bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is everything all right up there? A long-term interdisciplinary silvicultural systems project in a high elevation fir-spruce forest at Sicamous Creek, B.C.
Authors: Vyse Alan
Published: February 2014

The Sicamous Creek Project was established as part of the British Columbia Provincial Silvicultural Systems program in 1990 to investigate the effects of clearcutting and other practices on a high elevation forested ecosystem. The objective is to provide the forestry community with information on the ecology of high elevation forests in the Southern Interior, and the probable responses to a wide range of disturbance. After a period of planning by a team of scientists and foresters from several agencies, a site in subalpine fir-Engelmann spruce forest at 1530 m to 1830 m elevation near the town of Sicamous in the south central interior of British Columbia was logged in the winter of 1994–95. A range of treatments was created by logging one third of the forest in 30 ha experimental units using a range of opening sizes (individual tree selection, 1/10 ha, 1 ha, and 10 ha) and a no-logging control. Within these experimental units, smaller areas (0.08 ha) have been treated to create a range of soil disturbance conditions (no disturbance, burning, complete organic soil removal, mounding). A wide range of studies has been conducted on the site by a team of scientists before and after treatment and those studies are continuing. The project is long-term, (at least 30 years), the main treatments are sufficiently large to have operational significance, and the supported studies are intended to be interdisciplinary in scientific method and scope. Support for the project is strong within the operational forestry community because information on logging costs, safety issues and snags, windthrow, bark beetle management, wildlife habitat and small streams has already been made available to them. Studies of stand structure and wildlife habitat suggest that in future much greater emphasis should be placed on the silviculture of fir than spruce. Key words: silviculture systems, clearcutting, opening size, Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, long term research, interdisciplinary research
Interdisciplinary research approaches to address complex forest management issues
Authors: Klenner Walt , Vyse Alan
Published: February 2014

We examine the role of interdisciplinary research projects in providing information to forest managers about complex and long-term responses by forest ecosystems to managed and natural disturbances. Traditional research approaches focus on identifying issues, implementing the appropriate experimental design, conducting the work and disseminating information through peer-reviewed articles or internal manuscripts. Such independent studies can provide information about a specific issue, but do not necessarily consider long-term impacts or effects on multiple resources. Interdisciplinary research installations that focus on basic ecological processes, while addressing some operational issues of interest to managers can be used to complement traditional research programs. The Sicamous Creek silvicultural systems experiment in the Kamloops Forest Region, British Columbia is used as an example of such a project. We identify some of the benefits that large scale interdisciplinary projects have, how they complement traditional approaches, some of the challenges these projects face, and the administrative changes that should be undertaken to provide an environment in which such projects can develop. Key words: ecosystem research, long-term ecological research, interdisciplinary research, forest management
Certification in Honduras: Perspectives of wood product manufacturers, consumers, NGOs and government forest policymakers
Authors: Vlosky Richard P. , Aguirre Juan Antonio , Montes Edna Carolina Soihet , Ozanne Lucie K. , Silva Gabriela
Published: February 2014

Although research has been conducted that examines certification issues from stakeholder perspectives in temperate forest regions, very little has been done in tropical supplier countries. This study identifies key certification issues in Honduras, a Central American producer and exporter of forest products. Five stake-holder groups were studied: primary wood products manufacturers, secondary manufacturers, government forestry policymakers, non-governmental organizations and consumers. Results indicate that there a general lack of awareness about certification, an increasing willingness-to-pay for certification as one moves from the forest to the consumer, the need for transparency in the process, and the belief that certification should be conducted by the government at a national level. Key words: certification, wood products, Honduras
Forest communities: New frameworks for assessing sustainability
Authors: Nadeau Solange , Shindler Bruce , Kakoyannis Christina
Published: February 2014

In both Canada and the United States, there has been a growing interest in the sustainability of forests and forest communities. Policy makers and scientists have attempted to understand how forest management practices can enhance or harm the future of such communities. Although many studies have historically used economic indicators as measures of community stability, more recently researchers have demonstrated that the relationship between communities and forests goes far beyond simple economic dependency. Thus, recent frameworks for assessing forest communities have also addressed the need for broader social and institutional components. In this article, we briefly review three of these recent concepts — community capacity, community well-being and community resiliency — and examine what each of these terms has to contribute to the assessment of forest communities. Key words: forest community, community stability, community capacity, community well-being, community resilience
Sense of place as an indicator of community sustainability
Authors: Stedman Richard C.
Published: February 2014

