bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Status of Bacillus thuringiensis for Spruce Budworm Control
Authors: Hulme M. A. , Ennis T. J. , Lavallée A.
Published: February 2014

Research and development over many years have now established that Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (B.t.) can be a safe and effective biological insecticide for spruce budworm. B.t. must be ingested before it can kill the insect and good results are thus obtained when the B.t. spray is applied at the correct time and covers the foliage so that most larvae consume a lethal dose of B.t. within 1 or 2 days of application. Under these conditions, B.t. treatments can save as much foliage as chemical insecticide treatments. However, the cost of materials and application for a B.t. treatment is higher than for a chemical treatment. In recent years emphasis in B.t. research has thus been to reduce cost by obtaining better distribution of the material on foliage, by reducing the volume of liquid carrier, and by looking for strains and fermentations of B.t. that provide an even more potent product against spruce budworm.
What Can Thermal Sensing Reveal in a Forest Tree Nursery?
Authors: Vlcek J. , King D.
Published: February 2014

Close range and airborne thermal studies were conducted to examine the near-surface soil water content – surface temperature relationship both quantitatively and qualitatively. A typical result showing the linear correlation between the diurnal surface soil/canopy temperature difference and soil water content at a depth of 5-7 cm for fields covered by seedlings in a forest tree nursery is presented. Interpretation of several thermal images reveals details of natural and artificial surface and subsurface drainage systems in a nursery that are not visible on the ground or on aerial photography. Thermal patterns related to irrigation systems, wind and forest canopies are also examined. Such information is useful in studying subsurface water migration and irrigation efficiency and is an aid to drainage system design and water management practices. Key Words: Thermal sensing, Tree nursery, Subsurface soil moisture, Thermal image interpretation, Artificial, natural draining, Irrigation.
Pollen Viability Studies for Picea pungens
Authors: Cram W. H. , Lindquist C. H.
Published: February 2014

Pollen of Picea pungens Engelm. appeared to modify the pH of aqueous cultural solutions. Superior pollen germination of 97% and tube growth of 223 μ was recorded on a 1.5% agar medium with 10% sucrose and a pH of 4. Pollen viability was 78% after one year in open storage at 4 °C and 82% after two years in sealed storage at −18 °C.
Seedling Spacing in the Nursery in Relation to Growth, Yield, and Performance of Stock
Authors: van den Driessche R.
Published: February 2014

In three experiments coastal and interior varieties of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco). Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench.) Voss), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm) and western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn.) were grown at a range of spacings, within drills 15 cm apart, at four nurseries in coastal British Columbia. In a fourth experiment the frequency distribution of seed spacings achieved with three types of precision seeders was examined.A 1 cm increase in spacing increased seedling dry weight by 0.5–1.5 g and root collar diameter by 0.2–0.25 mm. up to a spacing of about 8–10 cm. Above this spacing response was less. Height of two-year old (2-0) seedlings was increased little, or even decreased by wider spacing. Height:diameter ratios decreased sharply and shoot:root dry weight ratios decreased or remained unchanged with wider spacing. The number of needle primorida in 2-0 Douglas-fir buds increased up to a spacing of 2 cm. The number of first and second order branches was also increased in 2-0 seedlings of this species by wider spacing. Needle dry weight and area measurements suggested Douglas-fir from wider spacing had more sun type needles than those from closer spacing, which had more shade type needles. Only small increases in root growth capacity (RGC) were associated with wider spacing. None of the precision seeders tested achieved anything like perfect precision of seed placement. With irregularity added by 10–20% non-viable seed and winter mortality, truly precision spaced stands of 2-0 seedlings could not be achieved under existing conditions. Increased spacing of 2–5 cm between seedlings, depending on species and nursery, was justified by yield of acceptable seedlings when culling standard was increased to a root collar diameter of about 6 mm.Three years after planting, survival of white spruce was increased 11% by wider spacing in the nursery, and the corresponding value for Sitka spruce two years after planting was 13%. Seedlings of both species from wider spacings maintained a height and diameter advantage over those from close spacing.
Thoughts of a Trapper
Authors: Wingenroth Wilf
Published: February 2014

Twenty years of committed backwoods-life as trapper, fisherman and guide in northwestern Ontario's wilderness provided me with experience which eventually led me to criticize man's activities in that environment. Recent logging and roadbuilding are causing severe disruption of trapping. On the other hand, their proximity to my home gives me an ideal "outdoor laboratory" for private study. While I am critical of logging, I also criticize myself as a trapper and trapping in general, and explore the reasons. In particular I challenge concepts of today's resource management such as: "sustained yield", "harvest" and "renewable resource". These have become part of an ideology, leading in many cases to conditions similar to, or worse than, those of the now condemned era of reckless exploitation.Our present management system may be as faulty as were the previous ones, leading to elimination of trapping as we know it. Keywords: wildlife management, trapping, furbearers, resource management.
Tree Height: Can Large Scale Photo Measurements Be More Accurate Than Field Measurements?
Authors: Titus Stephen J. , Morgan David J.
Published: February 2014

