Southern Interior Forest Region

Soils

Plant Ecology

Hydrology

Geomorphology

Silvicultural Systems

Wildlife Ecology

Forest Science ProgramResearch, Consultation, and Extension

2006-2007 updateExamples of products

170 extension events and products10-15 peer-reviewed publications

“Guidance” information for MPB retention strategies for wildlife, biodiversity,

and, hydrologyWildfire erosionSarco and Mt. CaribouSoil value and FREP

Silvicultural Systems Researchers

André TeresaMichaela

Provincial team

Our Mission is to provide current and future credible and relevant science-

based silviculture information and expertise

Silvicultural Systems ProjectsSouthern Interior Forest Region

Silviculture Conservation Biology

Disturbance Ecology

André’s program

Dry-belt forests in the Southern Interior of British Columbia:

Perspectives on Historic Disturbances and Implications

for Management

André Arsenault & Walt Klenner

BC Forest Service

Southern Interior Forest Region

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1415

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6

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22

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4

18

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11

24

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0 50 100 150 Kilometers

N

Accounts by early explorers and surveysPast harvesting and other disturbances

a) Number of fires (1950-97)

Month

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Nu

mb

er o

f fi

res

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500b) Area burned (1950-97)

Month

J F M A M J J A S O N D

Are

a b

urn

ed (

ha)

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

Human-causedLightning-caused

Fire and lightning data

Fire scars and tree rings

0 30 60 Kilometers

N

Recorded (FIP) Harvesting in theKamloops Region to 1996

NDT4b4c

Grasslands

Harvested Areas

Main Rivers

Main Lakes

TFL's (Data??)

• A complex mixed-severity fire and insect disturbance regime likely shaped historic conditions

• Choosing a point in time for reference conditions is problematic making “ecosystem restoration” difficult

• Identify key and measurable resource management

objectives (e.g. human safety, wildlife habitat, livestock forage)

Some Key findings

2003 Post-wildfire managementFirst Soil Seedbank study in the IDFShowing rapid recovery of vegetation post-fireNeed to re-assess grass-seeding practices

A tool box for IDF forest management: Experimental TreatmentsThe Opax Mt. and Isobel projects

Testing alternatives to partial cutting Dry forests in open conditions

A tool box for IDF forest management:2006-2007 field studiesThe Opax Mt. and Isobel projects

Seed predation Performance

Tree Regeneration

Extension

Summer Sisco 2006 >100 souls

Forest managers of the futureLearning about IDF forests

Distribution ecology of lichens in ICH

Macrolichen Calicioid lichen

•Comparison of young and old stands

•Habitat requirements for old-growth-associated species

•Cyanolichen distribution and tool for predicting diversity hot-spots

•Information used during LRMPS•Many papers, presentations, Best paper award, new hypotheses

Inland rainforests Provided assistance to Arrow/Boundary DistrictAnd Pope and Talbot in the Incomappleux

Management Issue:

Can we harvest timber and maintain caribou winter habitat ?

Mountain

caribou

Northern caribou

Group Selection Group Selection based on based on openings up to openings up to 1.0 ha1.0 ha

Response of arboreal Response of arboreal lichenlichenbiomass and biomass and compositioncomposition

Conclusions:After 10 years post-harvest, the

residual forest continues to provide adequate lichen forage for caribou. There is acceptable regeneration of

the treatments, and there are minimal impacts on biodiversity (birds, small

mammals, plants).

Management Issue:

Are there alternatives to clearcutting that managers can use to address issues such as

visual quality and species selection?

Uniform shelterwood silvicultural systems

Douglas-fir is an important species for timber harvesting and biodiversity.

Can Douglas-fir be regenerated and grown on frost prone sites in the SBS using various levels of residual basal area retention?

Uniform shelterwoods or variable retention treatments can be used to manage visual quality and biodiversity but what are the implications to regeneration and overstory trees when partial cutting on root disease infected sites?

Ice Road near Nakusp Mount Seven near Golden

Conclusions:

The SBS shelterwood trial is adequately stocked with Douglas-fir in the seed cut treatments and the final cut is scheduled for 2010.

The ICH trials are successfully regenerated with several species but growth is affected by the residual basal area. Survival is just starting to be affected by Armillaria.

Regeneration and Stand Tending

• Regeneration in non-conventional silvicultural systems (i.e. small gaps, under shelterwoods)

• Brushing (including broadleaf species)• Stand rehabilitation• Growth and yield of mixed species stands• Site preparation / planting treatments • Species Selection• Density management• Fertilization

Issue: How many aspen can be retained in a pine stand without

compromising conifer productivity?

Or to Brush or not to brush!!

Depends on where you are

SBSdw1

SBPSxc

IDFdk

And how much you have

You can keep some

Current outcomes

• Identified “best” method to predict level of competition in the field

• Free growing guidelines have been altered

• Able to predict future growth under different competitive environments

Issue: Over 130,000 ha of

height repressed

pine

Possible Solutions

• Keep current growing stock – stand tending options

• Start over – rehabilitation options

Outcomes: Fertilization / thinning worked

(36 years old in the SBPSdc)

Program Challenges

• To continue to address high profile issues: provincially and regionally

• To promote implementation of research results where applicable and relevant

Program Successes

* A network of well designed long-term research installations that are used for continuous learning by a diverse research community even within changing environments

* Knowledge transfer to foresters, students, the public and the academic community

* Continuous success in securing research funding through competitive process

Researchers at work!