bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individual-tree basal area growth models for jack pine and black spruce in northern Ontario
Authors: Zhang Lianjun , Peng Changhui , Dang Qinglai
Published: February 2014

Individual-tree models of five-year basal area growth were developed for jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) in northern Ontario. Tree growth data were collected from long-term permanent plots of pure and mixed stands of the two species. The models were fitted using mixed model methods due to correlated remeasurements of tree growth over time. Since the data covered a wide range of stand ages, stand conditions and tree sizes, serious heterogeneous variances existed in the data. Therefore, the coefficients of the final models were obtained using weighted regression techniques. The models for the two species were evaluated across 4-cm diameter classes using independent data. The results indicated (1) the models of jack pine and black spruce produced similar prediction errors and biases for intermediate-sized trees (1228 cm in tree diameter), (2) both models yielded relatively large errors and biases for larger trees (> 28 cm) than those for smaller trees, and (3) the jack pine model produced much larger errors and biases for small-sized trees (< 12 cm) than did the black spruce model. Key words: mixed models, repeated measures, model validation
Retrospective evaluation of the onset period of the visual symptoms of dieback in five Appalachian sugar maple stand types
Authors: Roy Gabriel , Larocque Guy R , Ansseau Colette
Published: February 2014

In the early 1980s, a sharp increase in dieback of sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) was reported across large areas of the north-eastern American continent. Despite numerous studies, there are conflicting interpretations as to the causes of dieback that can be linked to uncertainties as to when the occurrence of the visual symptoms appeared. Three different approaches were used to determine the onset period of the visual symptoms of dieback in Appalachian sugar maple stands: (1) dendrochronological analysis; (2) retrieval of information in official documents that reported dieback symptoms; and (3) development of a questionnaire sent to private forest land owners. Dieback severity was evaluated annually in 104 Appalachian sugar maple stands in southwestern Quebec. Results indicated that the pattern of dieback progression did not vary significantly among the five different types of sugar maple stand that were examined. The three investigative approaches led to the conclusion that the onset of the visual symptoms occurred between 1974 and 1978. Key words: Acer saccharum Marsh., dieback, sugar maple, symptoms, progression
Spatial prediction of the onset of spruce budworm defoliation
Authors: Magnussen Steen , Boudewyn Paul , Alfaro Rene
Published: February 2014

A logistic regression model for spatially explicit predictions of the likelihood of an onset of stand-level spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana, Clemens) defoliation in a 15 000 km2 study area in northern British Columbia, Canada is developed. Predictions are derived from stand (volume and needle biomass) and topographic attributes (distance from nearest river, distance from previous year defoliation, and stand elevation) collected during the first 12 years of a current budworm outbreak. The likelihood of an onset of defoliation increased with an increase in stand volume and biomass of current needles and it decreased with an increase in the distance to the nearest river and to the nearest stand with a defoliation recorded for the year prior to the year of prediction. Stands located at higher elevations sustained less defoliation than stands located at lower elevations. A single model is assumed adequate for predictions throughout an entire outbreak cycle. Observed and predicted relative frequencies of locations with an onset of defoliation compared relatively well. Key words: Choristoneura fumiferana; Picea; logistic regression; nearest neighbour distance
Testing the Lake States variant of FVS (Forest Vegetation Simulator) for the main forest types of northern Ontario
Authors: Lacerte V. , Larocque G R , Woods M. , Parton W J , Penner M.
Published: February 2014

The Lake States variant of the FVS (Forest Vegetation Simulator) model (LS-FVS), also known as the LS-TWIGS variant of FVS, was validated for black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) forests in northern Ontario. Individual-tree data from 537 remeasured sample plots were used. This dataset included different combinations of site index, stand density and age. It was possible to compare observations and predictions for different projection length periods. The validation exercise included a biological consistency analysis, the computation of mean percent difference (MPD) for stand density, stand basal area, top height and quadratic mean diameter (QMD) and the comparison of observed and predicted individual-tree dbh. The biological consistency analysis indicated that LS-FVS logically predicted the effect of site index on top height, stand basal area and QMD for black spruce and jack pine. However, the decrease in stand basal area at young ages was inconsistent with the normal development pattern of the forest stands under study and was attributed to deficiencies in the prediction of mortality. LS-FVS was found to underpredict stand density, stand basal area and top height and to over-predict QMD. Even though there were large errors in the prediction of change in stand density, LS-FVS was nevertheless consistent in the prediction of the shape of the dbh size distribution. Key words: FVS, Forest Vegetation Simulator, validation, biological consistency analysis
CERTFOR: A new sustainable forestry management standard for Chile's forest plantations
Authors: Dubé F. , Gignac G. , Miranda M I , Melo E.
Published: February 2014