Large scale aerial photograph (1:1000) and field measurements of standing tree height were compared with felled height measurements for 502 lodgepole pine trees in the Yukon territory. Photo and field height measurements were not significantly different from felled height. The standard deviations of field and photo height errors were 0.95 m and 1.17 m respectively, about 6% of the average felled height (16.3 m). Variability in errors due to image type (contact print or transparency) and image enlargement scale (1x, 2x, 4x) was not significant, while variation in errors due to photo plot differences was significant.
Lifting and Overwinter Storage of White Pine in Southern Ontario
Authors: Racey G. D. , Hutchison R. E. , Glerum C.
Published: February 2014

A fall lifting and overwinter storage trial on 3+0 white pine (Pinus strobus L.) was carried out at St. Williams forest tree nursery (42° 40′N, 80° 25′W) during two consecutive years to study: (1) the degree hardening day (DHD) requirement for lifting; and (2) the effect of different storage temperature regimes: cold (1-4 °C) and frozen (−3 °C) on the performance of stock stored overwinter. Field performance was best if lifting for overwinter storage was delayed until after an accumulation of 125 DHD which is less than that required farther north. In some instances, seedlings lifted very late in the year had reduced survival and growth in the following year. Seedlings were ready for cold storage before being ready for frozen storage. Frozen storage is preferred owing to molding problems associated with cold storage.
White Pine Blister Rust in British Columbia III. Effects on the Gene Pool of Western White Pine
Authors: Hunt R. S. , Manville J. F. , von Rudloff E. , Lapp M. S.
Published: February 2014

Cluster analyses of relative terpene abundance in foliage of western white pine (Pinus monticola Dougl.) trees from throughout the Pacific Northwest geographic range of the species were produced. Terpene patterns were randomly distributed among populations; no geographic or site trends were evident. Although blister rust is devastating to stands, the gene pool is widely distributed and may well be preserved without establishing gene banks.About 40-50 trees selected at random would yield offspring with nearly all possible terpene patterns characteristic of the species and would thus constitute a broad genetic base. Therefore seed orchards do not necessarily need to be composed of many individuals, rather, they should contain highly selected individuals with multiple desirable traits including multiple blister rust resistance mechanisms. Key words: terpenes, dendrogram
An Economic Analysis of Chip Utilization in Alberta
Authors: MacDonald Alex P. , Carroll Michael
Published: February 2014

This study summarizes two research projects from 1980 and 1983. Geldhart's study (1980) was established with the need to document the pricing policies of the chip buyers to determine whether monopsonistic price discrimination existed. MacDonald's study (1983) looked at how the pricing policies affected the chip suppliers' rates of return and considered what price increases were needed to effectively allow chipping operations to be profitable. The conclusion of this analysis is that rather than regulate chip marketing policies of pulp–mills, it is more effective to ensure that alternative roundwood supplies are priced up to their residual value. Further evaluation of the benefits and costs involved in the location of new pulpmills under a scenario of increasing residue utilization would be needed to determine the impact on the development of a healthy pulp industry. A policy that promotes only residue utilization would conflict with the priority of promoting larger industry development.
Mutliple Use: Improving on a Good Idea, and Avoiding a Red Herring
Authors: Webster Henry H. , Hacker Jan J.
Published: February 2014

For purposes of management, forest land should be divided into three categories: areas to be managed primarily for natural values, areas to be managed primarily for developed recreation and areas where intensive vegetation management will be concentrated. Major changes in land tenure are substantially an energy sink that consume large amounts of effort while producing little useful result.
Use of Electrophoresis in Tree Improvement Programs
Authors: Cheliak W. M. , Yeh F. C. H. , Pitel J. A.
Published: February 2014

Some application of isozyme technology in tree improvement programs are discussed. The connection between single-gene enzyme products and classical Mendelian genes is developed to provide the framework for an understanding of the utility of single genes. Three main applications for this technology in tree improvement programs are identified. The first is for registration and certification of pedigrees of families and clones. Secondly, isozymes can often be used to more accurately ascribe relative species purity in cases where hybridization occurs between two parental taxa Finally, these single gene markers can be used extensively in seed orchards to estimate mating systems, elucidate mating patterns among orchard clones, establish relative fertility, determine relative proportions of contamination, and quantitatively describe patterns of effective pollen flow in the orchard. Costs of running an electrophoresis laboratory are discussed.
Forestry in Japan
Authors: Tsay Tom B.
Published: February 2014

