HomeMy WebLinkAboutTok Biomass Report 2011
BIOMASS SUPPLY ANALYSIS
FOR THE TOK AREA
By
Douglas Hanson, Inventory Forester
State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources
Division of Forestry Northern Region
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
March, 2011
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 1
II. Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 3
III. Methods ................................................................................................................................... 3
A. Imagery Sources ................................................................................................................... 3
B. Vegetation Typing ............................................................................................................... 4
C. Field Inventory Design ........................................................................................................ 4
1. Tanana Valley Inventory Update ..................................................................................... 4
2. U.S. Forest Service Lidar Study ....................................................................................... 5
D. Geographic Information System Coverage .......................................................................... 5
E. Data Summary ..................................................................................................................... 5
IV. Results ..................................................................................................................................... 7
A. Forest Volume Definitions ................................................................................................... 7
1. Cubic and Board Foot Measurements .............................................................................. 7
2. Ton Measurements ........................................................................................................... 8
3. Above Ground Biomass Ton Measurements ................................................................... 9
B. Per Acre Inventory Volume by Strata .................................................................................. 9
C. Inventory Volume by Ownership Class ............................................................................. 10
D. Inventory Volume by Species ............................................................................................ 12
E. Inventory Volume by Strata ............................................................................................... 12
F. Growth and Mortality Estimates ........................................................................................ 12
V. Economic Availability of Sustainable Biomass Fuels ........................................................... 13
A. Current Delivered Costs ..................................................................................................... 14
B. Potential Operable Biomass Volume for Six Working Circles ......................................... 14
C. Annual Sustainable Biomass Yield for Six Working Circles ............................................ 19
VI. Volume Availability From Proposed Hazard Fuel Treatments ............................................. 23
VII. Literature Cited ...................................................................................................................... 25
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Inventory volume and acreage summary. ......................................................................... 1
Table 2. Land cover key. ................................................................................................................. 6
Table 3. Project acreage by ownership class. ................................................................................. 6
Table 4. Acreage and number of sample plots by strata. ................................................................ 7
Table 5. Volume formulas by species for poletimber and sawtimber size classes. ........................ 8
Table 6. Inventory species and weight for poletimber and sawtimber. .......................................... 9
Table 7. Regression equation for weight of above ground biomass. .............................................. 9
Table 8. Volume per acre by strata. .............................................................................................. 10
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
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Table 9. Total volume by ownership class. ................................................................................... 10
Table 10. Total net volume and volume per acre across all strata. ............................................... 12
Table 11. Growth and mortality estimates. ................................................................................... 13
Table 12. Delivered costs and mileage for firewood. ................................................................... 14
Table 13. Operable acreage by ownership class and strata. .......................................................... 15
Table 14. Tok area working circle operable acreage and volume. ............................................... 17
Table 15. Annual volume availability by ownership class. .......................................................... 19
Table 16. Annual volume availability by working circle radius and ownership class. ................ 20
Table 17. Potentially available volume from proposed hazard fuel reduction projects. ............... 25
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Project area map. ............................................................................................................. 2
Figure 2. Project area ownership map. .......................................................................................... 11
Figure 3. Ten mile circles and operable forestland around Tok. .................................................. 16
Figure 4. Delivered price per cord by working circle radius. ....................................................... 18
Figure 5. Delivered price per ton by working circle radius. ......................................................... 18
Figure 6. Cumulative annual volume availability by radii to Tok. ............................................... 21
Figure 7. Supply curve for cords to Tok. ...................................................................................... 21
Figure 8. Supply curve for tons to Tok. ........................................................................................ 22
Figure 9. Supply curve for biomass tons to Tok. .......................................................................... 22
Figure 10. Tok proposed hazard fuel reduction project units. ...................................................... 24
APPENDICES
Appendix A Timber Type Acreage by Strata ............................................................................. A-1
Appendix B Per Acre Summary by Stratum and Species ........................................................... B-1
Appendix C Accessible Annually Available Biomass by Stratum ............................................. C-1
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
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I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The biomass supply analysis in the Tok area has been initiated by the need to support potential
development of biomass energy systems in this rural area of Alaska. Through funding provided
by the State Division of Forestry and the State and Private Forestry organization of the United
States Forest Service, a biomass supply analysis and inventory has been conducted using data
from the recent Tanana Valley State Forest (TVSF) inventory update, satellite and aerial
photography, ground plots and other information sources. The inventory update of the TVSF is
still in progress, but the delineation of vegetation types that contain poletimber and sawtimber
timber stands has been completed and these stands were field sampled in 2009. The original
1980 TVSF vegetation polygons were used to complete the vegetation classification across the
project area. The analysis provides detailed stand type maps and internet mapping and querying
capability. The project area of 740,444 acres contains multiple ownerships.
Inventory Area Land Classification
Acres
Timberland 556,954
Dwarf Forests 75,638
Non-Forest
Total Inventory Area: 740,444
107,852
Timberland Area by Timber Type Size Class
Sawtimber 15,800
Mixed Sawtimber/Poletimber 38,607
Poletimber 90,181
Reproduction 262,975
Burned (All Sizes)
Total Timberland Area: 556,954
149,391
Timberland Area by Timber Type Species Class
White Spruce 55,696
Aspen 12,478
Birch 10,621
Hardwood 3,437
White Spruce/Birch 12,106
White Spruce/Hardwood 450,545
White Spruce/Balsam Poplar 7,540
Black Spruce/White Spruce/Hardwood
Total Timberland Area: 556,954
4,531
Total Net Volume
Cubic Feet (> 5”dbh) Tons (> 5”dbh) Biomass Tons > 2”dbh Board Feet (> 9”dbh)
403,177,906 7,220,862 16,497,419 670,473,867
Table 1. Inventory volume and acreage summary.
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
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Figure 1. Project area map.
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
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II. OBJECTIVES
The objective of this report is to provide reliable inventory data to assist in defining the supply of
biomass resources in the Tok area. Determination of an operable land base, sustainable harvest
rate and harvest scheduling all require accurate volume data and geographically referenced
spatial locations of individual stands. This data, both in spatial and tabular form can be used to
assess the availability of biomass resources and determine economic viability of proposed
harvest development activities. The inventory provides the following items useful for
development and planning:
• Spatially accurate stand polygons overlaid on geographically rectified photo base.
• Accurate acreage determinations of forest cover across multiple land ownerships.
• Volume data derived from field samples of timber stands within the project area.
• Percent growth rates derived from field samples of timber stands within the project area.
• Internet GIS mapping access of spatial data with volume and acreage querying
capabilities.
• Delineated areas of operability to provide more valid estimates of resource supply.
III. METHODS
Estimates of timber volume utilize forest inventory information collected during the 2010 update
of the Tanana Valley State Forest (TVSF) inventory combined with U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
samples collected as part of a study to test the use of the Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR)
remote sensing system for timber stand mapping applications. During the TVSF inventory
update, field samples were conducted within the poletimber and sawtimber components of the
forest. For the Tok area a total of 63 individual timber stands were field sampled during the
summer of 2009. These field samples comprised 630 individual measurement plots.
Reproduction, burned timber, and dwarf timber types (mostly black spruce less than 25 feet tall
at maturity) were not sampled in the update.
In performing the analysis of biomass supply for the Tok area, reproduction and burned timber
types were considered to contain volume useable as biomass. To provide estimates of volume
for the reproduction and burned timber types, the Forest Service plot data that corresponded to
those timber types were utilized. The two data sets were merged within a Microsoft Access
database for volume and tree attribute calculations. The Forest Service plots were measured
during the summer and fall of 2009. A total of 30 plots within reproduction and burned timber
types were utilized in this biomass analysis.
A. Imagery Sources
Two sources of scanned color infrared aerial photographs were used for the project; TVSF
photography at the scale of 1:15,840 acquired in 1995-96 and scanned Alaska High Altitude
Aerial Photography (AHAP) at a scale of 1:60,000, acquired in 1978. Spot satellite imagery at a
2.5 meter resolution was also used for the project. The Spot scenes were acquired in 2003. The
scanned TVSF color infrared photos were orthorectified, georeferenced to the Spot scenes, and
mosaiced into a series of east-west flight lines across the project area.
