bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plantations and biodiversity: A comment on the debate in New Brunswick
Authors: Betts Matthew G , Diamond Antony W , Forbes Graham J , Frego Kate , Loo Judy A , Matson Bruce , Roberts Mark R , Villard Marc-André , Wissink Renee , Wuest Lawrence
Published: February 2014

The importance of biodiversity has become widely recognized but the best methods for conserving forest biodiversity are still being debated. Central to this debate is the influence of plantations and managed stands on local and landscape-scale biodiversity. A recent paper by Erdle and Pollard in The Forestry Chronicle (2002), which concluded that few plantations are strict monocultures in terms of the total number of tree species, could be interpreted as making the case that plantations have relatively minor consequences for biodiversity. We argue that: (1) it is not only the number of species, but also the identities and relative abundances of species that are of ecological importance, and (2) defining biodiversity in terms of tree species alone is of limited applicability. Existing research in New Brunswick on the impact of plantations on biodiversity at the stand scale reveals potentially significant biodiversity losses, at least in certain taxa. The proposal that incorporating more structural elements (e.g., snags, coarse woody debris, vertical structure) and retaining greater tree species diversity to ameliorate negative consequences of plantations remains a hypothesis to be tested in this region. Scientific information gathered in the following areas will allow better decision making: (1) to what degree are older plantations used by native species? (2) are productivity and survivorship of vertebrates in intensively managed stands similar to those in unmanaged forest? (3) are intensively managed stands suitable habitat for non-vertebrates? (4) are there thresholds in the response of some species to landscape-scale habitat loss caused by intensive forest management? Key words: plantations, biodiversity, species composition, landscape scale, stand structures
Crossing disciplinary boundaries in forest research: An international challenge
Authors: Hickey Gordon M , Nitschke Craig R
Published: February 2014

It is generally recognized that improving our understanding of forest-related research problems will involve amalgamating knowledge and methods from different disciplines. The presence of complex values within complex systems has persuaded many scientists engaged in forestry-related research to begin exploring cross-disciplinary paradigms in order to transcend the limitations of traditional disciplinary thinking. It has been suggested that authentic interdisciplinary programs in the sciences remain rare and that academic departments, academic supervisors and funding agencies present the main barriers to effective cross-disciplinary research among scientists. Despite these barriers, scientists around the world are increasingly approaching their research problems from a cross-disciplinary perspective to provide meaningful solutions to complex environmental problems. Key words: cross-disciplinary, interdisciplinary, forest research, complexity
Crafting interdisciplinary in an M.Sc. programme in management of natural resources and sustainable agriculture
Authors: Vedeld Paul , Krogh Erling
Published: February 2014

This paper discusses challenges of an educational program, where interdisciplinarity is an important ambition. A theoretical perspective on interdisciplinarity must be more than adding insights from different disciplines as surprisingly many actors still take it to be. Interdisciplinarity is a fruitful meeting-ground and constitute processes for translation and integration of disciplinary perspectives. Interdisciplinary candidates must learn and should develop skills to identify, select, translate and integrate knowledge from different disciplines into a coherent framework. From theories in interdisciplinarity, one should develop explicit theories for interdisciplinarity. A common field focus can motivate integration of and translation between disciplines. The multipurpose re-orientation in forestry as an example of natural resource management displays the need for development of management proficiency not only related to multipurpose management, but also to handle social issues and interactions between conflicting actors. Within forestry, interdisciplinary challenges are often met through implicit, tacit and experience-based "common sense" knowledge. An explicit focus on integration of and translation between disciplines as well as development of experience-based skills is required to build interdisciplinary proficiency. This includes using practical field assignments and problem-based learning approaches to develop candidates' abilities to select, translate and integrate knowledge. Key words: interdisciplinarity, environment and development, cross-epistemic communication, natural resource management and education
The Amazon Initiative: A multidisciplinary, international consortium for prevention, mitigation and reduction of resource degradation
Authors: Porro Roberto , Serrão Adilson , Cornelius Jonathan P
Published: February 2014