Japan has a total productive forest area of 25 million ha of which 31% is owned by the state and 69% is owned by municipalities and the private sector. The total volume of growing stock is 2 484 million m3, of which plantations account for 42% and natural forest 58%. The average volume of growing stock is about 100 m3 ha. The average annual growth and removal are estimated to be 70 million and 40 million m3, respectively. There are three main forest zones; subfrigid in the north, temperate in the centre and warm temperate in the south. Regeneration was recognized as vital to the country's wood supply and environmental reconstruction after the destruction during the Second World War. The average annual planting area is about 200 000 ha with the largest area ever planted, in 1954, accounting for 432 700 ha. Skyline harvesting systems are common except in the northern area of Hokkaido. The Japanese Forestry Agency is the central forestry organization which has the leading role in providing management guidance for private forest owners. Forestry research is conducted by the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, and by prefectural (equivalent to provincial) and university forest experiment stations. The pulp and paper manufacturing technology is quite advanced. Almost the entire quantity of paper and paperboard needed in Japan is produced domestically, but more than 60% of the raw timber requirement is supplied by imports.
Methods for Rooting of Larch Cuttings and Application in Clonal Selection
Authors: Morgenstern E. K.
Published: February 2014

Based on experiments with Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch, environments and treatments are described that achieved good rooting, overwintering and subsequent development. Cuttings rooted best if taken from seedlings 3-6 years old during the last week of July, when lignification begins at the base of newly formed shoots. Overwintering in sealed, cold greenhouses or open shade-halls is possible during the first winter if the rooted cuttings are hardened off for at least 4 weeks before mid-November. Clonal selection at the age of 6 years for stem straightness appears to be possible. Key words: Vegetative propagation, age, season, rooting chamber, overwintering, stem staightness.
Communicating Forestry to Members of Parliament
Authors: Murphy Peter J.
Published: February 2014

Questionnaires were sent with an individually signed letter to all federal MPs. A 40% return was received. The paper summarizes the major findings, which clearly indicate interest in the forestry sector among MPs. The results strongly suggest that foresters must encourage their institutions to maintain their newsletters, learn to work more effectively with reporters and journalists and, above all, increase their individual and collective efforts to reach MPs through letters, phone calls and visits.
Forestry and Forest-industry Education in Finland
Authors: Jeglum J. K. , Scarratt J. B.
Published: February 2014

A general overview of the school system in Finland is provided as background to a detailed description of forestry education in that country. Vocational and technical forestry education is organized and conducted by the National Board of Vocational Education. Numerous occupational diploma programs are offered at 30 forestry schools and colleges, including programs for forest workers, forest machine operators and mechanics, forest technicians, sawmill technicians, wood-based panels technicians, forest engineers, and forest-industry engineers, Short courses and refresher courses are also provided for more than 30 000 people annually. Three universities offer higher degrees in forestry: the University of Helsinki, the University of Joensuu, and the Helsinki University of Technology. International forestry is an important element of forestry education. It is addressed through a marketing degree program that emphasizes international commerce through the training of students from developing countries and through foreign-exchange programs for students, teachers and researchers. Examination of the organization and teaching of forestry subjects in Finland suggests ways in which Canadian forestry education might be improved to meet the future needs of an increasingly technical forestry sector.
Sustained-Yield Forest Management: The View from Sweden
Authors: Hägglund Björn
Published: February 2014

Sweden is a small but quite active forest country. Occupying about 0.6% of the world forest land area it holds about 15% of the international wood products market. The standing volume of forests has increased continuously since about the year of 1900. Many factors have contributed to this positive development. One is Sweden's conversion from a poor underdeveloped agrarian country to a modern industrial one. This meant a tremendous increase in agricultural efficiency and thus an important release of land which could be shifted from agriculture to forestry. But another reason for increased forest resources was and is the belief in the importance of having good forests in a remote future. The sustained or even increased yield concept is a part of this belief, materialized most of all as a more intensive silviculture.
La présence internationale de l'état québécois dans le secteur forestier
Authors: Mathieu Pierre
Published: February 2014

The author describes in a general way the importance and diversity of the activities conducted outside Québec by the forest sector of the ministère de l'Énergie et des Ressources du Québec. He ascribes the necessity of these international relations and exchanges to the forest sector's importance in Québec society and numerous in areas where Québec expertise is internationally recognized. These fields of excellence relate especially to forest management (respect for the sustained yield and multiple use of the forest) to expert consulting, industrial operating and processing equipment, fighting forest fires, softwood plan production, research and forest inventory. He mentions also the importance of the Forest sector of Québec from general statistical data.He also indicates the MER-forest sector's major partners and the parties dealing with it, as well as the type of international activities carried out. In this regard, he provides a summary of the forest sectors exchanges outside Québec for the 1986-1990 period and shows the sector's growth as well as the importance for Québec and its partners to continue in this direction. Key words: Québec, forest sector, experitise, exchanges, relations, partners, international activities, summary, international agreements.
The Jiagedaqi Project: Forest Fire Control in China
Authors: Thomas Bob
Published: February 2014

