DEVELOPMENT OF ECOLOGICAL LAND CLASSIFICATION AND MAPPING IN SUPPORT OF FOREST MANAGEMENT IN NORTHERN NEWFOUNDLAND, CANADA DENES B A J Z A K Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1B 3X5, Canada and B.A. ROBERTS Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, St. John's, Newfoundland, A I C 5X8, Canada

Abstract. For the sustainable development of forest land, as recently prescribed by the Canadian Forest Strategy, a land classification project in northern Newfoundland was initiated to support the local forest management activities. The method adopted here is a modification of the Canadian Committee for Ecological Land Classification's (CCELC) system, and it applies various levels of mapping to uniform areas based on geomorphology, soils, vegetation, climate, water, and fauna. In this study, all CCELC levels were mapped; resulting maps were digitized and imported into a Geographic Informations System (GIS). The GIS data base contained the following maps: 1) digital terrain model, 2) bedrock geology, 3) surficial geology, 4) forest inventory, and 5) various levels of the ecological land classification, including Vegetation Types at the lowest level. In addition to the mapping, mensurational data were analyzed to provide stand and stock tables for each of the forest types, including growth curves that could be entered into specific forest growth modelling systems to predict wood supply scenarios based upon different management interventions.

1. Introduction Sustainable development is a key component of the new Forest Strategy recently adopted for the forested areas of Canada (Canadian Council of Forest Ministers, 1992). This shift in perception has required the introduction of extensive forest management practices which were previously lacking in Newfoundland. Essential forest management activities involve the use of detailed forest inventory data, and the application of silvicultural interventions, harvest planning, etc. Operational forestry must be supported by appropriate site classification and mapping programs which make optimum use of modem computerized approaches. In addition to mapping and the use of forest inventory data, information on growth and yield, and other forest management interpretations (e.g., based on landform and soil parameters) must also be available separately for individual site types. At present in Newfoundland, the use of site classification in forest operations is confined to the spot application of a "site manual" (Meades and Moores, 1989), in spite of the fact that extensive forest site classification research has been conducted during the last 30 years. Initial research was concentrated on the derivation of forest Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 39: 199-213, 1996. (~) 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.

200

DENES BAJZAK AND B.A. ROBERTS

site types using floristic and edaphic criteria. Damman (1963, 1964, 1967) defined site types separately for four major geographic portions of Newfoundland (central Newfoundland, western Newfoundland, the Northern Peninsula, and, Avalon Peninsula). Concurrent with Damman's work, studies were conducted to provide mensurational data for the most important types (Bajzak, 1962; Bajzak etal., 1968; Page et al., 1970; Page and van Nostrand, 1970). The Damman site classification system was also used in the calibration of the Canada Land Inventory Forest Capability Classification in Newfoundland (Delaney, 1974). Near the completion of the Canada Land Inventory National Project, several local pilot projects were initiated with the intention of developing biophysical land classification using the approach described by Lacate (I969) (see Bajzak, 1969; Wells et aL, t972; Bajzak, 1973; Wells and Roberts, 1973). Concurrent with the Canada Land Inventory, a province-wide global forest inventory was carded out in Newfoundland. The global inventory was followed by an intensive forest management inventory (Bajzak, 1978). The present Newfoundland forest inventory is concerned with the re-measurements of permanent sample plots established during the management inventory, as well as the establishment of new plots. In addition to the measurement of forest stands and stem analysis, floristic and soil data have also been collected (Roberts et al., 1993). Our research project was initiated to develop an integrated forest site classification method applied to a pre-selected area. The Geographic Informations System (GIS) mapping approach was based on the Canadian Committee for Ecological Land Classification (CCELC) system (Wiken, 1973) and was applied to a representative experimental area near Roddickton, northern Newfoundland.

2. Approach The CCELC system (Wiken, 1973) applies various levels of mapping, from very general to very detailed (Table I), to identify spatially uniform areas based on geomorphology, soil, vegetation, climate, water, and fauna. A specific scale is attached to each of the levels to present the maps. In this study, all CCELC Ievels were mapped and digitized for practical use by the Regional Forester responsible for the management of the selected area.

