This study investigates the impact of partial cutting logging practices on lichen diversity within lodgepole pine forests of British Columbias Chilcotin Plateau, an important habitat for northern caribou that rely on lichens for winter forage. The study compares different partial cutting methods, including variations in removal intensity and harvesting techniques, against unlogged control sites. Through pre- and post-logging measurements of lichen richness, diversity, and abundance, the authors aim to determine how these forestry practices affect the lichen communities and, consequently, the caribous food source, with a focus on the influence of solar radiation and logging slash. This study aims to inform silvicultural systems that can balance timber harvesting with the maintenance of crucial caribou habitat.
