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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. -
Aspen Complex Stand Establishment Decision Aid
This extension note serves as a decision aid for forest managers in northeastern British Columbia regarding aspen stands. It is structured to provide guidance on managing aspen either as a primary timber species or as a component within mixedwood for...This extension note serves as a decision aid for forest managers in northeastern British Columbia regarding aspen stands. It is structured to provide guidance on managing aspen either as a primary timber species or as a component within mixedwood forests with conifers. The note details various aspects of aspen ecology, including its regeneration, growth, interactions with other species, and its susceptibility to health issues. Furthermore, it outlines different silvicultural systems and management practices tailored to specific objectives, such as maximizing aspen production, promoting conifer growth, or achieving mixed stands, while also considering non-timber values like wildlife habitat and First Nations uses. The extension note aims to equip managers with the knowledge to make informed decisions about establishing and tending aspen-dominated or mixed forests in the region. -
An Overview of the Effects of Forest Management on Groundwater Hydrology
This paper presents an overview of how forest management practices can influence groundwater systems in British Columbia. The paper establishes the importance of groundwater within watersheds and for human use, highlighting the limited understanding ...This paper presents an overview of how forest management practices can influence groundwater systems in British Columbia. The paper establishes the importance of groundwater within watersheds and for human use, highlighting the limited understanding of its interaction with forestry. To address this gap, the paper classifies British Columbia into distinct hydrogeologic landscapes, based on climate, geology, and physiography, to provide a regional framework for analysis. The core of the discussion then reviews existing literature on the effects of forest harvesting and road building on groundwater hydrology, such as changes in water table levels and recharge rates, within the context of these landscapes, ultimately aiming to raise awareness and inform sustainable forest management practices to protect this vital resource. -
Recent Crown Thinning in a Boreal Black Spruce Forest Does Not Reduce Spread Rate Nor Total Fuel Consumption Results from an Experimental Crown Fire in Alberta Canada
This paper details an experimental crown fire conducted in an Alberta, Canada, boreal black spruce forest to assess the effectiveness of recent crown thinning as a fuel treatment. Researchers ignited a 3. 6-hectare fire, observing its behavior in bot...This paper details an experimental crown fire conducted in an Alberta, Canada, boreal black spruce forest to assess the effectiveness of recent crown thinning as a fuel treatment. Researchers ignited a 3. 6-hectare fire, observing its behavior in both untreated and thinned sections. The key finding was that while thinning led to a significant reduction in fire intensity, it did not reduce the fire's spread rate nor total fuel consumption. This suggests that in dense boreal black spruce with high surface fuel loads and low crown base heights, thinning alone may not prevent the rapid progression of crown fires, but it could potentially aid suppression efforts by reducing the intensity. -
Establishing and Growing Aspen Stands in the SBS
This presentation focuses on the establishment and growth of aspen stands within the Sub-Boreal Spruce zone of British Columbia. It draws upon existing research to discuss key factors influencing aspen regeneration, including the importance of remov...This presentation focuses on the establishment and growth of aspen stands within the Sub-Boreal Spruce zone of British Columbia. It draws upon existing research to discuss key factors influencing aspen regeneration, including the importance of removing apical dominance through disturbances like logging or fire to promote suckering. The presentation also details harvest considerations, such as the benefits of winter harvesting and the negative impacts of excessive canopy retention and soil compaction. The presentation explores the effects of various silvicultural practices and the interactions between aspen and coniferous species like spruce and pine, providing guidance on site selection and stockingregeneration surveys for successful aspen management. -
Site Preparation Application of Rough and Loose Mounding and Furrowing (RipPlow) on a Wood Mulched Site