"Sense of place," or the meaning and attachments that community residents have towards their community, is a potentially useful and somewhat neglected indicator of sustainability. Issues of human community need to be addressed in forest management. Recent considerations of forests as complex ecological systems to be sustained have tended to neglect human concerns. These include, but are not limited to, economic well-being: other "subjective" indicators of quality of life are also relevant, and comprehensible via conventional scientific inquiry. Sense of place is one such indicator – although quantitative research on sense of place is in its infancy, it is readily understood through conventional social psychological measures, which have the advantage of being monitored over time or compared across settings. Key words: sense of place, social indicators, community well-being
"Too young to retire, too bloody old to work": Forest industry restructuring and community response in Port Alberni, British Columbia
Authors: Barnes Trevor J. , Hayter Roger , Hay Elizabeth
Published: February 2014

British Columbian coastal forest communities have suffered substantial job losses over the last twenty years as the forest products industry has been restructured. One of the most dramatic results has been severe community dislocation. Our paper examines both the economic restructuring and the associated community dislocation that occurred in one such coastal community, Port Alberni on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. The paper is divided into two main sections. The first provides a conceptual framework that interprets the recent restructuring of British Columbia's forest industry as a transition from an older Fordist model of manufacturing to a newer model are based on principles of post-Fordism. The second uses that framework to understand the massive changes occurring in the town, which include severe job loss (more 2600 positions have been lost over the last twenty years), various forms of financial distress, and attempts to assemble alternative local economic strategies of amelioration. Key words: forest economy, British Columbia, industrial restructuring, Fordism, Post-Fordism, single-industry towns, local economic development
Natural regeneration of jack pine following harvesting and site preparation in the Clay Belt of northwestern Quebec
Authors: Béland Martin , Bergeron Yves , Zarnovican Richard
Published: February 2014

A 36-ha experiment was carried out to assess the possibility of naturally regenerating jack pine stands following harvesting on clay soils of northwestern Quebec. Although differences between treatments were not statistically significant, there was a trend toward a positive effect of one treatment combining on-site delimbing and scarification with the Silva Wadell™ cone scarifier on jack pine seedling density (up to 10 000/ha) and distribution (50% of 1 m2 plots with at least one seedling, corresponding to 94% with 4 m2 plots), two years after harvest. However, scarified microsites contained fewer seedlings than expected and undisturbed humus contained more seedlings than expected. This result, contrary to what is generally reported in the literature may be explained either by the fairly humid conditions, favourable to germination and seedling establishment, occurring on clay sites or by the scarifier spreading the cone-bearing slash outward. Seedling abundance and distribution improved substantially from the first year to the second year following treatment. Although the irregular branch distribution over the cutover area appears to have limited regeneration success, combining on-site delimbing with soil scarification could lead to relatively good stocking of jack pine regeneration that could be enhanced by some fill-planting. This regeneration method could constitute an alternative to planting jack pine on clay. However, vegetation control to remove aspen competition might be necessary. Key words: jackpine, silviculture, natural regeneration, boreal mixed wood
New software allows Weyerhaeuser to master chemical safety compliance
Authors: Wysong Mark , Landals Jean
Published: February 2014

Like most forest products companies, Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd. uses chemicals in its daily operations and must comply with strict government regulations concerning how chemical hazards are communicated to employees. To improve its management of this chemical information, the company recently switched from a system of cataloguing reams of paper Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) by hand to a software-based system. The new MSDS system has greatly improved employee access to vital MSDS information. Now, all Weyerhaeuser employees can retrieve electronic MSDS information quickly and easily from their own workstations. The new software has enabled Weyerhaeuser to avoid costly fines and has cut emergency response time down to nearly two minutes. Key words: hazard communication, WHMIS, material safety data sheet (MSDS), chemical management software
The forgotten forest: Revisiting the Forestland Allocation Strategy
Authors: Sherry Erin E. , Johnson Chris J.
Published: February 2014

That British Columbia's forest industry faces severe environmental, social, and economic problems can be denied by only the most optimistic of forest managers. There is a crisis in our woods and people are looking for permanent solutions. Big, bold ideas are required to guide us out of the morass, including new approaches for allocating forestlands among different uses. Binkley's forestland allocation strategy (FAS) is one such proposal. This scheme, although efficient from an economic perspective, is seriously flawed from an ecological and aboriginal standpoint. These shortcomings render the FAS infeasible. Key words: forest management, forest policy, British Columbia, forestland allocation strategy, wildlife, First Nations
Innovative forest practice agreements–What could be done that would be innovative
Authors: Higgins Charlene
Published: February 2014

