78 resources found

This extension note details the Prince George Small Streams Project, an initiative launched to evaluate the effectiveness of policies aimed at protecting the riparian functions and fish habitat values of small streams. The study assessed how a minimum riparian retention prescription impacted various stream characteristics. While the policy successfully met four of its five management objectives, it ultimately failed to maintain overall fish habitat values, particularly concerning the long-term supply of large woody debris, a significant decrease in litter fall, and an increase in stream temperatures due to reduced shade. Therefore, the authors recommend retaining all trees within 10 meters of the stream bank to better achieve desired environmental outcomes.

This document presents a synoptic assessment of stream and riparian conditions in the Bowron River watershed, conducted 20-30 years after extensive salvage logging. The study investigates the long-term impacts of harvesting, prompted by a spruce beetle outbreak in the 1970s and 80s, on stream health and surrounding riparian areas, which are crucial for ecological balance. Using the Routine Riparian Effectiveness Evaluation, the assessment compares current conditions to historical watershed assessment procedure rankings, revealing that while some recovery has occurred, the lack of mature vegetation in riparian zones continues to significantly impact stream characteristics, particularly the supply of large woody debris whcih is vital for stream morphology and fish habitat. The authors conclude by offering guidance statements to improve forest management practices, emphasizing the importance of riparian buffers, proper road deactivation, and minimizing soil compaction to mitigate ongoing adverse effects.

This paper explores the future of carbon storage within these vital ecosystems of British Columbia. Using a computer model, the researchers investigated how interactions between tree species, fire, forest management, and a changing climate might affect the ability of these forests to absorb and store carbon until 2050. A key aspect of their work was the introduction of a new metric, net sector productivity, which offers a more comprehensive way to account for carbon by including not only forest ecosystems but also harvested wood products. The study aimed to provide a better understanding for developing effective climate change mitigation and adaptive management strategies in these forests.

This paper investigates how different forest management strategies impact the resilience of forests facing climate change, specifically a mountain pine beetle outbreak in British Columbia. The authors use a retrospective simulation approach from 1980 to 2060 to compare business as usual practices with two alternative strategies: one focused on increasing the diversity of replanted trees, and another that combined early harvesting of susceptible pine with diversified reforestation. The study assesses resilience by examining ecological factors like growing stock and tree species diversity, alongside socio-economic indicators such as timber flow stability and net revenue, concluding that proactive management enhancing diversity and reducing high-risk species leads to greater overall forest resilience in the face of climate-related disturbances.

This report examines the projected impacts of climate change on British Columbia's forest and range resources. It begins by outlining future climate scenarios for British Columbia, emphasizing anticipated increases in temperature and shifts in precipitation patterns based on global climate model projections. The report explores the potential ecological and economic consequences of these changes, including effects on species distribution, forest disturbances like fires and pests, and resource management practices. Finally, it proposes a framework for developing adaptation strategies and offers recommendations to proactively address the challenges posed by a changing climate.

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.

This document details the establishment and early findings of the Roberts Creek Study Forest. The RCSF was created to demonstrate and evaluate various alternatives to clearcutting in mature Douglas-fir dominated forests on the Sunshine Coast. By implementing different silvicultural systems, such as dispersed retention and extended rotation, the study aims to assess their impacts on aspects like harvesting, windthrow, and the regeneration of conifer species like Douglas-fir and western redcedar, while also considering ecological, social, and economic objectives in forest management. The report outlines the study area, methodologies used for different treatments, and presents initial results regarding post-harvest stand structure, soil disturbance, windthrow patterns, seedfall, and both natural and planted regeneration.

This FREP Report #8 details a timber-focused evaluation of partially harvested forest areas within a specific management unit. Its core purpose was to determine if the resulting stand conditions aligned with the government's objectives for timber, as outlined in the Forest and Range Practices Act. The evaluation employed both routine and intensive assessment methods to analyze various indicators, such as stocking levels, wood volume, and tree quality, and even used growth simulation to predict future stand development under different management scenarios. The report aimed to assess the effectiveness of partial harvesting practices in meeting timber objectives and to provide recommendations for improvement in practices, evaluation methods, and related policies.

This technical report introduces a drought risk assessment tool designed to help forest managers in British Columbia navigate the challenges of a warming climate. By using a stand-level water-balance approach, the researchers calculated the ratio of water availability to evaporative demand to establish drought tolerance thresholds for ten common tree species. The study concludes that many species face significant threats of stress and mortality on drier sites, whereas moist, water-receiving areas may serve as critical climate refugia for conservation. This document provides a practical framework for applying this data to silvicultural decisions, such as selecting resilient species for reforestation and identifying areas at higher risk for wildfires or invasive species.

This technical report evaluates how different timber harvesting methods affect the microclimate of the Chilcotin Plateau to determine the best strategies for preserving threatened woodland caribou habitat. By comparing traditional clearcuts with partial cutting systems, such as group selection and shelterwoods, researchers tracked critical variables including soil temperature, frost frequency, and snow-melt dates over a seven-year period. The study found that while clearcuts offer warmer soils, partial cuts provide a vital sheltering effect that significantly reduces the occurrence and severity of lethal summer frosts for young trees and essential lichens. This document suggests that strategically managing opening sizes and microsite placement can balance the needs of timber production with the environmental conditions necessary to sustain caribou forage and forest regeneration.

