Showing papers in "Forestry Chronicle in 2000"
TL;DR: Given the increasingly important role of Ontario's forests in national and provincial efforts to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets of the Kyoto Protocol, afforestation, conservation of existing forests, and their management, silvicultural intervention will increasingly be relied on to maintain forest health.
Abstract: Climate change may profoundly influence Ontario's forest ecosystems and their management. Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations, increased temperature and altered precipitation regimes will affect forest vegetation through their influence on physiological (e.g., photosynthesis, respiration) and ecological processes (e.g., net primary production, decomposition), and may result in dramatic northward shifts in the natural range of forest types and species. More importantly, climate change is expected to increase the frequency of natural disturbances. Silvicultural intervention will increasingly be relied on to maintain forest health, manage declining stands, regenerate disturbed areas and cutovers with desired species and genotypes, maintain genetic diversity, and assist in species migration. Given the increasingly important role of Ontario's forests in national and provincial efforts to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets of the Kyoto Protocol, afforestation, conservation of existing forests, a...
101 citations
TL;DR: An integrated approach to developing standards based on an ecosystem management paradigm is outlined for the boreal forest where the variability inherent in natural systems is used to define the limits within which forest management is ecologically sustainable.
Abstract: Within Canada, and internationally, an increasing demand that forests be managed to maintain all resources has led to the development of criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management. There is, however, a lack of understanding, at an operational scale, how to evaluate and compare forest management activities to ensure the sustainability of all resources. For example, nationally, many of the existing indicators are too broad to be used directly at a local scale of forest management; provincially, regulations are often too prescriptive and rigid to allow for adaptive management; and forest certification programs, often based largely on public or stake-holder opinion instead of scientific understanding, may be too local in nature to permit a comparison of operations across a biome. At an operational scale indicators must be relevant to forest activities and ecologically integrated. In order to aid decision-makers in the adaptive management necessary for sustainable forest management, two types of indicators are identified: those that are prescriptive to aid in planning forest management and those that are evaluative to be used in monitoring and suggesting improvements. An integrated approach to developing standards based on an ecosystem management paradigm is outlined for the boreal forest where the variability inherent in natural systems is used to define the limits within which forest management is ecologically sustainable. Sustainability thresholds are thus defined by ecosystem response after natural disturbances. For this exercise, standards are proposed for biodiversity, forest productivity via regeneration, soil conservation and aquatic resources. For each of these standards, planning indicators are developed for managing forest conditions while forest values are evaluated by environmental indicators, thus leading to a continuous cycle of improvement. Approaches to developing critical thresholds and corresponding prescriptions are also outlined. In all cases, the scale of evaluation is clearly related to the landscape (or FMU) level while the stand level is used for measurement purposes. In this view the forest should be managed as a whole even though forest interventions are usually undertaken at the stand level.
84 citations
TL;DR: The regeneration and dominance of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) has been associated with fire throughout eastern North Arnerica as mentioned in this paper, and the abundance of red oak in these stands was largely the result of anthropogenic burning and natural fires, which would favor the regeneration and recruitment of northern Red Oak over such shade-tolerant species as sugar maple (Acer saccharurn Marsh).
Abstract: The regeneration and dominance of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) has been associated with fire throughout eastern North Arnerica. Red oak in central Ontario grows near the northern edge of its distribution in mixed hardwood-coniferous forests under mesic conditions where it competes with more shade-tolerant species. We hypothesized that the abundance of red oak in these stands was largely the result of anthropogenic burning and natural fires, which would favor the regeneration and recruitment of northern red oak over such shade-tolerant species as sugar maple (Acer saccharurn Marsh.). Fire histories dating from the mid-1600s were constructed by dendrochronological methods from fire scars on stumps, trees, and natural remnants of red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.), white pine (Pinus strobus L.), and red oak at six sites in south-central Ontario. Fire histories of the sites are characterized by abrupt changes in fire interval. As much or more variance in fire interval is found within sites as is found among sites. Differences in the mean fue interval among sites are related to the density and migration of historic aboriginal and European populations. The mean fire interval varied from more than 70 years to six years depending on site location and historic period. The occurrence and abundance of red oak is linked to anthropogenic fire regimes.