The concept and implementation of sustainable development are resulting in seemingly impossible goals for policy-makers and practitioners. Sustainability, in terms of government policies, tends to mean something quite different than what it means to Aboriginal peoples. Sustainability to Aboriginal peoples is not just about the environment and development; it is about survival of their peoples. Because of the close link between the social and economic elements of sustainable forest management, policies for strengthening the economic development of the forest sector are unlikely to be successful in the long run when they do not integrate environmental, social and cultural concerns. Innovative forest practice agreements (IFPAs) and other forms of community-based tenures offer vehicles to do so something unconventional–alternative mechanisms and means by which to incorporate indigenous knowledge and values and to implement Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Key words: Indigenous peoples, Sustainable Forest Management, Innovative Forest Practices, tenure arrangements, Article 8(j), Convention on Biological Diversity
Dégagement chimique ou manuel de plantations d'épinette noire? Étude de cas dans le domaine de la sapinière à bouleau blanc au Québec
Authors: Jobidon Robert , Charette Lise , Trottier François
Published: February 2014

This study aimed at comparing manual and chemical release treatments in black spruce plantations within the balsam fir – white birch ecosystems located in the Lower-Saint-Lawrence and inland Gaspé région of Québec. Three experimental sites characterized by competition dominated by red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) were selected for the study. On each site, a completely randomized block design with seven repetitions was used. Each block was composed of four plots, each representing a vegetation treatment: a manual release, a manual release to be repeated two years later, a chemical release using Vision® (Monsanto Canada), and no treatment on a control plot. The effects of treatment on spruce growth were assessed 1, 2, and 5 years after treatment. The spruce seedlings benefited from the release treatments. After five years, spruce diameter was 25.2 to 42.9% superior, height was 12.5 to 24.8% superior and the mean volume index was 89.3 to 168.6% superior to seedlings on control plots. Moreover, growth profiles over time for the released and control seedlings were not parallel; the seedlings in the released plots showed a growth rate which was superior to that of the control plots, and differences in growth trajectories increased over time. For the three experimental sites, chemical release showed no significant advantage over manual release when assessed after five years of spruce growth variables. This result is attributed to a relatively poor vegetation regrowth after treatment. A manual release treatment was applied a second time on only one of the three sites. In this case, spruce demonstrated a significantly higher growth than on plots which were only manually released once. The survival rate was not significantly affected by either of the treatments except when seedlings suffered mechanical damage. This study supports the hypothesis whereby sites located within the balsam fir – white birch ecosystems for which vigor of competing vegetation is moderate, a manual release treatment produces similar results to a chemical release treatment in terms of black spruce growth in the ensuing years. Key words: black spruce, chemical release, competition, manual release, red raspberry, spruce plantations.
Managing for sustainable development: 99% perspiration
Authors: Emmett Brian
Published: February 2014

For many years, Canadians have been at the forefront of thinking about the interdependence of people and the natural environment. Canada has achieved a high level of human development and has made progress toward a healthier environment in a number of areas. But important challenges remain. A key challenge is how to turn thoughts and words into concrete action. I believe that with sound management practices we can make significant advances in protecting our environment and promoting sustainable development.
A view to the future – Forestry in the new millennium
Authors: McIntyre Bruce
Published: February 2014

What will the forest industry look like in the new millennium? How can we keep up with this velocity of change and stay competitive? Bruce McIntyre, a Principal in the Global Forest and Paper Practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers, discusses three of the major factors that will shape the future of the forest industry and offers his perspective on how to succeed in the brave new world of the 21st century.
Economics of afforestation for carbon sequestration in western Canada
Authors: Kooten G. Cornells van , Krcmar–Nozic Emina , Gorkom Ruud van , Stennes Brad
Published: February 2014

The Kyoto Accord on climate change requires developed countries to achieve CO2-emissions reduction targets, but permits them to charge uptake of carbon (C) in terrestrial (primarily forest) ecosystems against emissions. Countries such as Canada hope to employ massive afforestation programs to achieve Kyoto targets. One reason is that foresters have identified large areas that can be afforested. In this paper, we examine this forestry option, focusing on the economics of afforestation in western Canada. In particular, we develop marginal C uptake curves and show that much less land is available for afforestation than would be the case if economics is ignored. We conclude that, while afforestation is a feasible weapon in the greenhouse policy arsenal, it might not be as effective on an economic basis as many forest-sector analysts make out. Key words: Climate change, economics of afforestation, Kyoto Accord
Leaf Area Density as an urban forestry planning and management tool
Authors: Kenney W. A.
Published: February 2014

Many of the benefits that we derive from urban forests are directly or indirectly related to the leaf area of the forest. If we are to consider these multiple benefits at the level of the forest, the use of Leaf Area Density (LAD) provides some advantages over other often used measures. Since many factors in the urban landscape can limit leaf area, Potential Leaf Area Density (PLAD) can provide a measure of the upper limit to leaf area density. Using these two measures, urban forest planners and managers can integrate many of the issues associated with broader aspects of the structure and benefits of the forest under their jurisdiction. Some planning, policy, and educational applications of LAD and PLAD are discussed. Key words: urban forestry management and planning, leaf area density
What I saw of the revolution: Reflections of a corporate environmental manager in the 1990s BC coastal forest industry
Authors: Coady Linda
Published: February 2014