An institutional consortium has been formed in the Amazon to implement collaborative programs to reverse resource degradation through sustainable land use systems. The Amazon Initiative (AI) Consortium for Conservation and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources was created in mid-2003 and formalized in 2004 by the National Agricultural Research Institutions of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, together with four centers of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research: CIAT, CIFOR, ICRAF, and IPGRI. Associate institutions include regional research centers and universities. Consortium partners are creating an inter-institutional and interdisciplinary team, which will function as a "distributed network" of scientists, working at different sites in the Amazon. Under this arrangement, the Amazon Initiative will create conditions for institutional articulation and strengthen analytical skills to identify priorities for research and development intervention. In addition, the AI will develop methodological tools and information communication mechanisms to enhance the role of local agents for the sustainable development of their regions. In doing so, the AI will contribute to enhancing living conditions of traditional populations and smallholders in the region, while effectively contributing to integrated natural resource management and conservation efforts in sites highly exposed to development pressures in six Amazonian countries. Key words: interdisciplinary research, land degradation, international scientific collaboration, public policy, intervention strategy
Production constraints on cocoa agroforestry systems in West and Central Africa: The need for integrated pest management and multi-institutional approaches
Authors: Sonwa Denis J , Weise S. , Adesina A. , Nkongmeneck A B , Tchatat M. , Ndoye O.
Published: February 2014

Cocoa-producing countries of West and Central Africa experienced a serious economic crisis in the early 1980s,when the cocoa sector was liberalized and the macroeconomic policies of the sector changed. These institutional changes created new difficulties and challenges for sustainable cocoa farming. Farmers in this region have recently turned to timber and non-timber production to offset the fluctuation of cocoa prices. In a survey of 300 cocoa farmers in the humid forest zone of Southern Cameroon, pest and disease outbreaks were identified as the major limiting factors to sustainable cocoa production. An analysis of pests and diseases affecting the cocoa plantations in the humid forest zone of West and Central Africa revealed strong links to the type of forest cover found on or near the cocoa plantation. An integrated approach to pest management is proposed and the paper concludes with a discussion of current efforts to address constraints posed by pests and diseases on sustainable cocoa farming in the four main cocoa-producing countries of West and Central Africa. Key words: cocoa agroforest, farmer perception, forest landscape, multi-disciplinary approach, multi- institutional approach, Africa
Re-evaluating our approach to forest management planning: A complex journey
Authors: Mathey Anne-Hélène , Krcmar Emina , Vertinsky Ilan
Published: February 2014

The evolution of forest values from timber supply to ecological and social values has been leading to the redefinition of the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) paradigm. In parallel, scientific knowledge is expanding and uncovering the interconnectedness of the various processes that support these values. We thus have many wishes and much knowledge but we have to ensure that we have the decision support tools that will pull them together to promote SFM. After a broad review of the evolution of decision support tools in forest management, this paper presents a case for more holistic numerical planning tools. To illustrate that such tools can be designed, we propose a simple decentralized approach. In this approach, a landscape management strategy evolves based on local decisions, integrating spatial and aspatial, multi-period and period-specific goals. Such tools could become a useful platform for sustainable forest management planning. Key words: decision support tools, sustainable forest management, evolution, holistic planning, complexity, cellular automata
Forest fuel treatments in western North America: Merging silviculture and fire management
Authors: Johnson Morris C , Peterson David L
Published: February 2014

For many years silviculture and fire management have mostly been separate forestry disciplines with disparate objectives and activities. However, in order to accomplish complex and multiple management objectives related to forest structure, fuels, and fire disturbance, these two disciplines must be effectively integrated in science and practice. We have linked scientific and management tools to develop an analytical approach that allows resource managers to quantify and evaluate the effectiveness of alternative fuel treatments in dry interior forests of western North America. The principal tool is the Fire and Fuels Extension of the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FFE-FVS) for characterizing fuel succession and fire behaviour, and for quantifying and visualizing stand structure. FFE-FVS provides a user-friendly framework that facilitates rapid evaluation of thinning and surface fuel treatments intended to reduce crown fire potential and fireline intensity. This approach quantifies fire hazard at small and large spatial scales, assists with treatment priorities and schedules, and generates stand and landscape visualizations that facilitate decisions about appropriate fuel treatments. Key words: fire behaviour, fire hazard, fuel treatments, silviculture
Possibility schema for interdisciplinary forest management evaluation and decision-making
Authors: Kijazi Martin Herbert
Published: February 2014

