Natural resource managers are increasingly interested in the effects of planned management activities on carbon stocks. The Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) is a family of forest growth simulation models that allow a user to explore how silvicultural treatments may affect growth and yield (and, therefore, carbon stocks). "Suppose" is the name for the graphical user interface for FVS.
Inputs
At its core, FVS requires basic forest inventory and stand examination information. One can get started by only inputting data about tree species, DBH, and sampling design (to be able to accurately scale the data) but the more input data the user gives it, the more powerful and accurate the model can be. So, for example, data regarding site quality, latitude and longitude, slope/aspect, tree height and crown width are all very helpful inputs that will enable more precise outputs from FVS. A variety of data sources can be modified or translated to serve as input for FVS: a user could employ local, field-gathered forest inventory data; s/he could use data from the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program; or s/he could use data from the Natural Resources Information System (NRIS) Field Sampled Vegetation (FSVeg), which includes plot vegetation data from FIA and elsewhere.
Whichever data is used, the input information must then be processed into an FVS-friendly format, i.e. into a text-based FVS input file. This may be done using one of the "pre-processors" available on the FVS website. Within the Forest Service, many regions have region-specific translators that can convert regional data into an FVS input file. FIA data is not directly FVS-ready, but can be processed for use with FVS.
Whichever data is used, the input information must then be processed into an FVS-friendly format, i.e. into a text-based FVS input file. This may be done using one of the "pre-processors" available on the FVS website. Within the Forest Service, many regions have region-specific translators that can convert regional data into an FVS input file. FIA data is not directly FVS-ready, but can be processed for use with FVS.
Outputs
Text files of growth and yield calculations. A variety of post-processor applications, including Windows-based "Suppose", are available to translate these text outputs into a variety of graphical displays and reports.
Add-ons aside, FVS itself produces text output files of growth and yield calculations, based upon the user-specified site, conditions, and silvicultural treatments. A variety of post-processors can perform additional calculations and are capable of translating the FVS text-based output files into reports and/or graphical displays. These post-processors can run within, or independent from "Suppose", the graphical user interface of FVS.
Add-ons aside, FVS itself produces text output files of growth and yield calculations, based upon the user-specified site, conditions, and silvicultural treatments. A variety of post-processors can perform additional calculations and are capable of translating the FVS text-based output files into reports and/or graphical displays. These post-processors can run within, or independent from "Suppose", the graphical user interface of FVS.
Restrictions and Limitations
FVS is a powerful tool that requires a bit of dedication to be able to learn and use. Plenty of information is available through the FVS website, or potential users can sign up for one of several regional training sessions that are held annually.