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
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B. Vegetation Typing
Vegetation typing was conducted during the TVSF inventory update. Stereo digital pairs were
created from the geographically reference photos utilizing PCI software. The 1995-96 digital
photos were vegetation typed directly on a computer screen using Dat/Em Summit Evolution
software. The software allowed the operator to view the images in stereo. In the vegetation
typing process, boundaries of individual features (polygons) were determined from the stereo
image of the photos and drawn with the computer mouse on the computer screen. The software
was linked to ESRI ArcMap Geographic Information System (GIS) software where attributed
vegetation polygons were stored. In the process of delineating polygons, individual GIS shape
files were created. These files store the geographic location of the polygons as well as specific
attributes such as the timber type designation. The smallest size of the polygons drawn was
approximately one acre. Only sawtimber and poletimber stands were delineated. Delineation of
timber types was based on tree species, size class and stand density. The most prevalent species
determined the timber type. In mixed timber types, the secondary species represented at least
30% density of the type in question.
Coverage of non-forest, reproduction, burned timber and dwarf timber types was obtained from
the 1980 TVSF inventory land cover types. These cover types were updated with timber burned
after the 1978 AHAP photos were acquired. Timber burned after 1978 and through 2010 which
was not depicted on the available imagery, was identified from the Alaska Fire Service’s fire
history polygons and reclassified with a “burned” descriptor.
Sawtimber, poletimber, and reproduction stands green or burned were classified as timberland
and represent the areas of greater productivity. These stands are a component of a larger class of
ground cover called forestland. Forestland is defined as land that is at least 10% covered by
trees. The other component of Forestland; dwarf forests, generally comprise black spruce stands
that are less than 25 feet tall at maturity. These stands were identified on the imagery, but are
not considered commercial and do not contribute to the overall biomass volume estimate. If
changes in harvest technology allow for the utilization of these stands the acreage and volume
can be added to the overall inventory totals. A study in the Fairbanks area (Hanson 2007.
Analysis of Wood Volume Available From Hazard Fuel Reduction Projects and Development of
Wood Residue Markets in the Fairbanks Area) sampled numerous black spruce dwarf stands
proposed for hazard fuel reduction treatments and calculated an average volume of about 12 tons
per acre.
C. Field Inventory Design
1. Tanana Valley Inventory Update
The variable plot radius sampling method was used for field data collection of poletimber and
sawtimber size trees during the TVSF inventory update. The basal area factor utilized was 20
square feet. In each timber stand sampled, ten plots were spaced uniformly on a traverse located
systematically through the stand. The traverse was located in such a manner as to attempt to
sample the variation within a stand. To minimize travel time, plots were generally located with a
maximum interval of 300 feet. Tally trees were selected or rejected with a relascope prism. On
five of the ten plots, species, tree vigor, crown ratio, defect type and estimated defect percentage,
were recorded and tree diameter, total tree height, bark thickness, and ten-year growth were
measured (measure plots). Tree diameters were measured 4.5 feet above ground, commonly
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
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known as “diameter breast height” or dbh. Co-dominate and dominant trees were cored at dbh to
determine average age and site index of the sample stand. On the other alternating five plots,
only the number of trees by species and size class selected by the relascope were recorded (count
plots). Count plots generally serve to lower the sample error by increasing the overall plot
numbers, but economize time spent in the field collecting data. Only trees five inches dbh and
greater were measured utilizing the variable plot sampling method.
The fixed plot sampling method was used for field data collection of trees less than five inches
dbh. At every other plot in the ten plot traverse (measure plots) seedling and sapling size trees
were measured. Species and quality were recorded and tree diameter and total tree height were
measured. The fixed plot was a circular 1/250th
2. U.S. Forest Service Lidar Study
acre plot (7.45 foot radius).
The Forest Service sampling method utilized a fixed plot design for all tree size classes.
Sampled stands generally received one plot, but larger stands sometimes received additional
plots. The fixed plot was a circular 1/12th acre plot (34 foot radius) for trees greater than or equal
to 3 inches dbh. Trees 1 inch to 2.9 inches were sampled by a 1/171.5th
D. Geographic Information System Coverage
acre plot (9 foot radius).
Together with the tabular data, a GIS coverage was prepared for the inventory. A standardized
vegetation key/mapping scheme was used for describing vegetation polygons (Table 2). The
acreage of individual polygons by ownership was calculated using ESRI ArcMap GIS software
(Table 3). Storage in the GIS allows for queries of individual portions of the project area to be
accomplished for planning purposes. This querying capability is currently available to the public
as part of the TVSF inventory update. Various querying tools are contained within an ESRI Arc
Server internet mapping application. The web site address is www.forestrymaps.alaska.gov/.
E. Data Summary
Individual sample stands were grouped into strata for volume compilation. The biomass
assessment contains 16 separate sample strata (Table 4) that contain data from TVSF and USFS
field measurements. Field data from some sampled stands were similar enough to each other to
allow combining of different stand timber types into like strata. Acreage of sampled and un-
sampled timber types deemed similar enough was also grouped into particular strata.
Characteristics of these timber types were observed during the field work phase of the TVSF
inventory update. Combinations of sampled and un-sampled timber types and the corresponding
strata are shown in Appendix A.
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
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LAND COVER KEY
FOREST SPECIES
1 Black Spruce 31 White Spruce-Birch
2 White Spruce 32 White Spruce-Black Spruce-Birch
3 Black Spruce-White Spruce 34 White Spruce-Aspen
16 Balsam Poplar 35 White Spruce-Black Spruce-Aspen
17 Birch 37 White Spruce-Birch-Aspen
18 Aspen 38 White Spruce-Balsam Poplar
19 Birch-Aspen 39 White Spruce-Black Spruce-
30 Black Spruce-Birch Birch-Aspen
DESCRIPTORS (Forests - Tree Size Class)
S Sawtimber > 9.0 inches DBH
P Poletimber 5.0 inches to 8.9 inches DBH
R Reproduction < 5.0 inches DBH
D Dwarf < 25 feet at maturity
BR Recently Burned
W Wetland
FOREST DENSITY
X 60-100% Calls are based
Y 25-59% on crown closure
Z 10-24% percent.
NON-FOREST
63 Mixed Tall Shrub Closed 95 Urban-Suburban
68 Mixed Tall Shrub Open 96 Agriculture
70 Mixed Low Shrub Closed 97 Gravel pits, mines, quarries
71 Mixed Low Shrub Open 98 Roads
76 Dry Midgrass-Herb-Sedge 99 Pipelines/Power lines
79 Wet Sedge-Grass 100 Clouds
80 Lakes-Ponds 101 Timber Sales Logged
88 Rivers-Flowing Water 102 Timber Sales Proposed
94 Bare Ground
Table 2. Land cover key.
Ownership Class Acreage Percent
Tanana Valley State Forest 393,375 53
Forest Classified State Lands 147,797 20
Other State Lands 28,753 4
Native Corporation 130,283 18
Federal 23,644 3
Private 16,592 2
TOTAL 740,444 100
Table 3. Project acreage by ownership class.
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Stratum Description
Acreage
Number of
Sample Plots
Data
Source
1 White Spruce Sawtimber 13,978 100 TVSF
2 White Spruce Poletimber 41,717 130 TVSF
3 Birch Closed 9,093 40 TVSF
4 Birch Open 1,528 20 TVSF
5 Aspen Closed 8,851 50 TVSF
6 Aspen Open 3,627 20 TVSF
7 Birch-Aspen Closed 2,982 20 TVSF
8 Birch-Aspen Open 455 20 TVSF
9 White Spruce-Birch Sawtimber 1,082 20 TVSF
10 White Spruce-Birch Poletimber 11,025 40 TVSF
11 White Spruce-Birch-Aspen Sawtimber 740 20 TVSF
12 White Spruce-Birch-Aspen Poletimber 37,439 70 TVSF
13 White Spruce-Balsam Poplar 7,540 60 TVSF
14 Black and White Spruce-Birch-Aspen 4,531 20 TVSF
15 White Spruce-Hardwood Reproduction 262,974 24 USFS
16 White Spruce-Hardwood Burned 149,391 6 USFS
556,954 660
Table 4. Acreage and number of sample plots by strata.
