| |
Effects of variable retention on planted and natural regeneration in Coastal BC |
| Project lead: N.J. Smith |
| Author: Smith, N.J. |
| Imprint: Nanaimo, BC : Western Forest Products Inc., 2007 |
| Subject: Forest Investment Account (FIA), Variable retention harvesting, British Columbia |
| Series: Forest Investment Account (FIA) - Forest Science Program |
| Description: |
| Increased retention trees in openings, such as wildlife tree patches or variable retention, leads to increased edges compared to clearcuts. This study is designed to examine the effects of retained forest edge on the growth of regenerating trees in Coastal BC. Seven large scale (~100 ha) and three smaller scale (~40ha) experimental areas have been established across Cascadia Forest Products landbase. These areas have clearcut and uncut controls and up to 3 treatments comprised of different types and levels of variable retention (see Appendix I and II). Within these experimental areas 'sector plots’ have been established to examine the effects of forest edge on growth (see Appendix II and III to see the layout of the sites and sector plot design). By edge we mean an ecotone between forest and harvested area. The sector plots are designed to sample across the edges and actual distances recorded; trees are placed into 2m sections within the sector plots. The sector plots overcome the edge effect biases entailed by establishing traditional fixed area of prism plots (see Beers 1966 and Iles 2003 for a discussion). As part of this project we request assistance in 1) measuring a portion of these sites (two sites, see Appendix I) and 2) examination of the statistical properties of sector sampling Any funding shortfall for the 2 planned sites will be made up by Cascadia Forest Products. |