This technical paper reviews CERTFOR, the Chilean initiative for sustainable plantation forestry. Since its release in January 2002, 1.5 million ha of Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus species plantations have been certified as well managed, Forestal Arauco S.A. becoming the first company and major player with nearly 35% of total planted woodlands in Chile. QMI conducted the audits using a multidisciplinary international team. The structure of the standard includes 9 principles, 43 criteria and 190 indicators. In early 2004, the PEFC started a public consultation period for the assessment of CERTFOR. Once completed, it will be the first non-European standard to be recognized by PEFC. Key words: Arauco, certified forest plantations, CERTFOR, PEFC, QMI, stakeholder consultation, sustainable forest management practices
An examination of value-added and variable cost trends across Canadian forest regions and sectors
Authors: Lantz Van
Published: February 2014

Value-added forestry has received much attention in the past few decades as a means of generating more output value for a given timber input. The growth in value-added production in the forest industry is directly affected by changing forest output/input prices, technology, investment strategies, government policies, and a host of other factors. Since many of these factors are unique to each forest region and sector in Canada, it is expected that one would observe a number of different value-added and variable cost trends over time. The purpose of this paper is to examine value-added and variable cost trends in five regions and three sectors of the Canadian forest industry over the 197095 period in order to shed light on those that are the most promising. A seemingly unrelated regressions technique is employed to the data set and findings reveal that a number of sectors and regions have exhibited favourable value-added/variable cost trends. Others, however, have not. Suggestions are made as to where future industry investments and government policies might be directed to aid in the development of value-added. Key words: Canadian forest industry, value-added, variable cost, profit, regional analysis, seemingly unrelated regressions
Comparison of Armillaria root disease on burned and unburned, harvested sites in Ontario
Authors: Whitney R D , Irwin R N
Published: February 2014

Averages of 10, 10, 0 and 4% of white spruce, black spruce, balsam fir and jack pine saplings were killed by Armillaria Root Disease (ARD), after 10 years following planting around 50 infected stumps that had been prescribed burned. Comparable averages on an unburned control area of 8, 8, 0 and 6% were not significantly different from the burned area. ARD did not occur in any trees planted adjacent to five deeply burned stumps. However, no statistically significant relationship was found between ARD and intensity of burn on stumps. Significantly (p = .05) fewer balsam fir saplings were killed by ARD than of either white or black spruce. Jack pine heights were significantly greater (p = .05) than those of the other species on both locations after10 years, and on the unburned site after 17 years (experimental trees on the burned site were inadvertently cut during a silvicultural thinning in the year prior to measurements in the 17th year). Balsam fir heights were significantly less (p = .05) than those of the other three species on both sites after 10 years, and after 17 years on the unburned site. Key words: Root rot, Armillaria, burning, height growth, spruce, balsam fir, jack pine
Growth intercept models for black spruce, jack pine and balsam fir in Quebec
Authors: Mailly Daniel , Gaudreault Mélanie
Published: February 2014

The objective of this study was to develop variable growth intercept models for coniferous species of major importance in Quebec using Nigh's (1997a) modelling technique. Eighty-three, 68, and 70 stem analysis plots of black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] BSP), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill) were used, respectively. The growth intercept models for black spruce were the most precise, followed by those for jack pine and finally by those for balsam fir, based on the root mean square errors. Results indicated that the accuracy of the models was good, relative to those previously published for other species in Canada. Interim testing of the models revealed a low mean error for all three species that may not be of practical significance for site index determination, although more data should be obtained to further test the models. Key words: balsam fir, black spruce, growth intercept, jack pine, model, nonlinear regression, site index
Tree crown ratio models for multi-species and multi-layered stands of southeastern British Columbia
Authors: Temesgen Hailemariam , LeMay Valerie , Mitchell Stephen J
Published: February 2014

The ratio of live crown length to tree height (crown ratio; CR) is often used as an important predictor variable for tree level growth equations, particularly for multi-species and multi-layered stands. Also, CR indicates tree vigour and can be an important habitat variable. Measurement of CR for each tree can be time-consuming and difficult to obtain in very dense stands and for very tall trees where the base of live crown is obscured. Models to predict CR from size, competition and site variables were developed for several coniferous and one hardwood tree species growing in multispecies and multi-layered forest stands (complex stands) of southeastern British Columbia. Simple correlations indicated the expected relationships of CR decreasing with increasing height, and with increasing competition. A logistic model form was used to constrain predicted CR values to the interval [0,1]. Also, predictors were divided into tree size, stand competition, and site measures, and the contribution of each set of contributors was examined. For all models, height was an important predictor. The stand competition measure, basal area of larger trees, contributed significantly to predicting CR given that crown competition factor was also included as a measure of competition. Logical trends in CR versus size and competition variable groups were reflected by the models; site variable slightly improved predictions for some species. Much of the variability in CR was not accounted for, indicating that other variables are important for explaining CR changes in these complex stands. Key words: crown ratio, multi-species stands, multi-layered stands, basal area of larger trees
Forest conditions and management under rapid legislation change in Romania
Authors: Strimbu Bogdan M , Hickey Gordon M , Strimbu Vladimir G
Published: February 2014