IV. RESULTS
A. Forest Volume Definitions
Estimates of timber volume on forested lands have been calculated with four different
measurements; cubic foot volume, board foot volume, green tons and above ground biomass
tons. Different measurements of volume can also correspond to different methods of timber
harvest which can affect overall volume availability. For example the first three measurements
more closely resemble traditional log based timber harvesting where volume only includes the
merchantable bole of the tree, for example, a minimum 5 inch diameter at breast height (dbh) and
a minimum top diameter of 4 inches.
1. Cubic and Board Foot Measurements
The cubic foot measurement includes all timber greater than or equal to five inches dbh and is
divided among the live and dead poletimber and sawtimber components of the forest. In terms
of calculations for wood energy resources, the cubic foot value is important in that it can readily
be converted into cords (approximately 90 cubic feet of solid wood per cord) and the
measurement relates well to delivered wood in round log form. The board foot measurement is
commonly used to determine the amount of lumber that can be sawn from a log. Because the
measurement is based on actual boards that can be sawn from a log, it disregards all material
wasted in the process such as slabs and sawdust. The board foot measurement only includes
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
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timber equal to or greater than 9 inches dbh. Board foot values are useful in determining value
added potential of various stands being considered for woody biomass.
Volume calculations for both cubic and board foot measurements are based on volume equations
produced for Interior Alaska; U.S. Forest Service research notes NOR-5, NOR-6 and PNW-59.
Cubic volume is reported in Smalian’s rule and for spruce and hardwoods includes volume to a
4-inch top (NOR-6). Both live and dead volume is reported. Dead volume includes recently
dead trees estimated to have died within the last 5 years. Board foot volume is reported in
Scribner Decimal C scale and is based on 16-foot log segments (short log scale). For spruce it is
reported to a 6-inch top (PNW-59) and for hardwoods to an 8-inch top (NOR-5).
Volume
Formula
Name
Volume Unit Species Formula
NOR-6 Cubic Foot 4-
inch Top
White and
Black Spruce
(-2.055)+0.2982*(dbh)+0.00181*(dbh)^2*ht
NOR-6 Cubic 4-inch
Top
Birch (-2.5767)+0.9524*(dbh)-0.10446*(dbh)^2-
0.03303*(ht)+0.00282*(dbh)^2*(ht)
NOR-6 Cubic 4-inch
Top
Aspen (-0.5553)-0.02216*dbh^2+0.00246*dbh^2*ht
NOR-6 Cubic 4-inch
Top
Balsam Poplar (-3.2187)+0.8281*(dbh)-0.05908*(dbh)^2-
0.01985*(ht)+0.00199*(dbh)^2*(ht)
PNW-59 Board Foot
Scribner 6-inch
Top
White and
Black Spruce
39.71+4.2659*dbh-0.55865*dbh^2-
1.1184*ht+0.016113*dbh^2*ht-437.92/dbh^2
NOR-5 Board Foot
Scribner 8-inch
Top
Birch and
Aspen
(-27.263)+0.00995*dbh^2*ht
NOR-5 Board Foot
Scribner 8-inch
Top
Balsam Poplar (-46.7415)+0.00956*dbh^2*ht
Table 5. Volume formulas by species for poletimber and sawtimber size classes.
2. Ton Measurements
Computation of tons was derived from weight ratios produced for Alaska wood species
(Sturgeon 1979. Wood As A Fuel.). Wood As A Fuel lists the weight of green cord wood which
can be converted into pounds per cubic foot. The inventory cubic foot values are converted to
tons using these ratios (Table 6). A cord of wood is assumed to contain 90 cubic feet of solid
wood. For the purposes of this biomass supply analysis, this measurement is referred to as tons
and represents the same diameter ranges as included in the cubic feet measurements (> 5”dbh to
a 4 inch minimum top).
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
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Species Pounds per Cubic Foot
White Spruce 34
Black Spruce 34
Birch 50
Aspen 43
Balsam Poplar 43
Table 6. Inventory species and weight for poletimber and sawtimber.
3. Above Ground Biomass Ton Measurements
Computation of above ground biomass tons was derived from a biomass regression equation that
relates the weight of the total above ground portion of the tree including branches and needles to
total height and dbh measurements (Yarie, J., Kane, E. and Mack, M. 2007. Above Ground
Biomass Equations for the Trees of Interior Alaska). A wide variety of equations by species and
regression processes are published in the Yarie report. These equations were compared to wood
chip weight recovery data conducted in Tok by the Division of Forestry, Tok Area Office. The
equation with the closest fit to the actual Tok Area Office cut out data was used. The white
spruce total above ground biomass equation # 3 in the Yarie report was the best fit to the Tok cut
out data. This equation was slightly revised by the Forest Service who reran the regression from
the Yarie raw data source. The equation shown below also most closely matched the Tok Area’s
aspen cut out data as well. Due to inaccuracies in projecting weight of very small trees (negative
regression values) the equations were only applied to trees > 2 inches dbh. The diameter limit
also more closely reflects actual biomass harvest utilization. For the purposes of this biomass
supply analysis, this measurement is referred to as biomass tons.
Species Aboveground Weight in Pounds
All
((-7549.59*(dbh*2.54))+502.60*(dbh*2.54)^2+5590.24*(Ht*0.3048))/453.59237)
Table 7. Regression equation for weight of above ground biomass.
B. Per Acre Inventory Volume by Strata
Estimates of gross and net volume per acre, tons per acre and biomass tons per acre have been
calculated for each of the 16 sample strata. By using the strata timber type grouping table
shown in Appendix A, total volume for any timber type depicted on the GIS coverage can be
calculated simply by multiplying the acreage of the timber type by the corresponding volume per
acre figure.
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
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Stratum Description
Net
CF/Acre
Net
Tons/Ac.
Biomass
Tons/Ac.
Net
BF/Ac.
1 White Spruce Sawtimber 2,552 43.5 66.6 7,715
2 White Spruce Poletimber 1,483 25.3 41.7 2,795
3 Birch Closed 829 18.1 29.7 997
4 Birch Open 364 9.1 20.1 437
5 Aspen Closed 1,228 25.4 42.8 1,795
6 Aspen Open 525 10.6 30.9 357
7 Birch-Aspen Closed 885 18.2 32.5 1,060
8 Birch-Aspen Open 1,063 22.5 37.4 2,144
9 White Spruce-Birch Sawtimber 1,152 22.2 43.9 3,620
10 White Spruce-Birch Poletimber 1,026 19.4 38.6 2,652
11 White Spruce-Birch-Aspen Sawtimber 1,208 20.7 20.0 4,411
12 White Spruce-Birch-Aspen Poletimber 1,259 22.7 38.0 3,138
13 White Spruce-Balsam Poplar 1,995 37.8 66.6 5,775
14 Black and White Spruce-Birch-Aspen 798 13.6 20.8 2,115
15 White Spruce-Hardwood Reproduction 543 9.8 29.2 555
16 White Spruce-Hardwood Burned 399 6.9 18.3 415
Table 8. Volume per acre by strata.
C. Inventory Volume by Ownership Class
The state owns 3 classes of land (TVSF, Forest Classified, Other State). The Federal land
classification may include Native Corporation holdings that are not yet conveyed. Table 9 lists
total volume by ownership class. Figure 2 displays the individual land owner or classes of
ownership across the project area.
Land Owner Class Net Cubic Feet Net Tons Biomass Tons Net Board Foot
TVSF 221,759,164 3,963,773 8,974,896 376,650,180
Forest Classified 75,758,962 1,374,299 3,110,065 122,427,885
Other State 15,733,967 279,797 685,478 23,283,320
Native Corporation 63,396,031 1,133,953 2,701,269 101,096,420
Federal 12,188,867 216,549 501,425 21,448,186
Private 14,340,915 252,492 524,285 25,567,876
Total 403,177,906 7,220,862 16,497,419 670,473,867
Table 9. Total volume by ownership class.
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Figure 2. Project area ownership map.
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D. Inventory Volume by Species
Inventory volume is reported below in Table 10 by tree species across all timber types. When
the entire volume by species is summed, a grand total of 403,177,906 net cubic feet is present. If
this total is divided by the timberland area of 556,954 acres, then overall there is 724 net cubic
feet per acre. Similarly, overall there are 13.5 net tons per acre, 29.6 biomass tons per acre and
1,204 net board feet per acre. The values for cubic feet and tons are reported for trees equal to or
greater than five inches dbh. Biomass tons are reported for trees equal to or greater than 2 inches
dbh and board foot values are reported for trees equal to or greater than nine inches dbh.