In 1982, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources agreed to become principal executing agency in a federally funded initiative aimed at creating a model forest-fire management project in northeastern China. The article gives a brief history of the project, which is expected to reach a successful conclusion in December 1991.
L'utilisation des données écologiques dans la pratique forestière au Québec
Authors: Bélanger Louis , Pineau Marius , Gagné René
Published: February 2014

The contribution of ecological land classifications to forestry practice in Quebec, still remains limited. To identify the causes explaining this under use, 32 forest managers from the Quebec administrative region were interviewed. As expected, they integrate ecological knowledge poorly with their decision making, even though they acknowledge the importance of the different ecological factors. Since these factors are not generally part of the decision criteria used by their forest organisations, the managers have little incentive to make the efforts needed to find and acquaint themselves with the existing ecological documentation. Furthermore, the form generally given to these documents only partially meets their needs. Rather than ecological descriptions, these managers would prefer ecological evaluations. To resolve this transfer of knowledge problem, the concept of an ecological information system is proposed. Key words: Ecological data and forestry, ecological information system, data base, information base.
ER-2 High Altitude Reconnaissance: A Case Study
Authors: Moore W. , Polzin T.
Published: February 2014

There is an increasing requirement for a cost-effective means of updating digital base map and natural resources information systems. The Northern Forestry Centre of Forestry Canada is cooperating with Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife and United States agencies to evaluate ER-2 high altitude (i.e., about 20 km) reconnaissance in Alberta. A demonstration flight was arranged on 20 July 1988 to cover flight lines from Waterton Lakes National Park to Lesser Slave Lake, and return (i.e., about 1500 km). The ER-2 platform provides both the high altitude perspective of earth satellite systems and the flexibilities of aircraft. The demonstration flight carried a panoramic camera, two mapping cameras and a digital scanner that were operated simultaneously. This provided rapid, high resolution and stereoscopic coverage of large areas. The savings from improved efficiencies for base map revisions alone, using one mapping camera were greater than the costs of routine ER-2 operations over Alberta. The three other selectable sensors would also permit natural resources information system updates for only the costs of processing, interpretation and data entry. These high altitude capabilities are required for forestry in Canada.
Life history and genetic diversity in red pine: implications for gene conservation in forestry
Authors: Mosseler A.
Published: February 2014

Red pine, Pinus resinosa Ait., is a suffusively rare species throughout its geographical range, occurring as small, highly fragmented populations. Such species are particularly vulnerable to the genetic and demographic stochasticity that can lead to local extinction and losses of genetic variation. Red pine illustrates the difficulty that species with long generation times have in recovering genetic diversity once it has been lost. Tree species that lose their genetic diversity may not recover the genetic variation required for effective adaptive responses to environmental challenges. Population declines in rare tree species should be viewed with greater concern by forest managers because the loss of a tree species threatens ecological stability and future economic potential in areas of limited biodiversity. Newfoundland's red pine population provides an example for a broader discussion of concepts in population ecology and genetics useful in developing gene conservation efforts for tree populations characterized by fragmented distributions, small population sizes, and declining population numbers. Key words: population ecology, genetic diversity, gene conservation, metapopulation, reproductive success
Integrated resource management in boreal forest ecosystems — impediments and solutions
Authors: Thompson Ian D. , Welsh Daniel A.
Published: February 2014

The goals of integrated resource management in boreal forests are sustainable production of commercial forest products and conservation of biodiversity. An appropriate approach to achievement of both goals is through maintenance of ecosystem types at the landscape level. Conservation of wildlife (defined as all organisms) through holistic ecosystem management is a relatively new discipline in Canada. Ecosystem management causes certain problems for agencies attempting to pursue these goals resulting from: poor autecological knowledge, conflict of habitat requirements with timber harvesting goals, legacy of past forest management, lack of management regimes, and few techniques that are applicable at the ecosystem level. Steps toward a more integrated approach to forest resource management include: recognition of institutional short-comings, development of predictive models using a common language for foresters and wildlife managers, re-tooling with GIS technology and decision support systems, and development of habitat models to be used within landscape-scale management plans.
Stand density management diagrams and their development and utility in black spruce management
Authors: Newton P. F. , Weetman G. F.
Published: February 2014

