Old Growth Variability Across
BEC Variants
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- Establish 15 1 ha plots
within protected areas of
Vancouver Island (yellow outline
on map) to study old growth
across 5 biogeoclimatic
variants: CWHvh1; vm1; vm2; mm1;
xm1/2.
- Sample species composition
for overstory, shrubs, and
ground cover; complete digital
mapping of all overstory trees,
snags, and coarse woody debris;
map distribution of canopy gaps.
- Coordinate with
international researchers for
comprehensive analysis –USDA FS
in Oregon, Washington, Alaska
- Complete report on
comparative analysis of species
composition, vertical structure,
horizontal inter/intra specific
spatial relationships.
- Complete report on logistics
and research practicalities of
establishment of the regional
old growth plot network.
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- Coastal temperate
rainforests span broad,
latitudinal gradients in
temperature, moisture, and
continentality from OR, WA
through BC to southeast AK;
however, limited data are
available from coastal BC
- Standardized, comparative
studies of these forests would
contribute to comprehensive
models of natural structure and
function, to management for old
growth restoration, and to
representation planning
- Initiatives such as
ecosystem-based management,
managing for ecological
resilience, anticipating climate
change effects require empirical
data on structure-function
relationships across climatic
conditions.
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- Initial scoping for plot
sites spring, 2007
- Establishment and sampling
of 6 plots (2 variants), summer
2007
- Initial analysis and
reporting on 2 variants, winter
2007-8
- Initial report on logistic
development and research
opportunities from network,
winter 2007-8
- Establishment and sampling
of 9 plots (3 variants), summer
2008
- Final comparative report on
all old growth variants, winter
2008-9
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