3. Methods An experimental area was chosen near Roddickton on the Northern Peninsula (Figure 1) in consultation with the Regional Forester. In the CCELC system, the landbase is perceived in a holistic manner comprising five major components: terrain, hydrology, climate, flora, and fauna. Terrain refers to the physical characteristics of the land and depends on the bedrock and surficial geology. Within the

ECOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION IN NORTHERN NEWFOUNDLAND

201

TABLE I The hierarchical levels of the Canadian Committee on Ecological Land Classification (CCELC) system (after Wiken, 1973). Level ECOZONE

Description

Areas of large land masses representing very generalized ecological units, based on the consideration that the earth's surface is interactive and continuously adjusting to the mix of biotic and abiotie factors that may be present at any given time (e.g., Boreal Shield). ECOPROVINCE Areas of the earth's surface characterized by major structural or surface forms, faunal realms, vegetation, hydrology, soil, and climatic zones (e.g., Island of Newfoundland). ECOREGION A part of an ecoprovince characterized by distinctive ecological responses to climate as expressed by vegetation, soil, water, and fauna (e.g., Northern Peninsula Lowland). ECODISTRICT A part of an ecoregion characterized by a distinctive pattern of relief, geology, geomophology, vegetation, water and fauna. ECOSECTION A part of an ecodistrict throughout which there is a recurring pattern of terrain, soil, vegetation, waterbodies and fauna. ECOSITE A part of an ecosection having a relatively uniform parent material, soil, hydrology, and chronosequence of vegetation. ECOELEMENT A part of an ecosite displaying uniform soil, topographical, vegetative and hydrological characteristics.

Common Map Scale 1:50000 000 to 1:10000 000

1:10000 000 to 1:5 000 000 1:3 000 000 to 1:1 000 000 1:500 000 to 1:125 000 1:250 000 to 1:50 000 1:50 000 to 1:10 000 1:10 000 to 1:2 500

experimental area, the bedrock geology was mapped by Knight (1987) on 1:50 000 scale black and white aerial photographs (Figure 2). Surficial deposit units were obtained from a 1:61 440 scale map published by the Geological Survey o f Canada (Grant, 1973). Preliminary information on floristic (indicator and differential species), physiographic, and soil characteristics o f forest types was provided by previous works by D a m m a n (1963, 1983). Other mensurational field studies provided stand and stock tables, height/dbh and site index curves, stem analysis, and basal area volume relationships o f major forest types (Page et aL, 1970); these were used as a basis for inventory and growth estimates on the experimental area's forest stands (Page et al., 1970). The C C E L C system, as described in Table I, was applied for the experimental area and its vicinity. The highest level of the classification, " e c o z o n e " , was adapted directly from Wiken (1973). Units o f the other levels o f the system were defined and then delineated on 1:250 000 topographic maps and/or 1:50 000 scale black

202

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light-gray fenestral limestone, dark gray, thick bedded, fossiliferous, argillaceous limestone, minor dolostone

green-gray sandstone and shale

at least 60% bedrock concealed by vegetation, up to 40% thin till, and less than 15% bogs more than 60% bedrock concealed by vegetation and less than 15% boggy areas at least 60% rock outcrop and up to 40% bedrock concealed by vegetation

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at least 60% of the area is underlain by drumlinoid thin till with up to 40% boggy areas at least 60% thin till and up to 40% bedrock concealed by vegetation

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C (Catoche Formation):

A (Aguathuna Formation):

LEGEND TO FIGURE I

dolostone, parted, bioturbated, oolitic and cryptagal limestone and minor shale quartz arenite and mudstone, minor limestone calcareous siltstone, shale, nodular limestone, black oolitic-oncolitic limestone

gray, fossiliferous, bioturbated, cryptalgal limestone, minor light-gray limestone at top interbeded dark- to light-gray, dolomitic limestone, cryptalgal limestone and dolostone, breccia locally at base dark-gray to black, crystalline dolomite, chert, and black to light-gray, cryptalgal and bioturbated limestone dolostone, argillaceous dolostone, shale

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D e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e N o r t h e r n P e n i n s u l a L o w l a n d E c o r e g x o n (107) This ecoregion includes lowland areas with rolling topography where the altitude ranges from 50 to 200 m above sea level. It is mainly made up of Cambrian and Ordovician terrigenous terrain and carbonate platform rocks. The experimental area and its surroundings include a foreland of autochthon in the west and north-trending parautochton in the east. Both areas are cut by numerous northeast-trending high angle cross faults. The west part of the parautochton is relatively undeformed while the east part is strongly deformed and metamorphosed. Colder and colder climate prevails at all times of the year towards north in this ecoregion. Annual precipitation is 900-1 000 mm near the coast, increasing to 1 000-1 150 mm over hills. Winters are long and cold with continuous snow cover duration averaging up to 3 months in extreme north. Summers are short and cool with high percentage of cloudiness. The growing season is relatively short, but ranges from 1I0 to 150 days. During occasional off-shore airflow, the daytime temperature could reach 25~ The soils of this area were derived from argillaceous, arenaceous, and calcarious sediments. FerroHumic and Humo-Ferric Podzols are the main soil great groups. The organic soils are mostly very poorly drained Fibrizols in bogs and Mesizols in fens. The entire area is forest covered. The principal tree species are balsam fir, black spruce, and white spruce. The boreal hardwoods (trembling aspen and white birch) are of secondary importance. Black spruce is the dominant species on extremely poor sites and in bog borders. The major animal species is moose which often causes extensive damage to fir regeneration through browsing. Migrating caribou cross this ecoregion.