A stand density management diagram for black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) was developed using data derived from 49 0.081-ha permanent sample plots and 257 open-grown sample trees located throughout central insular Newfoundland. The diagram illustrated the reciprocal equation of the competition-density effect, self-thinning rule, approximate crown closure line, zone of imminent competition-mortality, and isolines for relative density, quadratic mean diameter and merchantability ratio. Mean prediction error for natural stand trajectories over a 30-projection period were 2.5 dm3 for mean volume, 306 stems/ha for density, 16.1 m3/ha for merchantable volume, 14.3 m3/ha for total volume, and 1.9 m2/ha for basal area. Implementation procedures using a combination of monoareal and polyareal sampling methods were described and the potential application of the diagram for evaluating thinning alternatives was demonstrated. Limitations of the diagram and future research directions were identified. Key words: stand density management diagram, black spruce, natural stands, central Newfoundland
Principles and perils of silviculture audits
Authors: Tanz Jordan S. , Campbell W. L. Craig
Published: February 2014

Forestry audits may be used as a means of assuring the public that forestry practices are meeting accepted standards, as part of an internal monitoring system, or as part of efforts to resolve disputes with outside interest groups. In this paper, silviculture auditing is examined with specific reference made to the situation in British Columbia. Well-established principles of financial auditing are used as the basis for a framework of principles for silviculture auditing. Ways in which these principles can be applied in practice are shown. Some of the problems with undertaking silviculture audits are briefly reviewed.
Direct seeding of black spruce in northwestern Ontario: Seedbed relationships
Authors: Fleming R. L. , Mossa D. S.
Published: February 2014

A series of spot seeding experiments was set out on coarse-textured upland sites in northwestern Ontario to investigate how black spruce (Picea mariana [Mill.] B.S.P.) seedling establishment and growth could be improved by site selection and seedbed preparation. Virtually all germination occurred within the first growing season. Annual seedling mortality rates were greatest during the first year, then declined steadily and stabilized at low levels (<10%) after the third year. The highest fifth-year establishment ratios (seedlings/viable seed sown) were found on seedbeds derived from materials near the mineral soil/humus interface. On wetter sites (i.e., higher Soil Moisture Regimes) the best seedbeds occurred closer to the soil surface. Mean fifth year establishment ratios for the best seedbeds were 0.032 on moderately fresh to fresh sites, 0.146 on very fresh to moderately moist sites, and 0.082 on moist to very moist sites. On adjacent lowland sites, slow-growing, compact Sphagnum mosses had a mean establishment ratio of 0.179. Mean fifth-year seedling heights on upland sites ranged from 12 to 14 cm, and were not strongly correlated with site or seedbed type. Key words: direct seeding, black spruce, seedbed, seedling establishment, site type and germination
Comparaison de plusieurs types d'unités d'échantillonnage dans la perspective d'un inventaire forestier régional
Authors: Lecomte H. , Hébert J. , Rondeux J.
Published: February 2014

This study has been conducted in order to define the guidelines of a permanent forest inventory methodology that could be applied to heterogenous forests located in the southern part of Belgium. Different types of sampling units generally used in European national inventories have been compared: fixed area sampling units (based upon 3 concentric circles), non fixed-area sampling units (Bitterlich plots using basal area factor of 2 and 4) and sampling units based upon a minimum number of trees (including nearly 15 measurable trees). In true conditions of application 259 sampling points have been selected according to a systematic rectangular grid (1.000 m × 500 m).Taking into account different criteria such as precision, cost and ease of use, the fixed-area sampling unit looks like the most adequate among the four types investigated. Key words: regional forest inventory, sampling units.
Colorant et filtre excitateur pour l'amélioration de la lecture des cernes annuels de croissance de certains feuillus
Authors: Blais Robert
Published: February 2014

The article describes an improved method for analysing annual rings from increment cores. The use of a dye (uranin) in conjunction with an exciter filter is compared with the use of only a low-power microscope. The results show that with the dye-based method, a larger number of rings can be detected in many cases, and, based on the larger number of rings, the observed reductions in growth can be linked with defoliation periods more effectively. Key words: annual rings, uranin, exciter filter, hardwoods.
Designing an effective forest sector research strategy for Canada
Authors: Binkley Clark S.
Published: February 2014

