Explanation of the Simulation Results

The downloaded archive contains the following files:

c009d9to14.xls
c009d9to14_SI50.xls
c009d9to14_SI90.xls
c012d9to14_SI90.xls
c012d9to14_SI50.xls
c012d9to14.xls
c033d9to14_SI50.xls
c033d9to14.xls
c033d9to14_SI90.xls
mand9to14.xls
mand9to14_SI50.xls
mand9to14_SI90.xls
p557d7.xls
p557d8.xls
p566d7.xls
p566d8.xls
p570d7.xls
p570d8.xls
p620d7.xls
p620d8.xls
p713d7.xls
p713d8.xls
p718d7.xls
p718d8.xls
p721d6.xls
p721d7.xls
p721d8.xls
p814d7.xls
p814d8.xls
p817d7.xls
p817d8.xls
DBQDistributions.xls

The c###d9to14*.xls contain the results for the Coconino NF stand data sets and DBQ distributions 9 to 14 (see file DBQDistributions.xls).
The mand9to14*.xls contain the results for the Manitou Exp For stand.
The _SI## denotes selection of another site index than the FVS default.

The p###d#.xls contain the results for the Plumas NF plot data sets, where ### stands for the plot number and # for the distribution.

Variables evaluated are:
Tpa: trees per acre
BA: basal area
TopHt: top height of the stand
QMD: quadratic mean diameter
TCuFt: total cubic feet per acre (stemwood only)
MCuFt: merchantable cubic feet per acre (stemwood only)
RTpa: removed trees per acre
RTCuFt: removed total cubic feet per acre (stemwood only)
RMCuFt: removed merchantable cubic feet per acre (stemwood only)
RNCuFt: removed non-merchantable cubic feet per acre (stemwood only)
Acc: accretion
Mort: mortality
CCDBQ: canopy closure % resulting from trees with a DBH within the range of the DBQ distribution
CCOVsz: canopy closure % resulting from trees with a DBH larger than the DBQ diameter range
CCAll: canopy closure % resulting from all trees with a DBH within or above the DBQ range
Over30: number of trees per acre with a DBH over 30 inches
SDI: stand density index
CCF: crown competition factor

Note that in some cases, the values at the very end of the simulation period are incorrect, e.g. for the accretion and mortality variable. These incorrect values result from FVS and are purely computational artefacts.

The worksheets in the Coconino and Manitou files contain 6 data series representing DBQ models 9 to 14.

Generally, the worksheets in the p###d#.xls files contain 7 data series designated r0 (or ca), r1 (or ql), r2, r4, r6, r8, rt. These data series are based on the same treatment prescription for the trees within the DBQ distribution range, but different intensities of thinning for the trees that exceed the distribution range (usually trees larger than 30 inches DBH). The purpose of this sensitivity analysis is to evaluate the consequences of different management guidelines for big trees, e.g. as stipulated by the California Spotted Owl guidelines. The ca (r0) series shows the stand development without removing any tree larger than 30 inches, the ql (r1) series when removing 10%, the r2 series 20%, the r4 series 40%, the r6 series 60%, the r8 series 80% and the rt series 100% of all the trees larger than 30 inches every twenty years.

Some of the files may not contain all the variables, and some worksheets may contain empty data series. This is due to the computation procedure used in the simulation.

Note: ORNL does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy of these results.