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Commercial Thinning Experiments in the Horsefly Forest District
This document is a detailed report summarizing a commercial thinning experiment in the Horsefly Forest District in British Columbia. The primary goal was to assess the operational feasibility of commercial thinning as an alternative silviculture trea...This document is a detailed report summarizing a commercial thinning experiment in the Horsefly Forest District in British Columbia. The primary goal was to assess the operational feasibility of commercial thinning as an alternative silviculture treatment, particularly focusing on developing higher-valued timber stands. The report delves into numerous technical and environmental issues, including desired crop tree characteristics, hydrological stability, and windthrow and snow-damage, backed by exhaustive production reports from the harvesting machinery and detailed snow breakage and crown growth surveys. The study concluded that commercial thinning is an operationally viable option within the Cariboo Forest Region, providing continued access to merchantable stands. -
Factors Influencing the Density of Natural Regeneration in Uniform Shelterwoods Dominated by Douglas-fir in the Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone
This study investigates the factors influencing natural regeneration in uniform shelterwood systems, specifically focusing on Douglas-fir in the Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone. The study details methods for assessing seedfall density, seed predation, seedbed...This study investigates the factors influencing natural regeneration in uniform shelterwood systems, specifically focusing on Douglas-fir in the Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone. The study details methods for assessing seedfall density, seed predation, seedbed distribution, and the germination and survival rates of seedlings under various harvesting treatments. The core purpose is to understand how these elements interact to determine successful conifer regeneration, particularly noting that rotting wood and mineral soil are superior seedbeds compared to forest floor and moss, and that while harvesting can increase mineral soil exposure, it is often insufficient to maximize regeneration without additional scarification. The findings suggest that while all tested shelterwood methods promote adequate regeneration and frost protection, lower residual basal areas combined with significant forest floor disturbance are most favorable for Douglas-fir seedling growth and survival. -
Harvesting and Silviculture Systems to Protect Immature White Spruce and Enhance Deciduous Regeneration in Boreal Mixedwoods
This paper investigates innovative harvesting and silvicultural systems designed to sustainably manage western Canada's boreal mixedwood forests, specifically focusing on the protection of immature white spruce while simultaneously enhancing deciduou...This paper investigates innovative harvesting and silvicultural systems designed to sustainably manage western Canada's boreal mixedwood forests, specifically focusing on the protection of immature white spruce while simultaneously enhancing deciduous regeneration. The studies were conducted in central and northern Alberta with the aim to develop cost-effective and operational methods for balancing the needs of conifer and deciduous users to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability. Key findings include the demonstration that specific equipment and techniques can significantly reduce damage to spruce during harvest, with particular emphasis on feller-buncher operations, carefully planned machine corridors, and wind buffers to mitigate blowdown. -
Silvicultural Systems for Managing Deciduous and Mixedwood Stands with White Spruce Understorey
This technical report explores silvicultural systems for managing deciduous and mixedwood stands that contain a white spruce understory in southwestern Alberta. The primary purpose of the document is to explain different management options and harves...This technical report explores silvicultural systems for managing deciduous and mixedwood stands that contain a white spruce understory in southwestern Alberta. The primary purpose of the document is to explain different management options and harvesting techniques that protect this understory, particularly focusing on a two-stage harvesting model for sustainable production of both conifer and hardwood. It emphasizes evaluating stand suitability, site conditions, and wind damage risk to ensure successful regeneration and growth of spruce and aspen and addresses the complexities of balancing timber yield with ecosystem health and biodiversity. -
An Old Growth Index for Douglas-fir Stands in Portions of the Interior Douglas-fir Zone Central British Columbia
This report introduces a quantitative old-growth index specifically designed for Douglas-fir forests in central British Columbia's Interior Douglas-fir zone, particularly in the IDF_dk_3 and IDF_dk_4 biogeoclimatic variants. Recognizing that traditi...This report introduces a quantitative old-growth index specifically designed for Douglas-fir forests in central British Columbia's Interior Douglas-fir zone, particularly in the IDF_dk_3 and IDF_dk_4 biogeoclimatic variants. Recognizing that traditional age-based definitions of old growth are insufficient for forests frequently impacted by disturbances, the authors developed an index based on measurable structural attributes like tree size, canopy complexity, and the presence of dead trees. This index aims to provide forest managers with a consistent tool to identify and classify old-growth stands into four seral stages, helping guide management practices for biodiversity conservation and the enhancement of old-growth characteristics. The study emphasizes that this index relies on expert professional judgment to quantify what constitutes old-growth attributes in these specific forest types. -