This paper evaluates the effects of post-communist economic transition on forest resources in Romania. Using data from 1993 and 2003, our research describes a sample of forested landscape units based on seven environmental attributes. These attributes were then compared to four technical attributes associated with forest management planning. The comparative analysis revealed that many forest stand attributes were significantly affected between 1993 and 2003, potentially by the forest ownership change, while most of the forest management attributes were not. Our results suggest that a dramatic change in forestry legislation does not necessarily result in a dramatic change in the descriptive characteristics of forest resources in that jurisdiction but, rather, in the structure of the forest. Key words: economic transition, Eastern Europe, forestry, policy, non-parametric statistics
Ice storm impact and management implications for jack pine and pitch pine stands in New York, USA
Authors: Yorks Thad E , Adams Kenneth B
Published: February 2014

In January 1998, an ice storm caused severe damage to the rare jack pine – pitch pine barrens in northeastern New York. We quantified tree damage and recovery in seven barrens stands and an adjacent red pine stand. Ice storm damage was variable among stands with 44% to 94% of trees exhibiting damage. Live tree basal area (BA) was reduced by 9% to 45% in six of the eight stands, and dead tree BA increased in all stands. In mixed jack pine – pitch pine stands, the percent of jack pines dead after the ice storm (71% to 91%) was much higher than red maple (0% to 7%) or pitch pine (17% to 25%).Mortality of pitch pine was very low due largely to its ability to produce epicormic growth. Red pine exhibited more severe damage than eastern white pine. Because pine regeneration remains absent or sparse in the barrens stands, deciduous trees and ericaceous shrubs may eventually replace pine species. Mortality due to ice damage may exacerbate this problem in the absence of some regenerating disturbance, such as fire or harvesting. Key words: ice storm damage, pine barrens, Pinus banksiana, jack pine, Pinus rigida, pitch pine, Pinus resinosa, red pine, Pinus strobus, eastern white pine, Acer rubrum, red maple
Effets du drainage sur la croissance et le statut nutritif dun peuplement dépinette noire de structure inéquienne : résultats de 10 ans
Authors: Prévost Marcel , Dumais Daniel , Plamondon André P
Published: February 2014

We present the 10-year results of a forest drainage experiment conducted in a pre-mature uneven-aged black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] BSP) stand, in Bas-Saint-Laurent, Québec, Canada. The set up included 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 m ditch spacings, and the data were pooled in three diameter classes, ≤ 4 cm (small stems), 610 cm (medium-size stems) and ≥ 12 cm (large stems), in order to take into account stand structure in the analysis. The diameter growth of large stems (dominant cover, height ~ 812 m) was not improved by drainage. Medium-size stems (intermediate story, ~ 48 m) showed a better growth at a 510 m distance from the ditches, while small stems (understory ~ 14 m) reacted well to drainage, proportionally to ditch closeness. Generally, growth and gain attributable to drainage increased with the live crown ratio, from one third of the total tree height. We did not detect any effect of drainage or distance from the nearest ditch on the nutrient content of the current year foliage of the large stems. For small stems, even the individuals located at 2530 m from the ditches showed a growth increase compared to the control, although the understory did not benefit from full light conditions. Results suggest that drainage aiming at correcting watering-up following harvesting could permit a rapid growth increase of advance growth. Key words: diameter growth, foliar analysis, forest drainage, black spruce, Picea mariana, forested peatland
Regeneration standards: What has the past to show us?
Authors: Armson K A
Published: February 2014

The historical development of regeneration surveys in Canada and the associated development of methodologies and standards are reviewed. The importance of sampling methodology and quadrat size in determining stocking values is stressed. The use of technically-based stocking data to inform the public about regeneration is questioned. It is argued that there is need for a new and imaginative measure that is both factual and can be readily comprehended by the public. This presents a challenge to foresters and the governments when reporting on the state of the public's forests. Key words: regeneration standards, stocking, quadrat size, survey methodology, terminology and presentation
Does interdisciplinary research require interdisciplinary education?
Authors: Anderson Jay A
Published: February 2014