This technical report evaluates how varying levels of aspen retention influence the development of mixed-species forest stands in British Columbia, specifically focusing on the growth of lodgepole pine and the emergence of aspen suckers. By comparing different thinning intensities against an untreated control, the researchers sought to identify thresholds for competition that allow for optimal timber production while maintaining the ecological benefits of broadleaf trees. The findings indicate that while pine vigour improved when fewer than 1000 aspen stems per hectare were kept, significant differences in tree height and diameter were not yet apparent four years after treatment. Additionally, the study confirms that complete aspen removal triggers the highest density of new suckering, whereas leaving residual trees helps suppress this regrowth. This document serves as a guide for silviculturists to refine free-growing standards and develop cost-effective management strategies for complex sub-boreal ecosystems.

This document evaluates the long-term viability of planting native broadleaf trees as a reforestation strategy in British Columbia's Cariboo region. By tracking species like aspen, birch, and cottonwood alongside traditional conifers over a ten-year study period, the authors discovered that planted broadleaves suffered from poor survival rates due to wildlife browsing, frost, and competition from grass. While these deciduous trees naturally excel at enhancing soil nutrients and providing frost protection for understory seedlings, the study concluded that they are currently less reliable than conifers when manually planted. This document suggests that while broadleaves remain vital for forest biodiversity and health, their successful management in this region relies more on robust natural regeneration than on artificial cultivation.

This document serves as a comprehensive manual for commercial thinning within the province of British Columbia, detailing how to manage intermediate harvests where the wood removed covers extraction costs. The text outlines a multi-level strategy that integrates strategic planning at the landscape level with specific stand selection criteria, such as windfirmness, tree stability, and forest health. Its primary purpose is to offer practitioners a framework for using thinning as a strategic management tool to increase wood flow flexibility, enhance timber value, and protect non-timber resource values like biodiversity and visual landscapes. Furthermore, the guidelines establish strict administrative and legal requirements under the Forest Practices Code, mandating detailed silviculture prescriptions and rigorous post-harvest assessments to monitor soil disturbance and residual tree damage.

This document outlines a thirty-year study examining how crop-tree thinning affects the growth of western larch in southeastern British Columbia. By evaluating different levels of growing space, the author demonstrates that increasing the radius of clearance around individual trees significantly boosts their diameter, basal area, and merchantable volume. While the expansion of tree width was directly proportional to the amount of space provided, the study found that vertical height remained largely unaffected by the various thinning intensities. The results suggest that thinning must be implemented at an early age to be most effective, as older stands show a diminished capacity to respond to increased light and reduced root competition.

This document evaluates the long-term effectiveness of dispersed tree retention as an alternative to clearcutting in the coast-interior transition zone of British Columbia. By monitoring a Douglas-fir forest near Boston Bar for fifteen years, the study examines how various levels of overstorey shading influence natural regeneration success, stand structure, and biological legacies. The data reveals that while residual trees enhance the micro-climate for new growth, they face significant mortality from windthrow, Douglas-fir bark beetle, and wildfire, leading to a substantial decline in living density over time. This document suggests that while dispersed retention provides valuable biodiversity attributes like snags and woody debris, an aggregated retention pattern might offer greater stability and protection against environmental stressors.

This document investigates the effectiveness of different harvesting methods for establishing Douglas-fir regeneration in the dry climate of British Columbia's interior. By comparing clearcutting against shelterwood systems, which retain partial tree canopies, the authors examine how varying levels of shade and protection influence the survival and size of new trees. The study found that while individual tree growth and crown volume were most robust in clearcut areas, the shelterwood treatments significantly improved the density of natural regeneration. This document suggests that a heavy-removal shelterwood may offer the ideal balance, providing adequate growth rates while acting as an insurance policy for a fully stocked forest.

This extension note documents a long-term research project in British Columbia designed to test the operational feasibility of single tree selection within mixed conifer forests. By comparing different levels of basal area retention, researchers are investigating how various thinning intensities influence timber growth, natural regeneration, and understorey light levels. Beyond wood production, the study evaluates how these harvesting methods impact ungulate winter range by measuring snow interception and forage availability for local wildlife. Thsi document serves as a practical model for managing complex, uneven-aged stands, particularly in areas where foresters must balance timber salvage with long-term ecological health.

This extension note outlines long-term research at the Opax Mountain and Isobel sites in British Columbia, focusing on sustainable management for Interior Douglas-fir ecosystems. By evaluating various harvesting intensities and patterns, researchers are investigating how different silvicultural methods impact timber yields, biodiversity, and forage productivity. The studies emphasize that a diverse mosaic of treatments is necessary to satisfy competing ecological and social values, as uniform practices fail to support all forest functions. This document provides forest managers with technical guidance and modeling tools to maintain healthy, open-canopy forests while balancing the needs of the timber industry and the environment.

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.

This document evaluates the long-term effectiveness of various silviculture practices and forest management techniques across the Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir zones of British Columbia. By assessing historical research trials and logged areas in the southern interior, the document details why certain methods lead to regeneration success or failure, specifically noting the challenges of competing vegetation and harsh environmental conditions. The document is structured to provide a comprehensive analysis of site preparation methods, planting outcomes, and the quality of remaining trees, ultimately revealing that initial spruce growth is often slow and survival rates are frequently unsatisfactory. This document concludes with strategic recommendations for future study to better understand how elevation and plant competition influence the sustainable recovery of these high-altitude ecosystems.