All three levels of inventory are evolving to more effectively achieve data collection goals for the NWT and to better address a full range of values related to sustainable management. Additional attributes are being collected to provide information for non-timber values such as wildlife habitat and rare plant species. New approaches to inventory update are being implemented to provide data on sustainable forests and changes to the resource over time. Alternative approaches to data collection are also being researched to identify more cost effective options.

A satellite based reconnaissance inventory has been completed for the entire NWT and a partnership established with Natural Resources Canada for inventory update. Approximately 40,000 km2 of more detailed inventory at the management level has been completed within the Mackenzie Valley, Deh Cho and South Slave Regions.

A detailed inventory project takes three to five years to complete so the Forest Management Division has been proactive in identifying priority inventory areas. While many productive forest areas have been inventoried, there are large areas where detailed forest inventory work is still required to ensure sustainable use of forest resources.


Reconnaissance Inventory

A broad land cover classification using Landsat TM5 and TM7 satellite imagery has been developed and completed for all forested lands in the NWT. Information is developed using satellite imagery and a field program. This is one new approach to forest inventory that allows for the collection of data on large areas where it was not economically feasible to carry out inventory work previously.

The reconnaissance inventory serves as a tool for strategic planning in forest fire management, wildlife management and to determine priority areas for more detailed inventories.

• To be added:
  • Area of project (map)
  • EOSD links
  • Satellite links

Management Inventories

Management level inventories are detailed forest vegetation inventories of an area. These inventories provide information for resource and land use planning. The information can also be used for timber supply analysis and to guide forest development activities. This level of inventory is generally carried out on areas where the capacity to produce timber for commercial or local use exists, where development concerns must be addressed at a more detailed level or where there is a need for more detailed information on forest vegetation for other purposes.

In the NWT two scales of aerial photography are being utilized in the management inventory program: 1:20:000 and 1:40:000. The inventory involves the acquisition of aerial photography, photo interpretation, data transfer into a Geographic Information System (GIS) and ground sampling. Most of the potentially commercial forest in the NWT has been inventoried at 1:20,000 scale, although some of the inventories are becoming out dated.

• To be added:
  • Status of forest cover map
  • Index of available forest cover maps
    
    

1.1.3. Softcopy Forest Inventory Pilot Project

The Forest Management Division is currently engaged in a pilot project to complete 1:40,000 scale softcopy forest inventory with a +/- 5m accuracy basemap for an area of 5200 km2 near Jean Marie River. This new inventory methodology is being developed to decrease inventory costs per unit area, while maintaining inventory quality and enable capture of larger areas of inventory in a shorter time period. The new methodology will also enable better use of data for assessment of industrial projects especially related to oil and gas development.

• To be added:
  • Softcopy forest inventory
  • Area of project (map)

1.1.4. Operational Inventory

When a permit or license for timber harvesting is requested, an operational inventory is usually carried out to obtain detailed stand level information including a volume assessment. The operational inventory will verify information provided from management inventories, or provide stand level information if no management inventory exists.

An operational inventory usually consists of compiling existing maps, reports and field data to approximate the amount of volume available in an area of interest. A detailed field survey will then be carried out to gain specific information on the targeted stands.


1.1.5. Volume Sampling

Ground sampling programs always accompany a management level inventory and may also be carried out on reconnaissance or operational inventories. They are conducted to provide additional information not available from aerial photography, most importantly volume. Temporary sample plots are established in the field and the data are used to provide information on a wide range of attributes including trees, ecology, site and soils.