Ontario Forest Biomonitoring Unit

The OFBN layer on the MOE GIS Portal bears accurate data with respect to the decline index, but point locations have been randomized for public distribution.

METADATA DETAIL PAGE

Ontario Land Information Directory of Metadata for Geospatial Information Holdings.

This is a selection from the Ontario Land Information Directory for Metadata Holdings. The following represents the Basic description of an information holding. To obtain more information about this holding, see the section named Contacts.
Agency Information:

Agency ID: 6
Agency Name: MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Agency Description: MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT
Effective Date: 5/20/2013


Detail Information:

GENERAL INFORMATION

Official Name of the Data Set or Information Holding: Ontario Forest Biomonitoring Network (OFBN)
Acronyms are Used to Identify the Data Set or Information Holding: OFBN
Describe the Data Set or Information Holding: The Ontario Forest Biomonitoring Network (OFBN) is a series of 110 permanent forest monitoring plots established across southern and central Ontario to monitor the health of the province's sugar maple-dominated hardwood forest. These ¼ hectare plots were set-up in 1985 and 1986 by the Ontario Ministry of Environment and have been assessed annually between 1986 and 2011, with the exception of 1992 and 1993. The core monitoring component of the OFBN is the Decline Index, an evaluation of the crown condition of all trees within each forest monitoring plot. The proportion of dead branches, chlorotic leaves and undersized leaves on a tree drives a weighted mathematical model to calculate a Decline Index score. This score is an estimation of the tree's health. Monitoring average plot Decline Index scores over time can provide an indication of how the hardwood ecosystem is responding to environmental stressors, such as long-range air pollution and climate change.

The formula for calculating the Decline Index is:
DI = DB + ([100-DB]/400) * (UL + ST + SL/2)

Where:
DI = Decline Index
DB = % Dead branches
UL = % Undersized leaves
ST = % leaves with strong chlorosis
SL = % leaves with slight chlorosis

The Intended Use and Purpose for Collecting the Data Set or Information Holding: The data set was developed to monitor and assess the health of Ontario's sugar maple-dominated hardwood forests across southern and central Ontario as a function of regional air quality and more recently climate change
Describe any Restrictions and Legal Prerequisites for Accessing the Data Set (Data Privacy/Security): none
Describe any Constraints for Using the Data Set: none
Describe any Legislated or Legal Authority for Collecting the Data Set:
Select the Level of Privacy for this Metadata Information: Public
Time Coverage: from Sunday, January 7, 1990 to Monday, January 15, 2011
Time Coverage Comments: ground condition
Enter or Select the Current Status of the Data Set: Complete
Enter or Select the Frequency with which Changes or Additions are Made to the Data Set: Annually
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Retention period or description:
Keywords:
         MOE

Business Theme:
         LAND

Digital Processing Environment for the Data Set:
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         Format:
         Format Description:
Internal Pointer to Data Set:
Physical Location of the Data Set:

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Selected geographic type:Bounding Box only
         North Bounding Coordinate: 48° 18'
         South Bounding Coordinate: 42° 41'
         West Bounding Coordinate: -89° 34'
         East Bounding Coordinate: -74° 25'
Geographic Completeteness: 100% Complete


MAPPING INFORMATION

Grid Coordinate System Used: Geographic (Lat, Long)
Map Projection: Transverse Mercator
Horizontal Geodetic Datum: NAD83
Vertical Geodetic Datum: Not Applicable
Position Accuracy of Features:
        Horizontal: The geographic data was collected in the field using a Garmin GPSmap 60CSx Global Positioning System (GPS) unit. Location coordinates were averaged until an error of 2m or less was reached. Plot centre coordinates were randomized within a one hectare area to prevent disturbance of the forest monitoring plots.
        Vertical:

DATA SOURCE INFORMATION

         Data Source Type: Direct Field Collection
         Describe for theData Source: All data was compiled and quality control checked by the Terrestrial Assessment Unit, Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch, Ontario Ministry of the Environment. The Decline Index data was collected by forest service contractors to the Terrestrial Assessment Unit. Geographic data was determined by staff of the Terrestrial Assessment Unit. The Decline Index component of the OFBN are assessed and scored by forestry professionals for each tree within a forest monitoring plot. The Decline Index scores are recorded on field data sheets and later transferred to an electronic format. Each score is quality control checked by Terrestrial Assessment Unit staff by comparing the electronic data to the original field sheets. The Decline Index for each tree is calculated using the equation referenced above under "Describe the Data Set or Information Holding". The average forest monitoring plot Decline Index is calculated by taking the mean of all tree decline index scores within the plot. Decline index data has been collected between 1986-1989 period however the data has not undergone sufficient quality control checking to be certified and published for general use. All data has undergone precise quality control checking against the original field sheets by Terrestrial Assessment Unit staff. Data has not been included for forest monitoring plots for years where the Decline Index assessment was not conducted (e.g., 1992 and 1993).
         Time Period Comments: Data has not been included for forest monitoring plots for years where the Decline Index assessment was not conducted (e.g., 1992 and 1993). Data collected from 01/01/1986 to 01/01/2011

CONTACT

GENERAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

     Title: Mr.
     Surname: Charron
     First Name: Chris
     Second Name:
     Position:
     Language:
     Organization: Ministry of Environment
     Organization Sub-Unit:
     Business Phone: (416)314-5047 ext
     FAX: ()- ext
     Business TDD/TYY: ()- ext
     Other Phone: ()- ext
     Cellular: ()-
     Internet EMail Address: chris.charron@ontario.ca
     ADDRESS:
         Street No:125
         No:
         Street Name:Resources Road
         Street Type:
         Street Direction:
         Unit Type:
         Unit Number:
         Municipality:Etobicoke
         Non address description:
         Province/State:ON Ontario
         Country:CA CANADA
         Post Code:M9P3V6
         Address used For:Both

   Other Contact Method:

METADATA CUSTODIAN / CONTACT:

     Title: Mr.
     Surname: Watson
     First Name: Chris
     Second Name:
     Position:
     Language:
     Organization: Ministry of the Environment
     Organization Sub-Unit:
     Business Phone: (416)235-6186 ext
     FAX: ()- ext
     Business TDD/TYY: ()- ext
     Other Phone: ()- ext
     Cellular: ()-
     Internet EMail Address: chris.watson@ontario.ca
     ADDRESS:
         Street No:125
         No:
         Street Name:Resources Road
         Street Type:
         Street Direction:
         Unit Type:
         Unit Number:
         Municipality:Etobicoke
         Non address description:
         Province/State:ON Ontario
         Country:CA CANADA
         Post Code:M9P3V6
         Address used For:Both

   Other Contact Method:


METADATA

Date of this Metadata Description/Update:Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Date when Metadata Should be Reviewed:May 19, 2014
Metadata Additional Location:
Metadata Additional URL Address:


DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION

General Distribution Information:Users must agree to the disclaimer expressed on the MOE Data Download page: http://internetdev.ene.gov.on.ca/en/publications/dataproducts/disclaimer.php
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Supplemental Information / Additional Metadata:
          Additional Metadata Click Here:
          http://www.ccg.nrcan.gc.ca/ext/html/english/products/ntdb/ntdb.html
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