Abstract
The Itcha-Ilgachuz project was initiated in 1995 to test irregular shelterwood and group selection silvicultural systems that could be used to conserve northern caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) habitat while allowing timber extraction on the Chilcotin Plateau, in west-central British Columbia. Northern caribou are a key management species under the Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan, are blue-listed provincially, and are considered threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act. The Itcha-Ilgachuz is currently the largest caribou herd in British Columbia.
The Northern Caribou Strategy (part of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Land Use Plan) has identified 181 000 ha of winter range for modified harvesting options (Youds et al. 2002). The primary goal of the project is to maintain enough terrestrial and arboreal lichen (critical winter forage) within forest stands so that caribou continue to use them. Other parts of the research trial have focused on regeneration (planting and natural ingress), commercial mushrooms, breeding birds, microclimate, and long-term site productivity. The goal of this Extension Note is to provide an update on various aspects of the project.
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Updated April 12, 2007
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