Itcha-Ilgachuz Alternative Silvicultural Systems Project 1995-2005 - Research Update

This document summarizes a decade of experimentation aimed at balancing timber extraction with the preservation of northern caribou habitat in British Columbia. The document outlines various alternative silvicultural systems, such as irregular shelterwood and group selection, to protect the terrestrial and arboreal lichens essential for caribou winter survival. Beyond wildlife management, the text evaluates how these harvesting methods influence forest regeneration, microclimate stability, and windthrow risk compared to traditional clearcutting. This document serves as a scientific foundation for regional recovery plans and sustainable land-use strategies for threatened species in the Southern Interior Forest Region.