52 resources found

This document serves as a stand establishment decision aid for forest managers in British Columbia dealing with tomentosus root rot, a fungal disease prevalent in spruce and pine forests. It outlines the characteristics and spread of the disease, emphasizing its impact on forest health and productivity through mortality, growth reduction, and windthrow. The guide details how to identify susceptible stands based on species composition and site conditions, discusses methods for assessing disease presence after harvesting, and presents silvicultural considerations like inoculum reduction and the planting of less susceptible tree species to mitigate future issues. The purpose of this document is to inform forest management practices in areas where tomentosus poses a significant risk to ensure healthy and productive future forests.

This document examines the impacts of a changing climate on British Columbia's diverse natural ecosystems and proposes conservation-oriented adaptation actions. It highlights the regional variations in anticipated temperature and precipitation changes across the province and emphasizes the need to consider these specific ecological contexts when developing management strategies. Drawing upon a review of existing literature and initiatives like the Future Forests Ecosystem Initiative, the authors present examples of actions categorized under frameworks such as the 5Rs to help natural resource practitioners support the resilience and adaptation of species and ecosystems to future climate conditions. The document advocates for a proactive approach to natural resource management that integrates climate change considerations to ensure the long-term persistence of British Columbia's natural heritage.

This paper investigates how well lodgepole pine forests naturally regrow after partial harvesting in important winter habitats for northern caribou in west-central British Columbia. The study compares the density and growth of new pine seedlings in small harvested openings across two different subzones and under three different partial harvesting methods over a seven-year period. A key focus is understanding if these methods can successfully regenerate the forest without harming the lichens that the caribou rely on for food, ultimately aiming to inform forest management practices that balance timber harvesting and wildlife conservation.

This document investigates the long-term effects of thinning on a 53-year-old lodgepole pine stand. The core purpose is to understand how different thinning intensities impact tree growth, stand health, and resistance to pests over nearly five decades. A key finding suggests that heavy thinning may help "beetle-proof" stands against the destructive mountain pine beetle, contributing to greater net volume increments despite initial mortality from other factors like snow. While acknowledging some study limitations due to initial variability, the report provides valuable insights into sustainable forest management practices for older lodgepole pine.

This case study details a research project investigating alternative silvicultural systems to clearcutting in the steep-sloped old-growth forests of the Queen Charlotte Islands (now Haida Gwaii). The study, initiated in 1992, compared the effects of single-tree selection, two levels of group selection, and clearcutting on regeneration (both natural and planted) and residual stand characteristics over a seven-year period. Key findings address the effectiveness of these methods in promoting the regeneration of western hemlock, Sitka spruce, and western redcedar, as well as the impact on residual tree damage and browsing pressure from Sitka black-tailed deer, ultimately aiming to inform sustainable forest management practices in this sensitive ecosystem.

This report details a research project in the dry Douglas-fir forests of central British Columbia, initiated in 2001 at Farwell Canyon. The study investigated the effects of partial cutting on forest stand dynamics, specifically examining how different harvesting methods, coupled with pre-commercial thinning and prescribed burning, could achieve objectives like improved wildlife forage, enhanced residual tree growth, and increased fire resilience. The report presents data collected over 10-14 years following these treatments, analyzing changes in stand structure, tree growth, and regeneration patterns to assess the long-term outcomes of these forest management techniques in this specific ecosystem.

This extension note details a case study on partial cutting timber harvesting methods within a sensitive watershed in southeastern British Columbia. The study evaluates a multi-resource objective approach to logging, aiming to balance timber production with the conservation of water quality, wildlife habitats, and visual landscapes. It highlights the company's shift from conventional clear-cutting to silvicultural systems that maintain forest health and biodiversity, while also addressing the economic and environmental concerns of the region. The report assesses the effectiveness and challenges of these partial cutting methods in achieving sustainable forest management within a sensitive ecological area.

This document details Selkirk College's experimental shift from traditional clearcutting to variable retention silvicultural systems in their hemlock-dominated demonstration forest. The primary purpose of these experiments was to explore alternative harvesting methods that could maintain water quality, enhance biodiversity and habitat structures, produce quality timber, and provide educational opportunities for students. The document highlights Selkirk College's experiences with various approaches including natural shelterwood with overstory retention, group selection, and a mix of group and dispersed retention to assess their effectiveness in minimizing environmental impacts such as windthrow, and achieving diverse management objectives. A key theme emphasized is the critical role of clear communication between the woodlot manager and harvesting crews for successful implementation of these complex variable retention strategies.