Carpenter Lake Bridge River Prescribed Fire Planning
This document outlines the Carpenter LakeBridge River Prescribed Fire Planning initiative from September 2000, developed for the B. C. Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program. The core purpose of the project is to enhance and expan...This document outlines the Carpenter LakeBridge River Prescribed Fire Planning initiative from September 2000, developed for the B. C. Hydro Bridge Coastal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program. The core purpose of the project is to enhance and expand crucial winter range habitat for ungulates, specifically Mule Deer, California Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goats, within the Carpenter Lake drainage area through the strategic application of prescribed fire. It addresses how fire suppression has led to coniferous encroachment, diminishing the open grassland ecosystems essential for these animals, and details the objectives, techniques, and specific areas identified for burning to restore more suitable forage and diverse habitat. The document also highlights past fire history in the area, the specific benefits of prescribed fire for each ungulate species, and detailed planning considerations for future burns. -
Harvesting Small Patch Clearcuts in Southeastern British Columbia
This document investigates harvesting small patch clearcuts in southeastern British Columbia. Faced with the challenge of balancing timber extraction with high recreational values and visually sensitive landscapes, this study aims to evaluate differe...This document investigates harvesting small patch clearcuts in southeastern British Columbia. Faced with the challenge of balancing timber extraction with high recreational values and visually sensitive landscapes, this study aims to evaluate different harvesting systems. The study was conducted at Robson Ridge and Pilot Point and compared the productivity, costs, and site disturbance of ground-skidding and cable-yarding methods, highlighting key factors like terrain, machine type, and operational planning that influence the success of these silvicultural approaches in visually sensitive areas. The findings emphasize that meticulous planning, especially concerning road layouts and patch boundaries, is crucial for achieving both economic and environmental objectives in small patch clearcutting. -
Comparison of Harvesting Phases in a Case Study of Partial Cutting Systems in Southwestern British Columbia
This report details a collaborative study evaluating different timber harvesting methods in dry Douglas-fir ecosystems. The primary goal was to compare the productivity of clearcutting with various variable retention treatments (seed-tree, regenerati...This report details a collaborative study evaluating different timber harvesting methods in dry Douglas-fir ecosystems. The primary goal was to compare the productivity of clearcutting with various variable retention treatments (seed-tree, regeneration cut, removal cut), utilizing both cable-yarding and ground-skidding systems. The study also aimed to identify operational factors affecting varibale retention efficiency and to validate procedures for these systems, noting that factors like piece size, slope, and yarding/skidding distance often overshadowed the cutting pattern's influence on productivity. -
Seeking Alternatives to Clearcutting in British Columbia - The Role of Large-Scale Experiments for Sustainable Forestry
This document reports on a government initiative, the Silvicultural Systems Program, established in response to public criticism of widespread clearcutting in British Columbia's forests starting in 1990. The paper describes the program's goal of expl...This document reports on a government initiative, the Silvicultural Systems Program, established in response to public criticism of widespread clearcutting in British Columbia's forests starting in 1990. The paper describes the program's goal of exploring and demonstrating diverse forest harvesting practices through numerous large-scale, long-term experiments across the province. It outlines the program's history, funding, and key accomplishments, including the operational feasibility and varied environmental impacts of alternatives to clearcutting, and concludes by offering lessons learned for future large-scale forestry research endeavors and reflecting on the challenges of translating research into widespread changes in forestry practices. -
Application of a Selection Silvicultural System in the ICHwk1 of the Columbia Forest District
This document details the Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation's implementation of a single-tree selection silvicultural system in a second-growth forest area. The primary objectives of this alternative harvesting method were to maintain ungulate ...This document details the Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation's implementation of a single-tree selection silvicultural system in a second-growth forest area. The primary objectives of this alternative harvesting method were to maintain ungulate winter range, cultivate caribou habitat, minimize visual impacts from a nearby highway, and enhance future wood quality, particularly by reducing western white pine mortality. The document outlines the site's characteristics, the planning and prescription process for harvesting, and the challenges and successes of the logging operation, including cost analyses. This document concludes that while initial costs were higher, this approach offers a feasible way to access timber in sensitive areas that would otherwise be off-limits to traditional clearcutting, with an expectation of reduced costs as experience grows. -