71 citations
TL;DR: A review of the literature describing the relationships between morphological indicators and the advance regeneration response to canopy removal focuses primarily on jack pine, and suggests the use of combined indicators and cntical threshold values for these indicators.
Abstract: Regeneration of forest stands through the preservation of existing advance regeneration has gained considerable interest in various regions of North America. The effectiveness of this approach relies on the capacity of regeneration to respond positively to overstory removal. Responses of advance regeneration to release is dependent on tree characteristics and site conditions interacting with the degree of physiological shock caused by the sudden change in environmental conditions. This paper presents a review of the literature describing the relationships between morphological indicators and the advance regeneration response to canopy removal. It focuses primarily on the following species: jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.), black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.), interior spruce (Picea glauca x engelmannii), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt). Pre-release height growth has been found to be a good indicator of post-release response for many species. Live-crown ratio also appears to be a good indicator of vigour for shade-tolerant species. The ratio of leader length to length of the longest lateral at the last whorl could serve to describe the degree of suppression before harvest for shade-tolerant species. Number of nodal and internodal branches or buds has been found to be related with vigour for many species. Logging damage has been shown to be an important determinant of seedling response to overstory removal. In contrast, heighddiameter ratio has limited value for predicting response to release since it varies with site, species and other factors. No clear relationship between age, height at release and response to release could be demonstrated. This paper also suggests the use of combined indicators and cntical threshold values for these indicators.
65 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a set of general guidelines that can be used to assist forest managers in deciding when vegetation management treatments are needed, including competition and critical-period thresholds.
Abstract: Thresholds define the time when management action is required to prevent a loss in yield, but have remained relatively elusive in forest vegetation management. Hundreds of studies quantifying the effects of competing vegetation in young forest stands, however, have produced reasonably consistent patterns and magnitudes of tree responses. These consistencies reveal a set of general guidelines that can be used to assist forest managers in deciding when vegetation management treatments are needed. Among the variety of vegetation management thresholds that have been defined, competition and critical-period thresholds can be interpreted from existing forest vegetation research. Competition thresholds define the vegetation density at which yield loss begins to occur and varies depending on whether the manager's objective is to maximize survival, height increment, basal area growth, or biomass. These interactions also appear to vary depending on whether woody or herbaceous plants are the principal competitors. T...
65 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the economics of afforestation in western Canada and show that much less land is available for afforest than would be the case if economics is ignored, and conclude that while afforests are a feasible weapon in the greenhouse policy arsenal, it might not be as effective on an economic basis as many forest sector analysts make out.
Abstract: The Kyoto Accord on climate change requires developed countries to achieve CO2-emissions reduction targets, but permits them to charge uptake of carbon (C) in terrestrial (primarily forest) ecosystems against emissions. Countries such as Canada hope to employ massive afforestation programs to achieve Kyoto targets. One reason is that foresters have identified large areas that can be afforested. In this paper, we examine this forestry option, focusing on the economics of afforestation in western Canada. In particular, we develop marginal C uptake curves and show that much less land is available for afforestation than would be the case if economics is ignored. We conclude that, while afforestation is a feasible weapon in the greenhouse policy arsenal, it might not be as effective on an economic basis as many forest-sector analysts make out. Key words: Climate change, economics of afforestation, Kyoto Accord
50 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the optical properties of greenhouse gases and general climate-warming influences were summarized and the influence of this new phenomenon on the major ecosystems of the world, and considered the process of deforestation.
Abstract: This paper summarizes current knowledge about the optical properties of greenhouse gases and general climate-warming influences. It explains the influence of this new phenomenon on the major ecosystems of the world, and considers the process of deforestation. It then analyzes the warming trends in Ontario based on data from two weather stations with continuous records of more than 120 years, to determine the rate of warming in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Region. The results indicate a temperature increase of about 0.76 °C per century and an 8% increase in annual total precipitation.Current climate change models indicate that for a scenario of 2 × CO2 levels some general, probable prognoses can be made, including a temperature increase of up to 4.5 °C, which might be disastrous for existing forest ecosystems. Specifically, the consequences of climate warming on (a) northward shifts of ecological conditions, (b) forest productivity, and (c) forest physiology and health, are examined. In the context of glob...