This extension note investigates two site preparation techniques, Rough and Loose mounding and furrowing with a RipPlow, for improving plant re-establishment on forested sites that have been wood mulched during winter industrial activities. The study...This extension note investigates two site preparation techniques, Rough and Loose mounding and furrowing with a RipPlow, for improving plant re-establishment on forested sites that have been wood mulched during winter industrial activities. The study evaluated the effectiveness of these methods in displacing the mulch and exposing soil to create favorable conditions for revegetation. While both techniques enhanced surface soil heterogeneity and facilitated the regeneration of deciduous species, Rough and Loose mounding proved more consistently effective at moving the mulch. Despite this, the more cost-effective RipPlow method showed promise, particularly in areas with thinner mulch layers, suggesting that supplemental planting might be beneficial in heavily mulched areas treated with this approach. -
Stand-Level Fuel Reduction Treatments and Fire Behaviour in Canadian Boreal Conifer Forest
This paper reviews the effectiveness of stand-level fuel reduction treatments in Canadian boreal conifer forests, specifically focusing on black spruce, jack pine, and lodgepole pine. These treatments, which involve thinning trees, pruning lower bran...This paper reviews the effectiveness of stand-level fuel reduction treatments in Canadian boreal conifer forests, specifically focusing on black spruce, jack pine, and lodgepole pine. These treatments, which involve thinning trees, pruning lower branches, and removing understory vegetation, aim to mitigate the risk of fast-spreading, high-intensity crown fires that are naturally prevalent in these ecosystems. While these fuel treatments generally reduce modeled and observed fire behavior under low to moderate fire weather, evidence suggests they become ineffective under very high or extreme fire conditions, especially when combined with high surface fuel loads and the relatively short stature of boreal conifers. The authors highlight the need for further research into managing surface fuel loads, exploring alternative fuel configurations, and integrating these treatments with broader fire suppression strategies. -
Boreal Fire Weather Zone
This document outlines best management practices for fuel treatment in the Boreal Fire Weather Zone, characterized by the Boreal White and Black Spruce BEC zone. This document emphasizes that this zone experiences large, intense wildfires often star...This document outlines best management practices for fuel treatment in the Boreal Fire Weather Zone, characterized by the Boreal White and Black Spruce BEC zone. This document emphasizes that this zone experiences large, intense wildfires often started by lightning, which significantly impact forest succession. The text details how fire suppression has increased flammable older forests, making communities more vulnerable, and classifies the predominant fuel types according to the Canadian Forest Fire Behaviour Prediction System. Finally, it provides comprehensive recommendations for fuel management, including surface, ladder, and crown fuel reduction, along with strategies for maintenance and mitigating impacts on forest health, all aimed at reducing wildfire risk. -
Developing an Uneven-Aged Management System to Maintain Attributes Associated with Old Deciduous Stands The SADO System (Self-sustaining All-aged Deciduous Old-growth)
This document details the SADO management system, a conservation-focused approach specifically designed for sustaining old-growth characteristics in aspen, birch, and cottonwood forests within British Columbia's SBS zone. Recognizing the relatively ...This document details the SADO management system, a conservation-focused approach specifically designed for sustaining old-growth characteristics in aspen, birch, and cottonwood forests within British Columbia's SBS zone. Recognizing the relatively short lifespan and successional vulnerability of these deciduous stands, the system provides a step-by-step guide for forest managers. Its core principles revolve around monitoring regeneration, selectively removing conifers, managing herbivore browsing, ensuring adequate light, and addressing regeneration capacity to promote the development of self-sustaining, all-aged stand structures that continuously exhibit old-growth attributes, with a particular emphasis on maintaining ecological values and biodiversity. -
Fort St. John Pilot Project Sustainable Forest Management Plan
This document outlines how participating forestry companies and BC Timber Sales intend to manage forests sustainably, aiming to balance ecological, economic, and social values. The plan incorporates a Canadian Standards Association certification pro...This document outlines how participating forestry companies and BC Timber Sales intend to manage forests sustainably, aiming to balance ecological, economic, and social values. The plan incorporates a Canadian Standards Association certification process and emphasizes a landscape-level approach to forest management, considering natural disturbance patterns. Key components include establishing values, objectives, indicators, and targets developed with public and Indigenous input, along with specific strategies for timber harvesting, reforestation, road access, wildlife habitat, and engagement with First Nations and the public. The SFMP serves as a guiding document for operational planning and continuous improvement in forest management practices within the defined area. -
