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Effect of Silviculture Practices on Greenup Delay in the Nelson Forest Region
This technical report investigates the impact of silviculture practices on greenup delay in the Nelson Forest Region, specifically within the Cranbrook and Revelstoke Timber Supply Areas. Greenup delay refers to the time it takes for a newly harveste...This technical report investigates the impact of silviculture practices on greenup delay in the Nelson Forest Region, specifically within the Cranbrook and Revelstoke Timber Supply Areas. Greenup delay refers to the time it takes for a newly harvested forest stand to reach a specified average height, signaling successful regeneration. The report evaluates how enhanced silviculture techniques, such as site preparation, planting, brushing, and the use of genetically improved stock, can reduce this delay and increase the short-term and long-term timber supply to optimize tree growth and forest yield. -
Review of Past Partial-Cutting Activities in the Nelson Forest Region (1988-Present)
This technical report presents a review of partial-cutting activities in the Nelson Forest Region. The primary purpose is to evaluate the potential of partial cutting to reduce annual cut levels, specifically focusing on how different partial-cutting...This technical report presents a review of partial-cutting activities in the Nelson Forest Region. The primary purpose is to evaluate the potential of partial cutting to reduce annual cut levels, specifically focusing on how different partial-cutting silvicultural systems impact timber and non-timber values. It analyzes historical logging data from various districts within the region to understand past practices, identify discrepancies in data, and suggest more effective strategies for forest management and harvest scheduling that could lead to increased flexibility and improved non-timber benefits. -
Redfish Creek Prescribed Burn Vegetation Monitoring Project
This technical report details a study on how understory vegetation responds to different burn treatments and soil moisture conditions in the Interior Cedar-Hemlock dry warm subzone. The core purpose was to monitor and compare vegetation changes in ar...This technical report details a study on how understory vegetation responds to different burn treatments and soil moisture conditions in the Interior Cedar-Hemlock dry warm subzone. The core purpose was to monitor and compare vegetation changes in areas that experienced no burn, moderate burns, or severe burns following a fall slashburn. The research highlights the dominant plant species that emerged in each environment over four years, noting differences in species composition and competition dynamics, particularly concerning the impact of a fall slashburn and soil seepage on vegetation development. -
A Retrospective Investigation of Partial Cuts in the ICHmw1 and ICHmk1 in the Golden Forest District
This technical report presents a retrospective investigation of partial cuts within the Golden Forest District. The primary purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between regeneration density and various site factors following partial h...This technical report presents a retrospective investigation of partial cuts within the Golden Forest District. The primary purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between regeneration density and various site factors following partial harvesting. Researchers found that while abundant natural regeneration occurred, its success was not strongly correlated with specific harvest treatments, but rather more significantly influenced by factors like brush potential and site preparation. The report recommends guidelines for residual basal area levels to optimize seed supply and moisture protection in these forest ecosystems. -
Thompson-Okanagan Silviculture Working Group
This is a government-led community of practice. For more information, contact the group Chairs (see authors listed below). -
Cariboo Silviculture Working Group
This is a government-led community of practice. For more information, contact the group Chairs (see authors listed below). -
Cariboo Drybelt Fir Committee
This is a government-led community of practice. For more information, contact the group Chairs (see authors listed below). -
Interior Silviculture Subcommittee
This is a government-led community of practice. For more information, contact the group Chairs (see authors listed below). -
Silviculture Practices for Enhancing Old Forest Stand Structure in Red- and Blue-Listed Plant Communities in the CDFmm Interim Document
This document addresses the challenge of balancing timber harvesting with the conservation of at-risk plant communities that depend on mature and old forest conditions in British Columbia's Coastal Douglas Fir biogeoclimatic zone. Recognizing the sca...This document addresses the challenge of balancing timber harvesting with the conservation of at-risk plant communities that depend on mature and old forest conditions in British Columbia's Coastal Douglas Fir biogeoclimatic zone. Recognizing the scarcity of these older forests, the document outlines silvicultural practices aimed at maintaining existing structural diversity in high-conservation areas and accelerating the development of old-growth characteristics in younger, more homogenous stands. Ultimately, it seeks to equip forest professionals with strategies to enhance the ecological functions of older forests within provincial forest lands. -
Commercial Thinning Steering Committee
The purpose of the BC provincial thinning steering committee is to promote sustainable forestry using a full rotation management approach, by utilizing thinning as an innovative harvest approach to increase the health and resilience of forest ecosyst...The purpose of the BC provincial thinning steering committee is to promote sustainable forestry using a full rotation management approach, by utilizing thinning as an innovative harvest approach to increase the health and resilience of forest ecosystems while enhancing the economic value generated from our forests -
Omenica Stocking Standards Working Group
There is no description for this resource
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Forest and Range Evaluation Program Timber Monitoring Field Forms and Protocols
This learning resource outlines how forest practices are assessed to ensure they maintain or enhance the supply of economically valuable commercial timber. Using the Stand Development Protocol, the program evaluates previously harvested areas for tr...This learning resource outlines how forest practices are assessed to ensure they maintain or enhance the supply of economically valuable commercial timber. Using the Stand Development Protocol, the program evaluates previously harvested areas for tree species diversity, forest productivity, and health. It compares stands harvested before and after December 2005 to determine the effectiveness of forest regeneration practices. Supporting materials include detailed protocols and field cards for monitoring stand development and stump identification. -
Multi-Storey Silviculture Survey Course Workbook
The target audience for this course includes silviculture surveyors, contract administrators and personnel involved with the creation of silviculture plans and prescriptions for multi-storey stands....The target audience for this course includes silviculture surveyors, contract administrators and personnel involved with the creation of silviculture plans and prescriptions for multi-storey stands. -