Did MacMillan Bloedel really end the "war in the woods?" After years of intense battling, Greenpeace brought out the champagne for MB's June 1998 announcement of a new direction in forestry. In January 1999, Tomorrow Magazine, a global environmental business publication produced in Sweden, named MB "Company of the Year." MacMillan Bloedel Vice President Linda Coady, a key player in the company's remarkable turnaround, says that behind the scenes, the conflict continues. And surprisingly, she says it's appropriate and even beneficial to sustain debate over BC's forests – although on a different plane, where competition and cooperation are seen as two sides of the same coin, and where ideological polarization is replaced by the kind of relationships that can deal with complexity.
Experimental studies of potential improvements in the forest regeneration capabilities of "seed-containing aerial darts"
Authors: Wood A. D.
Published: February 2014

An evolving forest regeneration technique, based on the use of a "seed-containing aerial dart" (SCAD), provides for the delivery of seeds by helicopter through the distribution of darts, which serve as ground-penetrating containers for individual seeds. While many biological and technological aspects of this aerial sowing technique have been previously documented, the hitherto unpublished results of some growth experiments, carried out over a five-year period, are believed to offer the key to any future development. These simulated field experiments, although small in scale, demonstrate means for greatly improving the prospects for regeneration using aerial darts. Such means include dart configuration changes to provide for axially spaced seeds and the addition of slow-release fertilizer, when not in direct contact with seeds within the growth medium. Darts sown in the fall on mechanically undisturbed ground are shown not to be subject to frost heaving and lead to much earlier germination and faster growth than occurs with spring sowing. The presence of a surface layer of organic material is shown to be extremely beneficial in promoting vigorous seedling growth. The results confirm the potential applicability of the technique to sites, such as recently burned areas, with these characteristics, where acceptable regeneration performance is not an unrealistic objective. Key words: reforestation, regeneration, aerial reforestation, aerial seeding, aerial sowing, aerial darts, seeded darts, seed-containing darts, seed-containing aerial darts, helicopter seeding, helicopter sowing
Perceptions of landscape patterns: Do the numbers count?
Authors: D'Eon Robert G. , Glenn Susan M.
Published: February 2014

Human perception and intuition can powerfully influence how we measure and interpret landscape pattern. We compared human perception with more quantitative measures to determine their relative efficacy in arriving at conclusions about landscape pattern. We surveyed 30 professional workshop participants and 38 undergraduate students for their perception of landscape fragmentation before and after calculating a suite of landscape metrics. Participants' perception of fragmentation was most correlated with number of patches, patch density, and patch shape. Most participants retained their original intuitive response after calculating indices. We suggest that a lack of meaningful quantitative expressions for absolute landscape structure will continue to result in a dependence on intuitive human perception for management of landscape pattern. Key words: landscape pattern, forest fragmentation, perception, landscape metrics, forest management
Natural regeneration of ponderosa pine: Pest management strategies for seed predators
Authors: Keyes Christopher R.
Published: February 2014

Reliance on natural regeneration for reforestation of ponderosa pine forests is increasing as operational budgets decline and public hostility against intensive silvicultural methods increases. Seed predation by small mammals, however, remains an important cause of natural regeneration failure. Direct measures for seed predator control have been tested but have enjoyed only limited success. The best apparent opportunity for avoiding seed predator losses is to schedule harvests during years of large seed crops, when seedfall exceeds consumption and seed viability rates are high. Integrated pest management planning for natural regeneration should emphasize reforestation goals rather than pest eradication. Key words: ponderosa pine, natural regeneration, reforestation, pest management, seed predation
Past infestations of the white pine weevil in naturally regenerated spruce stands
Authors: Kimoto Troy T. M. , Borden John H. , Alfaro Rene I.
Published: February 2014

Past infestations of the white pine weevil, Pissodes strobi (Peck), were reconstructed by examining standing and felled trees in naturally regenerated interior spruce stands in the McGregor Model Forest in northern B.C. Infestations were common in both the Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS), wet cool (SBSwk) and very wet cool (SBSvk) biogeoclimatic subzones, demonstrating that frequent weeviling is a natural event that predates human intervention. Approximately one-third of all stem defects in 32 felled trees were verified as caused by the weevil. In the SBSwk and SBSvk 56.3% and 81.3% of felled trees contained weevil-caused defects, with 1.9 and 2.1 defects per tree, respectively. Trees in the SBSvk had significantly more weevil attacks high on the bole than trees in the SBSwk. Key words: white pine weevil, Pissodes strobi, white spruce, Engelmann spruce, Picea engelmannii × P. glauca
Application of large- and medium-scale aerial photographs to forest vegetation management: A case study
Authors: Pitt Douglas G. , Runesson Ulf , Bell F. Wayne
Published: February 2014