Sustaining high levels of productivity and productivity growth in the Canadian forest sector depends on rapid development and adoption of sophisticated technology for our forests, manufacturing facilities and products. Yet R&D expenditures in Canada lag those for most of its major competitors, suggesting that Canada is unlikely to produce the necessary technology on the schedule it is needed. This lack of investment in R&D stems at least in part from three factors: (i) the specific problems associated with being a net exporter with a large share of many global markets, (ii) the small size of Canadian firms when compared with our global competitors, and (iii) Canada's collective failure to articulate a widely-accepted forest sector strategy which guides the daily policy and management decisions of governments, industry and interest groups. This paper argues that an effective R&D strategy for the country involves rapid deployment of technological innovations, R&D targeted on the special features of Canada's forests and polity, and better links between strategies for the forest industry and the forest resource. Key words: forestry research, forest products research, research planning
A brief history of wood use and forest management in Alaska
Authors: Wurtz Tricia L. , Gasbarro Anthony F.
Published: February 2014

The Native peoples of Alaska used wood for fuel, for the construction of shelters, and for a variety of implements. Explorers, fur traders, gold miners, and settlers also relied on Alaska's forest resource. The early 20th century saw the creation of the Tongass and Chugach National Forests in coastal Alaska, where large-scale harvesting began shortly after World War II. By 1955, two 50-year contracts had been signed, committing 13 billion board feet of sawlogs and pulpwood. The commercial forest land base in Alaska has been dramatically reduced by a variety of legislative acts, including the Statehood Act of 1959 and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980. Key words: forest history, Alaska, aboriginal use of forests, fuelwood, stemwheeled riverboats, gold mining, land classification, National Forests, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act
Environmental auditing of industrial forest lands
Authors: DeGrace Blair
Published: February 2014

Several Certification Standards are being developed by various organizations to serve as a means for Forest Managers to demonstrate compliance with acceptable Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) practices. Environmental audits, based on established protocols, form the basis for declaration or registration of management standards of a forest or its manufactured products. This paper discusses the use of forest environmental auditing at Fraser to ensure compliance with legislated and internal standards and to evaluate current forest management practices against developing certification standards. Key words: environmental auditing, forest sustainability, forest certification
CSA sustainable forest management systems: Getting ready
Authors: Rawlinson Eric
Published: February 2014

The changes being contemplated by many forestry companies in a rapidly changing forestry environment include the proposed Canadian Standards Association Sustainable Forest Management System. During the past year several companies have begun the process of complying with the draft standards by initiating a review of their operations with the intent of identifying gaps in their operations relative to the CSA criteria. The following article identifies some of the key areas where companies will need to develop strategies to bridge those gaps. Key words: sustainable forestry, Canadian forest management standards, forest certification
Increasing the use of supplemental fibre sources in pulping
Authors: Watson P. A. , Hatton J. V.
Published: February 2014

The highlights of a recent two-day workshop to address problems of fibre shortages and increasingly high delivered wood costs show that, based on their quality, availability and impact, several supplemental fibre sources can be used effectively in chemical and mechanical pulping. The workshop, held in Vancouver, British Columbia, was hosted jointly by the Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada and the Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada.
Maple syrup from Manitoba maple (Acer negundo L.) on the Canadian prairies
Authors: Kort John , Michiels Patricia
Published: February 2014

Manitoba maple (Acer negundo L.), which occurs naturally throughout Saskatchewan and Manitoba and has been planted extensively in prairie shelterbelts, is now beginning to be used to produce maple syrup on a small commercial scale. The product is a light-coloured syrup which has been judged to have a distinctly pleasant flavour. The product is presently sold locally with an emphasis on its distinctiveness of flavour and its origin on the prairies. Studies completed at Indian Head, Saskatchewan show that sap sugar content is slightly less than that of the sugar maple and that its sap flow volume is considerably lower. A three year mean sap yield of 9.8 L per tap resulted in a syrup yield of 0.23 L per tap. This is about one quarter to one half of that in a sugar maple. Key words: Maple syrup, Manitoba maple, prairie shelterbelts
A Sitka spruce height-age model with improved extrapolation properties
Authors: Nigh Gordon D.
Published: February 2014

The height-age model for Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) currently recommended for use in British Columbia has poor extrapolation properties. Therefore, a new height-age model for Sitka spruce using stem analysis data collected from the Queen Charlotte Islands was developed. Care was taken to meet the standard regression assumptions. In particular, accounting for within-plot serial correlation improved the extrapolation abilities of the model by eliminating the crossing-over effect. The new model is being recommended for use in British Columbia because it offers better extrapolated height and site index estimates without sacrificing accuracy at young ages. Key words: Sitka spruce, site index, height-age model, serial correlation, nonlinear regression, extrapolation, model properties
Public involvement processes in forest management in Canada
Authors: Blouin Glen
Published: February 2014

