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Ministry of Forests and Range

Ministry of Forests and Range

Ecology and management of dry Douglas-fir forests: The Opax Mountain Silvicultural Study / Andre Arsenault ... [et al.].

by Arsenault, André.

Forest Investment Account (FIA)

Douglas Fir -- British Columbia.

Forest Investment Account (FIA) - Forest Science Program

v.p. : col. ill., maps.

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/FIA/2007/FSP_Y073299a.pdf

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/FIA/2007/FSP_Y073299b.pdf

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/FIA/2007/FSP_Y073299c.pdf

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/FIA/2007/FSP_Y073299d.pdf

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/En/En72.htm

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/Pubs/RSI/FSP/EN/RSI_EN05.htm

Related to FIA project no. Y051299, Y062299

FSP_Y073299a.pdf [3718 KB] - Fire regime in dry-belt forests of British Columbia...

FSP_Y073299b.pdf [342 KB] - Multicentury history of western spruce budworm...

FSP_Y073299c.pdf [2035 KB] - Final report

FSP_Y073299d.pdf [329 KB] - Soil seed banks and plant community assembly following...

Extension note 72 "The Opax Mountain Silvicultural Systems Project: Preliminary Results for Managing Complex, Dry Interior Douglas-fir Forests" is available through the live link at the bottom of the page (http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/En/En72.htm)

Extensions note 5 "" is available through the live link at the bottom of the page (http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/Pubs/RSI/FSP/EN/RSI_EN05.htm)

Includes bibliographic references.

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of six forest management treatments on a range of forest resources in Interior Douglas-fir forests and to gather baseline information on forest dynamics. Stand regeneration is a fundamental requirement of a successful silvicultural system. The treatments have therefore been designed to create a range of residual stem densities (% basal area removed: <20%, 35% and 50+%) and spatial characteristics (uniform removal vs. patchy). Consequently, there is a range of canopy gaps (0.01 – 0.05 ha) in the partial-cut units and 1 – 4 tree heights wide (0.09, 0.36, and 1.6 ha) in the patch-cut units. These treatments, plus a control area of similar size, were applied in two different areas in a randomized complete-block design. One area has an elevation range of 950 – 1100 m in the IDFxh subzone, and the other, in the IDFdk subzone, has a range of 1200 – 1370 m. A range of site preparation methods were also applied at a small scale (in limited areas of each unit). The treatments and research focus is on evaluating the costs and benefits of each treatment within an integrated resource management context. This proposal is a continuation of the second phase of the project and is scheduled to be completed at the end of April 2009. Our strategy for this proposal builds on the strengths of the first ten years of this long-term silvicultural systems study: a long time horizon, a common site and an interdisciplinary focus. The overall objective is to monitor the response of a number of ecological variables over a long time period, after the application of a range of canopy disturbances in a dry Douglas-fir forest, and to quantify the historical pattern of natural disturbances and stand dynamics. These results will enable us to reduce uncertainty and build predictive relationships between response variables that can be used in strategic stand and landscape modelling to improve stewardship decision making. The combination of a well replicated experiment, detailed monitoring, retrospective studies, and modeling makes this project very strong. More specifically the project team will in 2005-2006 perform the following tasks: A) Re-measurements of : 1) wildlife snowtracking surveys, 2) windthrow surveys, 3) vegetation surveys along a light gradient, 4) net soil N mineralization assessments, 5) growth and yield assessments, 6) forest structure and forest health surveys, 7) advanced regeneration surveys. B) Completion of studies: 1) fire history in a drybelt forest landscape, 2) Response of woodpeckers and mice and voles to silviculture treatments. C) Project Integration: 1) Continue work on stand modelling including new information on tree growth and natural disturbances, 2) Continue on the educational package on the ecology and management of dry forests for the Elementary school program, 3) Participate in the creation of a conference on the ecology and management of dry forest ecosystems. 4) Continue extension initiatives for a broad audience.

FIA FSP Project No. Y073299

For more information contact: André Arsenault. 250-828-4165 E-mail: Andre.Arsenault@gov.bc.ca

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