field PC (Juniper Systems, Inc. , UT, USA) GeoSketch 2 (TimberTech Co., Ltd., Japan) 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 14

15. Stand Classification Map Example: sub-comp. 66A Area: 106.27 ha, of which 29.23 ha were classified as selection forest Effectiveness of laser-based traverse survey (Tookuniet al., 2010) Mean error of closure: 1.3 m Number of survey crew: 2-3 (from 4) Time for in-house data processing: 1/6 of the conventional method 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 15

16. 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 16 Tree & Stump Locations Permanent Plot No. 5137

17. Stand Visualization using Forest Window 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 17 Before Harvest After Harvest Note: Dark Green: Conifer, Light Green: Broad-leaves, Red: Harvest trees

18. Using GPS for Tree Marking 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 18

19. Tree Marking … is an essential technique in single-tree selection system (Owariet al., 2010) … involves the careful selection of trees for harvest according to forest management objectives (OMNR, 2004) … affects the growth, quality and regeneration of a stand 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 19

20. Record of Marked Tree Locations Previously, the tree marker wrote down tracks and approximate positions of marked trees by hand during marking operations Since precise locations were not prepared, loggers and managers experienced trouble finding marked trees GPS has been introduced to tree marking operations since 2008 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 20

21. Positional Data Collection by GPS GPS receiver GPSMAP 60CSx (Garmin Ltd.) Small, handy, and easy to use Relatively easy GPS signal reception in a forested area (Tsuyukiet al., 2006) Marking the location (waypoint) Stand by the stem Stay shortly Press “MARK” and “ENTER” buttons by one hand 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 21

22. 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 22 Mapping of Marked Trees During April - May 2008 (defoliated season) Rate of removals: 16 % of the standing volume (a total of 1,565 trees were selected and marked) All positions were successfully measured Mean positional error was 5.7 m

23. Intersection with Selection Forests 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 23 Using the “select by location” option of ArcGIS 9.3 (ESRI Corp., CA, USA), trees that intersect with polygon features of selection forest can be extracted Of 1,565 trees, 410 (26%) were located outside the selection forests

24. Harvest Intensity 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 24 Spatial distribution of harvest intensity (trees ha-1) can be identified by calculating the point density of marked trees Mean density within selection forest was 35.3 trees ha-1

25. Summary Using laser-based survey system for stand mapping, we can … … accurately identify the area for selection logging … reduce the number of crew for ground surveys … save the time for in-house data processing Using GPSfor tree marking, we can … … easily record the location of trees that were marked for harvest … produce the information on where marked trees are located … know exactly how tree marking operations are implemented 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 25

26. Concluding Remarks Innovative surveying technologies such as laser-based survey system and GPS may be useful tools for forest managers in Cambodia We are happy to share the know-how on precision forestrywith selection logging 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 26

27. Thank you! This paper was partly supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B), 20710035, 2008 – 2010 (Corresponding address: owari@uf.a.u-tokyo.ac.jp) 2010/08/10 Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Owari, T.) 27