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Introduction
The ATLAS-SIMFOR Project is named from the combination
of two computer models developed at the University of British Columbia.
ATLAS (A Tactical Landscape Analysis Software) models wood supply,
wood costs, and road costs based on management practices such as
adjacency guidelines and maintenance of seral stage guidelines.
The latest rewrite of ATLAS is called FPS.
SIMFOR (SIMulator of FORests) models habitat suitability
indices and landscape characteristics relevant to habitat analyses.
The system evaluates forest vegetation/habitat structure and calculates
summary indicators of landscape patterns and available wildlife
habitat. SIMFOR can be used in conjunction with ATLAS to model a
combination of timber supply, habitat supply, and biodiversity indices.
Development of both these models is ongoing. For the
latest development news on SIMFOR, contact Ralph
Wells. For news on ATLAS, contact John
Nelson.
The ATLAS-SIMFOR Project involves:
(1) the development of software that considers the
effect of space and time on resource management decisions, and;
(2) the creation of databases - including the design
of a methodology for collecting and compiling proper data for use
with this modeling software, and;
(3) performing case studies - including the development
of procedures for using the software and data, plus analysis of
forest management proposals, and;
(4) communication and extension activities - the
creation and dissemination of information that informs the target
audience of the project, and the production of materials that facilitate
the use of these tools, data, and procedures.
The project is primarily located within the Nelson Forest Region.
Projects have been performed in five of the six districts in the
Nelson Forest Region: Columbia (formerly Revelstoke & Golden
districts), Arrow, Kootenay Lake, Cranbrook and Invermere.
Project Proponents
This project is sponsored by agencies with major responsibilities
in forest management. Representatives from the following agencies
form the ATLAS / SIMFOR Project Steering Committee.
The ATLAS-SIMFOR Project Goal
A number of objectives were adopted at the beginning
of the project (at the time that FRBC funding began). They have
remained relevant throughout the years, and are listed below. They
could be encompassed within one project goal:
To link the strategic and the operational forest
planning levels.
Objectives
- To demonstrate the value of this type of modeling process in
linking strategic, tactical and operational plans;
- To demonstrate the value of a spatially and temporally explicit
decision support tool to define the biological and economic spectra
of forest resources management opportunities in defining land
and resource use plans;
- To provide support to the Advisory Committees and LUCO in defining
the objectives, targets and operating rules in each of the zones
defined in the KLUP;
- To provide training and exposure to forest resources managers
on this type of decision support aid and modeling process;
- To identify investment opportunities to minimize the economic
impacts of changing forest practices as a result of a change in
land-use;
- To provide support in the identification of an economic development
strategy that will ensure community stability and employment.
Funding
Funding of the ATLAS-SIMFOR Project is through the
Forestry
Innovation Investment, from the Government of British Columbia.
Our original funding was from the FRBC "Lands" program budget, administered
out of Nelson Region office, which was followed by the Collaborative
research funding, a special FRBC fund, administered by the Science
Council of British Columbia on behalf of FRBC.
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