The **portrait of forest cover in Québec** is an assembly made from the up-to-date ecoforest map of the inventory of southern Quebec and vegetation maps from the northern ecoforest inventory and Northern Quebec. Administrative divisions, forest boundaries and territories where forest management responsibilities and obligations are under the responsibility of the municipal environment are also added. Then, an update is carried out for areas that have a predominant use other than forest, including the road and rail network, energy transmission lines, cultivated land and built environments. The portrait makes it easy to calculate the rate of land use by forests in the territory of a municipality, an unorganized territory, an indigenous territory, an MRC or an administrative region, then to draw up a summary of some main characteristics of the forest.**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*__. Two products are available to know the gross commercial volume of a tree according to its diameter at chest height (DHP) and its height. Their contents and the way of using them are different, but they both make it possible to obtain gross commercial volume values per tree. The first product is the **LIN3 cubing rate**. It is presented in the form of a table where the values of the gross market volume can be extracted directly. These are local rates, i.e. the height used in the general rate equation (volume prediction models) is predicted by height-DHP relationships developed per survey unit. The second product offers increased precision. It is presented in the form of several tables where the values of the gross commercial volume do not appear directly. Rather, the content of these tables is used to apply **models for predicting the height and gross commercial volume** of a tree. Height prediction models are also developed locally at the scale of survey units. The use of the product requires consultation of the document [“Models for predicting the height and gross commercial volume of trees - Method and use”] (https://mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/nos-publications/modele-prediction-hauteur-volume/). __ 📣 Recommendation of the Forest Inventory Directorate: __ it is preferable to use models to predict height and gross market volume in territories where they are available. A new height prediction model is available when a territory obtains results from forest compilations. In the absence of these models, it is still possible to use the LIN3 cubing rate. **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 **Harvest and other silvicultural interventions** mapping is produced as part of the ecoforestry inventory of southern Quebec in order to maintain an up-to-date portrait of the forest. Several stakeholders related to forest operations participate in maintaining this forest portrait, including the Regional Operations Sector of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF), private forest development agencies and major landowners. This map contains information on forest interventions carried out on the territory (e.g. harvesting, thinning, reforestation) as well as the year of work. The period of work begins at the beginning of the 20th century (when information is available) to the present day. The associated information is presented as a series of overlays of interventions. This map covers the commercial territory of public forests and private forests in Quebec. **The minimum mapping area is 0.1 ha. ** __ ⚠️ Note that__ when there is more than one intervention on the same territory during the same year, priority is given to the one that changes the forest cover in a sustainable way (e.g. planting). To have access to all the interventions for the same year (in public forests only), please consult the technical and financial activity reports (RATF) distributed by the Ministry's Regional Operations Sector on the government website of Data Québec. **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 Directorate of Forest Inventories (DIF) carries out assessments of tree biomass and their carbon content at the scale of ecoforest stands to deepen knowledge on the contribution of forests in the global carbon cycle. This information can be useful in the context of climate change to document the mitigating role played by forests. The resulting product, a database containing a single table entitled “BIOMASSE_CARBONE_PEE_ORI_PROV”, shows the biomass and carbon values of living trees above ground for all productive ecoforest stands 7 m or more in height. The exploitation of the database requires the data from [the original ecoforest map] (https://www.donneesquebec.ca/recherche/dataset/resultats-d-inventaire-et-carte-ecoforestiere) and the establishment of a connection with the information of the polygonal entity class of settlements. The database includes biomass variables converted to carbon stocks, detailing the biomass of wood, bark, branches, and foliage. For a thorough understanding, you can consult the Read Me associated with this product and the publication [“Biomass and carbon forests in southern Quebec - Method and use”] (https://mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/nos-publications/biomasse-carbone-forestiers-quebec-meridional/) (MRNF, 2023) which offers additional methodological information. **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*__. Ecoforest maps have been produced at a scale of 1/10,000 since 2025 (previously, they were distributed at a scale of 1/20,000) and illustrate forest information for Quebec territory up to approximately the 52nd parallel. They offer an up-to-date image of the ecoforest map for the year of production. The maps represent the result of the photo-interpretation of aerial photographs taken during the most recent ecoforestry inventory of southern Quebec to which were added natural disturbances (fires, epidemics, windfalls, etc.) and forest interventions (harvesting, thinning and reforestation) carried out in the public forest following the year in which they were taken. Vegetation information specific to each stand is expressed in detailed species (AIPF) when information is available for a complete sheet. Otherwise, vegetation is expressed as a group of species. Each map at a scale of **1/10,000** covers an average area of approximately **62.5 km²** and presents forest information for the target territory. Its accuracy is approximately ± 5 m. Each map at a scale of **1/20,000** covers an average area of approximately **250 km²** and presents forest information for the target territory. Its accuracy is approximately ± 10 m. ## Descriptions of maps and components ### 2025 maps: + Scale (1/10,000); + Replacing the BDTQ level curves with those from the lidar; + Characterization of vegetation by detailed species (AIPF) or by grouping of species, depending on the availability of information; + Maps based on up-to-date ecoforest maps from the 4th and 5th inventories. ### Maps 2021 to 2024: + Scale (1/20,000); + Characterization of vegetation by detailed species (AIPF) or by grouping of species, depending on the availability of information; + Maps based on up-to-date ecoforest maps from the 4th and 5th inventories. ### 2019 and 2020 maps: + Scale (1/20,000); + Characterization of vegetation by grouping of species; + Maps based on up-to-date ecoforest maps from the 4th and 5th inventories. ### 2015 maps: + Scale (1/20,000); + Characterization of vegetation by grouping of species; + Maps based on up-to-date ecoforest maps from the 3rd and 4th inventories. ## ⚠️ Notes: + Forest codes vary depending on the inventory; **consult the legend** of the map. + The maps are **georeferenced** and optimized for printing. + **AIPF**: The AIPF (**forest stand inventory approach**) is a method used in Quebec for ecoforest stratification to classify forests according to their populations and including updates compared to previous inventories.