Interdisciplinary planning and evaluation of forest management is necessary for sustainable forest management (SFM) schemes involving multiple values of multi-stakeholders. Often, multi-objective forest-planning and evaluation encounter complexity and uncertainty due to "inexactness"— i.e., fuzziness, ambiguity, imprecision and variability — of spatial behaviours of ecological and human systems. This paper develops the possibility schema — from fuzzy sets and theory of possibility — for representation and evaluation of inexact spatial concepts, configurations, and processes, associated with forest ecosystem and stakeholder values. A hypothetical case of interdisciplinary research utilizing criteria and indicators of SFM is used to illustrate the utility of the proposed possibility schema in interdisciplinary forest decision-making. The schema can be used for ex-ante appraisal and ex-post evaluation of forest programs. It can also be used for integration of interdisciplinary forest knowledge, including ecological and socio-economic models of SFM. Key words: decision-making, fuzzy sets, inexactness, interdisciplinary evaluation, multiple values, possibility theory, sustainable forest management, uncertainty
Using perceptual maps to communicate concepts of Sustainable Forest Management – Collaborative research with the Office of the Wet'suwet'en Nation in British Columbia
Authors: Allen S. Denise
Published: February 2014

This article discusses collaborative research with the Office of the Wet'suwet'en Nation on their traditional territories in north-central British Columbia, Canada, a forest-dependent region where contemporary and traditional forest resources management regimes overlap. In-depth personal interviews with the hereditary chiefs and concept mapping were used to identify social-ecological linkages in Wet'suwet'en culture to inform the development of culturally sensitive social criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management (SFM) in this region. The preliminary results demonstrate how the CatPac II software tool can be applied to identify key component concepts and linkages in local definitions of SFM, and translate large volumes of (oral) qualitative data into manageable information resources for forest managers and decision-makers. Key words: social criteria and indicators, sustainable forest management, qualitative research, Wet'suwet'en
Participatory requirements in forest management planning in Eastern Canada: A temporal and interprovincial perspective
Authors: Lecomte Nicolas , Martineau-Delisle Catherine , Nadeau Solange
Published: February 2014

With the introduction of the concept of sustainable forest management, the practice of public participation has become omnipresent. This study focuses on provincial participatory requirements in forest management planning (FMP). A comparative framework composed of four participatory process attributes (power, moment of participation, learning/interaction, and procedure) was used to obtain a temporal and interprovincial perspective of Quebec's new participatory process. Our results indicate that with respect to past processes Quebec's current approach allows certain stakeholders, but not the general public, to have more access to FMP. Comparatively, Ontario and Newfoundland have implemented different, clearly stated, approaches that involve the general public at numerous stages of FMP. Future research should concentrate on how these participatory requirements are implemented and on the public satisfaction with regard to this implementation. Key words: public participation, forest management planning, descriptive framework, Canada, Quebec, sustainable forest management
Facilitating deliberative governance: Innovations from Nepal's community forestry program – a case study in Karmapunya
Authors: Banjade Mani Ram , Ojha Hemant
Published: February 2014

This paper discusses the use of a deliberative approach to governance of environmental resources at the local-level. Used in conjunction with external facilitation, a deliberative approach to governance at the local-level can be used to build dialogue between diverse perspectives, interests, knowledge, and ideas of different stakeholders. A case study of a community forest user group (CFUG) in the central hills of Nepal is used to analyse the application of deliberative processes for promoting deliberative governance. The findings indicate that there is great potential for deliberative processes to make local governance of community forests more democratic and inclusive. Effective governance at the local-level can contribute to the creation of social equity and to the sustainable management of community forests. Key words: Nepal, deliberative democracy, community forestry, Participatory Action Research, external facilitation
How to wreck your own presentation: Twelve tips to confuse an audience
Authors: Wyatt Stephen , Thiffaul Nelson
Published: February 2014

Increasingly, professional foresters are expected to participate in communication and consultation processes to present specialised knowledge to non-foresters. However, forest management is increasingly complex; forestry is too important to be left in the hands of those who do not understand its intricacies. In this tongue-in-cheek paper, we provide professional foresters with twelve easy-to-use tips to ensure that presentations to non-foresters remain hermetic, confuse the public and preserve the exclusivity of our professional competence. Forging an unclear message, finding a bad title, and failing to adjust to listeners are just the first steps to success in boring an audience. Over-confidence in technical gadgets and an over-powering use of presentation backgrounds, fonts, and special effects will add to the confusion. Furthermore, efforts should be made to conceal the key message by hiding the big picture, maximizing the quantity of information, and using slides that no one will remember. Jargon is highly effective and should be used wherever possible. The speaker should treat the audience as an amorphous crowd, avoiding contact with individuals and dodging questions. We finally suggest using the last slide as an ultimate weapon to ensure that everyone leaves the room more confused than when they arrived. We hope that these simple tips will help professional foresters across Canada to make the most of opportunities for presentations, thereby reinforcing the correct role of the public in forestry. Key words: presentation, communication, public consultation
Impacts of climate change on forest product markets: Implications for North American producers
Authors: Sohngen Brent , Sedjo Roger
Published: February 2014