47 citations
TL;DR: The British ForestGales model has been adapted for balsam fir with data from a winching study in Quebec, Canada, and the effects of age, site quality, wind exposure, thinning and the creation of new edges were assessed.
Abstract: Balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) forests are inherently vulnerable to windthrow, especially when silvicultural treatments are applied. During recent years, it has become possible to model windthrow risk based on a good understanding of windthrow mechanics. In the present paper, the British ForestGales model has been adapted for balsam fir with data from a winching study in Quebec, Canada. This model calculates the threshold wind speed required to break or overturn the average tree in a stand and then calculates the probability of exceeding the threshold value. Modifications of the equations predicting crown characteristics and overturning resistance were introduced. The effects of age, site quality, wind exposure, thinning and the creation of new edges were assessed. The estimated critical wind speed for overturning and breakage decreases with age but the probability of damage remains low on sheltered sites. The creation of a new edge leads to an increased probability of damage, especially on expose...
45 citations
TL;DR: This paper presents a conceptual model of biotic disturbance ecology in sub-boreal forests of central B.C. and describes how forest management practices can lead to forest health problems by disrupting these ecological processes, and the natural population dynamics of insects and pathogens.
Abstract: In forested ecosystems, insects and pathogens play an important role in ecosystem function, and there is increasing evidence that these organisms are primary determinants of forest structure and composition. Recent research has confirmed this even in sub-boreal forests, where fire was traditionally thought to be the major agent of disturbance and hence the main driver of successional processes. This paper presents a conceptual model of biotic disturbance ecology in sub-boreal forests of central B.C. We also describe how forest management practices can lead to forest health problems by disrupting these ecological processes, and the natural population dynamics of insects and pathogens. Key words: disturbance ecology, succession, forest pest, sub-boreal, forest management, forest health
45 citations
TL;DR: This paper provides examples using satellite remote sensing data, in the quantification of landscape structure in two Canadian forests, of the link between landscape structure and biodiversity provided through the emergence of ecological understanding.
Abstract: Satellite remote sensing data and methods can be used to develop maps of large areas at different times in order to assess changes in forest ecosystem patterns and processes. Such maps are useful i...
43 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used the Weibull distribution as the predictor variable for predicting the height of alder and Douglas-fir trees, and found that introducing stand density variables into the base equations resulted in an increase in accuracy for predicting alder's height.
Abstract: Height equations for western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), and alder (Alnus rubra Bong. and Alnus tenuifolia Nutt.) were fitted using dbh as the predictor variable. A simple, non-linear equation gave very similar results to the Weibull distribution, except for hemlock, which was better modelled using the more flexible Weibull distribution function. Introducing stand density variables into the base equations resulted in increased accuracy for predicting heights of alder. Smaller improvements were found for Douglas-fir, cedar, and hemlock. Key words: estimating height, Coastal BC, Weibull estimation, stand density measures
TL;DR: Results suggest residents from forest and non forest-dependent communities share similar forest values, that current forest management practices such as clearcutting do not reflect the values of local, provincial or national publics, and that forest managers should be especially responsive to thevalues of the local public when making forest management decisions.
Abstract: A mail survey was conducted of local residents of a forest-dependent region (Fraser Fort George Regional District, n=974), provincial (British Columbia, n=1208) and Canadian (n=1672) publics to compare their values for forests and preferences for forest management (overall response rate=45.2%). While the local public tended to place a significantly higher (p<0.05) emphasis on economic values and clearcutting practices relative to provincial and national publics, all publics held quite similar views on forest management overall. All publics support a multi-valuelecosystem management over a single-valueltimber management approach to forest management, do not support maximisation of economic returns from timber regardless of the impacts and agree forest managers should be more responsive to local resident values than the values of more distant groups. Responses also reflected a lack of public confidence in government natural resource agencies. Results suggest residents from forest and non forest-dependent communities share similar forest values, that current forest management practices such as clearcutting do not reflect the values of local, provincial or national publics, and that forest managers should be especially responsive to the values of the local public when making forest management decisions.
TL;DR: The effects of commercial, winter-logging of aspen-dominated stands on soil disturbance and development of regeneration on three sites with clay soils are determined and aspen sucker density and height are recorded.