Species
Net
CF
Per
Acre Total Net CF
Net
Tons
Per
Acre
Total Net
Tons
Bio
mass
Tons
Per
Acre
Total
Biomass
Tons
Net
BF
Per
Acre
Total Net
BF
Aspen 62 34,781,197 1.4 747,505 4.3 2,393,556 33 18,572,536
Balsam
Poplar 29 16,057,283 0.7 345,564 1.1 585,955 38 21,118,398
Birch 31 17,384,186 0.9 434,183 1.4 807,391 38 21,412,143
Black
Spruce 29 16,419,811 0.5 278,297 3.1 1,715,054 9 5,024,010
White
Spruce 572 318,535,427 9.9 5,415,314 19.7 10,995,463 1,085 604,346,780
Total 724 403,177,906 13.5 7,220,862 29.6 16,497,419 1,204 670,473,867
Table 10. Total net volume and volume per acre across all strata.
E. Inventory Volume by Strata
Timber inventory results by stratum are shown in Table 8. The highest volume per acre values
are represented in strata 1 and 13; white spruce sawtimber and mixed white spruce balsam poplar
respectively. These two strata typically occur on the most productive sites and many of the
stands occur in the riparian areas of the Tok and Tanana Rivers. Stratum 2, white spruce
poletimber contains over 40 biomass tons per acre (trees>2” dbh). Stratum 12, mixed white
spruce-birch-aspen poletimber contains 38 biomass tons per acre (trees>2” dbh). Most of this
volume is within the white spruce component of the stratum. The mixed white spruce-aspen
poletimber types seen in the Tok triangle area are represented in this stratum. Stratum 15
containing reproduction timber types, has a significant volume in trees larger than 5 inches dbh
which is shown in the volume figures for cubic feet, tons and board feet. There are about 29 tons
per acre of biomass in this stratum (trees>2” dbh). Much of the hazard fuel reduction treatments
proposed for the Tok area are within Strata 2 and 12. Stratum 16 containing burned timber is
quite variable and contains about 18 biomass tons per acre. Appendix B lists per acre summaries
by strata and species.
F. Growth and Mortality Estimates
Growth estimates have been determined through projections made with the timber cruise
software TCruise. Periodic annual gross growth has been projected utilizing the past 10-year
diameter growth increment and bark thickness measurements collected in the field during the
TVSF inventory update. Mortality estimates have been determined by dividing the recently dead
volume by 5 years to calculate annual mortality. The mortality estimates were then subtracted
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
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from the gross growth figures to calculate net growth. The average net annual growth for the
project area is 23 cubic feet per acre (Table 11). Growth rates are slightly below Forest Service
estimates of between 2 and 3% for mature unmanaged forests in the central portions of the
interior (Smith et al. 2007. Forest Resources of the United States, 2007). Although stratum 16,
burned timber, is re-growing, field estimates for growth calculations are difficult to obtain and
calculate a reasonable estimate. It has not been factored into the weighted calculations of the
overall growth rate of 1.7%.
Strata
#
%
Annual
Growth
%
Annual
Mortality
%
Annual
Net
Growth
CF Per
Acre Per
Year
Growth
Tons Per
Acre Per
Year
Growth
Biomass
Tons Per
Acre Per
Year
Growth
1 1.74% 1.20% 0.54% 13 0.22 0.34
2 2.07% 0.70% 1.37% 20 0.33 0.55
3 2.85% 0.57% 2.28% 18 0.41 0.64
4 3.32% 0.00% 3.32% 12 0.30 0.66
5 2.82% 0.10% 2.72% 33 0.68 1.13
6 2.04% 0.00% 2.04% 11 0.22 0.63
7 2.95% 0.00% 2.95% 26 0.53 0.94
8 1.92% 0.00% 1.92% 20 0.42 0.73
9 2.04% 0.00% 2.04% 24 0.45 0.88
10 2.04% 0.79% 1.25% 12 0.24 0.47
11 1.80% 0.00% 1.80% 22 0.38 0.31
12 1.25% 0.34% 0.91% 11 0.20 0.33
13 2.35% 0.00% 2.35% 47 0.89 1.56
14 2.62% 0.00% 2.62% 21 0.37 0.53
15 3.92% 2.03% 1.89% 9 0.09 0.41
16 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
2.29% 0.59% 1.70% 23 0.42 0.49
Table 11. Growth and mortality estimates.
V. ECONOMIC AVAILABILITY OF SUSTAINABLE BIOMASS FUELS
The economics of available biomass were examined with a delivery point to Tok. The Tok
School has installed a wood fired boiler and is currently successful in heating the building with
wood energy. A second significantly larger facility however, is currently in the evaluation phase
for the utilization of wood energy. The Alaska Power and Telephone electric utility is
considering the use of wood energy for the generation of electricity. The utility estimates that
approximately 25,000 green tons of biomass or approximately 800 acres annually would be
required to offset its current use of fuel oil. For both of these projects to be successful over the
long term an accurate estimate of economic and sustainable biomass resources is needed. With
volume estimates and locations of biomass resources known, harvest scheduling and
infrastructure development can be better planned. Although much of the resource for the Tok
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
14
School is expected to originate from hazard fuel reduction treatments, an increase of demand
from the utility will most likely result in sourcing material beyond the scope of the hazard fuel
reduction areas. These areas may include the recently burned areas but also will consist of
unburned timber across the forested area. Also hazard fuel treatment projects rely on additional
funding sources that are uncertain over time. The economics of sustaining biomass harvest for
the long term is especially important in Alaska where there is limited urban, logging residue or
wood manufacturing wood waste available as a supplemental resource. Energy plantations of
fast growing woody crops are also not available. Other than hazard fuel treatments, for the most
part, the biomass supply for these projects is likely to consist of harvested firewood and
commercial grade timber. When biomass is used in this form it is referred to as “fuelwood”.
This is the most expensive of biomass sources (Ashton et al. 2008. Woody Biomass Desk Guide
and Toolkit). This supply scenario is quite different than the Lower 48 where biomass projects
generally rely on a combination of urban wood waste, mill waste and logging residues.
A. Current Delivered Costs
Delivered firewood costs and distances were researched for the Tok area. Currently the wood
harvests are mostly from State of Alaska timber sales with some volume originating from Tetlin
Native Corporation Lands. The state sales are located along the Taylor Highway and Tok Cut
Off Highways. Delivery location, prices and distances are shown in Table 12.
Delivery
Location
Delivered
Price
Configuration Estimated
Cords
Estimated
Tons
Haul
Distance In
Road Miles
Radius In
Miles
Tok $1,200 Self Loading
Log Truck
10 24 20 19
Delta $1,600 “ 10 24 107 97
Glennallen $1,800 “ 10 24 139 116
Fairbanks $2,300 “ 10 24 200 177
Table 12. Delivered costs and mileage for firewood.
Utilizing the data from Table 12 and assuming that delivered costs are roughly the same for 10
and 20 mile radii, equations have been established to predict delivered costs for a range of
distances from the harvest locations to the Tok delivery site. The calculated regression equations
for cords and tons respectively are shown below.
Delivered Price Per Cord = 0.6505*Radius Distance + 107.49
Delivered Price Per Ton = 0.271*Radius Distance + 44.789
B. Potential Operable Biomass Volume for Six Working Circles
Delivered firewood costs are highly correlated to haul distances. Generally to accurately
ascertain the feasibility of a particular biomass project, harvest operation areas defined in
working circles can be analyzed for volume quantity, geographic availability and cost of wood.
Although the delivered cost and current working circle radius can readily be determined,
calculating the economic availability of biomass fuels in an entire working circle is difficult
because of lack of established infrastructure and barriers to adding new infrastructure. Major
barriers to access include the Tanana and Tok Rivers as well as mountainous terrain north of the
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
15
Tanana River. To provide a more realistic calculation of the economic availability of biomass,
timberland area within the working circles has been reduced to show the potential operable areas.
The total operable acreage by ownership class and strata is shown in Table 13. Figure 3
illustrates six 10-mile working circles with operable timberland areas identified surrounding Tok.