This paper examines potential climate change impacts in North American timber markets. The results indicate that climate change could increase productivity in forests in North America, increase productivity in forests globally, and reduce timber prices. North American consumers generally will gain from the potential changes, but producers could lose welfare. If dieback resulting from additional forest fires, increased pest infestation, or storm damage increases appreciably and has market effects, consumers will gain less and producers will lose more than if climate change simply increases the annual flow of timber products by raising forest productivity. Annual producers' surplus losses from climate change in the North American timber sector are estimated to range from $1.4 – $2.1 billion per year on average over the next century, with the higher number resulting from potential large-scale dieback. Within North America, existing studies suggest that producers in northern regions are less susceptible to climate change impacts than producers in southern regions because many climate and ecological models suggest that climates become dryer in the U.S. South. Key words: climate change, impact analysis, timber markets, forest ecosystems
Climate change impacts on drought-prone forests in western Canada
Authors: Hogg E.H. (Ted) , Bernier Pierre Y
Published: February 2014

From a climate change perspective, much of the recent international focus on forests has been on their role in taking up carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. The question of climate change impacts on forest productivity is also emerging as a critical issue, especially in drought-prone regions such as the western Canadian interior. Because of the complexity of interacting factors, there is uncertainty even in predicting the direction of change in the productivity of Canada's forests as a whole over the next century. In the most climatically vulnerable regions, however, successful adaptation may require more innovative approaches to forest management, coupled with an enhanced capacity for early detection of large-scale changes in forest productivity, dieback and regeneration. Key words: climate change, boreal forest, productivity, drought, impacts, adaptation
Integrating climate change adaptation into forest management
Authors: Spittlehouse David L
Published: February 2014

Future climate change will affect society's ability to use forest resources. We take account of climate in forest management and this will help us adapt to the effects of climate change on forests. However, society will have to adjust to how forests adapt by changing expectations for the use of forest resources because management can only influence the timing and direction of forest adaptation at selected locations. There will be benefits as well as loses and an important component of adaptation will be balancing values. Adaptation options to respond to impacts on the timber supply in Canada for the next 50 to 100 years are limited mainly to forest protection and wood utilisation because these forests are already in the ground. Adaptation through reforestation will focus on commercial tree species. It is important to start developing adaptation strategies now. These include assessing forest vulnerability to climate change, revising expectations of forest use, determining research and educational needs, development of forest policies to facilitate adaptation, and determining when to implement responses. Government agencies should take the lead in creating an environment to foster adaptation in forestry and in developing the necessary information required to respond. Key words: climate change, impacts, adaptation, vulnerability, forests, ecosystems, risk management
Adaptation to climate change: Genetic variation is both a short- and a long-term solution
Authors: Beaulieu Jean , Rainville André
Published: February 2014

We propose a methodology combining a biophysical site index model and a seed source transfer model based on both temperature and precipitation to estimate white spruce plantation yield under present and future global warming conditions. The biophysical site index model predicts dominant height at 25 years, which is further used to estimate plantation yield using yield tables. The transfer model shows that, on average, seed sources are best adapted to the temperature conditions where they presently grow, and give maximum yield under these conditions. However, this model also shows that transfer of seed sources to drier sites could improve plantation yield. To predict site index values under climate change conditions, values obtained from the biophysical site index model are corrected by a factor estimated using the seed source transfer model. Our simulation results predict that global warming should favour a slight increase in white spruce plantation yield in southern Québec. However, one cannot expect to obtain similar yields from a seed source rapidly exposed to warmer conditions compared with a seed source that is presently growing under climatic conditions to which it has become adapted. It would take several generations (adaptation lag) for a seed source to adapt to warmer conditions. We believe that the method we propose will be helpful in identifying the most productive seed source to be used at any given location in the province, and in revising seed source transfer rules. Key words: climate change, white spruce, provenance test, transfer model, site index, adaptation, plantation, GIS
Science in Forestry: Why does it sometimes disappoint or even fail us?
Authors: Kimmins J P , Welham Clive , Seely Brad , Meitner Mike , Rempel Rob , Sullivan Tom
Published: February 2014