Five experimental conifer release treatments applied to each of four, three- to seven- year-old spruce plantations resulted in a mosaic of woody and herbaceous vegetation complexes after two growing seasons. A combination of 1:5000-scale overview and 1:500-scale sample photographs were evaluated as a means of mapping and quantifying cover in each of eight vegetation and two non-vegetation categories. On 23-cm format, 1:5000-scale photographs, blocks were stereoscopically stratified into areas (> 25 m2) of uniform vegetation. A random selection of eighty 70-mm format, 1:500 photo samples were then used as "training sites" to calibrate strata assessment on the 1:5000 photographs. Remaining sample plots were used to verify the accuracy of the final map product. Verification plots suggested that principle vegetation components such as tall, mid, and low shrub, grass, and herbaceous species were estimated to within 5–10% cover, at least 70% of the time. Errors for lesser components, such as dead shrub, conifer, bare ground and slash were 2–5% cover. Ferns could not be discerned at the 1:5000 scale and there was evidence of occasional confusion between herbaceous species and other life forms, including mid shrub, low shrub, and grass categories. Operational applications of the methodology are discussed. Key words: remote sensing, digitized aerial photographs, vegetation management, forest classification
The application of interactive multimedia CD-ROM technology to wildland fire safety training
Authors: Thorburn R. W. , MacMillan A. , Alexander M. E.
Published: February 2014

Interactive multimedia technology has been utilized in the development of a CD-ROM based wildland fire safety training course, Wildland Fire – Safety on the Fireline. Interactive multimedia technology allows delivery of training to a large number of students on a consistent basis. In addition, cost savings can be achieved through reduced learning time, reduced travel, minimal use of instructors, and most of all, through retention of knowledge as a result of using multimedia. The course, Wildland Fire – Safety on the Fireline, was developed and reviewed by a national team of specialists in wildland fire behavior and wildland fire safety with the intent of reducing and/or eliminating injuries and fatalities associated with the suppression of wildland fires. Wildland Fire – Safety on the Fireline focuses on due diligence, situational awareness, entrapment survival, health, equipment, and hazards encountered when working on the fireline. Each of the four sections comprising the course is followed by a board game test in preparation for a final test that is tracked by the computer. Key words: Canada, computer applications, fire behavior, fire entrapment avoidance, firefighter fatalities, firefighter physiology, fire suppression, fire survival, personal protective equipment, risk management, safe work practices, situational awareness, wildfire case studies, wildland firefighting, wildland-urban interface.
Sustainability and the Canadian forest sector
Authors: Nilsson Sten , Gluck Michael
Published: February 2014

The present paper examines the efficiency of the current established criteria and indicators for sustainable development of the forest sector. The current system of criteria and indicators concentrates on the management aspects instead of objective setting. The current system is too complicated to be implemented and neglects the fact that sustainability cannot be achieved by a top-down approach but only by the people working on the ground at the local level. This paper presents a number of guidelines on the necessary steps to be taken in order to move towards what we call "a forest sector for sustainable development." Key words: sustainable forest management, criteria and indicators, institutional/legislative framework, planning, data availability
Trends in forest depletion, seed supply, and reforestation in Canada during the past four decades
Authors: Morgenstern E. K. , Wang B. S. P.
Published: February 2014

