Coast Forest Region Research Section

Mission

"...to help provide innovative solutions to high priority forest management problems in British Columbia and to advance resource stewardship based on scientific principles."

About

The Coast (formerly Vancouver) Region of the B.C. Forest Service employs a core team of researchers to study all aspects of forest management in the region. Other regions in the province employ similar groups.

The Coast Region research team is a multi-disciplinary group of scientists engaged in applied research, training and consultation in support of district and regional forest service operations. The group covers a wide range of disciplines including forest ecology, wildlife habitat ecology, hydrology, soil science, geomorphology and silviculture systems.

The research and extension conducted by the research section helps provide the knowledge to ensure the use of appropriate forest management practices for long-term sustainable forest management. It directly supports long term Goal 1 of the Ministry, namely,

• Conserve and restore biodiversity of forests and grassland ecosystems;
• Ensure forest and range management maintains water quality and quantity; and
• Ensure forest and range management maintains soil quality and quantity.

The Coast Forest Region Research section is a member of the Forest Research Extension Partnership (FORREX) (formerly known as the Southern Interior Forest Research and Extension partnership). This cooperative organization was renamed to reflect its expansion to encompass the coastal area delineated by the Coast Forest Region boundary.

Funding for the research conducted by members of the group comes from a variety of sources. Research project funding is based on ministry base funding and the Forest Investment Account (FIA). FIA is a provincial government mechanism for promoting sustainable forest management in British Columbia. The Forest Science Program is one of seven areas of FIA investment and is administered by PricewaterhouseCoopers. Other funds partially or wholly external to the ministry e.g. South Moresby Forest Replacement Account (SMFRA) also provide funding for projects.

What's New?

Publications

Technical Reports

March 2008

• Kliparchuk, Collins and Martineau, 2008 Further evaluation of stereoscopic high spatial resolution satellite imagery to assess landscape and stand level characteristics
  This report (5 MB file size) provides further evaluation of the use of high spatial resolution IKONOS imagery through the acquisition and analysis of stereo imagery.

March 2007

• Sutherland et al. 2007. A Framework to Support Landscape Analyses of Habitat Supply and Effects on Populations of Forest-dwelling Species: A Case Study Based on the Northern Spotted Owl
• Hudson and Horel, 2007 An operational method of assessing hydrologic recovery for Vancouver Island and south coastal BC
  This report aims to integrate the results of coastal hydrologic recovery research into a unified method of determining hydrologic recovery of coastal forest stands.
• Waterhouse et al. 2007 Assessing habitat quality of Marbled Murrelet nest sites on the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii, by algorithm, air photo interpretation,and aerial survey methods
  Although this report focuses on the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii the general interpretations from the results are applicable throughout the Marbled Murrelet's breeding range.
• Muir, Hennon and Negrave, 2007 Biology, ecology, and management of Western Hemlock Dwarf Mistletoe in Coastal British Columbia: A synthesis of the literature
  This report synthesizes the considerable research and data, both published and unpublished, concerning the biology, ecology, and management of western hemlock dwarf mistletoe in an effort to assist natural resource professionals, land managers, and scientists in dealing with the challenges of managing hemlock dwarf mistletoe.

March 2006

• Silvicultural treatments for enhancing and recruiting Spotted owl habitat in British Columbia
  This report reviews how forest structure in BC provides habitat for the Spotted Owl and its primary prey. It also identifies opportunities to improve development of harvest systems and silvicultural treatments for developing habitat.
• Coastal Fan destabilization and forest management
  This report provides information on fan destabilization and the appropriate forestry mangagement practices.

Extension Notes

September 2008

• Bater, Collins and Coops, 2008 Lidar Remote Sensing: Mapping British Columbia's Forests with Lasers
  To understand Lidar (light detection and ranging system), a relatively new type of active remote sensing technology that is capable of simultaneously mapping terrain and vegetation heights with sub-metre vertical and horizontal accuracy.

September 2007

• Campbell, Millard and Collins, 2007 Timber Harvesting Activities and Geomorphology in Coastal British Columbia:
  To understand how timber harvesting activities may affect geomorphology, we need to understand how geomorphic features and processes work
  This report is an outline of basic geomorphology for use at public events.
• Campbell, Millard and Collins, 2007 Timber Harvesting Activities and Hydrology in Coastal British Columbia:
  To understand how timber harvesting activities may affect water, we need to understand the hydrologic cycle This report is an outline of basic hydrology for use at public events.

March 2006

• Road construction and hauling in basaltic and granitic terrain: effects on sediment yield at Russell and Catherine Creeks, Tsitika River Watershed
• Russell Creek: Summary of research and implications for Professional Practice

Journal Articles

• Debris-flow Hazards and Related Phenomena.
  Chapter 23: Debris flows and debris avalanches in Clayoquot Sound
  This book systematically reviews significant and up-to-date knowledge of debris flows. Leading specialists from five continents, including Coast Forest Region Research staff, were invited to address aspects of debris-flow science ranging from classification to analysis, prediction and mitigation.

Working Papers

• Negrave and Stewart, 2007
  Silviculture Practices for Enhancing Old Forest Stand Structure in Red- and Blue-Listed Plant Communities in the CDFmm: Interim Draft Document
  This document has been prepared and released as an interim draft document to provide guidance to practicing professional foresters who are tasked with preparing plans and prescriptions for clients with tenure under the Forest Act in the Coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone (CDFmm). These foresters are tasked with professional responsibilities of developing plans and prescriptions on crown land which balance the needs and tenure rights of their clients, with that of public expectations, and species at risk.