Eighty-five percent of Canadian forests are owned by the provinces; the balance is owned by the federal government (9%) and private individuals and corporations (6%). Provincial crown forests have traditionally been managed by the forest industry under long term agreements with the provinces, primarily to meet timber objectives. Recent trends towards forest management for both timber and non-timber values have led to greater public involvement in decision-marking. Canadians have input into management of all three forests indirectly via laws and regulations, and directly by public participation. A variety of processes for public involvement are underway. The cornerstones to success are: equitable representation; access to information; fair and open processes; and informed participants.
Does Canada need a national wildland fire strategy?
Authors: Simard Albert J.
Published: February 2014

Although wildland fire is important to sustainable forestry in Canada, there is evidence that this is not well recognized outside the fire community. Fire significantly impacts three components of sustainability — people, wood supply, and ecosystems. Mitigating or enhancing any of the three diminishes the other two. Although fire policies attempt to balance the three processes, this is difficult to achieve in practice. Projected escalation of Canadian fire regimes, coupled with the likelihood of decreasing fire bud-gets, heighten the importance of a national discussion on this issue. A three-stage approach to resolve the problem is proposed — revising the fire elements of the National Forest Strategy, developing a National Fire Strategy, and developing criteria and indicators for fire. The paper concludes with recommended steps to implement the process.
Economic impacts of selected forestry practices on the economy of northwest Saskatchewan
Authors: Kulshreshtha Surendra N.
Published: February 2014

Knowledge of economic impacts for local (sub-provincial) economies is important for decisions related to forest dependent communities. Although estimation of economic impacts of forest management practices at the provincial level has been a subject of past studies, such has not been the case for a sub-provincial economy within Saskatchewan. In this study, economic impacts of forest operations on the economy of northwest Saskatchewan is examined using a regional input-output model. The study model was developed using non-survey methods, and was used for estimating economic and employment impacts of alternative uses of forest resources in the region, ranging from silviculture and logging to wood processing. Results suggest that regional multiplier levels are smaller than those for the provincial level, which may in part be due to larger leakages resulting from a less than full integration of the forest industries with the industrial fabric of the region. Furthermore, various options examined differed considerably in terms of regional and provincial impacts. As an example, total employment created in the region by woodpulp production was 2.87 workers per million dollar of sales compared to 11.6 workers per million dollar of fire protection expenditures. Among various alternative harvesting methods examined in this study, harvesting by the "cut and skid" method led to the highest economic stimulation of the local economy. Among other options, loading activities led to higher economic impact, followed by silviculture, fire protection, and sawmilling.
Forests, fiber, and the environment – In view of the fiber supply to the pulp and paper industry
Authors: Mohta Dinesh , Roy D. N.
Published: February 2014

Forests play a vital role in the social, economic, and environmental development of any country. Paper, composed principally of wood fiber, is an essential commodity in promoting literacy, communication, documentation, and packaging. However, there is much concern about the world's forests being over-utilized. This has led to serious repercussions, not only to humanity, but also to the earth's biodiversity as a whole. It is now time that forests be used in a more responsible and ethical manner. Because of reduced forest area, increasing pulpwood costs, and an increasing demand for pulp and paper products, it might be expected that the focus would shift to high yield pulping processes or to the use of cellulosic non-wood raw materials. Non-woods are available in good supply all over the world, but are currently under-utilized. It is estimated that replacing 5–10% of wood pulp with non-wood pulp would have an important impact on the conservation of forests and the environment. This replacement of wood pulp by non-wood pulp could be environmentally and economically acceptable even in developed countries. By doing so, pulp and paper mills would have a lead role in reducing their dependency on forests for fiber. This determination and commitment would enhance the long-term sustainability of forests and the pulp and paper industry. Above all, it would be a sustainable step towards "our common future." Key words: forest, sustainable development, fiber supply, pulp and paper, non-woods
Statistical advantages in, and characteristics of, data from long-term research
Authors: Fleming Richard A.
Published: February 2014

Scientifically, long-term research is the best approach for investigating phenomena involving slow, subtle, and long-period cyclic change. The importance of such phenomena is emphasized by recent work in ecological theory which suggests that they have a constraining, controlling influence on other faster ecosystem processes. Four short-term "alternative" approaches (retrospective analysis, fast system analogues, simulation models, and space-for-time substitution) each have drawbacks compared to long-term research in studying these kinds of phenomena. Space-for-time replication, however, could complement long-term research well. Various statistical concerns (missing data, autocorrelation, statistical power, precision, bias, and spurious correlation) are briefly discussed in the context of justification for, and recommendations during the conduct of, long term research. Key words: statistics, long term research, data analysis, statistical power, space-for-time substitution
Dynamique de la sapinière à bouleau jaune de l'est après une épidémie de tordeuse des bourgeons de l'épinette
Authors: Pominville Pierre , Déry Stéphane , Bélanger Louis
Published: February 2014

