Tab-delimited tree maps

You can use tab-delimited tree maps to directly enter tree map data. Tab-delimited text means that columns of data are separated by tabs. You can save files of this type in many programs, particularly spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel.

Requirements for using tree maps

Tree maps can be loaded into SORTIE-ND only if there is a parameter file loaded as well. The data in the tree map is expected to match the parameter file.

Files must be in plain text with a ".txt" extension.

Using tree maps

Once you have prepared a tree map file according to the format below, and once you have loaded a compatible parameter file, use the "File->Open file" command to load your tab-delimited tree map file. If you save your parameter file after this point, the tree map will be included in it. To work with the tree map trees further, including removing them, use the Manage tree maps window.

SORTIE-ND will not alter your tab-delimited tree map file.

Tree map format

Here is an example of a tree map:

XYSpeciesTypeDiamHeight
10.3462.1MapleSeedling0.240
9.3383888.9771BeechSapling4.5670
5.737465.16968HemlockAdult15.88715.3
127.039146.606BeechSnag35.4128.7
122.57114.06372OakSapling2.910
9.3139650.0366MapleAdult23.55414.82

The first row in the file is assumed to be column headers and is ignored by SORTIE-ND.

Each subsequent row is the data for one tree. Trees can appear in any order. There is no limit to the number of trees.

The first two columns are the X and Y coordinates of the tree. In the SORTIE-ND coordinate system, the origin is at the southwest corner of the plot. X increases to the east; Y to the north. There are no negative numbers. If there are trees outside the plot boundaries, you are warned of this; if you elect to continue loading the file, those trees are discarded.

The third column is species. The species names must match those that appear in the parameter file. SORTIE-ND will reject a tree map with an unrecognized species name. To find out what the species names are for your parameter file, use the Edit species list window to view the list. (Case is important.)

The fourth column is tree life history stage. Possible values are "Seedling", "Sapling", "Adult", and "Snag". (Case is unimportant.)

The fifth column is tree diameter in cm. If the life history stage is "Seedling", this value is the diameter at 10 cm height. For all other types, this is DBH. If the diameter value and the life history stage do not match, diameter takes precedence. For instance: if the parameter file specifies that the minimum adult DBH is 10 cm, and the tree map contains a tree designated as a "sapling" with a diameter of 15 cm, then SORTIE-ND will create an adult with a DBH of 15.

The sixth column is tree height in meters. If this value is set to 0, SORTIE-ND will use the allometry equations to calculate tree height. If this value is non-zero, then this height is assigned to the tree, even if the allometric equations would produce a different result. This feature is useful if you intend to use growth behaviors that separately increment diameter and height for your trees. When in doubt, use 0.

Converting pre-6.0 SORTIE tree map files

If you have a tree map file from before SORTIE 6.0, you can simply copy and paste the columns with the following exception: The old version of SORTIE has reversed coordinate axes. So paste the old "X" values into the new "Y" column, and vice versa.

Last updated: 16-Mar-2006 01:49 PM