Objectives:

• To create demonstration areas containing the various site preparation options currently used for rehabilitating backlog sites in the ICH zone.
• To test the relative performance of selected species-stocktype combinations as a result of the different site preparation techniques tested.
• To create a medium for appropriate process oriented research.

Experimental Design:

Treatments

• Five site preparation treatments were tested. Glyphosate (6 kg per ha), and mechanical site preparation were used at all three locations. Manual techniques were employed at Begbie Creek and Blackwater Ridge, while a broadcast burn was used at Murphy Creek. There was a control at each location.
• Two species, appropriate for the site were planted at each location, a third species was also planted at Murphy Creek. Douglas fir was planted at all three locations, with larch and white pine at Murphy Creek, lodgepole pine at Blackwater Ridge, and spruce at Begbie Creek.
• In addition, half of the assessment seedlings were fertilized at the time of planting, with 30 g of Osmocote (18-6-12).

Layout:

• Murphy Creek, Blackwater Ridge, Begbie Creek
• Each location was "mixed-species" planted without regard for treatment.
• Twelve (six fertilized, six unfertilized) randomly originating lines of 25 seedlings of each species were located within each treatment unit for assessment.
• In addition, 10 vegetation transects were systematically located in each treatment unit at each location to assess vegetation redevelopment after site preparation.

History:

• 1987 Site preparation and baseline assessments of soils and vegetation and pre-burn assessment.
• 1988 Plantation and post treatment assessments of soils and vegetation and post-burn assessment
• 1988 - 1992 Annual assessments of seedling growth and vegetation redevelopment.

Status: Dormant

Reports and Publications:

Carr,W. and W. Herman 1989. Quantification of selected soil parameters on three areas within the ICHa2 subzone variant prior to and following site preparation - Assessment of changes in soil parameters following mechanical site preparation. B.C. Min. For. Unpubl. Rep. Nelson, B.C.

Crampton, D. 1987. Ecophysiology and site preparation in the Interior Cedar-Hemlock zone, a literature review. B.C. Min. For. Unpubl. Rep. Nelson, B.C.

Ketcheson, M.V. and P. Milligen 1993. FRDA 3.21 forestry demonstration areas, vegetation response to site preparation, 1987-1992. B.C. Min. For., Unpubl. Rep. Nelson, B.C.

Thompson, S. R., 1989, Impacts of slash burning on forest soil nutrient status, Progress report - Murphy Creek (1988). B.C. Min. For., Unpubl. Rep. Nelson, B.C.

Thompson, C.F. 1991. The survival and growth of seedlings planted on sites prepared using four different techniques on an operational scale. Progress report. B.C. Min. For., Unpubl. Rep. Nelson, B.C.

Comments:

This project was established by Chris Thompson. Since his retirement, the project has been overseen by Deb Delong.