Operable areas were determined through field reconnaissance and discussions with Division of
Forestry, Tok Area, forestry personnel. Operable acreage and volume by ownership for the six
10-mile working circles are shown in Table 14. Established delivered costs to Tok use the above
regression equations to calculate delivered cost per cord and ton by working circle radius
mileage (Figures 4 and 5).
Strata Ownership Class
Federal Forest Classified Native Other State Private TVSF Totals
1 168 2,101 1,160 10 21 7,717 11,177
2 263 6,143 4,653 2,163 4,109 12,861 30,192
3
3,515 293 5
1,284 5,097
4
549
3
242 794
5
2,906 629 43 11 2,687 6,276
6 14 801 947 73 49 746 2,630
7
943 206
22 1,171
8
97 111
58 266
9
283
333 616
10 131 2,301 239 25
1,279 3,975
11
331
2 265 598
12 378 3,169 8,744 1,953 2,994 5,095 22,333
13 51 980 1,050 178
5,281 7,540
14 458 938 1,274
714 3,384
15 3,156 35,894 46,896 14,958 8,027 60,412 169,343
16 1,178 10,660 16,282 3,418 61 32,060 63,659
Totals 5,797 71,611 82,484 22,829 15,274 131,056 329,048
Table 13. Operable acreage by ownership class and strata.
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
16
Figure 3. Ten mile circles and operable forestland around Tok.
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
17
Radius Ownership Class Acres Gross Cubic Net Cubic Gross Tons Net Tons Biomass Gross Board Net Board
Feet Feet
Tons Feet Feet
0-10 Forest Classified 19,448 15,581,773 15,143,867 275,878 267,526 592,716 26,233,777 25,184,030
Native 24,725 15,820,699 15,320,720 282,611 272,391 636,070 26,006,403 24,714,390
Other State 18,204 13,533,899 13,149,593 241,063 233,596 557,504 21,187,975 20,247,383
Private 15,274 14,846,639 14,340,915 262,030 252,492 524,285 26,869,898 25,567,876
TVSF 41,301 34,639,017 33,268,407 623,459 596,083 1,309,247 62,052,733 58,251,715
Total 118,952 94,422,027 91,223,502 1,685,041 1,622,088 3,619,822 162,350,786 153,965,394
10-20 Federal 2,929 2,082,813 2,020,194 36,822 35,582 78,237 3,641,293 3,492,512
Forest Classified 12,261 8,458,615 8,148,767 151,877 145,451 332,543 14,180,514 13,315,349
Native 29,612 21,860,214 21,136,864 393,090 378,567 892,326 36,169,265 34,358,883
Other State 2,078 1,008,643 999,118 17,746 17,551 47,567 1,111,329 1,102,318
TVSF 34,188 28,388,611 27,511,552 499,575 482,531 1,019,302 55,803,936 53,248,439
Total 81,068 61,798,896 59,816,495 1,099,110 1,059,682 2,369,975 110,906,337 105,517,501
20-30 Forest Classified 877 762,401 723,841 13,864 13,078 30,544 1,452,035 1,330,317
Native 1,849 1,034,755 1,021,827 18,646 18,385 54,434 1,104,297 1,090,700
Other State 1,376 766,485 758,676 13,849 13,692 40,454 785,787 784,379
TVSF 21,803 19,857,232 18,980,263 358,627 340,997 745,050 37,907,690 35,514,017
Total 25,905 22,420,873 21,484,607 404,986 386,152 870,482 41,249,809 38,719,413
30-40 Federal 405 285,601 275,683 5,195 4,987 11,917 520,548 500,364
Forest Classified 6,831 6,211,322 5,928,177 117,687 111,741 232,827 10,349,431 9,767,794
Native 13,636 9,521,833 9,269,099 173,167 168,122 427,590 13,332,931 12,845,748
Other State 166 154,044 147,925 2,771 2,650 5,566 304,205 288,289
TVSF 24,800 20,156,366 19,395,136 359,529 344,372 779,286 36,487,161 34,264,949
Total 45,838 36,329,166 35,016,020 658,349 631,872 1,457,186 60,994,276 57,667,144
40-50 Federal 2,462 1,840,644 1,790,331 32,752 31,752 78,502 3,206,064 3,077,473
Forest Classified 25,681 21,990,692 20,933,976 410,684 388,346 843,762 38,032,473 35,716,179
Native 12,433 11,439,822 11,063,518 202,798 195,518 434,784 21,490,344 20,458,944
TVSF 4,123 3,342,725 3,230,309 60,260 58,019 136,083 5,932,793 5,640,057
Total 44,699 38,613,883 37,018,134 706,494 673,635 1,493,131 68,661,674 64,892,653
50-60 Forest Classified 6,511 5,473,136 5,154,097 101,511 94,829 219,121 9,945,383 9,031,000
Native 228 197,548 187,051 3,569 3,357 7,889 348,724 314,477
Other State 1,004 615,991 597,961 11,192 10,820 30,703 796,754 747,334
TVSF 4,843 7,085,202 6,440,879 130,181 116,977 225,724 18,105,713 15,790,290
Total 12,586 13,371,877 12,379,988 246,453 225,983 483,437 29,196,574 25,883,101
Grand Totals 329,048 266,956,722 256,938,746 4,800,433 4,599,412 10,294,033 473,359,456 446,645,206
Table 14. Tok area working circle operable acreage and volume.
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
18
Figure 4. Delivered price per cord by working circle radius.
Figure 5. Delivered price per ton by working circle radius.
$121
$127
$134
$140
$147
y = 0.6505x + 107.49
100
105
110
115
120
125
130
135
140
145
150
155
160
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Price per CordWorking Circle Radius in Miles
Delivered Cost Per Cord
$50
$53
$56
$58
$61
y = 0.271x + 44.789
$30
$35
$40
$45
$50
$55
$60
$65
$70
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70Price per TonWorking Circle Radius in Miles
Delivered Cost Per Ton
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
19
C. Annual Sustainable Biomass Yield for Six Working Circles
Volume availability on an annual basis was determined by multiplying the inventory net growth
rate percentages by strata with the operable working circle volume. The data was then merged
into the five land ownership classes (Tables 15 and 16). Stratum 16, the burned stratum, has no
growth rates calculated and this stratum is not included in the annually available volume. The
burned timber would be additionally available volume, but these burned stands have a life span
as to how long salvage can occur.
The delivered cost information was then applied to the annually available operable volume to
develop supply curves in cords, tons and biomass tons (Figures 7, 8 and 9) for Tok. The
delivered cost per cord is converted from the total available cubic feet at a ratio of 90 cubic feet
per cord.
Utilizing the maximum radius of 60 miles there would potentially be available on an annual basis
a sustainable volume of approximately 40,485 cords, 66,321 tons, 153,127 biomass tons or about
6 million board feet. On state forest lands and forest classified lands combined a sustainable
volume of approximately 25,976 cords, 42,905 tons, 95,938 biomass tons or about 4 million
board feet is present. This volume could be available at a cost of up to $147.00 per cord or about
$61.00 per ton. It should be noted that when examining the annual volume availability of
biomass tons, 61% of the biomass ton volume is within the reproduction stratum. Annual
volume availability by strata is shown in Appendix C.
Land Owner Total Total Total Total Total Total Total
Class Gross CF Net CF Gross Net Biomass Gross BF Net BF
Tons Tons Tons
Federal 60,066 58,161 1,072 1,034 2,486 102,109 97,680
Forest Classified 917,965 872,611 17,225 16,265 36,321 1,471,281 1,367,140
Native 843,616 815,241 15,282 14,708 36,265 1,314,299 1,244,402
Other State 237,093 230,963 4,247 4,127 10,570 338,048 323,624
Private 207,476 201,383 3,662 3,548 7,869 343,841 328,970
TVSF 1,546,753 1,465,267 28,299 26,640 59,617 2,853,427 2,609,966
Total 3,812,969 3,643,626 69,788 66,321 153,127 6,423,006 5,971,782
Table 15. Annual volume availability by ownership class.
