70 resources found

This paper explores the opportunities and limitations of forest thinning as a strategy to enhance the resistance and resilience of trees and forests to global change. The authors reviewed existing literature to assess how thinning impacts forest vulnerability to key stressors like drought, fire, insects and pathogens, and wind. While the study identifies several instances where thinning can be beneficial, particularly in mitigating drought and fire risks, it emphasizes that thinning is not a universal solution and its effectiveness varies depending on the specific stressor, forest type, and management practices. The paper highlights the need for more research, especially in underrepresented regions, to better understand the long-term effects of thinning and to develop effective adaptive forest management strategies in the face of increasing global environmental challenges.

This extension note presents findings from investigations into how the mountain pine beetle infestation and subsequent salvage harvesting near streams impact small stream and riparian zone health in British Columbia's Sub-Boreal Spruce zone. The research focused on understanding the riparian stand structure in these affected areas and assessing the influence of both the beetle infestation and harvesting on riparian zones, particularly shade levels and overall stream function. Through basal area studies and a stream health evaluation protocol, the authors aimed to provide short-term answers to guide forest management practices in regions heavily affected by the mountain pine beetle.

This extension note details a study on windthrow in partially cut lodgepole pine forests in west-central British Columbia. The research was motivated by concerns that partial harvesting, a strategy used to manage habitat for the blue-listed northern caribou, might increase windthrow to levels that negatively impact caribou habitat, timber supply, and forest health. The study compared windthrow rates in different partial cutting methods to uncut control areas over a 5. 3-year post-harvest period to assess the risk of increased windthrow associated with these silvicultural systems.

This extension note investigates various forest management approaches for complex, dry Interior Douglas-fir forests. The core of the project involves long-term, operational-scale experiments comparing different harvesting methods, such as individual tree selection and patch cutting, against uncut controls across two distinct study areas. The research explores the effects of these treatments on a wide array of ecological factors, including natural disturbances, tree regeneration, vegetation dynamics, microclimate, soils, and wildlife habitat, aiming to understand how different management practices impact forest health and biodiversity. The project seeks to provide practical insights for forest managers to move beyond traditional uniform partial cutting and adopt a broader range of strategies that better reflect the natural variability of these important forest ecosystems.

This study addresses the ecology and management of interior Douglas-fir at the northern extent of its range in British Columbia, particularly within the Prince George Timber Supply Area. The study delves into concerns about a perceived decline in Douglas-fir abundance, exploring its ecological, cultural, and economic significance in this northern environment. It synthesizes existing knowledge on Douglas-fir, examining past and present management practices, its role in local ecosystems including wildlife habitat and soil health, and challenges related to its regeneration, often comparing it with other species like lodgepole pine and spruce. The document serves as a problem analysis and aims to inform the development of an interim management strategy and future research directions for sustaining Douglas-fir in these unique northern landscapes.

This document details the establishment of a significant forestry experiment called Silviculture Treatments for Ecosystem Management in the Sayward. The core purpose of STEMS is to compare different forest harvesting and management techniques beyond traditional clearcutting in second-growth Douglas-fir stands. This comparison evaluates their impacts on forest productivity, economics, and public perception, aiming to provide scientific data for making informed decisions about sustainable, multiple-use forest management. The project replicates a similar study in Washington State to enhance the reliability and broader applicability of its findings, addressing the increasing demand for forestry practices that balance timber production with ecological and social values.

This document explores alternatives to clearcutting in British Columbia. It details the environmental context of the Central Coast, including its physical environment, diverse biota, and natural and human-caused disturbances, emphasizing the unique characteristics of its three ecological subunits: the Hecate Lowland, the Outer Coast Mountains, and the Inner Coast Mountains. The document explores silvicultural systems, contrasting traditional methods with more ecologically sensitive approaches like variable retention, and analyzes the operational and economic implications of implementing partial cutting in this distinctive operating environment, ultimately providing strategic recommendations for sustainable forest management tailored to British Columbia's Central Coast's ecological and socioeconomic realities.

This extension note reports on the early findings of the Sicamous Creek Silvicultural Systems project, a long-term study comparing different forestry practices in high-elevation forests of British Columbia. The central theme is the evaluation of clearcutting versus alternative harvesting methods, such as small patch cuts and individual tree selection, regarding their impacts on various ecological and economic factors. The purpose of this note is to summarize initial results concerning harvest costs, regeneration, soil conditions, microclimate, and biodiversity, ultimately aiming to inform more ecologically diverse and sustainable forest management in these sensitive ecosystems.

This paper details the establishment and early findings of the Montane Alternative Silvicultural Systems partnership, formed to investigate alternatives to clearcutting in the high-elevation old-growth forests of Vancouver Island. The study compares the operational costs and biological impacts of Uniform Shelterwood, Green Tree Retention, and Patch Cuttings to traditional clearcutting and an old-growth control. Initial results highlight differences in harvesting expenses, windthrow, site disturbance, nutrient cycling, understory vegetation response, and coniferous regeneration, emphasizing the complexity of balancing timber harvesting with ecological sustainability in these montane ecosystems.

This case study details the adoption and implementation of variable retention, a new forestry approach by Weyerhaeuser's British Columbia Coastal Group. Recognizing the ecological importance of residual structures after natural disturbances, VR aims to sustain old-growth forest characteristics within harvested areas by leaving behind live and dead trees. The paper outlines the origins of VR, the establishment of different landscape zoning strategies, and the practical considerations for its application, including harvesting techniques, economic impacts, and silvicultural adjustments for regeneration, emphasizing a commitment to biodiversity conservation alongside timber production.