Introduction to FPS Workshop

The Forest Biometric Research Institute will hold an in-person 2-day introduction to FPS workshop on April 11-12, 2023 at the Double Tree Hotel in Portland, OR. This session will provide hands-on instruction on the fundamentals of using FPS. This session is designed for FPS users who are new to the software and just getting started on the various FPS functions.

Each attendee will need to bring a laptop with a version of FPS installed. If you need assistance with an FPS install, contact Brock Purvis, FBRI Tech support, support@forestbiometrics.org or 406-541-0054. Please have FPS installed prior to the workshop. Laptops will not be provided to the attendees.

The instructors are: Dan Opalach, FBRI President and Senior Forest Biometrician and Brock Purvis, FBRI technical support. The registration fee is $645 for FBRI members and $850 for non-members. The DoubleTree is located at 1000 NE Multnomah St, Portland, OR 97232, 503-281-6111.

 

AGENDA

April 11, 2023: 9:00am – 12:00pm

  • Welcome & Introductions: Instructors – Brock Purvis, FBRI Technical Support and Dan Opalach, FBRI President and Senior Forest Biometrician
  • Review Workshop Agenda
  • FPS File Structure
    • A discussion on standard operating procedures for managing FPS and its file structure. This will include how to determine what version you have, best practices on how to install a “new” version, how to switch between versions, and what the FPS Start button really does.
  • Version 7.60 Release
    • What’s new, what has changed, and why it matters to you.
  • Cruise Design & Sampling Protocol
    • FBRI will lead a discussion on inventory vs preharvest cruising, merchantable vs sub-merchantable, and how to handle dead trees.
  • Cruise data into FPS and a Review of Table Structure
    • A review of the required format for loading cruise data into FPS and what columns in the Admin, Cruise, and Plot Tables must be populated.

Noon: Lunch (included with registration)

April 11, 2023: 1:00 – 4:00pm

  • Compiling
    • Using a standardized database (provided at workshop), attendees will run the cruise compiler and review the associated output tables. In addition, the Cruise Report will be reviewed, and the information within it discussed.
  • Warning – Duplicate Records Blocking Primary Keys!
    • Why does this happen? FBRI will provide an example of what this is and a discussion on why it happens.
  • What the Log Size and Log Rules Mean for You
    • FPS will be used to provide examples regarding the differences in reportable volume based on how the Species and Sorts Tables are set up.

Break

  • Growing Stands to Current Year
    • Using the compiled database FBRI will provide step-by-step instructions for growing all stands to a common report year.
  • Cruise Expansion Process
    • A discussion of the cruise expansion process including the significance of vegetation labels and the role they play in FPS. FPS will also be used to expand cruised stands into uncruised stands for a working forest inventory.
  • Selecting Stands for Annual Inventory
    • Using FPS, FBRI will provide step-by-step instructions with the goal of assisting natural resource staff in selecting stands for future inventory and how the FPS ↔ GIS connection enables the transfer of future inventory stands to be visually (spatially) displayed. Additionally, the process in which FPS selects stands and the rationale used within the process will be discussed.

4:00pm Questions/Adjourn

 

April 12, 2023  8:00am – 12:00pm

  • Best Management Practices for Updating Old Cruises with New Cruises
    • Strategies for bringing “new” cruises into FPS will be discussed. In addition, examples on how to maintain old cruise data along with new cruise data in FPS will be provided.
  • Annual Depletion Reporting
    • The methodology and process for tracking annual growth and depletions will be provided. This will include a review of the necessary GIS layers and their linkage to FPS, specifically the VegPoly and VegStep layers and how these are integrated with FPS for annual volume tracking.

Break

  • Site Index – Methods to Calculate and its Importance
    • An overview of FBRI’s recommended procedures for estimating Site Index will be provided which will cover the FPS SiteGrid, FPS compiler supplied site index, and optional integration of Jim King’s or Robert Monserud’s site index into FPS.
  • The FPS Silvics, Schedule, and Stand Tables
    • FBRI will lead a discussion on the relationship between these tables and what role each plays when implementing silviculture prescriptions over time.
  • Treatments vs Regimes
    • The difference between treatments and regimes when planning silviculture prescriptions, and why it is an important distinction.

Noon

Noon: Lunch (included with registration)

 

April 12, 2023: 1:00pm – 4:00pm

  • Utilizing the Silvics Table
    • Workshop attendees will define treatments and regimes within FPS to analyze the effects from different silviculture treatments. This will include discussion on what to consider when timing silviculture activity and how it can influence the future of a stand.
  • Forest Planning – The Basics
    • FBRI will lead a discussion on both uneven and even-aged silviculture regimes for long-term forest planning and harvest scheduling. The Yield Species and Yield tables will be discussed and populated for use with even-aged regimes. Additionally, discussion will include an overview of the Schedule Table and its relationship to reporting periods and future available harvestable volume.
  • Running the Harvest Scheduler
    • The FPS Harvest Scheduler will be utilized in conjunction with FPS growth projections to understand what components are necessary in the harvest planning process.

4:00pm Questions/ Workshop Adjourned