TOPEX (acronym which means “topographical exposure”) is an index of topographic exposure. It reflects the influence of local topography on the degree of exposure to wind and on its behavior (Ruel et al. 2002). TOPEX data are presented in the form of a matrix file (raster) whose spatial resolution is 50 m with a projection in Nad 1983 Quebec Lambert. This raster covers the entire territory of Quebec located approximately south of 52°40' and west of 61°10' and extends beyond the borders of Quebec by 75 to 125 m (in order to have values on the entire Quebec territory covered). TOPEX values were calculated using the Digital Terrain Model (DTM) from the NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). This MNT is provided in a WGS 84 projection (EPSG: 4326) with a resolution of one arcsecond (+/- 30 m). A mosaic of the SRTM tiles was created to then project the MNT into Lambert and resample it at 50 m. TOPEX can be used as an input in a windfall vulnerability assessment system. However, it should be borne in mind that this index does not take into account the wind channeling effect that may occur in some places and that can influence windfall. In addition, other factors must be taken into consideration in order to carry out a complete analysis of the risk of windfall. RUEL, J.-C., S. J. MITCHELL and M. DORNIER, 2002. A GIS based approach to map wind exposure for windthrow hazard rating. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry, 19 (4): 183-187.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

__The link: *Access the data directory* is available in the section*Dataset Description Sheets; Additional Information*__. The mapping of insect epidemics, windfalls (trees knocked down by the wind) and ice is produced as part of the ecoforestry inventory of southern Quebec in order to maintain an up-to-date portrait of the forest. It covers the commercial territory of public and private forests in Quebec. The minimum mapping area is 0.1 ha. This portrait is useful, among other things, for evaluating the intensity and extent of damage associated with insects, windfalls and ice. In each case, the mapping represents the loss of forest cover in the form of disturbances ranging from severe (over 75% of dead trees) to slight disturbances (from 25 to 75% of dead trees). The disturbances in this map date back to the beginning of the century (when information is available) to the present day. They are the result of collaboration between the Directorate of Forest Protection and the Directorate of Forest Inventories. The outlines come from forest inventories (first and second decennial inventories) and ecoforestry inventories (third and fourth decennial inventories). Mortality is dated using defoliation layers from the Directorate for Forest Protection. For the epidemic of TBE (spruce budworm), mortality is considered to occur after a succession of five years or more of severe or moderate defoliation. In the case of the surveyor, a single year is enough to decimate a forest stand. The other elements in the layer are dated using LANDSAT imagery, sample plots, and archival documents.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

__The link: *Access the data directory* is available in the section*Dataset Description Sheets; Additional Information*__. The updated ecoforest map (formerly “with disturbances”) is the result of the interpretation of aerial photographs and control points in the field as part of the ecoforest inventory of southern Quebec. This mapping presents the various forest and ecological characteristics of the forest territory and corresponds to the portrait of the forest up to the year in which the aerial photograph was taken (mapping cycle of about 10 years). Next, the outlines and nature of recent disturbances (forest interventions, fires and other disturbances) are then integrated annually. The fifth mapping cycle has been under way since 2015. This map covers almost all of the territory south of the 52nd parallel of Quebec's public and private forest. It is distributed by map sheet at a scale of 1/250,000. The minimum mapping area is 4 ha for stands and 0.1 ha for disturbances. __Note 1__: The disturbance maps used to update the updated ecoforest map are also distributed separately on Data Quebec. Here is the list of these maps: + [Forest fires] (https://www.donneesquebec.ca/recherche/dataset/feux-de-foret) + [Harvesting and other silvicultural interventions] (https://www.donneesquebec.ca/recherche/dataset/recolte-et-reboisement) + [Epidemics, windfalls and ice storms] (https://www.donneesquebec.ca/recherche/dataset/epidemies-chablis-et-verglas) + [Forest infrastructures] (https://www.donneesquebec.ca/recherche/dataset/infrastructures-en-milieu-forestier) () __Note 2__: Disturbances are prioritized according to the nature of the layer and respect for the chronology of events. Only the last original or partial disturbance is kept in the updated ecoforest map. You should refer to the annual update layers, listed in __Note 1__, to have access to the full history of disturbances.**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**