Research Branch Staff Publications

Response of Vegetation to Burning in a Subalpine Forest Cutblock in Central British Columbia: Otter Creek Site.

Citation:

Hamilton, E. and L. Peterson. 2003. Response of Vegetation to Burning in a Subalpine Forest Cutblock in Central British Columbia: Otter Creek Site. B.C. Min. For., Res. Br., Victoria, B.C., Res. Rep. 23.

Abstract:

Vegetation development on a spring burn, fall burn, and unburned cutblock was monitored for 11 years after the site was burned. By year 11, the vegetation on the unburned site was dominated by subalpine fir, which survived the logging, shrubs, and herbs. The burned sites were dominated by herbs and shrubs. Vegetation on the burned sites was generally shorter than on the unburned site. Shrub cover was higher on the unburned site in year 11. Most of the species present prior to logging survived on the burned and unburned sites. Vaccinium membranaceum, Menziesia ferruginea, Rhododendron albifl orum, and Epilobium angustifolium were dominant species by year 11. More invasive early seral herb species were established on the burned treatment than on the unburned treatment by year 11 and therefore the species diversity was greater on the burned treatment compared with the unburned treatment by that time.

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