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
20
Total Total Total Total Total Total Total
Gross CF Net CF Gross Net Biomass Gross BF Net BF
Tons Tons Tons
Radius: 0-10
Forest Classified 202,284 196,678 3,616 3,509 8,101 317,513 305,133
Native 166,117 158,816 3,019 2,869 6,674 294,167 274,369
Other State 199,405 194,010 3,566 3,461 8,679 293,060 280,113
Private 207,476 201,383 3,662 3,548 7,869 343,841 328,970
TVSF 502,388 478,305 9,221 8,731 19,519 876,997 809,316
Totals: 1,277,669 1,229,193 23,084 22,119 50,842 2,125,579 1,997,901
Radius: 10-20
Federal 24,046 23,232 426 410 887 44,588 42,753
Forest Classified 99,656 93,755 1,859 1,733 3,858 175,546 158,615
Native 322,699 311,907 5,838 5,619 13,786 506,824 480,237
Other State 9,033 8,918 161 159 451 10,225 10,102
TVSF 280,352 267,647 5,069 4,816 10,283 543,119 505,124
Totals: 735,787 705,459 13,353 12,738 29,264 1,280,303 1,196,830
Radius: 20-30
Forest Classified 13,298 12,520 244 228 548 24,470 21,956
Native 19,562 19,308 353 347 1,029 20,935 20,637
Other State 14,664 14,508 265 262 770 15,110 15,071
TVSF 305,196 289,608 5,607 5,286 12,131 535,598 493,388
Totals: 352,720 335,945 6,469 6,124 14,479 596,113 551,053
Radius: 30-40
Federal 5,356 5,176 97 93 219 9,713 9,377
Forest Classified 118,185 112,463 2,286 2,164 4,487 181,203 170,426
Native 165,732 161,554 3,036 2,952 7,729 213,421 206,194
Other State 1,954 1,891 35 34 78 3,398 3,245
TVSF 280,505 267,038 5,091 4,818 11,298 492,110 451,635
Totals: 571,731 548,122 10,546 10,060 23,810 899,845 840,877
Radius: 40-50
Federal 30,663 29,753 550 531 1,380 47,809 45,550
Forest Classified 383,072 362,506 7,312 6,866 15,215 593,142 551,148
Native 165,819 160,192 2,970 2,858 6,900 272,196 256,961
TVSF 50,965 49,294 927 893 2,246 78,917 74,708
Totals: 630,519 601,745 11,758 11,148 25,741 992,064 928,366
Radius: 50-60
Forest Classified 101,471 94,688 1,908 1,764 4,112 179,407 159,862
Native 3,687 3,463 67 63 148 6,755 6,005
Other State 12,037 11,636 219 211 591 16,254 15,093
TVSF 127,347 113,375 2,384 2,095 4,140 326,685 275,795
Totals: 244,542 223,162 4,578 4,132 8,991 529,102 456,755
Grand Totals: 3,812,969 3,643,626 69,788 66,321 153,127 6,423,006 5,971,782
Table 16. Annual volume availability by working circle radius and ownership class.
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
21
Figure 6. Cumulative annual volume availability by radii to Tok.
Figure 7. Supply curve for cords to Tok.
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
140,000
160,000
180,000
10 Miles 20 Miles 30 Miles 40 Miles 50 Miles 60 MilesVolume Cords
Tons
Biomass Tons
y = 0.0013x + 93.09
$100
$110
$120
$130
$140
$150
20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 45,000Price per CordCords/Year
Supply Curve to Tok in Cords
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
22
Figure 8. Supply curve for tons to Tok.
Figure 9. Supply curve for biomass tons to Tok.
y = 0.0003x + 39.583
$35
$40
$45
$50
$55
$60
$65
30,000 35,000 40,000 45,000 50,000 55,000 60,000 65,000 70,000Price per tonTons/Year
Supply Curve to Tok in Tons
y = 0.0001x + 39.692
$35
$40
$45
$50
$55
$60
$65
75,000 95,000 115,000 135,000 155,000Price per tonBiomass Tons/Year
Supply Curve to Tok in Biomass
Tons
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
23
VI. VOLUME AVAILABILITY FROM PROPOSED HAZARD FUEL
TREATMENTS
Much of the impetus for the design of the Tok School boiler system was the consideration of
utilizing a fuel source that could also mitigate fire risk. It is expected that the hazard fuel
reduction projects could provide a significant source of the raw material supply. This acreage is
included in the above calculations for annual sustainable volume, but in actuality the projects
represent a onetime use of the material. In some cases however, the fuel reduction treatments
could result in site conversion to less flammable hardwoods which could be available for
biomass in the future. To estimate the volume resulting from the hazard fuel projects, proposed
treatment areas were laid over the GIS timber type coverage to calculate a volume that could be
available during the implementation of these clearings. A figure indicating the area of treatments
and a table listing the volume by land owner classification appears below.
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
24
Figure 10. Tok proposed hazard fuel reduction project units.
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
25
Land Owner Class Acres Net Cubic
Feet
Net Tons Biomass
Tons
Net Board Foot
Federal 461 0 0 0 0
Forest Classified 1,945 1,891,463 33,234 67,886 3,449,980
Native 644 76,195 1,361 2,708 155,347
Other State 106 446,000 7,945 19,962 630,483
Private 0 560,265 9,701 17,726 1,041,745
TVSF 516 326,780 5,750 11,841 567,366
Totals 3,672 3,300,703 57,991 120,123 5,844,921
Table 17. Potentially available volume from proposed hazard fuel reduction projects.
VII. LITERATURE CITED
Ashton, S., L. McDonell, and K. Barnes. 2008. Woody biomass desk guide and toolkit. National
Association of Conservation Districts. U.S. Department of Interior and the USDA Forest
Service. 118p.
Hanson, D. 2007. Analysis of Wood Volume Available From Hazard Fuel Reduction Projects
and Development of Wood Residue Markets in the Fairbanks Area. Alaska State DNR, Div.
of Forestry. 2007
Smith, B., P.D. Miles, C.H. Perry, S.A. Pugh. 2007. Forest Resources of the United States, 2007.
USDA Forest Service.
Sturgeon, J. 1979. Wood as a fuel. Series No. R10-40. USDA Forest Service Alaska Region.
Yarie, J., E. Kane, M. Mack. 2007. Aboveground biomass equations for the trees of interior
Alaska. University of Alaska Fairbanks. AFES Bulletin 115.
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
A-1
Appendix A
Timber Type Acreage by Strata
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
A-2
Vegetation Type Acres Field Sampled?
Stratum 1 White Spruce Sawtimber 2SZ 34 No 3SY 26 No 1SY 20 Yes 2SX 9,850 Yes 3SX 60 No 2SY 3,104 Yes 102 883 No
Sum 13,978
Stratum 2 White Spruce Poletimber 3PX 3,617 Yes 3PY 2,385 Yes 3PZ 32 No 2PZ 279 No 2PY 10,390 Yes 1PY 25 No 2PX 24,960 Yes 1PX 28 No
Sum 41,717
Stratum 3 Birch Closed 17PX 8,311 Yes 17SX 782 Yes
Sum 9,093
Stratum 4 Birch Open 17PZ 32 No 17PY 1,440 Yes 17SY 56 Yes
Sum 1,528
Stratum 5 Aspen Closed 18PX 8,415 Yes 18SX 436 Yes
Sum 8,851
Stratum 6 Aspen Open 18SY 120 Yes 18PZ 31 No 18PY 3,476 Yes
Sum 3,627
Stratum 7 Birch-Aspen Closed 19PX 2,967 Yes 19SX 15 Yes
Sum 2,982
Stratum 8 Birch-Aspen Open 19PY 451 Yes 19PZ 4 No
Sum 455
Stratum 9 White Spruce-Birch Sawtimber 31SY 477 Yes 31SX 605 Yes
Sum 1,082
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
A-3
Vegetation Type Acres Field Sampled?