Fig. 2. Ecoregions of Newfoundland Ecoprovince. Map published by Agriculture Agri-food Canada, 1994.

ECOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION IN NORTHERN NEWFOUNDLAND

205

and white aerial photographs and 1:12 500 scale color aerial photographs which were supported by ground observations. Mapping results were entered into a GIS system by digitizing elevation contours from a 1:50 000 scale topographic map (for the development of a digital terrain model) and by digitizing interpreted polygon boundaries from the 1:12 500 scale aerial photographs. Cross section diagrams of landforms, forest, and soil type relationships were prepared.

4. Results

The ecozone unit which includes the experimental area (Boreal Shield) was adapted directly from Wiken (1973). The units of other levels were defined and described by the authors based on available information on climate, geology, hydrology, and on flora. The units of each level for the experimental area were delineated and presented on maps generated at the scales shown in Table I. To illustrate the classification system we elaborate here upon only two levels: ecoregion and ecoelement. Ecoregion units express major ecological differences of a regional nature attributed mainly to varied geology and climate. A specific ecoregion has a distinctive recurring pattern of vegetation and soil controlled by regional climate. The recently published map of "Terrestrial Ecozones and Ecoregions of Canada" (Ecological Stratification Working Group, 1994), was used as a basis for delineating ecoregions of the Newfoundland ecoprovince (Figure 2). Based on extensive field investigations by the authors, the lowland portion of ecozone number 107 was separated out, boundary lines were modified slightly, and the resulting polygon was named "Northern Peninsula Lowland Ecoregion". A description of this ecoregion was prepared (Figure 2). Maps of ecoelements are required for the design and conduct of detailed forest management operations. Ecoelement units represent the lowest level of classification displaying uniform topography, soil, vegetation, and hydrology. Forest types, as established for the Northern Peninsula (Damman, 1963), were modified and supplemented to develop ecoelement units. Units were delineated on 1:12 500 scale natural color, vertical aerial photographs by stereoscopic examination. Figure 3 is a reduced black and white reproduction of two stereo pairs which illustrates how ecoelements were mapped. Manipulation of the databases within a GIS system permitted map production at any scale of generalization although the accuracy of any map will depend on the scale of the aerial photographs on which the units of a particular level were delineated. Figure 4 maps the distribution of ecoelements (approximate original scale 1:14 000) for the same geographic area as covered by Figure 3.

Fig. 3. Stereogram illustrating "ecoelement" mapping. Vegetation types developed by Damman, 1963.

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5. Discussion and Conclusions Ecological land classification provides information required for a range of purposes including global and local forest management, environmental protection, and land use policy formulation. For forest and trade-off analyses with other possible management, potential applications include cutting methods, silvicultural treatments, and land uses (e.g., wildlife, recreation). The system for this experimental area in northern Newfoundland was developed for forest management purposes. The most detailed level of classification (ecoele-

211

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ment) was undertaken for a 60 km 2 area chosen for intensive forest management practice. Map and inventory data were entered into a GIS system, which permitted the manipulation of spatial information for management decision making purposes. For example, a digital terrain model may be generated for three dimensional viewing for all or part of the area of concern (Figure 5). Additional information on site conditions and management interpretation for a particular site type (ecoelement) (e.g., Figure 6) may also be utilized in a spatial context. The forester can obtain inventory data on any of the units with a species growth curve which is imported into a computer simulation model like the "FORMAN" model used in Newfoundland. The growth curve in Figure 7, for example, was prepared from

212

DEIfiESBAJZAKAND B.A. ROBERTS

Fig. 7. Growth curve for the "Taxus balsam fir" ecoelement unit. sample plot data collected on forest stands ranging in age between 55 and 120 years o f the "Taxus balsam fir" type. Similar curves are produced for the other e c o e l e m e n t units for which sufficient sample plot data are available. Other units will continue to be sampled over time within the framework o f the Newfoundland Forest Inventory.

Acknowledgements The authors would like to express their thanks for the monetary support received from Newfoundland's Federal - Provincial Forestry Agreement. We would like to acknowledge the contribution to this paper o f Ian Knight, Newfoundland Department o f Energy, Mines and Resources, and AI Simms, Geography Department, Memorial University o f Newfoundland.