Forest Stand Management Training Materials
To promote effective forest management and stewardship, these training materials were developed as part of an ongoing commitment to sustainability of the province's forest resources with a focus on pruning, commercial thinning, fertilization, wood qu...To promote effective forest management and stewardship, these training materials were developed as part of an ongoing commitment to sustainability of the province's forest resources with a focus on pruning, commercial thinning, fertilization, wood quality, stand density, and juvenile spacing. -
Fire in the Dry Interior Forests of British Columbia
This extension note explores the critical role of fire in the dry interior forests of British Columbia, which historically experienced frequent, low-intensity surface fires that maintained ecosystem health and biodiversity. The authors explain how hu...This extension note explores the critical role of fire in the dry interior forests of British Columbia, which historically experienced frequent, low-intensity surface fires that maintained ecosystem health and biodiversity. The authors explain how human fire exclusion over the past 60 years has dramatically altered these forests, leading to increased fuel loads, higher tree density, altered species composition, and a greater risk of intense, large-scale crown fires. The documen then outlines four management options for these sites: continued fire suppression, controlled prescribed burns, mechanical fuel reduction, or a combination of these strategies, emphasizing the need to balance ecological, social, and economic considerations. Finally, the document highlights various ongoing research initiatives aimed at understanding fire regimes and developing integrated management solutions for these fire-adapted ecosystems. -
Results from a Correlated Curve Trend Experiment on Spacing and Thinning of Coastal Douglas-fir
This document presents results from a long-term experiment examining the impact of spacing and thinning on coastal Douglas-fir plantations. The study, conducted over 28 years near Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, aimed to understand how different tre...This document presents results from a long-term experiment examining the impact of spacing and thinning on coastal Douglas-fir plantations. The study, conducted over 28 years near Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, aimed to understand how different tree densities and thinning strategies affect various growth parameters like diameter, height, basal area, and total and merchantable volume. While acknowledging limitations due to site variation and a lack of replication, the report provides initial insights into managing Douglas-fir stands, emphasizing that higher density generally leads to smaller individual tree growth but greater overall stand volume, whereas thinning, especially heavy or early thinning, can positively influence tree size and merchantable volume. -
Thinning Guidance for British Columbia
This document serves as a comprehensive manual for forest professionals, outlining best practices for thinning operations effective April 2025. Its primary purpose is to support sustainable forest management by providing science-based guidelines for ...This document serves as a comprehensive manual for forest professionals, outlining best practices for thinning operations effective April 2025. Its primary purpose is to support sustainable forest management by providing science-based guidelines for developing and implementing thinning prescriptions, particularly for enhancing timber production and quality. The guidance emphasizes maintaining ecological and social objectives while focusing on operational efficiency, minimizing environmental impacts, and promoting innovative approaches. It also details the required data collection and monitoring processes to ensure the effectiveness and compliance of thinning activities, thereby fostering healthy, resilient forest ecosystems across British Columbia. -
Equivalent Clearcut Area as an Indicator of Hydrologic Change in Snow-dominated Watersheds of Southern British Columbia
This extension note introduces Equivalent Clearcut Area, a metric used to assess the potential impact of forest disturbances, like logging or fires, on watershed hydrology in snow-dominated regions of British Columbia. The document explains how ECA i...This extension note introduces Equivalent Clearcut Area, a metric used to assess the potential impact of forest disturbances, like logging or fires, on watershed hydrology in snow-dominated regions of British Columbia. The document explains how ECA is calculated by accounting for the area disturbed and the subsequent forest regrowth, which influences water interception, evaporation, and transpiration. It details the historical development and application of ECA in forest management planning, highlighting its use as an indicator for potential changes in streamflow and peak flow events. While acknowledging ECA's utility as a simplified tool for risk assessment and comparing management options, the note also stresses its limitations, emphasizing that it should not be used as a stand-alone metric due to the complex and variable nature of watershed responses to disturbance. -
Revised Snow Recovery Estimates for Pine-dominated Forests in Interior British Columbia
This document introduces revised estimates for snow recovery in pine-dominated forests of British Columbia's interior, a critical factor for watershed management. Snow recovery refers to the restoration of snow accumulation and melt patterns in regro...This document introduces revised estimates for snow recovery in pine-dominated forests of British Columbia's interior, a critical factor for watershed management. Snow recovery refers to the restoration of snow accumulation and melt patterns in regrowing forests after clearcutting, compared to mature forests and clearcut areas. The authors highlight how changes in forest cover significantly impact spring streamflow peaks, making accurate recovery estimates essential for assessing potential hydrologic changes. The study presents new recovery curves based on long-term data from the Thompson-Okanagan region, demonstrating that previous estimates likely overstated the rate of snow recovery, suggesting a more gradual return to pre-harvest conditions as young forests grow taller. -
Modelling Forest Harvesting Effects on Maximum Daily Peak Flow at Upper Penticton Creek
This research models the impact of forest harvesting on peak streamflows in a small, snow-dominated watershed in British Columbia. Using a sophisticated hydrological model, the study simulated various clearcutting scenarios to understand how the remo...This research models the impact of forest harvesting on peak streamflows in a small, snow-dominated watershed in British Columbia. Using a sophisticated hydrological model, the study simulated various clearcutting scenarios to understand how the removal of forest cover influences the magnitude and frequency of high flow events. The findings indicate that forest harvesting consistently increases peak flows, with larger, less frequent events showing a more significant response, though the predicted increases were less than 50% even with complete forest removal. The study highlights the importance of watershed characteristics like topography and size in determining the extent of these changes and emphasizes the ongoing need for research to improve water resource management in forested areas.