Stratum 10 White Spruce-Birch Poletimber 31PZ 52 No 31PY 2,823 Yes 31PX 8,150 Yes
Sum 11,025
Stratum 11 White Spruce-Birch-Aspen Sawtimber 34SX 103 Yes 37SX 117 Yes 37SY 279 Yes 34SY 240 No
Sum 740
Stratum 12 White Spruce-Birch-Aspen Poletimber 34PZ 200 No 34PY 7,388 No 37PZ 49 No 37PY 2,906 Yes 37PX 15,201 Yes 34PX 11,695 Yes
Sum 37,439
Stratum 13 White Spruce-Balsam Poplar 16SY 137 No 16SX 1,331 No 38SX 628 No 16PYW 41 Yes 16PY 558 Yes 16PX 2,058 Yes 16PZ 6 No 38PYW 41 Yes 38PX 1,674 Yes 38SY 184 No 38PY 864 Yes 38PZ 18 Yes
Sum 7,540
Stratum 14 Black and White Spruce-Birch-Aspen 39PXW 10 Yes 39PY 1,566 Yes 39PX 2,946 Yes 35PY 3 Yes 39SY 6 No
Sum 4,531
Stratum 15 White Spruce-Hardwood Reproduction 19RYW 4 No 16RZW 386 No 16RZ 30 No 16RYW 1,411 No 16RY 613 No 16RX 524 No 19RY 2,819 No 19RXW 5 No 19RX 7,656 No 2RX 20,020 No 2RY 4,482 No
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
A-4
Vegetation Type Acres Field Sampled?
Stratum 15 White Spruce-Hardwood Reproduction (Continued)
16RXW 219 No 19RZ 306 No 18RY 8,074 Yes 2RYW 39 No 17RX 2,129 No 1RZW 2,108 No 1RYW 25,480 No 1RY 2,875 No 1RXW 8,384 Yes 17RY 236 No 18RZ 586 No 1RX 14,042 No 17RYW 17 No 17RZ 3 No 18RX 14,908 Yes 39RZW 253 No 34RX 13,798 Yes 101 1,517 No 39RYW 4,600 No 3RX 14,996 Yes 31RZ 31 No 39RXW 879 No 32RX 26 Yes 3RXW 2,524 No 32RY 23 Yes 37RYW 6 No 39RY 13,581 Yes 38RXW 53 No 34RY 18,107 Yes 37RX 24,214 Yes 34RZ 414 No 39RZ 200 Yes 35RX 165 Yes 35RY 34 Yes 37RY 7,362 No 38RX 1,395 No 2RZW 12 No 38RY 1,520 No 37RZ 622 No 38RYW 368 No 3RZW 186 No 38RZ 43 No 3RZ 466 No 30RX 20 Yes 2RZ 4,716 No 3RY 4,106 No 31RX 3,557 No 39RX 20,922 Yes 31RY 953 No 3RYW 3,952 No
Sum 262,974
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
A-5
Vegetation Type Acres Field Sampled?
Stratum 16 White Spruce-Hardwood Burned 17RYBR 142 No 39RYBR 8,133 Yes 17RYWBR 22 No 18PYWBR 22 No 18PYBR 146 No 39RXBR 13,403 No 18PXBR 1,309 No 17SXBR 5 No 39PXBR 6,780 No 39PYBR 262 No 39RXWBR 755 No 16RZBR 13 No 3RZWBR 1 No 16PXBR 51 No 3RZBR 681 Yes 16PYBR 45 No 16PYWBR 7 No 3RYWBR 955 No 16RXBR 32 No 3RYBR 4,063 No 16RYBR 4 No 39RZBR 94 No 16RYWBR 8 No 17RXBR 330 No 3RXBR 6,349 No 16SXBR 24 No 3PYBR 283 No 3PXBR 1,277 No 37SXBR 29 No 17PXBR 796 No 17PYBR 94 No 17PZBR 70 No 39RYWBR 1,387 No 3RXWBR 349 No 31PXBR 4,187 No 34PXBR 7,275 No 1PXBR 133 No 31SYBR 13 No 1RXBR 9,104 No 1RXWBR 5,509 Yes 1RYBR 1,545 No 31RYBR 248 No 1RYWBR 9,790 No 1RZBR 19 No 1RZWBR 387 No 38PXBR 158 No 31PYBR 515 No 34RYBR 3,942 No 2SYBR 34 No 2PXBR 12,676 Yes 2SXBR 583 No 2PYBR 1,575 No 2RZWBR 77 No 2PZBR 63 No
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
A-6
Vegetation Type Acres Field Sampled?
Stratum 16 White Spruce-Hardwood Burned (Continued)
2RXBR 1,317 No 2RXWBR 20 No 2RZBR 2,020 No 2RYBR 1,916 No 31RXBR 436 No 37RYBR 1,361 No 18RXBR 1,268 No 18RYBR 1,687 No 18RYWBR 19 No 38PYWBR 12 No 18RZBR 24 No 38PYBR 77 No 31SXBR 2,319 No 37SYBR 121 No 2RYWBR 2 No 37RZBR 19 No 34PYBR 1,000 No 19PYBR 64 No 34RXBR 2,306 No 19RXBR 1,399 No 37RXBR 2,458 No 19RYBR 373 No 37PZBR 194 No 37PYBR 1,662 No 19RZBR 36 No 37PXBR 18,547 No 34SYBR 4 No 34SXBR 14 No 34RZBR 99 No 38RXBR 26 No 19PXBR 2,838 No
Sum 149,391 Grand Total Tok Biomass Project Timberland Area 556,954
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
B-1
Appendix B
Per Acre Summary by Stratum and Species
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
B-2
Per Acre Summary by Strata and Species
Trees BA Gross CF Net CF Gross Tons Net Tons Biomass Tons Gross BF Net BF
>2" >5" >5" >5" >5" >5" >2" >9" >9"
Stratum 1
Aspen 1 0 1 1 0.03 0.03 0.07
Balsam Poplar 5 2 20 18 0.44 0.39 0.68 10 9
Birch 3 2 16 8 0.39 0.20 0.65 47 27
Black Spruce 56 4 51 48 0.87 0.82 3.32
White Spruce 408 116 2,546 2,477 43.28 42.10 61.83 7,928 7,679 473 124 2,634 2,552 45.01 43.54 66.55 7,985 7,715
Stratum 2
Aspen 1 0 3 1 0.06 0.02 0.15
Birch 2 1 14 12 0.35 0.29 0.41 13 12
Black Spruce 21 4 40 38 0.68 0.64 1.59
White Spruce 581 83 1,483 1,432 25.21 24.35 39.54 2,942 2,783 605 88 1,540 1,483 26.30 25.30 41.69 2,955 2,795
Stratum 3
Aspen 1 1 12 11 0.26 0.23 0.23 48 43
Birch 254 46 608 500 15.20 12.51 20.46 675 518
Black Spruce 23 5 70 67 1.19 1.14 2.28
White Spruce 40 16 290 251 4.93 4.26 6.71 611 436 318 68 980 829 21.58 18.14 29.68 1,334 997
Stratum 4
Birch 220 47 458 360 11.45 8.99 19.64 564 419
Black Spruce 2 1 12 4 0.21 0.06 0.46 61 18
White Spruce 25 0.00 247 48 470 364 11.66 9.05 20.10 625 437
Stratum 5
Aspen 348 45 773 726 16.62 15.61 25.64 1,116 1,042
Balsam Poplar 37 18 280 270 6.01 5.80 7.82 426 419
Birch 15 1 9 8 0.22 0.20 0.57
White Spruce 224 14 227 224 3.86 3.81 8.74 338 334 624 78 1,289 1,228 26.71 25.42 42.77 1,880 1,795
Stratum 6
Aspen 221 37 397 371 8.53 7.97 17.36 62 62
Black Spruce 350 2.68
White Spruce 112 14 154 154 2.61 2.61 10.85 295 295 683 51 551 525 11.14 10.58 30.89 357 357
Stratum 7
Aspen 104 14 139 137 3.00 2.94 5.45 26 21
Birch 131 36 380 323 9.50 8.08 13.81 211 136
White Spruce 292 29 428 425 7.28 7.22 13.22 903 903 527 79 947 885 19.78 18.24 32.48 1,140 1,060
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
B-3
Trees BA Gross CF Net CF Gross Tons Net Tons Biomass Tons Gross BF Net BF
>2" >5" >5" >5" >5" >5" >2" >9" >9"
Stratum 8
Aspen 41 22 488 464 10.49 9.98 12.71 1,104 1,066
Balsam Poplar 76 20 221 206 4.75 4.42 8.40 42 38
Birch 126 30 254 177 6.35 4.42 10.51 324 271
White Spruce 69 14 216 216 3.68 3.68 5.80 769 769 312 86 1,179 1,063 25.27 22.50 37.42 2,239 2,144
Stratum 9
Birch 85 35 396 329 9.90 8.22 15.56 427 387