An outbreak of spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (Clem.), occurred between 1974 and 1987, in Quebec, in the eastern balsam fir, Abies balsamea (L.) Mill, - yellow birch, Betula alleghaniensis Britton, ecoclimatic sub-domain. The effect of this disruption has been assessed in mesic balsam fir stands killed during the outbreak, in mesic balsam fir stands partially damaged and in the following stands, also partially damaged: mesic yellow birch – balsam fir stands, mesic white birch, Betulapapyrifera Marsh., - balsam fir stands, mesic balsam fir – yellow birch stands, mesic balsam fir – white birch stands and xeric balsam fir stands. To that effect, surveys were led before, immediately after, and about five years after the outbreak in two blocks that have not been protected with insecticides. These blocks, located in Charlevoix and in Shipshaw management units, are second growth stands originating from clearcuts which occured about 50 years ago. Approximately five years after the outbreak, abundant coniferous regeneration was found everywhere except in the mesic yellow birch –balsam fir stand and in the dead mesic balsam fir stand, where softwood represented less than 50% of the regeneration. On the other hand, young softwood stems were located under the regeneration of white birch and of mountain maple, Acer spicatum Lam, in dead balsam fir stands, in balsam fir – white birch stands, as well as in living balsam fir stands and under mountain maple in yellow birch – balsam fir stands and in balsam fir – yellow birch stands. Our age structures indicate that softwood advance growth was relatively rare in these stands. Thus, during the opening of the canopy by the spruce budworm, intolerant hard-woods and shrubs invaded the still available microsites. In the dead balsam fir stands, stocking of the dominant hardwood regeneration stems is equivalent to that of softwood. Thus, dead balsam fir stands are turning to mixed stands. Xeric stands will remain softwood stands since they show luxuriant softwood regeneration dominating in height. In the other stands, we will have to wait the harvest period before we can adequately assess succession.
A milestone in the new millennium
Authors: Podlubny Don
Published: February 2014

The Environmental Training Centre (E.T.C.) located in Hinton, Alberta has much to celebrate as it enters the new millennium, marking its fortieth anniversary in the year 2000. Committed to excellence in learning, the E.T.C. has lead in the field of wildfire management training and excelled in specialized program development and support services.
Can intensive silviculture contribute to sustainable forest management in northern ecosystems?
Authors: Lautenschlager R. A.
Published: February 2014

In the midst of changing social, ecological, and technical realities, interest in intensive silviculture has resurfaced. Intensive silviculture could build on previous silvicultural approaches, simply intensifying use of the treatments or treatment combinations identified in this paper to increase timber production, but the costs and benefits for specific treatments or treatment combinations remains unclear. Or intensive silviculture could be based on new thinking, refocusing so that increasing amounts of fibre are produced on dramatically younger, agricultural-like fibre farms located in areas that have the longest possible growing season. If fibre farming, using either natural or artificial regeneration, becomes increasingly more important, emphasis will start to be placed as much on equipment and integration of fibre production with manufacturer needs as on previously standard silvicultural treatments. Regardless of the form taken, some reject the suggested advantages of intensive silviculture, recommending instead a knowledge-intensive integrated approach or a combination of approaches. Although integrated landscape management is increasingly becoming the foundation for forest management, silvicultural direction remains unclear. Silviculturalists and managers will reap rewards by increasing silvicultural intensity only if their plans are scientifically based and socially acceptable. Before reasonable silvicultural directions can be developed, responsible parties need to frame and agree on the most realistic approaches that address both social and ecological concerns. Calls for increased silvicultural intensity are based on the recognition that status quo management could result in increasing fibre imports to satisfy local producer and consumer needs. Still, much of our naturally less productive northern forested land base seems far from ripe for increasing silvicultural intensity dramatically. Even so, those who continue status quo forest management solely may become increasingly less competitive. In an increasingly interdependent world market-based economy it is unclear whether intensive silviculture in northern ecosystems can be competitive with production in other parts of the world. Key words: economics, fibre production, forest management, integrated landscape management, intensive silviculture, social concerns, sustainable forest management
Internet readiness and e-Business adoption of Canadian value-added wood producers
Authors: Kozak Robert A
Published: February 2014

This study focuses on results of a facsimile survey sent to value-added wood producers across Canada on their levels of Internet readiness and electronic business (e-Business) adoption. In addition, attitudinal information was collected with respect to companies' willingness to use the Internet as a business tool to facilitate exchange along the supply chain. Findings indicate that, while the use of the Internet is relatively commonplace, the Canadian value-added wood products sector has yet to embrace high level e-Business tools on a wide scale. However, there is a willingness to do so and results clearly point to the fact that most manufacturers expect the Internet to become increasingly important in the context of day-to-day business applications. Key words: value-added wood products, Internet, e-Business, e-Commerce