Abstract: Sustaining forest productivity requires maintaining soil productivity and prompt establishment of adequate regeneration following harvest. We determined effects of commercial, winter-logging of aspen-dominated stands on soil disturbance and development of regeneration on three sites with clay soils. We established transects across each site, recorded pre-harvest stand information, post-harvest site disturbance, and first-year aspen sucker density and height. Use of large logging equipment produced heavy disturbance on 38% of a well-drained site; 45% of the area had no aspen suckers and 82% had less than the recommended minimum of 15 000 (15 k) suckers per ha (6 k ac−1). Mean height of dominant suckers was 45 cm (18 in). Hand felling and a small skidder caused heavy disturbance on 12% of a moderately well-drained site. Sucker density averaged 34 k ha−1 (14 k ac−1) and height was 97 cm (38 in). Cut-to-length (CTL) equipment produced heavy disturbance on 11% of a somewhat poorly-drained site, mean sucker den...
TL;DR: If fibre farming, using either natural or artificial regeneration, becomes increasingly more important, emphasis will start to be placed as much on equipment and integration of fibre production with manufacturer needs as on previously standard silvicultural treatments.
Abstract: In the midst of changing social, ecological, and technical realities, interest in intensive silviculture has resurfaced. Intensive silviculture could build on previous silvicultural approaches, simply intensifying use of the treatments or treatment combinations identified in this paper to increase timber production, but the costs and benefits for specific treatments or treatment combinations remains unclear. Or intensive silviculture could be based on new thinking, refocusing so that increasing amounts of fibre are produced on dramatically younger, agricultural-like fibre farms located in areas that have the longest possible growing season. If fibre farming, using either natural or artificial regeneration, becomes increasingly more important, emphasis will start to be placed as much on equipment and integration of fibre production with manufacturer needs as on previously standard silvicultural treatments. Regardless of the form taken, some reject the suggested advantages of intensive silviculture, recomme...
TL;DR: The effect of careful logging to preserve advance growth was studied in mixedwood stands of the balsam fir - yellow birch eco-climatic domain in eastern Quebec, Canada to quantify the abundance of regeneration five years after logging.
Abstract: The effect of careful logging to preserve advance growth was studied in mixedwood stands of the balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) - yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) eco-climatic do...
TL;DR: The Bioindicators of Forest Condition Project (FCR) as mentioned in this paper uses a remote sensing approach to infer pigment concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence, and other physiological features of condition.
Abstract: Objective measures of forest ecosystem condition are needed to gauge the effects of management activities and natural phenomena on sustainability. The Bioindicators of Forest Condition Project seeks to develop a Forest Condition Rating (FCR) system using a physiological, remote sensing approach. In particular, the goal of the project is to test whether hyperspectral remote sensing may be used to infer stand-level information about pigment concentration, chlorophyll fluorescence, and other physiological features of condition. The project spans a four-year period of intensive sampling in tolerant hardwood forests in Ontario using the Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager (CASI). For each airborne campaign, concurrent ground-based sampling for leaf physiological features was performed. Controlled laboratory and greenhouse studies were also conducted to derive relationships between leaf-based spectral measurements and physiology in the presence of environmental stresses. The project has identified several promising bioindicators of strain that are discernible from hyperspectral images and related to ground-based physiology. The most promising remote indicator for semi-operational testing is estimation of chlorophyll content, which can be used to classify maple stands on a five-stage scale of health. Chlorophyll fluorescence has also been discerned from spectral signatures, but our studies indicate it may be confounded by chlorophyll content. The intent here is to update the forestry community on progress made, insights gained, and the practical implications of the research.
TL;DR: The aspects of airborne remote sensing that are critical to forestry applications, the imaging characteristics of the most common sensors currently available, and analytical techniques that make use of the great amount of information content in airborne imagery are discussed.
Abstract: This paper discusses the aspects of airborne remote sensing that are critical to forestry applications, the imaging characteristics of the most common sensors currently available, and analytical techniques that make use of the great amount of information content in airborne imagery. As the first paper in the CIF technical meeting to which this issue of the Forestry Chronicle is devoted, the paper is intended to provide an overview and context for subsequent papers and not a presentation of specific research methods or results. Key words: airborne remote sensing, forestry, photography, digital cameras, hyperspectral sensors, radar, laser remote sensing, image analysis
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present different management paradigms, modelling approach, and management paradigm for the management of forest landscapes, which embody different management paradigm, modeling approach and management model.