This paper presents an alternative view to some of the ideas put forth in The Forestry Chronicle (Vol. 81, No. 3) by arguing for a disciplinary approach to graduate-level education. There appears to be a diverging dichotomy between the educational requirements of forest managers and forest researchers. Forest managers today are barraged by an increasingly broad set of problems, and therefore likely benefit from an interdisciplinary education at the undergraduate level. In stark contrast to this generality, modern forest researchers solve problems so intricate and complicated that often only those specialists on the frontier of an academic discipline can contributewhich is why graduate-level curricula should, for the most part, remain disciplinary. Key words: forest management, forest research, undergraduate-level curricula, graduate-level curricula, disciplinarity
Market prospects for Acadian forest products in the context of future energy availability
Authors: Salonius Peter
Published: February 2014

As the peak of non-renewable energy production passes during the next forest rotation it is expected that markets, which have recently been driven by pulp and paper and dimension lumber exports, will shrink due to a general decrease in the affluence of the customer base and attrition in its numbers. An expected increase in demand for forest biomass fuels should begin to influence present silvicultural investment decisions now. Emphasis on the production of softwood fibre for commodity markets should yield to emphasis on the restoration of diverse Acadian temperate forest species assemblages. Means of encouraging a shift in harvesting practices in advance of changes in market demand are discussed. Key words: energy scarcity, market alteration, silvicultural investments
Perspectives on sustainable development and sustainability in the Canadian forest sector
Authors: Emmett Brian
Published: February 2014

Decisions made about forest resources are increasingly dominated by concerns about limits, trade-offs, and diminishing returns from commodities. By focusing on sustainable development and the transformative power of human ingenuity, forest resources we need not regard as finite. The value of sustainable development lies in its power to place scientific and technical innovation into a dynamic framework relevant to those making policy and management decisions. Key words: sustainable development, natural resources, limits, forest sector, commodities, innovation
Raising the profile of Canada's 9th forest region: Urban forests
Authors: Rosen Michael , McCready Jim , Bull Tony
Published: February 2014

A recent CIF Ottawa Valley section meeting in Carleton Place, Ontario was cause for reflection on the important role of urban forests. In spite of their well-known benefits, Canadian urban forests are under great pressure. However, recent developments in municipal planning and the creation of the Canadian Urban Forest Network show some progress — developments encouraged for the first time by the most recent National Forest Strategy. This contrasts to a historic denial by forestry organizations to include urban forests as part of "Canada's Forests" in spite of their economic and environmental significance. It also contrasts with urban forest programs initiated by the USDA Forest Service in the United States. For smaller communities like Carleton Place, urban forests are very important. They are being recognized by the community through its Official Plan, in operational guidelines and through an R.P.F.-led volunteer Urban Forest Advisory Committee. Key words: urban forests, strategic urban forest plans, Canadian Urban Forest Network, Urban Forest Advisory Committee
Viability of carbon offset-generating afforestation projects in boreal Ontario
Authors: Biggs Jeffrey , Laaksonen-Craig Susanna
Published: February 2014

Carbon offsets generated under the Kyoto Protocol (KP) should be included in the management options considered by resource managers. This paper investigates investments in afforestation for the generation of KP-compliant carbon offsets in the Timmins Management Unit, concentrating on the availability of quality carbon budget models, domestic carbon market concerns and the presence of an enabling environment. A modelling exercise is undertaken using GORCAMWC1, with ownership, leading species, investment horizon, site productivity and carbon price as variables. Under current institutional frameworks, afforestation projects with the purpose of generating carbon offsets in the TMU are not viable investments for the first commitment period, though such projects will be profitable under certain conditions if constraints are removed and investment is long term. Key words: afforestation, Kyoto Protocol, boreal Ontario, carbon sequestration
Detection of post-fire residuals using high- and medium-resolution satellite imagery
Authors: Kachmar Mark , Sánchez-Azofeifa G. Arturo
Published: February 2014

Forest fires can burn across large forested areas over short time periods, but they rarely consume all the trees in their path. Fires leave live irregularly shaped patches or rows of mature trees known as "residuals" within the fire perimeter. IKONOS and Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus satellite imagery were acquired over two forested areas affected by fire in the northern boreal forest of Alberta. Each image was classified and residuals were detected with greater than 88% accuracy. Residual patches were grouped into nine minimum mapping unit (MMU) classes and area, patch, and shape level metrics were calculated for each group. Analysis of metric results highlighted how the choice of satellite imagery used to characterize and quantify residuals, the size of the MMU used to define the residuals, and human induced land use cover change (LUCC) processes occurring within fire perimeters were interrelated factors that impacted estimates of residual numbers and sizes. Residual metrics calculated in one fire perimeter should therefore be carefully assessed according to local land use and land cover change dynamics before suggesting that residual information captured in any fire perimeter can typify residual patterns elsewhere. Key words: remote sensing, high resolution, medium resolution, satellite imagery, forest fires, wildfire, residual forest islands, geographic information systems (GIS), minimum mapping unit
Introduction of Canadian tree species to the Northeast of China
Authors: Wang Ben , D’Eon Steve , Dong Jian
Published: February 2014