Society invests in science to advance human interests and limit human impacts on the environment. However, despite great progress in forest science, governments and forest companies remain reluctant to invest adequately in research. We believe this reflects the perception that forest science serves itself more than forestry, and that one determinant of this perception is a misunderstanding of science. Science involves knowing, understanding and predicting. Many feel that only the reductionist, disciplinary, hypothetico-deductively-derived understanding component is hard science. Inductively derived knowledge and experience are often regarded as soft science. Predicting future states of forests involves complex hypotheses that are not amenable to traditional hypothesis testing and, according to some, this renders prediction of complex systems soft science. Science-based forest policy frequently employs hard science: the understanding component of science based on reductionist, jigsaw puzzle research. Necessary for the development of SFM, this is not sufficient for reliable prediction of possible forest ecosystem futures, for which knowledge and understanding must be synthesized into decision support systems at appropriate temporal, spatial and complexity scales. These should be linked to visualization software to create a common language by which to communicate to a diversity of audiences the available choices and their possible consequences. Key words: science in forestry, forest policy, ecosystems, prediction, decision support systems, visualization, “jigsaw puzzle” science, hard science, soft science
Equations for predicting tree height, total volume, and product recovery for black spruce (Picea mariana) plantations in northeastern Quebec
Authors: Liu Chuangmin , Zhang S Y
Published: February 2014

Several regression models with different independent variables were studied for their ability to predict total tree height, total stem volume, and product recoveries (lumber volume, chip volume, lumber value, and total product value) from a sawing simulator. A sample of 172 trees from black spruce plantations was used to fit model parameters and another independent sample of 139 trees was used for model evaluation. The sample encompassed large variations in tree characteristics and tree product recovery. All the fitted models were suitable for predicting their corresponding response variables. Model validation through actual product recovery data from a real stud mill further indicated that the general tree-level models for the product recovery were able to accurately predict product recovery, especially from small- and medium-sized trees, using measured tree characteristics. These models provide a valuable tool for forest managers in determining appropriate management strategies (e.g., stand volume and optimizing stand value). Key words: black spruce, regression analysis, tree characteristics, product recovery, sawing simulation
LiDAR  A new tool for forest measurements?
Authors: Evans David L , Roberts Scott D , Parker Robert C
Published: February 2014

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology with strong application potential in forest resource management. It provides high measurement precision that can be used for tree and stand measurements. Although LiDAR has not been used widely as an operational measurement tool, there is a significant body of research and a number of projects at Mississippi State University (MSU) that illustrate the potential for this technology to be incorporated into operational forest assessments. This paper provides basic background on the capabilities of LiDAR in a forest measurement context that illustrates specific examples of LiDAR use including: 1) individual tree assessments, 2) a forest inventory protocol currently being operationally tested, 3) forest structure analysis, and 4) forest typing. Key words: LiDAR, remote sensing, tree identification, tree measurements, forest inventory, forest types
Polymorphic site index curves for black spruce and trembling aspen in northwest Ontario
Authors: Carmean Willard H , Hazenberg G. , Deschamps K C
Published: February 2014

Site index curves were developed using stem-analysis data from dominant and codominant trees in 230 black spruce and 194 trembling aspen plots located in mature, well-stocked, even-aged stands. Black spruce plots were in five separate and independent data sets located on mineral and organic soils; trembling aspen plots were in three separate and independent data sets located on mineral soils. Computations showed that the Newnham nonlinear regression model was slightly more precise than other models commonly used for developing site index curves. This model accurately expresses polymorphic height growth for a wide range of site index and age and constrains predicted height to agree with specified 50-year tree height (site index). Computations showed that height-growth curves were similar for each of the five black spruce data sets; likewise, curves for each of the three trembling aspen data sets were similar. Therefore, the five black spruce and the three trembling aspen data sets were combined for computing a single set of black spruce and a single set of trembling aspen site index curves for Northwest Ontario. Comparisons between our Northwest Ontario site index curves and other black spruce and trembling aspen curves showed large differences in height-growth patterns for older ages. Reasons for these differences are uncertain but in many instances these could be artifacts related to study methods involving various amounts and kind of data and variations in analytical techniques. In some cases differences in climate, soil and topography may also be related to variations in these site curves. Key words: site quality evaluation, polymorphic height growth, site index curve comparisons
Achieving forest biodiversity outcomes across scales, jurisdictions and sectors with cycles of adaptive management integrated through criteria and indicators
Authors: McAfee B J , Malouin C. , Fletcher N.
Published: February 2014