Fire Management Stocking Standards Guidance Document
This document outlines how to integrate wildfire risk reduction into forest regeneration practices. It explains that these standards are modifications of existing reforestation guidelines, tailored to achieve specific fire management objectives, such...This document outlines how to integrate wildfire risk reduction into forest regeneration practices. It explains that these standards are modifications of existing reforestation guidelines, tailored to achieve specific fire management objectives, such as reducing crown fire potential and enhancing fire suppression effectiveness, particularly near communities and high-value infrastructure. The document details considerations for developing these standards, including species selection based on fire resilience, stand density management to influence fire behavior, and structural characteristics like canopy base height. It provides a framework and examples for forest professionals to create stocking standards that balance timber production with proactive wildfire management at both local and landscape levels. -
Aspen and Wildfire in British Columbia
This document reviews existing research on the relationship between aspen forests and wildfire, particularly in the context of British Columbia. It explores aspen's inherent fire-resistant characteristics, such as high moisture content and unique reg...This document reviews existing research on the relationship between aspen forests and wildfire, particularly in the context of British Columbia. It explores aspen's inherent fire-resistant characteristics, such as high moisture content and unique regeneration, which contribute to reduced wildfire spread and intensity. The document examines the potential for utilizing aspen in wildfire management strategies, including as natural fuel breaks, while also acknowledging conditions like drought that can compromise this resilience. The author identifies knowledge gaps and suggests preliminary strategies for promoting and managing aspen to mitigate future wildfire risk in a changing climate. -
Caribou Fire and Forestry A Literature Review
This document synthesizes existing research on the intertwined relationships between woodland caribou, wildfire, and forestry practices in Canada. It systematically explores how these two types of landscape disturbances impact various aspects of cari...This document synthesizes existing research on the intertwined relationships between woodland caribou, wildfire, and forestry practices in Canada. It systematically explores how these two types of landscape disturbances impact various aspects of caribou ecology, including habitat selection, movement patterns, population demography, and the availability of their primary forage. The review compares the effects of wildfire and forestry, aiming to inform sustainable forest management strategies and caribou recovery efforts by understanding how human activities can better emulate natural disturbance regimes. -
Adapting Forest and Range Management to Climate Change in the Skeena Region Considerations for Practitioners and Government Staff
This extension note serves as a guide for adapting forest and range management practices in the Skeena Region of British Columbia to the realities of climate change. Recognizing the significant impact of a warming and wetter climate with increased ex...This extension note serves as a guide for adapting forest and range management practices in the Skeena Region of British Columbia to the realities of climate change. Recognizing the significant impact of a warming and wetter climate with increased extreme weather on local ecosystems, it synthesizes current climate change research to project future conditions and their ecological consequences. The document outlines potential adaptation strategies for resource professionals and government staff involved in operational planning, effectiveness monitoring, and climate action plans. Ultimately, the goal is to foster resilient ecosystems that can continue to provide essential services and products in the face of ongoing climatic shifts. -
Successional Responses to Natural Disturbance Forest Management and Climate Change in British Columbia's Forests
This extension note outlines the successional pathways of various forest ecosystems in British Columbia and how these natural trajectories are influenced by natural disturbances, forest management practices, and projected climate change. The authors ...This extension note outlines the successional pathways of various forest ecosystems in British Columbia and how these natural trajectories are influenced by natural disturbances, forest management practices, and projected climate change. The authors describe typical disturbance regimes like fire and insect outbreaks within different Ecoprovinces and their characteristic Ecosystem Types. Furthermore, the note discusses how human interventions, particularly logging, have altered these successional patterns, and it concludes by considering the potential future impacts of changing temperature and precipitation on these vital forest dynamics, emphasizing the need for management that fosters resilient and resistant forests.