This paper describes the early results of the introduction of some Canadian tree species to Liaoning Province in Northeast China. Based on earlier trial results from the 1920s and testing over the last 20 years, some of the introduced conifers show strong adaptation to the new ecological and climatic conditions with normal flowering and fruiting, excellent growth rates, and resistance to local pests. Of the seventeen introduced species tested, eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.), jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), and pitch pine (Pinus rigida Mill.), show the most promising results as compared to indigenous pine species (i.e., Pinus tabulaeformis Carr., P. koraiensis Sieb. et Zucc., and P. sylvestris var. mongolica Litv.). These findings have resulted in the implementation of large-scale planting programs of jack pine in the current five-year plan of the provincial forestry authority. In parallel with the seed source trials, seed production areas have been established by selecting promising sources and species for developing local landraces for future seed production. The application of this successful cooperation will not only increase the forest cover of Liaoning from the current 31% to 35%, improving the environment and wood supply, but also serve as a model for the region as well as for other jurisdictions. Key words: species introduction, seed source, ecological adaptability, landrace, seed production areas
Monitoring late-successional forest biodiversity in the Pacific Northwest, U.S.A.
Authors: Spies Thomas A , Martin Jon R
Published: February 2014

The era of ecosystem management for federal forest lands in the Pacific Northwest began in 1994 with the adoption of the Northwest Forest Plan. This plan was designed to maintain and restore species and ecosystems associated with late successional and old-growth forests on over 10 million ha of federal lands in Washington, Oregon and California. The plan called for implementation monitoring, effectiveness monitoring, and validation monitoring for a variety of ecological and socio-economic components. Monitoring has become a central part of management of the federal forests in the region and managers and scientists have gained considerable experience in implementing this large and complex program. The components of the monitoring plan include late-successional/old growth vegetation, northern spotted owls, marbled murrelets, aquatic habitat and social conditions. The monitoring plan is strongly based on vegetation layer created with TM satellite imagery and on a regional grid of forest inventory plots. The lessons learned from the implementation of this monitoring plan include: 1) agencies need to devote considerable resources to insure that effective monitoring will occur at broad scales; 2) aggregation of local monitoring efforts is not a substitute for a designed regional monitoring plan; 3) vegetation structure and composition, measured with satellite imagery and inventory plots, is a cost-effective, broad-scale indicator of biological diversity; 4) some species, such as threatened and endangered species, are not necessarily covered with habitat approaches and may require population monitoring; 5) our scientific understanding of monitoring components will vary widely as will the approaches to data collection and analysis; 6) monitoring requires research support to develop and test metrics and biodiversity models; 7) links of monitoring to decision-making (adaptive management) are still being forged. Key words: aquatic ecosystems, endangered species, old-growth forests, Pacific Northwest, USA, regional ecosystem management
Évolution des forêts québécoises au regard des habitats fauniques : analyse des grandes tendances sur trois décennies
Authors: Crête Michel , Marzell Lothar
Published: February 2014

As forest management intensified between the 1970s and the 1990s, we tested the prediction that three forest attributes, likely essential for some wildlife species, became rarer during this time interval: old (> 100 years) stands, dead wood and woody species diversity. We used a network of about 7000 permanent plots, surveyed at least three times, for determining trends followed by these variables during the last three decades of the 20th century. We stratified our analysis according to the six vegetation domains of the southern half of Québec where forest management occurs, i.e., from the sugar maple-bitternut to the spruce-moss domain. The proportion of old stands clearly diminished only in the western part of the sugar maple- and balsam fir-yellow birch domains. However, stands composed of old trees were already very scarce during the 1970s everywhere except in the spruce-moss domain where they could have increased in importance during the study period. Snags tended to become rarer only in the western part of sugar maple- and balsam fir-yellow birch domains whereas their abundance increased elsewhere, sometimes substantially, because of the spruce budworm epidemic that affected Québec between 1975 and 1990. Results suggest that tree diversity was impoverished in the two southernmost forest domains; the same tendency existed also for saplings, particularly because of intense browsing by white-tailed deer. In the boreal forest, the spruce budworm epidemic favoured sapling diversity during the 1980s and 1990s. Our analysis indicates that we must: 1) quickly exclude some typical old stands from forest management in all vegetation domains; 2) determine if some woody species became rarer in forest stands of southern Québec; 3) identify which elements of the forest fauna depend on old stands, rare tree species and senescent trees, and 4) continue to monitor the trend of dead wood present in Québec forests. Key words: conservation, forest, harvest, management, Québec, wildlife
Delineating conservation areas on the Oak Ridges Moraine using a systematic conservation planning approach
Authors: Puric-Mladenovic D. , Strobl S.
Published: February 2014

