Resource Stewardship Monitoring

In 2005, a monitoring program began to assess the effectiveness of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) in achieving stewardship of the resource values identified under FRPA.  The introduction of FRPA marks the transition to a results-based forest practice framework.  Here, the forest industry is responsible for developing results and strategies to ensure sustainable management of the eleven resource values identified under the new act.

One role of the District Stewardship Section is to evaluate the effectiveness of approved results and strategies in achieving the government’s objectives for FRPA’s resource values.

Resource stewardship monitoring (RSM) is a key component of the Forest and Range Resource Evaluation Program (FREP).  Through monitoring, RSM will be a mechanism through which forest management in British Columbia can be continually improved.

Currently, the government is assessing the effectiveness of resource management through four main sample methodologies: stand level biodiversity monitoring, riparian and stream channel monitoring, water quality effectiveness evaluation, and site level monitoring of Karst resource features.

Stand Level Biodiversity Monitoring

In stand level biodiversity monitoring, the intent is to determine if retaining wildlife tree patches and riparian reserves is effective in achieving the desired levels and structures to maintain species diversity.  The indicators used to assess stand-level biodiversity include:

  • tree species and size (height and diameter)
  • wildlife tree class 1 and 2 (live trees), and 3+ (standing dead trees)
  • invasive plants
  • amount and type (size, species and decay class) of coarse woody debris (CWD)
  • amount of windthrow
  • harvesting constraints and ecological attributes used to anchor retention.

 
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Riparian and Stream Channel Monitoring

Riparian and stream channel monitoring assesses the stream channels and their adjacent riparian management areas.  The intent is to determine if fish values are being protected and if the channel and riparian functions are working at an acceptable level.  The indicators used to assess riparian and stream channel monitoring include:

  • channel bed disturbance
  • channel bank disturbance
  • LWD processes (jams)
  • channel morphology
  • aquatic connectivity
  • fish cover diversity
  • moss abundance and condition
  • fine sediments
  • aquatic invertebrate diversity
  • windthrow frequency
  • riparian soil disturbance
  • LWD supply
  • shade and microclimate
  • disturbance-increaser plants
  • vegetation vigour, form and structure.

Sites were selected randomly and sampled for stand level biodiversity and for the evaluation of the condition of streams and riparian management areas.

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Water Quality Effectiveness Evaluation

The Water Quality Effectiveness Evaluation provides a method to quantify the impact of forestry and range related disturbances on water quality.  Sites are evaluated in randomly selected drainages.  Proportion of fine sediment, connectivity to a watercourse and depth of erosion are estimated for each subcomponent of a sample site.  These indicators are used to calculate the total fine sediment contribution (m3) to a stream in a given year.

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Resource Features - Karst Resources

The Karst Resources Checklist was developed to investigate whether or not forest practices are adequately protecting and maintaining the structure, function and ecological integrity of the surface and subsurface elements of a karst system.  Qualitative and quantitative indicator data are collected in randomly selected Karst Field Sample Sites to answer routine evaluation questions.  These indicators include:

·         removal or native forest cover

·         reduction of shade

·         soil disturbance

·         post-harvest windthrow

·         debris build-up from slash or roads

·         burning

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Sampling Methodology Under Development

More sampling methodologies are being developed to add to the sample process.  In addition to the four values being evaluated now, the following FRPA values will be evaluated in the future:

  • soil (to be piloted in 2008)
  • forage/plant communities
  • recreation
  • visual quality (to be piloted in 2008)
  • cultural heritage
  • wildlife
  • timber.

More information on these resource values is available here: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/frep/3_indicators.html

The District Stewardship team currently samples on an annual basis:

  • 15 cutblocks for stand level biodiversity
  • 10 drainages for water quality effectiveness evaluation
  • 15 streams for riparian and stream channel monitoring
  • 5 sample sites for Karst.

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