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Overview of iTree Software Tools Michael Knapp Director, Urban Forest Management Division Fairfax County, Virginia [email protected] 703-324-1729
Overview of iTree Software Tools
Michael KnappDirector, Urban Forest Management Division
Fairfax County, [email protected]
703-324-1729
Overview of Overview
iTree Software Suite
UFORE
MCTI
SDAP
On-line Resources
UFORE
UFORE Urban Forest Effects Model Developed by USDA Forest Service's
Northeastern Research Station Calculates:
structure environmental effects values
UFORE
UFORE Allows users to collect data an urban
forest And to estimate ecosystem services
that resource provides
Hmmm…sounds like STRATUM! Similarities
Similar outcomes Structure, function, value Implications for management
Similar goals Advocates for management/conservation
Differences Different tree populations
STRATUM: focus on street trees UFORE: focus on the whole urban forest
UFORE – What can it be used for?
Benchmark structure species composition number of trees tree density tree health, etc analyzed by land-use type
Quantify air quality benefits Hourly VOC emissions Impact on ozone/CO formation Carbon storage/sequestration Effects of trees on building energy use and
consequent effects on CO2 emissions from power plants.
UFORE – What can it be used for?
Compensatory values $$$ air pollution removal carbon storage and sequestration
Tree pollen allergenicity index
Potential impact of forest pests Gypsy moth Emerald ash borer Asian longhorn beetle
UFORE - application
Can be used on complete populations
Statistically based sampling and data collection protocols for large areas
UFORE - data collection and process
More complex than STRATUM structural / health components
Limits use of volunteers Data collection more suited to professionals Customizable PDA Utility can be used to collect plot
data Merged with local weather and air pollution
concentration data. Data transferred through “shell” to US Forest
Service for processing Customized reports returned to user
MCTI
Mobile Community Tree Inventory David V. Bloniarz, USDA Forest
Service Designed as a basic tree inventory
application Allows communities to conduct tree
inventories and to produce summary reports at various levels of detail and effort
Not meant as substitute for more robust commercial products
MCTI
MCTI Three-tiered inventory system enables
users to select a level of use that matches their needs and comfort level: paper inventory tally sheet desktop application for inputting collected
data fully computerized system incorporating
desktop software and i-Tree's PDA Utility
MCTI Paper tally sheet template
MCTI PC Desktop Application and PDA Utility
Variable inventory protocols Maintenance Risk tree Utility work
PDA Utility data can populate STRUTUM Easy to use… ideal for volunteers Inexpensive!
MCTI
Profile species composition of urban forest Analyze condition of individual trees and of the
entire forest Record information about significant trees Monitor planting success rates ID high-risk/hazard trees Identify budget needs Build public support for protecting and expanding
urban forests STRATUM
MCTI –Inventories and Uses
Storm Damage Assessment Protocol
Standardized method to assess widespread damage immediately after a sever storm
FEMA funding
Easy and accurate estimate of:Tree storm damageCosts for recovery
SDAP
SDAP Process Overview Start with Emergency Planning
Tree Emergency Plan Worksheet
Pre-storm setupCreate random sample segmentsMeasure tree density and size class within and 50 feet outside of ROWFinalize Pre-storm reportStore for future storms
Reference data
Tiger Line Data can be used for generating random segment samples
2% of blocksides Trees 10 minimum, 30 maximum per block
Recommended that data collection be conducted by professional foresters/arborists
SDAP Data Processing Data collection
Paper formsPDA
Desktop InterfaceManage UsersCommunity ValuesReference Data ROW Info Export Data
Post Storm
Post-storm work Revisit sample segments
Debris: choose estimation method Indirect by average crown loss class Direct as Cubic Yards of debris
Trees within ROW Hazard pruning by size class Hazard removal by size class
Enter data, report results Check in mail!
SDAP Validity Tested for ice storms
Low variance 2% sample got within 5% of
true value in field test
Not tested for wind storms Larger variance May affect required sample size
www.itreetools.org Resource/Learning Center Support E-mail support
[email protected] Phone # (877) 574-8733
(toll-free): Customer service staff is
available Monday through Friday between:
08:30 AM to 12:00 PM (EST)
1:00 PM to 4:30 PM (EST)
User Forum = great place to get answers
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