Protected lands form an essential component of landscape planning, and often extend beyond protection of existing natural areas to consider enhancement through restoration to improve existing conditions. We tested an automated conservation science-based methodology and systematic approach to delineate conservation and restoration priority areas on the Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM). The methodology comprised: a) preparing and assembling existing spatial (GIS) information and tessellating the study area to 5-ha hexagon planning units; b) conducting a gap analysis to provide a basis for setting conservation targets that protect, or that through future restoration activities might enhance, under-represented biodiversity elements; and c) applying a simulated annealing procedure (i.e., mathematical algorithm) to find solutions that optimize the set biodiversity targets. The final output of our work is a map of conservation priority area that enables the more than 50 conservation partners in this landscape to coordinate various conservation, stewardship and restoration activities by focusing on those areas that have the highest conservation value. Key words: restoration, settled landscapes, conservation planning, mathematical algorithm
Contributions of landscape ecology, multifunctionality and wildlife research toward sustainable forest management in the Greater Toronto Area
Authors: Milne Robert J , Bennett Lorne P , Harpley Paul J
Published: February 2014

Forested lands in southern Ontario are threatened by a myriad of demands. In order to capture the multi-scale, multi-use and multifunction reality of forests within such intense human-nature interdependent landscapes, an integrative approach to sustainable forest management is necessary. Such forest management may be possible by combining the framework of landscape ecology with an understanding of forest multifunctionality. Within the Greater Toronto Area, the management of forests is provided by several agencies; some are responsible for 1) geological landscapes (e.g., the Niagara Escarpment), 2) for watersheds (e.g., Conservation Authorities) and 3) for political regions (e.g., York Region). In this paper, case studies reflecting important management issues are introduced. Wildlife research is then presented to link these issues to landscape ecology and forest multifunctionality in order to illustrate a means of enhancing sustainable forest management. Key words: landscape ecology, multifunctionality, multifunctional approach, sustainable forest management, Greater Toronto Area, wildlife function, integrative forest management
A national portrait of community forestry on public land in Canada
Authors: Teitelbaum Sara , Beckley Tom , Nadeau Solange
Published: February 2014

Despite the interest community forestry generates, there is little published literature on the array of initiatives currently taking place across Canada. This paper presents the results of nationwide survey of community forestry initiatives on public land. The survey focused on basic characteristics such as objectives, organizational structures, and tenure types. The research revealed that there are over one hundred community forest initiatives currently taking place on public land, mainly in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Most of them are run through local government organizations. Approximately 60% operate on Crown land while the remaining 40% operate on land owned fee simple by local governments. The median land base is 4200 ha. The average age of community forests is 10 years. Key words: community forestry, community-based management, public participation, local governance, forest management organizations, Canada
Science and policy issues in the Eastern Ontario Model Forest
Authors: Hall J. Peter
Published: February 2014

The Eastern Ontario Model Forest is unique in its dense population and long history of land use change, exploitation and environmental impacts. The Forest Science Committee has developed science and policy framework to complement decision-making processes that demonstrates the value of science in addressing the issues affecting all elements of sustainability. Of primary importance are the questions about the evolving values and attitudes of stakeholders and how changing forest management policies affect them. Key words: model forest, science policy framework, sustainability issues
The Little Red River Cree Nation's forest management strategies under a changing forest policy
Authors: Krcmar E. , van Kooten G C , Nelson H. , Vertinsky I. , Webb J.
Published: February 2014

In this study, we explore alternative strategies available to the Little Red River Cree Nation for meeting their projected socio-economic needs using the natural resources to which they have access. We analyze outcomes from mathematical programming models for various forest policy regimes, ranging from current sustained-yield management to sustainable forest management. The potential outcomes of the two approaches are analyzed using financial returns, harvest volumes and ecological impacts. Results indicate that decision-makers face significant trade-offs in determining an appropriate management strategy for the forest lands they control. Our main conclusion is that economic development strategies for First Nations must diversify away from forest resources in the long run if they are to be successful. Key words: boreal forest, First Nations, forest co-management, forest policy, old growth, sustainability
Monitoring Finnish family forestry
Authors: Karppinen Heimo , Hänninen Harri
Published: February 2014