References Bajzak, D.: 1962, 'A study of the mensurational characteristics of some forest types of centralNewfoundland', Report No. 62-2 on project NF-55, Can. Dep. For., For. Res. Br., Newfoundl. Dist., Newfoundland, 92 pp. Bajzak, D.: 1969, 'Biophysical land classification, Labrador', Interim Report No. N-16, Dep. Fish. For., For. Res. Branch, St. John's, Newfoundland, 12 pp. Bajzak, D.: 1973, 'Biophysical land classification of the Lake Melville area, Labrador', Information Report No. N-X-88, Envir. Can., Can. For. Serv., St. John's, Newfoundland, 115 pp.

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Bajzak, D.: 1978, 'The Newfoundland forest management inventory', In: Proceedings of the International Symposium of Subject Groups $4-02 and $4-04, IUFRO, Bucharest, Romania, pp. 1-10. Bajzak, D., Bouzane, J.P. and Page. G.: 1968, 'A study of the mensurational characteristics of some important forest types of western Newfoundland', Information Report No. N-X-7, Can. Dep. For. & Rur. Dev., For. Branch, Can. For. Serv., St. John's, Newfoundland, 102 pp. Canadian Council of Forest Ministers: 1992, 'Sustainable forests- A Canadian commitment', National Forest Strategy Publication, Hull, Qu6bec, 41 pp. Damman, A.W.H.: 1963, 'A reconnaissance survey of the ecological conditions in the forest of the Roddickton area, Newfoundland', Unpub. Mimeo Rep. No. 63-N-1, Can. Dep. For., For. Res. Branch, St. John's, Newfoundland, 90 pp. Damman, A.W.H.: 1964, 'Some forest types of central Newfoundland and their relationship to environmental factors', Forest Science Monograph 8, 1-62. Damman, A.W.H.: 1967, 'The forest vegetation of western Newfoundland and their site degradation associated with vegetation change', Ph.D. Thesis, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 319 pp. Damman, A.W.H.: 1983, 'An ecological subdivision of the Island of Newfoundland', In: G.R. South (ed.), Biogeography and Ecology of the Island of Newfoundland, Monographiae Biologicae 48, W. Junk Publ. Co., The Hague, Netherlands, pp. 163-206. Delaney, B.B.: 1974, 'Land capability classification for forestry in Newfoundland', Newfoundl. For. Serv. Rep., Dep. For. Agric., St. John's, Newfoundland, 103 pp. Ecological Stratification Working Group: 1994, 'Terrestrial ecozones and ecoregions of Canada', Mapsheet at 1:7 500 000 scale, Envir. Can., Agriculture and Agro-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. Grant, D.R.: 1973, 'Surficial Geology Map: St. Anthony - Blanc Sablon', Mapsheet at 1:61 440 scale, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. Knight, I.: 1987, 'Geology of the Roddickton (121/16) Map Area', Current Research Report 87-1, Dept. Mines and Ener., Gov. Newfoundl. and Lab., St. John's, Newfoundland, pp. 343-357. Lacate, D.S.: 1969, 'Guidelines for the biophysical land classification', Publication No. 1264, Dep. Fish. For., Can. For. Serv., Ottawa, Ontario, 61 pp. Meades, W.J. and Moores, L.: 1989, 'Forest site classification manual', FRDA Report No. 003, Canada - Newfoundland Forest Resource Development Agreement, St. John's, Newfoundland, unpaginated. Page, G., Bouzane, J.P., Bajzak, D. and van Nostrand R.S.: 1970, 'A study of the mensurational characteristics of some important forest types of northern Newfoundland', Information Report No. N-X-41, Can. Dep. Fish. For., Can. For. Serv., St. John's, Newfoundland, 109 pp. Page, G. and van Nostrand, R.S.: 1970, 'A study of the mensurational characteristics of some important forest types of eastern Newfoundland', Information Report No. N-X-47, Envir. Can., Can. For. Serv., St. John's, Newfoundland, 100 pp. Roberts, B.A., Woodrow, E.F., Bajzak, D. and Osmond, S.M.: 1993, 'Forest site classification', Report No. 1, Forest Management District 8, Dep. For. Agric., Newfoundland, and Agric. Canada, St. John's, Newfoundland, 12 pp. Wells, R.E., Bouzane, J.P. and Roberts, B.A.: 1972, 'Reconnaissance land classification of the Corner Brook area', Information Report No. N-X-83, Envir. Can., Can. For. Serv., St. John's, Newfoundland, 123 pp. Wells, R.E. and Roberts, B.A.: 1973, 'Biophysical survey of the Badger-Diversion Lake area', Information Report No. N-X-101, Envir. Can., Can. For. Serv., St. John's, Newfoundland, 55 pp. Wiken, E.: 1973, 'Terrestrial ecozones of Canada', Ecological Land Classification Series No. 19, Lands Directorate, Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, 26 pp.