This extension note presents a case study on using partial cutting to reduce the susceptibility of mature Lodgepole Pine stands to Mountain Pine Beetle attacks, a process termed Beetle Proofing. The document details the objectives and criteria for this forestry practice, emphasizing proper layout, experienced logging contractors, and a commitment to overall parties. It outlines the harvesting and silviculture systems involved, explaining how selective removal of trees aims to create a stand structure that is less vulnerable to beetle infestations, rather than a clear-cut approach. This document serves as a guide for forest management, outlining management objectives and planning for sustainable timber production and biodiversity while mitigating the impact of MPB in the British Columbia interior.

This docuemnt details a case study on harvesting options in a highly constrained forest stand within the Rocky Mountain Trench, focusing on an experimental forest management pilot project. The primary goal was to evaluate different harvesting methods such as conventional, single tree, and group selection on soil disturbance and armillaria root disease. The study describes the site's characteristics, experimental design, and the specific silvicultural prescriptions implemented to achieve objectives like maintaining water levels and reducing disease susceptibility. It further outlines the harvesting operations conducted and presents preliminary results regarding the impact of each method on stand health and soil integrity.

This document details a case study on patch cutting in old-growth forests within British Columbia, specifically addressing its impact on wildlife habitat and its use as an alternative to clearcut logging. The study examines a group selection silviculture system aimed at balancing timber extraction with the preservation of wildlife corridors and habitat, particularly for species like caribou and mule deer. Key objectives included creating uneven-aged stands, reducing snow interception, minimizing logging impacts, and maintaining a percentage of the block area as old-growth. The findings suggest that while patch cutting is operationally feasible and offers benefits over conventional clearcutting, it still requires careful planning and management to effectively meet both economic and environmental goals.

This extension note details a case study on patch cutting in old-growth forests in British Columbia. The primary purpose of this research was to investigate alternative silviculture systems, specifically patch cutting, as a method to maintain caribou habitat. The study aimed to assess the impact of this harvesting technique on the abundance and dispersal of arboreal lichen, a critical food source for caribou, while also considering its effects on windthrow and other forest health factors.

This technical report explores the viability of commercial thinning as a forest management strategy within the Arrow and Cranbrook Timber Supply Areas of British Columbia. The primary goal was to investigate if commercial thinning could help offset projected wood supply reductions resulting from new forest policies and land-use plans. The study involved a multi-stage methodology: identifying potential forest stands using Geographic Information Systems theming, conducting field inventories and reconnaissance surveys to assess suitability, and modeling the impact of thinning on wood flow. While the project successfully identified potential thinning volumes, it also highlighted significant challenges such as limited road access, unsuitable stand structures, and the need to balance timber extraction with other resource management objectives.

This technical report investigates the potential of variable retention silvicultural systems to manage forests in British Columbia's Nelson Forest Region, aiming to mitigate anticipated reductions in wood supply due to new environmental regulations. The study specifically evaluates how different variable retention methods impact stand productivity and overall wood flow despite the widespread presence of Armillaria root disease. Using the PROGNOSIS growth model, the authors identify low-risk timber types and develop management guidelines to balance timber harvesting with objectives like biodiversity and visual quality and reccomend a more balanced mixture of clearcutting and variable retention approaches to ensure sustainable forest management.

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.

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.

This document serves as a first approximation of guidelines for managing forests in British Columbia. Recognizing the historical influence of First Nations' cultural burning and the current challenges of overstocked stands and wildfire risk, it outlines a strategic shift in silvicultural practices. The report details Best Management Practices (BMPs), structured around key aspects like appropriate silvicultural systems, restoration thinning, regeneration, and resilience to disturbances like fire and pests. The document aims to guide practitioners and inform policy, moving towards healthier, more resilient Douglas-fir ecosystems that balance ecological values, community safety, and sustainable resource use.

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.

This handbook outlines the principles and best practices for silvicultural systems in British Columbia, emphasizing a shift toward complex, multi-value forest management in the 21st century. Its primary purpose is to serve as a central reference and conceptual framework for forest professionals to design and implement silvicultural plans that move a stand from its current state to a desired future condition through planned interventions, known as stand development pathways. A crucial and recurring theme is the growing role of First Nations, including their traditional knowledge, values, and stewardship goals, which are integrated alongside ecological, social, and economic objectives. The document provides detailed guidance on technical aspects, such as managing for biodiversity, mitigating risks like windthrow and pests, and utilizing adaptive management for continuous improvement in forestry practices.

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.