The national forest strategy provided a model for Canada's international support for sustainable development, which later resulted in the development of a national biodiversity strategy. Adaptive management is a preferred approach for implementing such policies where incomplete knowledge and the highly variable dynamics associated with natural ecosystems are challenges. While the concept of adaptive management is embedded in various policies, complete implementation is only beginning in Canada. Case studies on adaptive management frameworks focusing on conservation and sustainable management of forest biodiversity compare how information has been integrated across spatial scales, jurisdictions and sectors of activity. To monitor progress in sustainable forest management, the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers established a framework of criteria and indicators in 1995. The potential for criteria and indicators reporting to drive cross-scale adaptive management of Canada's biological resources is discussed. Key words: forest biodiversity, conservation, sustainable use, criteria and indicators, adaptive management, monitoring
Monitoring ecological representation in currently non-harvestable areas: Four British Columbia case studies
Authors: Huggard David J , Dunsworth Glen B , Herbers Jim R , Klenner Walt , Kremsater Laurie L , Serrouya Robert
Published: February 2014

We evaluated representation of ecosystem types in non-harvestable areas within managed forests, as a coarse-filter indicator for biodiversity monitoring, with four case studies in British Columbia: Weyerhaeuser's coastal tenure, Clayoquot Sound on western Vancouver Island, Arrow Lakes in southwestern B.C. and Okanagan highlands of south-central B.C. Representation of some coarser- and finer-level ecosystem units was poor in the two studies with lower amounts of non-harvestable area, and more equitable in the two studies with more diverse harvesting constraints. Under-representation of highly productive sites and high proportions of edge area were concerns for most ecosystems. Representation would be improved with the addition of proposed new reserves in two of three study areas. We discuss specific management implications and broader recommendations for monitoring representation, including the need for regional analyses, tests with habitat structures and organisms, effects of other disturbances and updating monitoring results. Key words: biodiversity monitoring, ecological indicators, ecosystem representation, landscape planning, unmanaged areas
Personal and group forest values and perceptions of groups' forest values in northwestern Ontario
Authors: Lee Susan , Kant Shashi
Published: February 2014

With the recent involvement of a greater diversity of groups working in forest management planning, the identification and understanding of people's forest values and their perceptions of one another's values may be a promising approach to sustainable forest management. This study identifies and analyzes the forest values and perceptions of the members of four groups, Aboriginal People, Environmental Non-Government Organizations (ENGOs), the forest industry, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR), in northwestern Ontario. Conceptual Content Cognitive Mapping (3CM) was used to identify people's forest values and perceptions and dominant forest value themes were created using hierarchical clustering. Inter-group and intra-group similarities and differences among the rankings of participants' forest values and their perceptions were determined through various non-parametric statistical tests. Participants' perceptions about each group were generally similar, which included the two most prominent themes to be similar across all participants' perceptions of each group. Although the perceptions for a particular group were similar across the participant groups, they differed substantially with that participant group's personal ranking of the forest value themes. Key words: forest values, perceptions, stakeholders, cognitive mapping, sustainable forest management, collaborative decision-making
Dynamique et estimation du rendement des strates de retour après coupe totale dans la sapinière à bouleau jaune
Authors: Dubois Julie , Ruel Jean-Claude , Elie Jean-Gabriel , Archambault Louis
Published: February 2014

A total of 48 plots originating from clearcuts were studied in the balsam fir-yellow birch ecological domain of the province of Quebec, Canada, using dendrochronology. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of pre-cut stand type, structure and abundance of regeneration after logging, and soil type on stand dynamics. Results indicate a relationship between pre-cut stand type and the composition of second-growth stands. Ecological characteristics must be taken into account in order to estimate the abundance of advance regeneration and predict the evolution of stocking. Results also show that the structure of regeneration, described by a diameter index, can help in predicting yield at age 38. Devastation by the spruce budworm played a major role in second-growth stand dynamics making it difficult to predict balsam fir yield. The study has also shown an increase in intolerant hardwoods and a low softwood production on rich sites. Black spruce stands came back to black spruce.Key words: mixedwoods, succession, regeneration survey, yield, Choristoneura fumiferana
Modelling the relationship of tree-level product value with tree characteristics in black spruce
Authors: Zhang S Y , Lei Y C , Jiang Z H
Published: February 2014