Progress in reforestation is reviewed and the results of a 1999 survey of seed collection and utilization are presented. The review includes forest depletion, regeneration and seed supply for Canada for the 1960–99 period. Depletion of stocked, timber-productive land has increased from less than 2 million ha annually to just under 2.5 million ha, primarily due to an increase in harvesting from about 800 000 ha to slightly over 1 million ha in recent years, and also due to larger fires during the last decade. The depleted area amounts to 1% of the total commercial forest. Natural regeneration consistently covered more than 60% of the depleted area. Artificial regeneration (seeding and planting) has increased dramatically from 86 000 ha per year in 1965 to 513 000 ha in 1990, and has since levelled off at about 460 000 ha. The seed supply situation has also improved greatly, primarily due to tree improvement that resulted in the establishment of seed orchards, which were expanded from 364 ha in 1981 to 3008 ha in 1995. New analytical biochemical methods suggest that in orchard seed, genetic variation and diversity are maintained.The seed survey, including 36 conifer and 29 broadleaf species, indicated that 2.5 billion seeds were collected in 1999 (which was not a good seed year) and 3.9 billion seeds were sown. These 3.9 billion seeds appear to be sufficient to again restock approximately 460 000 ha per year, i.e., the same area as regenerated annually in the 1995–99 period. Improved seed treatment and sowing methods appear to have made seedling production substantially more efficient during the last 20 years. The major species sown in 1999 were: Picea mariana (35%), Picea glauca (22%), Pinus contorta (13%), and Pinus banksiana (12%). For Canada as a whole, 25% of the seed came from seed orchards, but for the Maritime Provinces, Québec, and Manitoba this percentage ranged from 60 to 90%. Orchard production is still growing: British Columbia and Québec will produce 80% of their planting stock from it during the next decade, and New Brunswick and British Columbia are already harvesting seed from second-generation orchards. It is expected that the high quality of seed obtained from seed orchards will contribute significantly to the efficiency of the reforestation program and increase the value of future forests. Key words: forest depletion, reforestation, seed orchards, seed supply
Canada's National Ecological Framework: An asset to reporting on the health of Canadian forests
Authors: Hirvonen Harry
Published: February 2014

The Canadian Forest Service, in cooperation with its partners, has a mandate to report on the health of Canada's forests and determine if, how, and why it is changing. A holistic perspective of forest health is taken whereby the ecosystem rather than a single element is considered. The use of the national ecological classification of Canada as a key reporting framework facilitates this task. Advantages for reporting purposes are several, including the use of ecological over jurisdictional boundaries to discuss ecosystems, wide national acceptance of the framework, and access to a wide array of other environmental databases that use the same framework. Compromises have to be made for forest health reporting as the ecological classification is not a forest ecosystem classification. However, advantages to using the framework for national reporting far outweigh these shortcomings. Key words: ecological land classification, forest health, national and international reporting
Polymorphic site index curves for jack pine in Northern Ontario
Authors: Carmean Willard H. , Hazenberg G. , Niznowski G. P.
Published: February 2014

Stem-analysis data from dominant and codominant trees were collected from 383 plots located in fully stocked, even-aged, undisturbed mature jack pine stands. Separate site index curves were independently formulated for four regions of northern Ontario using the Newnham constrained nonlinear regression model; these formulations were used for comparing regional site index curves at three levels of site index (10 m, 15 m and 20 m).Comparisons showed that no significant differences existed between the four regional curves as well as with previously published site index curves for the North Central Region. Each of the four regions had similar polymorphic height-growth patterns; therefore, data for the four regions were combined and a single formulation was used to develop a polymorphic set of site index curves for all of northern Ontario. We found that poor sites in each region had almost linear height growth up to 100 years breast-height age, but for each region height growth became more curvilinear with increasing site index. The recommended site index curves for northern Ontario are based on a formulation using only data from plots 100 years and less but this formulation was not significantly different from a formulation using only data from plots 80 years and less, or a formulation that included all data from plots older than 100 years breast-height age.Comparisons were made between our northern Ontario curves and other jack pine site index curves for Ontario as well as curves for other areas of Canada and the United States. These comparisons generally showed considerable older age differences. Reasons for these differences are uncertain but could be due to differences in the amount and kind of data used for these other curves, could be due to differences in analytical methods, or could be due to regional differences in climate, soil and topography. Key words: site quality evaluation, polymorphic height growth, regional site index curves, site index prediction equations, comparisons among site index curves.
Willows: An underestimated resource for environment and society
Authors: Verwijst Theo
Published: February 2014

In a global perspective and compared to poplar cultivation, willow cultivation has been the stepchild of the employment of the Salicaceae. While willows are grown and used for a large number of different purposes in both the northern and southern hemispheres, willow growing traditionally has been carried out on a small scale. However, the number of species in the genus Salix exceeds the number of Populus species by one order of magnitude, and the geographical distribution and physiognomic range of willow species is larger than of poplars. Only recently has a start been made to exploit the large biological variation within the genus Salix by means of breeding and selection and by means of new planting and management schemes. During only one century, the major obstacles to the availability of forest products have been shifting from technical and economic limitations to ecological and environmental constraints. Due to its high potential of environmental assets, a rapid development of all aspects of willow cultivation is envisaged during the next decades. Willow growing offers a range of products, services and new environmental applications well beyond the range of those encountered in poplar growing. As willow and poplar are closely related genera, several of the lessons learned during the large-scale breeding and cultivation of poplars are relevant to the field of willow growing. These include logistics, mitigation of risk for pest and disease transfer, and especially the need to ensure a wide genetic variability, containing material suitable for different site conditions. Large-scale implementation of sustainable short rotation forestry can be achieved by means of further exploitation of willow in its potential position in between forestry and agriculture, as a recipient of surplus organic nutrients from unbanised and intensively used agricultural areas and as a buffer between productive land and water courses. Key words: breeding strategy, clones, coppice, implementation, International Poplar Commission, pathogens, phytoremediation, Salix, willow
Distinctly Canadian silviculture and forest management
Authors: Weetman Gordon
Published: February 2014

