A Cooperative, Integrated Project to Classify Forest Sites in Newfoundland

Most existing systems of forest site classification attempt to combine vegetation, soil, terrain, geology, climatic and hydrologic factors. The current paper describes an ongoing project to assess the relationship of these factors to forest site capability in Newfoundland. Through the description and classification of forest inventory plots, this project is providing productivity data for species, descriptions of vegetational succession, growth and yield projections, as well as an indication of soil type variation within Forest Management Districts.The cooperative, multi-agency approach employed in this project has benefited all parties concerned, and has resulted in a mix of expertise and focus of resources that would not be possible within one agency. A large and valuable bank of vegetation, soil and site data is being acquired. Elements of the project include: 1) establishment of permanent forest inventory sample plots, in Management Districts throughout the province; 2) training of forest inventory crews so that they recognize forest vegetation, accurately prepare soil descriptions and undertake soil sampling; 3) laboratory analyses of soil samples for chemical and physical parameters, and integration of these results into the forest site classification; and, 4) formal reporting of the forest site classification, including improved descriptions of Damman Forest Site Types (FSTs) and soils.