The establishment of the relationship between tree-level product value and tree characteristics will allow for predicting the potential value of individual trees and a stand directly using tree characteristics. Using statistical and elasticity analysis methods this study examined the relationship of tree-level product value with selected tree characteristics in black spruce (Picea mariana). The study was based a sample of 139 trees from 48-year-old black spruce plantations grown in Ontario, Canada. The sample trees showed large variation in tree characteristics and tree-level product value. Models were developed and compared on the basis of statistics of the estimated and predicted criteria. Results show that the model, including only tree DBH, tree height and stem taper, is the best in describing the relationship of the tree-level product value with tree characteristics. Furthermore, relationships including input-output and interaction factors in the model were analyzed by calculating the elasticity of production and scale and the cross partial derivative of output with respect to the inputs. The analyses indicate that tree DBH has the largest and positive influence on tree-level product value, followed by tree height; however, stem taper has a negative effect on tree-level product value. When tree DBH, tree height and stem taper each increase by 1%, the quantities of output elasticity show 2.53%, 0.64% and -0.37% changes in the product value, respectively; while the scale elasticity shows a 2.81% increase in tree-level product value with a simultaneous 1% change in tree DBH, tree height and stem taper. Results indicate that the model is suitable for predicting tree-level product value using those tree characteristics from forest inventory and also reflects biological behaviour.Key words: black spruce, regression models, elasticity analysis, product value, tree characteristics
Growth of Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and ponderosa pine seedlings underplanted in a partially-cut, dry Douglas-fir stand in south-central British Columbia
Authors: Vyse Alan , Ferguson Christine , Simard Suzanne W , Kano Tamaki , Puttonen Pasi
Published: February 2014

The effects of partial cutting on seedling growth of three conifer species were studied at a very dry, hot interior Douglas-fir site near Kamloops, British Columbia. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex. P. & C. Laws.) seedlings were planted in mechanically prepared 50 cm × 50 cm patches under different canopy conditions created by harvesting 60% of the original stand volume. The prepared areas were selected to represent canopy closures from open to closed, slopes from 0 to 60%, and all aspects. After six years, survival of Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine was 78%, 76% and 70%, respectively. Light level had a strong influence on survival and condition. Growth of all species increased linearly with light, and was greatest for lodgepole pine, followed by ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. Multiple regression analysis showed that six-year seedling size was most significantly affected by total light, and only occasionally by aspect, slope, or crown closure. The best models explained 53%, 47% and 42% of the variation in diameter of lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir, respectively. Natural abundance 13C was positively correlated with light and soil moisture availability, reflecting higher photosynthetic capacity of all species in the wetter, open canopy conditions. Patterns in isotopic discrimination also indicated greater water use efficiency of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine than lodgepole pine under low light conditions. Underplanting stands thinned to a basal area of less than 15m2 per ha offers a solution to regeneration difficulties on hot, dry Interior Douglas-fir sites. Key words: partial cutting, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, light, soil moisture, 13C, growth, survival, Opax Mountain Silvicultural Systems Project
Future forests and indicator-species population models
Authors: Venier L A , Pearce J L , Wintle B A , Bekessy S A
Published: February 2014

In this paper, we provide an overview of a project that we initiated to explore the utility of spatially-explicit metapopulation models linked to dynamic landscape models as a way of incorporating biological indicators into sustainable forest management. We developed models for three indicator species as case studies; brown creeper (Certhis americana), redbacked vole (Clethrionomys gapperi) and red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus) in a northern Ontario landscape. Results from the project to date suggest that there are significant advantages to models that are spatially-explicit and dynamic in their treatment of both populations and landscapes. Dynamic landscape metapopulation (DLMP) models allow a manager to track population change through time in response to a changing landscape and a fluctuating environment. These DLMP models may be used to predict the impact of current and alternative forest management strategies on population sizes of a suite of species chosen to indicate the health of forest ecosystems. Key words: biological indicators, population viability analysis, population modeling, dynamic landscape modeling, sustainable forest management, brown creeper, red-backed salamander, red-backed vole
Throughfall in balsam fir: Some landscape-scale implications in western Newfoundland
Authors: Kesteren A. R. van
Published: February 2014

Throughfall, the process of rainfall passage through a tree canopy to the forest floor, is a critical hydrological cycle component affecting in situ soil to watershed-scale processes. The process has been widely studied at plot scales, but integrative forest stand and landscape studies are rare. A landscape-scale study was undertaken to investigate balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) forest cover, slope aspect, and interaction of these factors on throughfall receipt in western Newfoundland. ANOVA analyses found balsam fir forest cover to be the predominant variable influencing throughfall over the summer-to-autumn season. Slope aspect and interactions of forest cover and aspect were not significant. Some landscape-scale implications are discussed. Key words: balsam fir, forest hydrology, landscape scale, slope aspect, throughfall
Forestry Water Quality Index – A planning tool for the assessment and communication of the impacts of forestry activities on water quality
Authors: Tobin Annette , Khan Amir Ali , Khan Haseen , Moores Len , Taylor Jim
Published: February 2014