In contrast to most other countries, Canada uses a leasing system for provincial Crown forests. It is unlikely this will change. Canadian forestry has been characterized by a struggle between landlord and tenant over the silviculture and forest management obligations of the tenant and the right of citizens as owners of the forest resource to know what is going on. Forest companies do not have equity in timber and are reluctant to invest in long-term management. Also, Canada is characterized by a broad band of boreal forest across the country with remarkable little contact between the provinces on forest management. Add to this new drivers for change due to customer demands for certification, and the practice of sustainable forest management and notions and concepts from conservation biology, particularly about emulation of historical disturbance. The reality of the present situation is that the price of access to Crown timber that costs nothing to grow is becoming more complex and expensive as demands for better inventories and monitoring increase.Canadian forestry is becoming more rigorous and accountable and under much more NGO scrutiny. Professional foresters have to be accountable, up-to-date, and behave like professionals. The challenges today are outlined for this new complex situation.
Divided land base and overlapping forest tenure in Alberta, Canada: A simulation study exploring costs of forest policy
Authors: Cumming Steven G. , Armstrong Glen W.
Published: February 2014

The forest planning environment in Alberta is complicated by multiple forms of forest tenure and by an arbitrary division of the forest into separate softwood and hardwood land bases. The area within and surrounding the Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. Forest Management Agreement (FMA) area exemplifies the problem, with a large number of independent forest products companies operating in the area. We model 17 sawmill operators and the Alberta-Pacific pulp mill trying to simultaneously satisfy their mill feedstock requirements from a forest.We examined the inefficiencies introduced by this tenure system using Tardis, a computer simulation model incorporating access development, timber harvest, and regeneration. We examined two scenarios: one representing the business-as-usual case where the 18 forest products companies are operating independently, and one where the forest is managed by one company that harvests timber and delivers it to each of the mills.The costs of the present tenure arrangements are, we believe, substantial enough to warrant a thorough re-examination of forest policy and tenure arrangements in Alberta, specifically with respect to land base designation and overlapping tenures. Key words: forest tenure, simulation modelling, timber harvest scheduling, policy analysis
Impact of Armillaria root disease on succession in red pine plantations in southern Ontario
Authors: McLaughlin J. A.
Published: February 2014

Armillaria root disease created openings in southern Ontario red pine plantations that are gradually succeeding to hardwood-dominated mixedwoods through natural regeneration. A study of 13 root disease centres found several tree and shrub species colonizing the openings. Black cherry was the most important hardwood and white pine the most important conifer colonizer. Mortality of black cherry and white pine regeneration was greater than for other species. Long-term survival of conifers in the centres is doubtful, and high mortality of black cherry is expected. Other hardwood species may fare better but with growth and yield losses due to Armillaria infection. Key words: Armillaria root disease, red pine plantations, succession, disturbance ecology, Armillaria ostoyae
Current trends in the management of aspen and mixed aspen forests for sustainable production
Authors: David A. J. , Zasada J. C. , Gilmore D. W. , Landhäusser S. M.
Published: February 2014

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) is a remarkable species that performs several significant ecological roles throughout its range while at the same time is facing ever-increasing harvesting pressure. Although its full product potential remains untapped, aspen utilization has increased noticeably in the past 15 years as it has become a desired species for engineered wood products such as oriented strand board, and a preferred hardwood in the production of high quality pulp and paper products. Concurrent with this increase in aspen utilization has been an increase in the importance of ecological concepts in forest management. Any new silvicultural concepts in aspen management designed to address these ecological concepts must be grounded in the silvics and life history traits of the species. Here we present three trends in aspen management; aspen retention, a renewed interest in aspen thinning, and the advent of cut-to-length (CTL) harvesters that allow forest managers to address these considerations by capitalizing on aspen's unique characteristics. Finally, we discuss traditional harvesting methods and these trends in the context of their genetic implications. Key words: aspen management, retention, thinning, cut-to-length harvesting, genetic variation, genetic diversity
Ice damage impacts on the health of the northern New York State forest
Authors: Manion Paul D. , Griffin David H. , Rubin Benjamin D.
Published: February 2014

