1. Management Of Dry-belt Douglas-fir
History of the Management of Dry-belt Douglas-fir.
1970’s there was Diameter Limit Logging
Late 70’s and early 80’s we did Mark-to-Cut / Mark- to Leave
1980 we did Faller’s Selection system
1990 we moved to Small Patch Clearcuts(<5.0ha)
Results
D-limit often removed to much volume making it difficult to regenerate the site.
Mark-to-cut was difficult to implement as guys doing the marking were not fallers.
Faller’s Selection was expensive and we have isolated the second pass making it difficult to remove.
Had many forest health issues show up after logging.
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2. Issues When Managing the NDT4 Sites
Harvest History – previous entries did not consider future harvest opportunities.
Drought- these sites not only have a dry climate but the grass competition creates an extreme drought condition for the seedlings.
Cattle Management – impact on the plantations
Forest Health
Root Rots
Mistletoe(Pli, Fdi & Lw)
Spruce Budworm
Fdi Bark Beetle
Wildlife – MDWR and SARA species
Wildfires – hazard and risk of catastrophic fires
Growth and yield of these stands not well understood
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3. Fdi Studies in Merritt TSA & TFL 59
Key Finds of the Studies
Forest Inventory correct 47% of the time
Little relationship between diameter and age of the Fdi
Site Index under-estimated based on Fdi ht. and age.
No difference in site index between THLB and PFT.
Most uneven-aged Fdi stands have an inverse J-diameter distribution
Uneven-age Fdi stands had an average PAI of 3 m3/ha/year.
There was a growth response in Ht. and diameter following harvesting regardless of the age of the Fdi.
If too much basal area has been previously removed, then the stands will not have the anticipated increase in stand volume over time.
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4. Management Protocols for NDT4 Sites(IDF Protocols)
The studies showed that a single system approach to managing the NDT4 did not respect the natural diversity of the sites and stands.
A decision framework was required to achieve more consistent silviculture decisions considering site limiting factors, growth potential, stand structure, and management objectives.
Protocol Process; type the area into polygons using site and structure codes
Site codes- areas that have similar site attributes ( ecological factors, terrain, soil moisture); 5 codes going from dry and rocky to very wet. Based of site units of related BEC subzones
Structure codes- polygons based on crown closure of overstory and the density of understory (Layer 2,3, & 4).
Layer 1- 3 crown closure classes; <25%, 26-45, >45%
Layer 2 – 3 density classes of total stems/ha; 1-520, , >3000
Forest Health Modifier – hazard and risks associated with forest health factors on the site.
Wildfire- hazard and risk of a catastrophic fire based on the value of the resources in the area.
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5. Silviculture System
The next step is to group the site/structure polygons into treatment units by appropriate silviculture system
Types of Silviculture Systems for TFL 59
Overstory Removal – sufficient volume to support a harvest entry and sufficient advanced regeneration to stock the area.
Two pass Shelterwood – remaining overstory will be the seed source for natural regeneration. Must understand how and when second pass will be removed. Set minimum BA to be retained (>15m2/ha)
Group Selection – stand must have 2 or more age classes. Cohorts removed in 0.2 – 0.8ha patches. Target a J-shaped diameter distribution of stems following harvesting.
Small Patch Clearcut – range in size from 2 – 5 ha in size. This method is not suitable for all sites.
Rehabilitation – area is NSR but the sites are productive.
No Treatment – sites have very low productivity and will be extremely difficult to regenerate.
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6. Final Prescription
Need to assign appropriate stocking standards for the standards units and silviculture system you have selected.
Even-aged or uneven-age stocking standards
Basal Area Retention or Free Growing Stems/ha by Layer
Prefer and Acceptable species
Productivity of each species
MDWR requirements – Fdi leading
Forest Health factors
Wildfires – Py and Lw are better adapted
The need for a Vet retention and Vet recruitment strategy
Number per hectare to be retained by diameter class, species, and snags
2-4/ha of the largest diameter class.
Species selection determined by forest health factors
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