The portrait of forest cover in Quebec 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 to predict 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://mffp.gouv.qc.ca/nos-publications/modele-prediction-hauteur-volume/). __ Recommendation of the Forest Inventories Directorate: __ it is preferable to use the models for predicting the height and the gross market volume in the territories where they are available. 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 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 fifth ecoforest inventory of southern Quebec. 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 began in 2017. This database covers part 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 temporary sample plot is a circular sample unit that covers an area of 400 m2 (the main unit). For each tree, we observe and measure the species, diameter, and stage 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 is carried out. Plot data also includes information about the location of the plots and the sampling plan. These data are acquired as part of the second forest inventory in southern Quebec. They were used in particular to produce forest compilation results used to feed the calculation of forest opportunities in public forests in Quebec. The establishment of these plots took place between 1980 and 1993. 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 Inventory Directorate of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests (MRNF) began, in 2021, the production of data that indicates the strength of forest vegetation based on the NBR vegetation index * (Normalized Burn Ratio) *. These data are produced from images from Sentinel-2A/B satellites. The purpose of the layer thus produced is to present a regional portrait, at a given date, of the strength of forest vegetation, at the pixel scale. Before integrating these data into forest planning, it is recommended to plan validation work by photo-interpretation or by means of field visits. It should also be noted that these data are complementary to the other existing data layers (ecoforestry data, fires, harvesting and reforestation, defoliation records from aerial overflights, etc.).**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 defoliation and quality for 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 third ecoforest inventory in southern Quebec. 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 1992 to 2005. 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 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 from [0 to 3]% • B - Low from] 3 to 8]% • C - Soft from] 8 to 15]% • D - Moderate from] 15 to 30]% • E - Strong from] 15 to 30]% • E - Strong from] 30 to 40]% • B - Low from] 3 to 8]% • C - Soft from] 8 to 15]% • D - Moderate from] 15 to 30]% • E - Strong from] 15 to 30]% • E - Strong from] 30 to 40]% • E - Strong from] 30 to 40]% • F - Steep from] 40 to 40]% • F - Steep from] 40 to ∞ [% • S — Summit entirely surrounded by slopes F 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 link: * Access the data directory* is available in the section*Dataset description sheets; Additional information*__. Ecoforest maps in PDF format are available at a scale of 1/20,000 and cover Quebec territory approximately up to the 52nd parallel. Each map covers an average area of approximately 250 km2 and presents forest information for the territory concerned. Its accuracy is approximately 10 meters. These maps are an image of the current ecoforest map for the corresponding year. __Maps 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024__ The maps 2021, 2022, 2023, as well as those of 2024 are produced from the up-to-date ecoforest map of the corresponding year. It represents the result of the photo-interpretation of aerial photographs taken during the 4th and 5th ecoforestry inventories of southern Quebec to which were added natural disturbances (fires, epidemics, windfalls, etc.) and forest interventions (harvesting and reforestation) carried out in the public forest following the year in which the picture was taken. According to the maps, data using the forest stand inventory approach (AIPF) is included when available for a complete sheet. Main components: type of vegetation (forest species group, density class, class of density, class of height, age class, etc.) or type of AIPF vegetation (detailed forest species, density (%), height (m), age class, etc.); slope class; class of slope; nature of the terrain (peatlands, height class, age class, etc.); topography (level curves); fragmentation. __2019 and 2020 maps__ The 2019 maps, as well as those of 2020, are produced from up-to-date ecoforest maps of the corresponding year. They represent the result of the photo-interpretation of aerial photographs taken during the 4th and 5th ecoforestry inventories of southern Quebec to which were added natural disturbances (fires, epidemics, windfalls, etc.) and forest interventions (harvesting and reforestation) carried out in the public forest following the year in which the photo-interpretation of aerial photographs from the 4th and 5th ecoforestry inventories of southern Quebec were taken. An update is then carried out taking into account natural disturbances (fires, epidemics, windfalls, etc.) and forest interventions (harvesting and reforestation) carried out in public forests. The information presented corresponds to the current ecoforest map of 2019 or 2020 as the case may be. On each of the maps, the name of the stands is expressed by the group of species. Main components: type of vegetation (forest species, density, height, height, age class, etc.); slope class; nature of the terrain (peatlands, gravel, etc.); hydrography (lakes, rivers, streams, streams, swamps, etc.); transport network and swamps, etc.); transport network and bridges; topography (level curves); fragmentation. __Maps 2015__ The 2015 maps are produced from the photo-interpretation of aerial photographs from the 3rd and 4th ecoforest inventories of southern Quebec. An update is then carried out taking into account natural disturbances (fires, epidemics, windfalls, etc.) and forest interventions (cutting and planting) carried out in public forests. The information presented corresponds to the 2015 updated ecoforest map. MAP FOR PRINTING (GEOREFERENCED)**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://mffp.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*__. Formerly, forest maps were produced by the Land Survey Department of the Ministry of Lands and Forests. Some of these maps dating from 1924 to 1946 still exist and are carefully preserved in the National Archives of Quebec. The information they contain makes it possible to locate and characterize forest areas in certain regions of Quebec. Color codes were then assigned for each of the following classes: young forests, old forests, burned, logged, rocky, savannas, and colonization. These historical forest maps are available in two digital formats (PDF and TIFF).**This third party metadata element was translated using an automated translation tool (Amazon Translate).**