The assessment of the impacts of forestry activities on water quality is a critical component of forestry management and planning, especially when watersheds are being used for different water uses by different stakeholders. Traditional methodologies for assessing these impacts, while accurate, often do not take into account the intended use of water. Water quality data are inherently technical and are not conducive to communication to all stakeholders—especially the public. There is a need for a communications-based assessment tool that assesses the impact of forestry activities on water quality from the perspective of different water uses. This paper describes the development and application of such a tool, the Forestry Water Quality Index (FWQI). The FWQI has been developed specifically to capture, evaluate and communicate the impact of forestry activities on water quality to multiple stakeholders. Initially based on the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment's Water Quality Index, the FWQI was specifically adapted for applications in forestry management. Details of this adaptation and its methodology are outlined. Case studies from Newfoundland and Labrador illustrate the use of the FWQI for communication, performance evaluation, and planning and technical data analysis. The FWQI tool has the ability to compare pre- and post-forestry water quality data (communication), determine the effectiveness of best management practices (performance evaluation), predict water quality after forestry activities (planning) and evaluate seasonal variations in water quality (data analysis). These components provide useful information for the evaluation of the effects of forestry activities on water quality and to ensure sustainable forest management. It can be utilized by both forestry and water resources management to ensure sustainable development of the forestry sector. Key words: FWQI, sustainable forest management, water quality, Newfoundland and Labrador
Validating tree species composition in forest resource inventory for Nipissing Forest, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Pinto Fred , Rouillard Dan , Sobze Jean-Marie , Ter-Mikaelian Michael
Published: February 2014

Species composition estimated from forest resource inventory (FRI) was validated using field data collected in 136 stands in Nipissing Forest (Ontario, Canada). FRI- and field-based species composition matched in 54% and 56% of cases using stand count and area coverage, respectively. Possible causes of discrepancy between FRI- and field-based species composition are discussed. Low level of agreement between FRI and field data indicated a need for more extensive studies on FRI validation prior to its use for forest management planning. Key words: forest resource inventory, FRI, forest unit, photo-interpretation, timber cruise
Climate change and protected areas policy, planning and management in Canada's boreal forest
Authors: Scott Daniel , Lemieux Christopher
Published: February 2014

For over a decade, the international scientific community and protected areas professionals have recognized that climate change will have critical implications for protected areas policy, planning and management. However, only a limited literature to date has focused on the implications of climate change for specific protected areas jurisdictions (i.e., national and/or provincial/territorial parks systems). This paper provides an overview of the potential impacts of climate change on Canada's system of boreal protected areas, highlighting the cross-jurisdictional policy, planning and management sensitivities in this biome. Results of a nation-wide climate change survey with protected area organizations are also presented, which reveal a strong incongruity between the perceived salience of climate change for protected area policy and management and a lack of available resources to provide capacity to deal with the challenge of climate change adaptation. To safeguard against the limitations of traditional protected areas system planning, and to ensure the persistence of boreal ecodiversity over the 21st century and beyond, we call for more rigorous and practical discussion by Canadian protected areas agencies and organizations on the issue of climate change and for a collective and proactive management response. Key words: protected areas, climate change, boreal forest, Canada, adaptation, impacts, policy, planning, management
Perspectives of forest practitioners on climate change adaptation in the Yukon and Northwest Territories of Canada
Authors: Ogden A E , Innes J L
Published: February 2014

Forestry practitioners in the Yukon and Northwest Territories of Canada were asked to complete a questionnaire examining the likely impacts of climate change on forest sector sustainability and adaptation options to climate change. Practitioners were asked to self-assess their knowledge on various aspects of climate change and ranked their level of knowledge as generally only poor to fair, despite past educational efforts in this area. Changes in the intensity, severity or magnitude of forest insect outbreaks, changes in extreme weather events, and changes in the intensity, severity or magnitude of forest fires were the three impacts most frequently identified as having had an impact on sustainability. More than half of the respondents indicated that commodity prices, availability of timber, trade policies, environmental regulations, and the ability to secure needed capital as presently having more of a negative impact on sustainability than climate change. The assessment of 65 potential adaptation options was structured according to the criteria of the Montreal Process. The majority of respondents considered the goals of adaptation to be synonymous with the criteria of sustainable forest management, indicating the Montreal Process criteria provide a suitable framework for assessing adaptation options in the forest sector. The intensity, severity and magnitude of forest insect outbreaks under future climate conditions, forest growth and productivity, precipitation, climate variability and the intensity, severity and magnitude of forest fires were ranked as the most important areas where further information would be of assistance to decision-making. Key words: climate change, adaptation, boreal forest, forestry, Yukon, Northwest Territories