Non-industrial private forestry is important in many European countries as well as in the United States and eastern provinces of Canada. Private forests are especially important in Finland because the forest industries are highly dependent on private timber supply. In this article, we present the Finnish monitoring system for private forestry. Forest owners receive mailed inquiries regarding demographics, holding characteristics, ownership objectives, areas of silvicultural treatments, and timber sales, as well as connections with extension organizations. Studies based on such data have been useful in planning and implementation of national forestry programs and policies. Key words: non-industrial private forest owners, small-scale forestry, landowner characteristics, ownership objectives, forest management behaviour, timber supply, Finland
Can hybrid poplar save industrial forestry in Canada?: A financial analysis in Alberta and policy considerations
Authors: Anderson Jay A , Luckert Martin K
Published: February 2014

Intensifying forest management has the potential to alleviate pressures of competing land uses, maintain global competitiveness in the face of increasing exotic plantations, and increase the value of the boreal forest resource. Yet, such initiatives have largely been stymied in Canada's boreal regions because intensive forest management of native tree species is not financially viable. The yield curve estimation and financial analysis conducted in this paper, however, suggests intensive management of hybrid poplar in Alberta could be financially viable. The financial viability of such initiatives will depend heavily on the policies that governments use — such as priority-use zoning — to encourage or discourage such trends. But before reforming policy, decision-makers must trade off the environmental implications of industrial plantations of exotic species with the potential gains from priority-use zoning. Key words: soil expectation value, optimal economic rotation, hybrid poplar, priority-use zoning, intensive forest management
The status of forest certification in the Canadian value-added wood products manufacturing sector
Authors: Jayasinghe Priyangi , Allen S. Denise , Bull Gary Q , Kozak Robert A
Published: February 2014

With forest certification on the rise in Canada, a nation-wide mail survey was implemented in 2004 to gain insight into the attitudes of value-added wood products manufacturers towards certification. The majority of firms in this sector (64.8%) were not interested in forest certification, and only 17.6% were involved with forest certification at the time of the survey. Another 17.6% did express interest in becoming involved within the next five years. Low levels of knowledge and awareness regarding forest certification and a perceived lack of consumer demand for certified forest products were identified as factors contributing to the significant lack of interest in adopting certification. Although uptake remains limited, a cluster analysis identified a sizeable segment of manufacturers (43.5%) that has a "wait and see" attitude towards forest certification pending future developments in consumer markets. Logistic regression indicated that manufacturer interest in forest certification is linked to both awareness of chain of custody certification and a belief that certification can act as a competitive differentiation tool. Canadian value-added wood products manufacturers that are currently engaged or interested in forest certification tend largely to be ethically motivated and expressed concerns about the future health of forests and sustainable forest management. However, these same respondents were generally doubtful about the ability of forest certification to provide short-term financial gains. Key words: forest certification, chain of custody, value-added wood products manufacturers, Canada
A stand density management diagram for spruce–balsam fir mixtures in New Brunswick
Authors: Swift Edwin , Penner Margaret , Gagnon Rolland , Knox Jason
Published: February 2014

Balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), black spruce (P. mariana (Mill.) BSP), and white spruce (P. glauca (Moench) Voss) often form mixed stands throughout northeastern North America. After harvesting operations or natural disturbances, the resulting natural regeneration may require thinning prescriptions to achieve the desired future stand structure and associated forest products. Stand density management diagrams (SDMDs) can assist the forest manager in examining potential yield implications of stand density management decisions. Data from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Quebec indicate a single SDMD is not appropriate for mixtures of balsam fir and spruce (red and black). The maximum size density line is flatter for mixtures than for pure species stands and the quadratic mean diameter isolines are affected by the species composition. The top height isolines are independent of species composition. The results indicate the SDMD for spruce–balsam fir mixtures needs to be dynamic, incorporating the species proportions. The SDMD has been incorporated into software that prompts the user for the balsam fir fraction and generates the appropriate SDMD. Key words: Acadian Forest Region, eastern species mixtures, thinning decisions
Partial harvesting in the Canadian boreal: Success will depend on stand dynamic responses
Authors: Thorpe H C , Thomas S C
Published: February 2014