Benefits of Commercial Thinning to Ageclass Four Lodgepole Pine Stands and to the Communities of Houston and Burns Lake, British Columbia
This document assesses the advantages of commercial thinning operations on lodgepole pine stands for both the forest stand and the communities of Houston and Burns Lake, British Columbia. The document details the thinning process, which includes juve...This document assesses the advantages of commercial thinning operations on lodgepole pine stands for both the forest stand and the communities of Houston and Burns Lake, British Columbia. The document details the thinning process, which includes juvenile spacing and shortwood harvester selection, and highlights benefits such as reduced fire hazard, a decrease in tree mortality, and an increase in total stand volume over time. Furthermore, the analysis emphasizes the significant socio-economic prosperity generated through increased employment, stable contracts, and a rise in the Allowable Annual Cut (AAC), concluding that commercial thinning is a valuable practice that aligns with the broader goals of the Forest Renewal Plan. -
Partial Cutting Prescriptions in Constrained Areas - Implementing the Guidelines
This extension note examines how partial cutting prescriptions in British Columbia's Kootenay region successfully balance timber harvesting with heightened public demand for visual quality and biodiversity conservation. It details two specific case s...This extension note examines how partial cutting prescriptions in British Columbia's Kootenay region successfully balance timber harvesting with heightened public demand for visual quality and biodiversity conservation. It details two specific case studies, Hope Creek and Loki Creek, demonstrating how complex land-use plans and legislation like the KootenayBoundary Land Use Plan Implementation Strategy and the Higher Level Plan Order translate into on-the-ground forestry practices. The document highlights the necessity for flexibility and ingenuity from foresters and loggers to achieve multiple, sometimes conflicting, objectives, such as maintaining caribou and grizzly bear habitat while ensuring the harvested areas remain visually appealing. This document showcases the feasibility of meeting diverse resource objectives at the stand level through carefully designed harvesting techniques in constrained areas. -
Challenges Facing Gap-Based Silviculture and Possible Solutions for Mesic Northern Forests in North America
This paper explores the complexities and challenges associated with using gap-based silviculture in the mesic northern forests of North America. The authors begin by outlining the theoretical basis of gap management, which assumes that creating canop...This paper explores the complexities and challenges associated with using gap-based silviculture in the mesic northern forests of North America. The authors begin by outlining the theoretical basis of gap management, which assumes that creating canopy openings enhances tree species diversity. However, the paper emphasizes that relying solely on varying gap size often falls short of achieving diversity goals due to a multitude of interacting factors beyond light availability. These crucial factors include site history, seed dispersal, competition from other vegetation, and the impact of herbivores. The authors propose a revised, more integrated concept of gap-based silviculture that incorporates a broader range of ecological considerations and active management of understory conditions to promote structural complexity and enhance tree species diversity in these valuable forest ecosystems. -
Seedling Response Following Partial Cutting in Lodgepole Pine Forests on Caribou Winter Range in West-Central British Columbia
This paper details a study examining how different forestry practices, specifically partial cutting methods like group selection and irregular group shelterwood, impact the survival and growth of planted lodgepole pine and interior spruce seedlings. ...This paper details a study examining how different forestry practices, specifically partial cutting methods like group selection and irregular group shelterwood, impact the survival and growth of planted lodgepole pine and interior spruce seedlings. The research compared these outcomes to those in clearcut areas, with the overarching goal of identifying silvicultural systems that can maintain suitable habitat for northern caribou, which rely on terrestrial and arboreal lichens found in these forests. By analyzing seedling survival and growth over five years in relation to different harvesting techniques, the study aimed to determine if partial cutting could effectively regenerate desired tree species while minimizing negative effects on critical caribou forage. The findings provide insights into balancing timber harvesting with the ecological needs of threatened caribou populations in this region. -
British Columbia's Interior Fisher Wildlife Habitat Decision Aid
This document synthesizes scientific and experiential knowledge regarding the habitat needs of fishers, a forest-dependent carnivore considered a Species at Risk. The guide offers practical considerations for managing forests within fisher territorie...This document synthesizes scientific and experiential knowledge regarding the habitat needs of fishers, a forest-dependent carnivore considered a Species at Risk. The guide offers practical considerations for managing forests within fisher territories, covering aspects like denning, resting, and foraging habitats, aiming to help maintain essential resources during forestry operations such as harvesting and silviculture. This document seeks to integrate fisher conservation with forest management practices in British Columbia's interior. -
