Multi-Agency Ground Plot (MAGPlot) database (DB) is a pan-Canadian forest ground-plot data repository. The database synthesize forest ground plot data from various agencies, including the National Forest Inventory (NFI) and 12 Canadian jurisdictions: Alberta (AB), British Columbia (BC), Manitoba (MB), New Brunswick (NB), Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Nova Scotia (NS), Northwest Territories (NT), Ontario (ON), Prince Edward Island (PE), Quebec (QC), Saskatchewan (SK), and Yukon Territory (YT), contributed in their original format. These datasets underwent data cleaning and quality assessment using the set of rules and standards set by the contributors and associated documentations, and were standardized, harmonized, and integrated into a single, centralized, and analysis-ready database. The primary objective of the MAGPlot project is to collate and harmonize forest ground plot data and to present the data in a findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) format for pan-Canadian forest research.

The current version includes both historical and contemporary forest ground plot data provided by data contributors. The standardized and harmonized dataset includes eight data tables (five site related and three tree measurement tables) in a relational database schema. Site-related tables contain information on geographical locations, treatments (e.g. stand tending, regeneration, and cutting), and disturbances caused by abiotic factors (e.g., weather, wildfires) or biotic factors (e.g., disease, insects, animals). Tree-related tables, on the other hand, focus on measured tree attributes, including biophysical and growth parameters (e.g., DBH, height, crown class), species, status, stem conditions (e.g., broken or dead tops), and health conditions. While most contributors provided large and small tree plot measurements, only NFI, AB, MB, and SK contributed datasets reported at regeneration plot level (e.g., stem count, regeneration species). Future versions are expected to include updated and/or new measurement records as well as additional tables and measured and compiled (e.g., tree volume and biomass) attributes. MAGPlot is hosted through Canada’s National Forest Information System (https://nfi.nfis.org/en/maps).

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TREE MEASUREMENTS WFS LAYERS:

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Shows the distribution of measured trees, with each point representing multiple / stacked trees that have been measured at a site location

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SITES SUMMARY WMS & WFS LAYER:

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Shows the distribution of magplot sites nationwide, with each point representing the location of a site.

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NOTES:

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The MAGPlot release (v1.0.0 and v1.1.0) does not include NL and SK datasets due to pending Data Sharing Agreements, ongoing data processing, or restrictions on third-party sharing. These datasets will be included in future releases.

While certain jurisdictions permit open or public data sharing, given that requestor signs and adheres the Data Use agreement, there are some jurisdictions that require a jurisdiction-specific request form to be signed in addition to the Data Use Agreement form.

For the MAGPlot Data Dictionary, other metadata, datasets available for open sharing (with approximate locations), data requests (for other datasets or exact coordinates), and available data visualization products, please check all the folders in the “Data and Resources” section below. Coordinates in web services have been randomized within 5km of true location to preserve site integrity

Access the WFS (Web Feature Service) and WMS (Web Map Service) layers from the “Data and Resources” section below. Sample WFS requests to download MAGPlot data without a GIS client are available in the supplementary materials package linked below.

A data request must be submitted to access historical datasets, datasets restricted by data-use agreements, or exact plot coordinates using the link below.

NFI Data Request Form: https://nfi.nfis.org/en/datarequestform

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

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We acknowledge and recognize the following agencies that have contributed data to the MAGPlot database:

Government of Alberta - Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Economic Development - Forest Stewardship and Trade Branch

Government of British Columbia - Ministry of Forests - Forest Analysis and Inventory Branch

Government of Manitoba - Ministry of Economic, Development, Investment, Trade, and Natural Resources - Forestry and Peatlands Branch

Government of New Brunswick - Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy Development - Forestry Division, Forest - Planning and Stewardship Branch

Government of Newfoundland & Labrador - Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture - Forestry Branch

Government of Nova Scotia - Ministry of Natural Resources and Renewables - Department of Natural Resources and Renewables

Government of Northwest Territories - Department of Environment & Climate Change - Forest Management Division

Government of Ontario - Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Science and Research Branch, Forest Resources Inventory Unit

Government of Prince Edward Island - Department of Environment, Energy, and Climate Action - Forests, Fish, and Wildlife Division

Government of Quebec - Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests - Forestry Sector

Government of Saskatchewan - Ministry of Environment - Forest Service Branch

Government of Yukon - Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Resources - Forest Management Branch

Government of Canada - Natural Resources Canada - Canadian Forest Service - National Forest Inventory Projects Office