**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 polygonal layer of lidar slope classes expresses the slope of the terrain. The slopes are generated from a digital terrain model (DTM) with a resolution of 10 meters. The latter is the result of an aggregation by bilinear interpolation of lidar NCDs at 1 m. The minimum area of the resulting polygons is 0.2 hectares. Lidar digital slopes are divided into 7 classes. + A - Null by [0 to 3]% + B - Low from] 3 to 8]% + C - Soft from] 8 to 15]% + D - Moderate [from] 15 to 30]% + E - Strong from] 30 to 40]% + F - Steep from] 40 to ∞ [% + S — Summit completely surrounded by F slopes This map covers the entire territory of the Southern Quebec Ecoforest Inventory (IEQM) and was developed in order to provide stakeholders with the tools they need when applying for financial assistance from the Forest Management Investment Program (PIAF). __We do not recommend using the information in this layer for detailed analysis. __**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

The temporary sample plot is a circular sample unit that covers an area of 400 m2. For each tree, we observe and measure the species, diameter, sunlight, and floor in relation to other trees, as well as the defoliation and the quality of the stems of deciduous trees and certain pines. In addition, the age and height of three trees are determined. Finally, a survey of the station and the vegetation of the undergrowth is carried out, and the characteristics of the soil are noted. Plot data also includes information about the location of the plots and the sampling plan. These data are acquired as part of the **fourth ecoforest inventory of southern Québec.** They are used in particular to produce forest compilation results used to feed the calculation of forest opportunities in public forests in Quebec. They can also be useful in the development of private forests. The establishment of these plots took place from 2004 to 2018. This database covers almost all of the territory south of the 52nd parallel of Quebec's public and private forest. **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 forest maps from the first inventory are available at a scale of 1/20,000. They cover almost all of the territory south of the 52nd parallel. Each file covers an area of approximately 250 km2. These digital maps correspond to the black and white paper maps with a dimension of 125 cm X 75 cm that have been digitized and georeferenced. They illustrate forest stands. They were prepared from the photo-interpretation of aerial photos on a scale of 1/15,000. Main components: •outline of forest stands; • type of vegetation (forest species, density, height and stage of development, origin); • disturbances; • nature of the land (peatlands, gravel, etc.); • territorial subdivisions; • hydrography (lakes, rivers, streams, swamps, etc.); • transport network and bridges; • topography (level curves). The units of measurement shown on the maps in the first inventory are those of the English imperial system of measurement. **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 results of compilations by forel** are one of the deliverables of the ecoforest inventory in southern Quebec. These results are used to produce forest compilations by stand associated with the original ecoforest map. The forel corresponds to a forest pixel with a resolution of 20 meters by 20 meters. These results are presented in the form of matrix mapping (image in raster format) to assess the variability of the various dendrometric characteristics within the same forest stand. Here is the list of variables presented in this map: gross market volume per hectare, basal area per hectare and number of stems per hectare. These results are intended to provide small-scale information that can, among other things, support the planning of forest operations. They cover ecoforest stands 7 m or more in height. For commercial stems, a separate matrix file is produced for each of the three variables and each of the species, attribution groups, species types and for the total all species. For saplings (stems of 9 cm or less in diameter), only results for basal area and the number of stems per hectare for species types and for the total of all species are produced. The information contained in this map is an image of the forest in the year the aerial photograph was taken. The results of this forest compilation method will eventually cover most of the territory south of the 52nd parallel. When achieved, the results are disseminated by planning unit (AU) for the territories produced under the fourth inventory and by ecological planning unit (UPE) for the territories produced as part of the fifth inventory. __ ⚠️ Notes: __ Consult the [original ecoforest map and current inventory results] ] (https://www.donneesquebec.ca/recherche/dataset/resultats-d-inventaire-et-carte-ecoforestiere) for the results of forest compilations by population, also available on Data Quebec. **This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**

[forest certification] (https://mffp.gouv.qc.ca/les-forets/amenagement-durable-forets/certification-forestiere/) is a voluntary process by which an accredited and independent registration body recognizes that forest management practices meet pre-established standards for sustainable forest management. Compliance with the requirements of a certification system is assessed by an external auditor. Two forest certification systems are currently used by the forest industry in Quebec: the [Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)] (https://forests.org/fr/) and the [Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)] (https://ca.fsc.org/ca-fr). A management certificate is granted to a forest area and its scope may extend to one or more management units. Forest certification monitoring is limited to public forests managed under the Quebec forest regime. **This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**