White Spruce 112 51 978 823 16.62 14.00 28.31 3,618 3,233 197 86 1,374 1,152 26.52 22.22 43.87 4,045 3,620
Stratum 10
Birch 172 26 283 250 7.07 6.24 13.49 389 330
Black Spruce 23 7 95 91 1.62 1.55 2.72
White Spruce 200 38 715 685 12.16 11.65 22.42 2,450 2,322 395 71 1,093 1,026 20.85 19.44 38.63 2,839 2,652
Stratum 11
Aspen 12 4 51 43 1.09 0.93 1.73
Birch 4 2 1 0 0.02 0.00 0.67 32 2
White Spruce 215 60 1,194 1,165 20.29 19.81 17.60 4,535 4,409 231 66 1,246 1,208 21.40 20.74 20.00 4,567 4,411
Stratum 12
Aspen 52 11 114 99 2.44 2.14 3.62 33 29
Birch 18 9 130 108 3.25 2.70 4.04 342 278
White Spruce 328 63 1,091 1,052 18.55 17.88 30.36 2,976 2,831 398 83 1,335 1,259 24.24 22.72 38.02 3,351 3,138
Stratum 13
Balsam Poplar 162 75 1,172 860 25.20 18.50 33.63 3,384 2,255
Birch 0 0 6 4 0.14 0.10 0.17 36 25
White Spruce 295 59 1,179 1,131 20.04 19.23 32.83 3,711 3,495 457 134 2,357 1,995 45.38 37.83 66.63 7,131 5,775
Stratum 14
Birch 24 4 23 1 0.57 0.03 1.11
White Spruce 250 50 818 797 13.91 13.55 19.70 2,194 2,115 274 54 841 798 14.48 13.58 20.81 2,194 2,115
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
B-4
Trees BA Gross CF Net CF Gross Tons Net Tons Biomass Tons Gross BF Net BF
>2" >5" >5" >5" >5" >5" >2" >9" >9"
Stratum 15
Aspen 339 6 82 81 1.76 1.74 7.11 27 27
Balsam Poplar 29 1 26 26 0.56 0.56 0.95 1 1
Birch 23 0 7 6 0.18 0.15 0.52
Black Spruce 300 3 47 46 0.80 0.78 3.77 19 19
White Spruce 513 22 386 384 6.56 6.53 16.88 508 508 1,204 32 548 543 9.86 9.76 29.23 555 555
Stratum 16
Aspen 14 1 8 8 0.17 0.17 0.44
Birch 6 1 14 12 0.35 0.30 0.36
Black Spruce 278 0 3 3 0.05 0.05 3.68
White Spruce 380 22 376 376 6.39 6.39 13.78 415 415 678 24 401 399 6.96 6.91 18.26 415 415
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
C-1
Appendix C
Accessible Annually Available Biomass by Stratum
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
C-2
Accessible Annually Available Biomass by Strata
Total Total Total Total Total Total Total
Gross Net Gross Net Biomass Gross Net
CF CF Tons Tons Tons BF BF
Stratum 1
Aspen 60 60 2 2 4
Balsam Poplar 1,207 1,086 27 24 41 603 543
Birch 966 483 24 12 39 2,836 1,629
Black Spruce 3,078 2,897 53 49 200
White Spruce 153,648 149,484 2,612 2,541 3,731 478,444 463,418 Totals 158,958 154,010 2,716 2,628 4,016 481,884 465,590
Stratum 2
Aspen 1,241 414 25 8 62
Birch 5,791 4,964 145 120 170 5,377 4,964
Black Spruce 16,545 15,718 281 265 658
White Spruce 613,420 592,324 10,428 10,072 16,355 1,216,912 1,151,144 Totals 636,997 613,420 10,879 10,465 17,244 1,222,289 1,156,108
Stratum 3
Aspen 1,395 1,279 30 27 27 5,580 4,998
Birch 70,674 58,120 1,767 1,454 2,378 78,462 60,212
Black Spruce 8,137 7,788 138 133 265
White Spruce 33,710 29,176 573 495 780 71,023 50,681 Totals 113,915 96,363 2,508 2,109 3,450 155,064 115,891
Stratum 4
Birch 12,079 9,494 302 237 518 14,875 11,051
Black Spruce 316 105 6 2 12 1,609 475
White Spruce 0 Totals 12,396 9,600 308 239 530 16,484 11,525
Stratum 5
Aspen 131,948 123,926 2,837 2,665 4,377 190,497 177,866
Balsam Poplar 47,795 46,088 1,026 990 1,335 72,717 71,522
Birch 1,536 1,366 38 34 97
White Spruce 38,748 38,236 659 650 1,492 57,695 57,013 Totals 220,028 209,615 4,559 4,339 7,301 320,909 306,400
Stratum 6
Aspen 21,304 19,909 458 428 932 3,327 3,327
Black Spruce 144
White Spruce 8,264 8,264 140 140 582 15,831 15,831 Totals 29,569 28,173 598 568 1,658 19,158 19,158
Stratum 7
Aspen 4,799 4,730 104 102 188 898 725
Birch 13,120 11,152 328 279 477 7,285 4,696
White Spruce 14,777 14,674 251 249 456 31,177 31,177 Totals 32,696 30,556 683 630 1,121 39,360 36,598
Biomass Supply Analysis For The Tok Area
C-3
Total Total Total Total Total Total Total
Gross Net Gross Net Biomass Gross Net
CF CF Tons Tons Tons BF BF
Stratum 8
Aspen 2,492 2,370 54 51 65 5,639 5,445
Balsam Poplar 1,129 1,052 24 23 43 215 194
Birch 1,297 904 32 23 54 1,655 1,384
White Spruce 1,103 1,103 19 19 30 3,928 3,928 Totals 6,022 5,429 129 115 191 11,436 10,950
Stratum 9
Birch 4,979 4,137 124 103 196 5,369 4,866
White Spruce 12,297 10,348 209 176 356 45,490 40,649 Totals 17,276 14,484 333 279 552 50,859 45,515
Stratum 10
Birch 14,057 12,418 351 310 670 19,322 16,392
Black Spruce 4,719 4,520 80 77 135
White Spruce 35,515 34,025 604 579 1,114 121,695 115,337 Totals 54,291 50,963 1,036 966 1,919 141,017 131,729
Stratum 11
Aspen 550 464 12 10 19
Birch 11 0 0 0 7 345 22
White Spruce 12,881 12,568 219 214 190 48,923 47,563 Totals 13,442 13,032 231 224 216 49,268 47,585
Stratum 12
Aspen 23,168 20,119 496 435 736 6,706 5,894
Birch 26,419 21,948 660 549 821 69,503 56,497
White Spruce 221,720 213,794 3,770 3,634 6,170 604,802 575,334 Totals 271,307 255,862 4,926 4,617 7,727 681,012 637,725
Stratum 13
Balsam Poplar 207,654 152,374 4,465 3,278 5,959 599,575 399,539
Birch 1,063 709 25 18 30 6,378 4,429
White Spruce 208,894 200,390 3,551 3,407 5,817 657,512 619,242 Totals 417,612 353,473 8,040 6,703 11,805 1,263,466 1,023,210
Stratum 14
Birch 2,039 89 51 3 98
White Spruce 72,511 70,649 1,233 1,201 1,746 194,485 187,482 Totals 74,550 70,738 1,284 1,204 1,845 194,485 187,482
Stratum 15
Aspen 262,447 259,246 5,633 5,569 22,756 86,415 86,415
Balsam Poplar 83,215 83,215 1,792 1,792 3,041 3,201 3,201
Birch 22,404 19,203 576 480 1,664
Black Spruce 150,427 147,226 2,560 2,496 12,066 60,811 60,811
White Spruce 1,235,419 1,229,018 20,996 20,900 54,026 1,625,889 1,625,889 Totals 1,753,912 1,737,909 31,558 31,238 93,553 1,776,315 1,776,315
Grand Totals
3,812,969 Gross Cubic Feet 3,643,626 Net Cubic Feet
69,788 Gross Tons 66,321 Net Tons
153,127 Biomass Tons
6,423,006 Gross Board Feet 5,971,782 Net Board Feet