Abstract: Contemporary forest management design is generating innovative ideas as it evolves towards the management of forest landscapes. These ideas embody different management paradigms, modelling approach...
TL;DR: Two examples of DSSs are used to illustrate the application of non-market valuation models that have been developed to estimate the economic value, as well as the level of participation, of recreational moose hunting in Newfoundland and Alberta.
Abstract: Decision support systems (DSS) can be useful tools for facilitating the application of complex economic models. Two examples of DSSs are used to illustrate the application of non-market valuation models that have been developed to estimate the economic value, as well as the level of participation, of recreational moose hunting in Newfoundland and Alberta. DSSs may be useful tools for foresters, biologists, tourist boards and economic development agencies to understand conflicts between industrial operations and other forest uses. Key words: non-timber valuation, decision support system, recreationists, databases.
TL;DR: Using these two measures, urban forest planners and managers can integrate many of the issues associated with broader aspects of the structure and benefits of the forest under their jurisdiction.
Abstract: Many of the benefits that we derive from urban forests are directly or indirectly related to the leaf area of the forest. If we are to consider these multiple benefits at the level of the forest, the use of Leaf Area Density (LAD) provides some advantages over other often used measures. Since many factors in the urban landscape can limit leaf area, Potential Leaf Area Density (PLAD) can provide a measure of the upper limit to leaf area density. Using these two measures, urban forest planners and managers can integrate many of the issues associated with broader aspects of the structure and benefits of the forest under their jurisdiction. Some planning, policy, and educational applications of LAD and PLAD are discussed. Key words: urban forestry management and planning, leaf area density
TL;DR: The survey indicated that many communities do not have inventories or management plans and the level of funding for the maintenance of municipal forests are insufficient to sustain a supply of benefits to the community.
Abstract: Urban forests are the day-to-day interface between most Canadians and their natural environment. In spite of the many benefits derived from our urban forests, relatively little is understood about their extent, condition and level of management. The results of a survey of Canadian municipalities is used to summaries the level of management and planning in the country's municipally managed forests. The survey indicated that many communities do not have inventories or management plans and the level of funding for the maintenance of municipal forests are insufficient to sustain a supply of benefits to the community. Key words: urban forestry, inventory, planning, budgets
TL;DR: Generally, hardwood forest health in the province appears to be quite good; severe decline is limited and very site-specific, occurring only in selected northern regions on acid-sensitive and/or marginal sites, or in southern areas on very shallow soils.
Abstract: In 1986 the Ontario government established a long-term program to monitor hardwood forest health. The program was initiated in response to widespread reports of forest decline in North America and Europe and the implication that air pollution, specifically acidic deposition, was a causal factor. Visual symptoms of branch dieback, leaf colour, and leaf size, have been quantitatively evaluated on about 15 000 trees in 110 plots. This report summarizes the results of the first 12 years (1986 to 1998). Over that time period, relative to the 1986 baseline year, 84% of the plots have improved in condition, 12% have not changed, and 4% have deteriorated. Generally, hardwood forest health in the province appears to be quite good; severe decline is limited and very site-specific, occurring only in selected northern regions on acid-sensitive and/or marginal sites, or in southern areas on very shallow soils. Northern forests growing on coarse-textured shallow soils underlain by precambrian rock are in poorer health ...
TL;DR: Results indicate strong potential for identification and counting of conifer trees when competing vegetation cover is low or in leaf-off condition, however, systematic decreases in class separability and conifer count accuracy were observed with increasing competition.
Abstract: The potential of low cost, high-resolution airborne digital camera imagery for use in early stage forest regeneration assessment was investigated. Airborne imagery with 2.5-cm pixel size was acquired near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, over a forest vegetation management research site to: i) evaluate capabilities for identification and stem counting of two-year old conifer crop species under leaf-off and leaf-on conditions using classification of spectral and textural image information, and ii) develop models relating vegetation cover parameters to image spectral and texture information. Results indicate strong potential for identification and counting of conifer trees when competing vegetation cover is low or in leaf-off condition. However, systematic decreases in class separability and conifer count accuracy were observed with increasing competition. In image modelling of competition Leaf Area Index and Cover, statistically significant relations were found using primarily spectral measures. Stratification b...
