85 resources found

This case study details a study comparing different methods of harvesting trees in a coastal montane forest in British Columbia. Prompted by concerns about regeneration success at higher elevations and public desire for alternatives to clearcutting, the Montane Alternative Silvicultural Systems project investigated the productivity and costs associated with uniform shelterwood, green tree retention, and patch cutting compared to traditional clearcutting. The study tracked the efficiency and expense of falling and forwarding operations, alongside measuring the impact on soil disturbance and the amount of remaining woody debris. Ultimately, the research aimed to provide insights into the economic and operational feasibility of alternative silvicultural systems in this challenging environment, while also considering their long-term ecological effects.

This document outlines a management strategy for mule deer winter ranges specifically within the transition and deep snowpack zones of the Cariboo-Chilcotin region. It's structured in two main parts: the first details winter range management objectives, including long-term spatial goals, access considerations, and stand-level targets for forest structure and species composition, largely employing a group selection silviculture system. The second part provides guidance on planning forest harvests to align with these objectives, offering practical steps and a checklist for implementation, aiming to integrate timber harvesting with the maintenance and restoration of suitable mule deer habitat.

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 document serves as a reference handbook about the key factors influencing the successful application of various timber harvesting equipment and systems in the region. The handbook systematically explores primary transport equipment, categorized into ground-based, cable, and aerial systems, detailing their operational characteristics, environmental considerations, and distinguishing features. By outlining the advantages and limitations of each technology, the guide empowers readers to make informed judgments about equipment selection based on specific site conditions and harvesting objectives, emphasizing that no single best system exists for all situations.

This document is a comprehensive reference for harvesting systems and equipment used in British Columbia. Part one addresses equipment selection by outlining key factors, summarizing equipment characteristics by harvesting phase, and providing a risk-level assessment for various equipment and site combinations. This handbook aims to improve the understanding of loggers and planners in British Columbia, enabling them to make better-informed decisions when choosing the most suitable harvesting systems and equipment for diverse site conditions and management objectives, without prescribing a single correct solution.