Detailed crown condition information, including numbers of broken branches ≥ 5 cm diameter, broken tops, and healthy branches, were recorded for 5434 living trees > 9 cm dbh from 603 ten-basal-area-factor prism plots (three per forest stand) at 201 random points (stands) throughout the ice damage region of northern New York State. Twenty five percent of the sample stands had ≥ 20% branch breakage. Bigtooth aspen, red oak, red maple, and white pine had the most breakage. Comparison of potential mortality of trees associated with ≥ 75% ice damage (severe damage) to baseline (predicted) mortality to maintain the existing forest structure suggests that ice damage may alter the health of 18% of the forest stands but this is not sufficient to alter the health (sustainability) of the larger forest system. Key words: ice storm, forest health, sustainability, growth, mortality, dbh classes
Reduced ground beetle activity following ice damage in maple stands of southwestern Quebec
Authors: Saint-Germain Michel , Mauffette Yves
Published: February 2014

The 1998 ice storm led to significant tree crown loss in the deciduous forests of southwestern Quebec. Increased irradiation in the understory may alter edaphic parameters of affected forests, such as temperature and humidity. We examined effects such a disturbance might have on the epigeal fauna of sugar maple stands during the summers of 1998 and 1999. Dry pitfall traps were set in the deciduous forest of Mont-Saint-Bruno Provincial Park, 20 km southeast of Montreal, Quebec under three different post-ice storm conditions (light tree crown loss, severe loss, and gaps) from mid-July to mid-August. We captured significantly fewer total Coleoptera and Carabidae at sites damaged by the ice storm. Species diversity of Coleoptera was also lower at damaged sites. However, the daily activity cycle of the insects did not change following heavy crown loss. Synhuchus impunctatus (Say), the dominant forest species, proved to be very sensitive to the disturbance. Observed decreases in insect abundance may be related to environmental changes resulting from heavy crown loss; these effects were probably both direct (on metabolism) and indirect (on nutritional resources). Key words: Carabidae, crown loss, disturbance, ice storm, maple stands, Synuchus impunctatus
ENFOR - Energy from the forest
Authors: Hall J. Peter , Richardson J.
Published: February 2014

The ENFOR program, in effect since 1978, is reviewed in light of its objectives and accomplishments. ENFOR has made a difference in forest science and our knowledge and understanding of forest biomass production and the technology to increase the use of forest bioenergy. ENFOR successes include the Forest Biomass Inventory of Canada; the FORCYTE Model; the understanding of whole-tree harvesting/nutrient cycling; the Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector; and the development and testing of species, clones, and production technologies for energy plantations. The promotion of the program through various types of technology transfer in the field is a major success. ENFOR and its successor programs will strive for closer cooperation and integration of forest bioenergy activities and energy delivery systems, which should increase the supply of forest biomass while contributing to the reduction of environmental stress. Key words: bioenergy, short rotation crops
Economies of scale for a national research organization: Looking for opportunities beyond the nose hairs on bears
Authors: McKenney Dan
Published: February 2014

Some scientists study nose hairs on bears. There is nothing wrong with that. But scientists in a national research organization with local and national clients need to continually search for what could be termed economies of scale in their research. This paper reviews some concepts that could help capture economies of scale in research. Key strategies are undertaking activities that cross local to regional and national scales and working on generic problems that have a reasonable potential for wide adoptability. The economics of adoption should be considered during the planning phase—not when the project is over. Another important consideration is gathering, compiling and collating primary data and making it available with good metadata. Efficiencies may also be captured with problem-oriented, cohesive multi-disciplinary teams. Key words: research policy and planning, generic problems and processes, primary data, teams, economies of scale
Comparison of forestry-based remote sensing methodologies to evaluate woodland caribou habitat in non-forested areas of Newfoundland
Authors: McLaren Brian E. , Mahoney Shane P.
Published: February 2014

Forest inventory maps and a manual interpretation of forestry-enhanced Landsat imagery are compared to the results of a detailed aerial photograph interpretation used to map habitat for caribou (Rangifer tarandus terra novae) in a relatively unforested region of Newfoundland. This comparison serves as an illustration of the pitfalls inherent in using readily available remote sensing technologies in applications for which they were not intended. The non-forest classes in the Newfoundland Forest Inventory are too broad to describe single vegetation communities, and only rarely are vegetation communities found entirely within a single forest inventory class. For example, "bog" is relatively well associated with wetland vegetation classes and "barren" with upland classes, but "scrub" is a misleading term used to describe both forest and non-forest communities. An earlier (global) forest classification for Newfoundland has a more reliable association of scrub with forest, but a less reliable identification of bog than later updates to the forest inventory in the study area. Landsat imagery applications for forest inventory updates do not appear useful in identifying non-forest vegetation communities. Caution should be taken in using forest inventory maps in wildlife habitat applications when the habitat includes important non-forest components. Key words: forest inventory, habitat classification, Landsat imagery, mapping, remote sensing