Considerations for Rehabilitation of Naturally Disturbed Forests (MPB) Part 1 Watershed Hydrology
This extension note serves as a guide for practitioners involved in reforestation efforts following large-scale natural disturbances, particularly those caused by the mountain pine beetle in British Columbia's interior. The document emphasizes the im...This extension note serves as a guide for practitioners involved in reforestation efforts following large-scale natural disturbances, particularly those caused by the mountain pine beetle in British Columbia's interior. The document emphasizes the importance of considering watershed hydrology when planning these rehabilitation activities, highlighting potential negative impacts on water resources such as increased runoff, stream sedimentation, and reduced riparian function. It advocates for a cautious approach that includes clear objectives, risk analysis, and coordination with stakeholders to minimize these negative effects and ensure the long-term health of both timber and water-related values. -
Silviculture Options for Use in Ranges Designated for the Conservation of Northern Caribou in British Columbia
This paper explores silviculture strategies applicable in British Columbia's designated northern caribou ranges. It addresses the critical intersection of forestry practices and caribou conservation, especially in light of the mountain pine beetle in...This paper explores silviculture strategies applicable in British Columbia's designated northern caribou ranges. It addresses the critical intersection of forestry practices and caribou conservation, especially in light of the mountain pine beetle infestation and resulting salvage logging. The paper synthesizes current scientific research to provide guidelines for managing forest stands to maintain or improve caribou habitat, considering their ecology, legal protections, and the potential impacts of forestry operations. The paper aims to offer practical silvicultural options that balance timber harvesting with the conservation of this sensitive species and its habitat. -
Assessing Feasibility of Wildfire Fuel Reduction Targets in North Central British Columbia
This paper investigates the practicality of current wildfire fuel reduction goals in north-central British Columbia by examining mechanical raking treatments within the Burns Lake Community Forest. The study assessed if these treatments achieved the ...This paper investigates the practicality of current wildfire fuel reduction goals in north-central British Columbia by examining mechanical raking treatments within the Burns Lake Community Forest. The study assessed if these treatments achieved the targeted fuel load of 1-5 tonnes per hectare in areas deemed high risk for wildfire. Their findings suggest that meeting these targets using current methods is challenging and potentially unsustainable, highlighting the need for a standardized fuel measurement methodology and more adaptable fuel load targets that consider ecological and operational factors. The research advocates for a more feasible and scientifically sound approach to wildfire risk reduction in the region, emphasizing the importance of consistent data collection for future comparisons and improved practices. -
The Shelterwood Silvicultural System in British Columbia - A Practitioner's Guide. Part 3 Operational Implementation
This guide serves as a practical manual for foresters looking to implement the shelterwood cutting method in British Columbia. As the third part of a three-part series, this guide builds upon previous parts by focusing on the specific harvesting oper...This guide serves as a practical manual for foresters looking to implement the shelterwood cutting method in British Columbia. As the third part of a three-part series, this guide builds upon previous parts by focusing on the specific harvesting operations involved in this silvicultural system. The guide emphasizes that each harvest entry is a deliberate silvicultural treatment designed to manipulate the forest environment to achieve regeneration and stand-tending objectives, highlighting key considerations like protecting the soil, existing trees, and new growth while promoting a favorable environment for the next forest generation. -
Paper Birch and Fireweed Stand Establishment Decision Aid
This extension note offers practical guidance on managing paper birch and fireweed in British Columbia's coastal forests, specifically the Coastal Western Hemlock submaritime biogeoclimatic subzones. Recognizing a lack of specific research on these c...This extension note offers practical guidance on managing paper birch and fireweed in British Columbia's coastal forests, specifically the Coastal Western Hemlock submaritime biogeoclimatic subzones. Recognizing a lack of specific research on these competing vegetation species, the authors synthesize existing knowledge, much of it adapted from interior regions, to provide Stand Establishment Decision Aids. The note details the site characteristics, harvesting and silvicultural considerations, and autecological characteristics of both species, aiming to help forest managers make informed decisions regarding their management to ensure successful conifer regeneration while considering biodiversity and long-term site productivity.