In the past 10 to 15 years, alternative silvicultural treatments involving partial harvesting have been developed for boreal forests, with the goal of achieving a balance between biodiversity maintenance and continued timber production. Most prior research has focussed on the impacts of partial harvesting on biological diversity, while stand dynamic responses remain little studied. In this paper we explore partial stand harvesting in the Canadian boreal—its rationale, current extent, and impact on stand dynamic patterns. Empirical studies from the boreal and elsewhere indicate that residual trees of many species respond to partial harvesting with enhanced growth, commonly showing a lagged response after which peak growth occurs five to 25 years following harvest. Post-harvest mortality is also prevalent but much more variable, with losses of residual trees ranging from nearly zero to more than 50% above background mortality rates in the initial years following harvest. With the exception of strip cutting in parts of northern Ontario and Quebec (HARP/CPPTM), operational partial harvesting in the Canadian boreal currently involves very low levels of retention. Available data suggest that such low retention levels, particularly when spatially dispersed, generally result in unacceptably high rates of post-harvest mortality, which are unlikely to be offset by increases in residual tree growth. There is an urgent need for development of spatially explicit stand simulation models that will allow accurate yield predictions for partial harvest systems to assess their feasibility in boreal forest management. Key words: ecosystem management, natural disturbance emulation, boreal forest, partial cut, structural retention, growth response, windthrow, post-harvest mortality
Using knowledge of natural disturbances to support sustainable forest management in the northern Clay Belt
Authors: Bergeron Yves , Drapeau Pierre , Gauthier Sylvie , Lecomte Nicolas
Published: February 2014

Several concepts are at the basis of forest ecosystem management, but a relative consensus exists around the idea of a forest management approach that is based on natural disturbances and forest dynamics. This type of approach aims to reproduce the main attributes of natural landscapes in order to maintain ecosystems within their natural range of variability and avoid creating an environment to which species are not adapted. By comparing attributes associated with natural fire regimes and current forest management, we were able to identify four major differences for the black spruce forest of the Clay Belt. The maintenance of older forests, the spatial extent of cutover areas, the maintenance of residuals within cutovers and disturbance severity on soils are major issues that should be addressed. Silvicultural strategies that mitigate differences between natural and managed forests are briefly discussed. Key words: natural disturbance, landscape patterns, coarse filter, harvest pattern, volume retention, historic variability, even-aged management
"An order of deep-fried two-by-fours please!"
Authors: Cooper P A , Wang J. , Ung Y T
Published: February 2014

Thermal modification of wood by immersion in high temperature vegetable oils and other additives impart significant decay and mould fungi resistance, water repellency and dimensional stability. Key words: thermal modification, wood, vegetable oil, decay, termite resistance, oil stability
Sustainability, economics and forest resources
Authors: Kant Shashi
Published: February 2014

I argue that the economics of sustainable forest management will have to be based on a different set of principles than that of neo-classical economics. The meaning and scope of economics are discussed; specific contributions towards the new paradigm of economics, termed Post-Newtonian economics, are highlighted; research contributions of selected graduate students and their significance to this new paradigm are elaborated; and current research projects are summarized. Key words: non-market signals, optimal allocation, Post-Newtonian economics, public inputs, resource scarcity, sustainability
A continental forest policy for North America?
Authors: Wagner William L
Published: February 2014

Changes in the global forest economy along with moves in the priorities in the management of American federal forests may have created a timber supply condition that has hampered trade relations with Canada over softwood lumber. Concurrently, agents of natural disturbance are impacting significant areas of North American timberlands. Current institutional arrangements, including those initiated by the Softwood Lumber Export Charge Act of 2006,may be encouraging less than optimal cooperation. A non-profit, partially governmental collaborative approach termed the continental forestry chamber is proposed as an alternative arrangement in resolving forest conservation, management and trade issues in North America. Key words: conservation, management, softwood lumber, deliberative democracy
Global Forest Watch Canada: influencing forest policy with information
Authors: Smith Wynet , Lee Peter
Published: February 2014

Sustainable forest management requires data on a range of values and input from various stakeholders. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and others have an important role to play in providing data. Since 1999, Global Forest Watch Canada (GFWC) has been compiling and creating datasets to monitor changes occurring within Canada's forests. GFWC's work highlights the need for, but challenges of, creating accessible, affordable data to improve forest policy that spans provincial and territorial borders. Such an approach requires collaboration amongst different jurisdictions as well as the participation of NGOs and industry. Key words: Global Forest Watch Canada, NGO, forest policy, forest data, sustainable forest management
How is Crown forest policy developed? Probing New Brunswick's protected areas strategy
Authors: Ashton Bill , Needham Ted , Beckley Tom
Published: February 2014

To determine how forest policy is developed, the perceptions of senior policy-makers involved in developing the New Brunswick protected natural areas policy were examined. They represented three main stakeholder groups: the New Brunswick provincial government, forest industry, and environmental organizations. Three analytical methods revealed the evolution of events over time, recurring themes, and the use of social power. The results suggest that development of forest policy is facilitated when both forest science and human values are taken into account, when information is shared among stakeholders, and when a "win–win" solution is sought. Key words: forest policy development, New Brunswick, power, protected areas policy, qualitative research, stakeholders