TL;DR: Results showed that germination substrate was the main factor determining first-year seedling establishment, and that cover reduction became important for seedling survival and long-term establishment of the three species.
Abstract: Stand regeneration failures, sometimes observed in rich second growth balsam fir stands, prompted a study in 1991 to assess the effects of the shelterwood cutting system on regeneration of balsam f...
TL;DR: Five experimental conifer release treatments applied to each of four, three-to-seven-year-old spruce plantations resulted in a mosaic of woody and herbaceous vegetation complexes after two growing seasons, which was evaluated as a means of mapping and quantifying cover in each of eight vegetation and two non-vegetation categories.
Abstract: Five experimental conifer release treatments applied to each of four, three-to-seven-year-old spruce plantations resulted in a mosaic of woody and herbaceous vegetation complexes after two growing seasons. A combination of 1:5000-scale overview and 1:500-scale sample photographs were evaluated as a means of mapping and quantifying cover in each of eight vegetation and two non-vegetation categories. On 23-cm format, 1:5000-scale photographs, blocks were stereoscopically stratified into areas (>25 m2) of uniform vegetation. A random selection of eighty 70-mm format, 1:500 photo samples were then used as "training sites" to calibrate strata assessment on the 1:5000 photographs. Remaining sample plots were used to verify the accuracy of the final map product. Verification plots suggested that principle vegetation components such as tall, mid, and low shrub, grass, and herbaceous species were estimated to within 5-10% cover, at least 70% of the time. Errors for lesser components, such as dead shrub, conifer, bare ground and slash were 2-5% cover. Ferns could not be discerned at the 1:5000 scale and there was evidence of occasional confusion between herbaceous species and other life forms, including mid shrub, low shrub, and grass categories. Operational applications of the methodology are discussed.
TL;DR: The extent of forest changes in space and time was determined by quantifying forests patches and forest fragmentation for seven area municipalities within the Regional Municipality of York for the period from 1975 to 1988.
Abstract: Forests patches and forest fragmentation were quantified for seven area municipalities within the Regional Municipality of York for the period from 1975 to 1988. This quantification made it possible to determine the extent of forest changes in space and time. In 1988, forest cover shrank to 30%–50% of its 1975 extent. At the same time, the number of forest patches doubled or tripled and mean patch size and the area of interior (based on a 100 m wide edge) declined indicating a high rate of forest fragmentation. Key words: development, fragmentation, remote sensing, forest
TL;DR: In this article, conifer understory information about deciduous-dominated mixed-wood stands is used to increase the possible range of management options for these complex communities, yet cost-effective and accur...
Abstract: Information about conifer understory within deciduous-dominated mixed-wood stands would increase the possible range of management options for these complex communities, yet cost-effective and accur...
TL;DR: It is speculated that seed predation is a critical factor in white pine succession and balsam fir understory species on sites occupied by white pine.
Abstract: Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) does not regenerate well in the absence of fire, or without mechanical exposure of mineral soil, while balsam fir (Abies balsamea L. Mill.) is a common underst...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide guidelines for implementing spatial models for spatially explicit applications to forest management, such as the mapping of forest biomass, site index and forest productivity, using GIS and digital remote sensing.
Abstract: Advances in GIS and digital remote sensing are improving our ability to obtain estimates of spatially distributed forest properties such as forest biomass or productivity. The availability of such tools for implementing models in a spatially explicit manner provides opportunities to integrate ecological or process-based models into resource management applications. This article provides guidelines for implementing such models for spatially explicit applications to forest management. Project objectives may vary greatly from one application to another, but scaling, model evaluation, error assessment, and procedural improvement are all aspects that require a common strategic approach. Three examples of implementation of spatial models dealing with the mapping of forest biomass, site index and forest productivity are also presented. The guidelines can be extended to other applications, in particular to those in resource management where either ecological modelling or the inclusion of new technologies such as ...