scholarly journals Arboreal forage lichens in partial cuts – a synthesis of research results from British Columbia, Canada

Rangifer ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan K. Stevenson ◽  
Darwyn S. Coxson
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Physiological Data ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Dispersal Capability ◽  
Alectoria Sarmentosa

The mountain ecotype of the woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) is highly dependent on the arboreal hair lichens Bryoria spp. and Alectoria sarmentosa during winter. In parts of British Columbia, partial-cutting silvicultural systems have been used in an effort to provide continuously usable winter habitat for mountain caribou, while allowing some timber removal. We reviewed available information about the changes in hair lichens after partial cutting in Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) – subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) forests of British Columbian and Idaho. Generally, abundance of Bryoria spp. in the lower canopy of individual residual trees increases with increased exposure after partial cutting, until the new regeneration begins to shelter the lower canopy of the residuals. Heavy basal area removal, however, results in low lichen availability at the stand level for many years. Abundance of Bryoria on the regeneration is low, and appears to be limited largely by the structure of the young trees, not by lichen dispersal, although dispersal capability may be limiting in Alectoria. Both distributional and physiological data suggest that Bryoria is intolerant of prolonged wetting, and that increased ventilation, rather than increased light, accounts for enhanced Bryoria abundance in the partial cuts. Alectoria sarmentosa reaches its physiological optimum in the lower canopy of unharvested stands; its growth rates are somewhat reduced in the more exposed environment of partial cuts. Both genera are capable of rapid growth: over a 7-year period, individual thalli of A. sarmentosa and Bryoria spp. (excluding those with a net biomass loss due to fragmentation) in an unlogged stand more than tripled their biomass. Calculated growth rates, as well as dispersal potential, are influenced by fragmentation. Bryoria produces more abundant, but smaller, fragments than Alectoria, and fragmentation in both genera increases in partial cuts. In subalpine mountain caribou habitat, partial-cutting prescriptions that enhance exposure of residual trees while keeping basal area removal low will maintain forage best. Regeneration management should focus on maintaining ventilation in the lower canopy of the residual stand.

Litterfall, growth, and turnover of arboreal lichens after partial cutting in an Engelmann spruce – subalpine fir forest in north-central British Columbia

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (12) ◽  
pp. 2306-2320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan K Stevenson ◽  
Darwyn S Coxson
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Standing Crop ◽  
Control Area ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
North Central ◽  
Relative Growth Rates ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
Single Tree Selection

Dynamics of canopy lichens were investigated for 2 years after group and single-tree selection harvesting in a Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm. – Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. forest in north-central British Columbia. Litter fall was collected in 1-m2 traps set on the forest floor and estimates of Alectoria sarmentosa (Ach.) Ach. and Bryoria spp. litterfall adjusted for decomposition in the snowpack. Growth rates of A. sarmentosa and Bryoria fuscescens (Gyeln.) Brodo & D. Hawksworth were measured by repeatedly weighing samples maintained in mesh enclosures in the canopy. Standing crop of canopy lichens was measured in concurrent studies. There appeared to be a small postharvest pulse of litterfall in the single-tree selection area, but it was largely masked by natural variation. Ninety percent of the lichen litterfall was deposited within 10 m of the nearest tree. Annual relative growth rates of A. sarmentosa and B. fuscescens ranged from 2.7% to 10.4% and from 2.4% to 9.1%, respectively. Growth rates of both species were as high in the single-tree selection area as in the unlogged control area but were reduced along the edges of group selection openings. Growth and turnover (annual litterfall as a percentage of standing crop) of Alectoria were approximately in balance, but growth of Bryoria exceeded turnover. In situ decomposition of Bryoria may account for the difference.

scholarly journals Arboreal forage lichen response to partial cutting of high elevation mountain caribou range in the Quesnel Higland of east-central British Columbia

Rangifer ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela J. Waterhouse ◽  
Harold M. Armleder ◽  
Amanda F. Linnell Nemec
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Group Selection ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
East Central ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Dead Trees ◽  
Alectoria Sarmentosa ◽  
Feeding Zone

Group selection silvicultural systems have been recommended for managing mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) habitat in high elevation Engelmann spruce – subalpine fir forests in east-central British Columbia. We measured the response of arboreal lichen (a key winter forage) to harvesting of 30% of the forested area using three partial cutting treatments, which created small (0.03 ha), medium (0.13 ha), and large (1.0 ha) openings, and a no-harvest treatment. Treatments were replicated on four sites, and monitored over a ten year post-harvest period. The short-term loss of lichen associated with removal of approximately one third of the trees was partially offset by a significant (P=0.01) increase in lichen abundance on trees in the caribou feeding zone (up to 4.5 m) in the three partial cutting treatments relative to trees in the uncut forest. Differences among treatments in the change in lichen composition, as measured by the percentage of Alectoria sarmentosa and Bryoria spp., were marginally significant (P=0.10). The partial cutting treatments showing a greater likelihood of shifting towards more Bryoria spp. than no-harvest treatment (P=0.04). In the year of harvest (1993), larger trees were found to hold more lichen than smaller trees (P=0.04), and live trees supported more lichen than dead trees (P=0.01), but lichen loading was similar among tree species (P=0.51). Tree fall rates were similar among treatments, based on the ten year average (0.6–0.8% of sample trees per year). The results indicate that caribou foraging habitat is maintained in the residual forest when group selection systems that remove only 30% of the trees are applied. Information on the distribution of lichen is useful for developing stand level prescriptions. Providing lichen bearing habitat meets just one of the needs of caribou. A comprehensive approach that considers all factors and their interactions is essential to maintain and recover the threatened mountain caribou.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Early-Winter Caribou, Rangifer tarandus caribou, Feeding Sites in the Southern Purcell Mountains, British Columbia

2003 ◽  
Vol 117 (3) ◽  
pp. 352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor A. Kinley ◽  
John Bergenske ◽  
Julie-Anne Davies ◽  
David Quinn
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Subalpine Forest ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Late Winter ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus Caribou ◽  
Early Winter ◽  
Winter Habitat

Mountain Caribou are a rare ecotype of Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) inhabiting the high-snowfall region of southeastern British Columbia, and are defined by their late-winter reliance on arboreal hair lichen of the genus Bryoria. During early winter, there is considerable variation in habitat use among populations. We snow-trailed Caribou in the southern Purcell Mountains during early winter to determine foraging patterns for the Purcell population. When snow was ≤51 cm deep, Caribou fed on Grouseberry (Vaccinium scoparium), the terrestrial lichen Cladonia, and arboreal lichens of the genus Bryoria. When snow was ≥62 cm deep, they ate exclusively arboreal lichens. In both periods, Caribou ate arboreal lichen from essentially every downed tree or branch encountered and fed with a higher intensity at downed trees than standing trees. During the low-snow period, Caribou fed at fewer trees but used those with greater lichen abundance, and fed more intensively at each, compared to the deep-snow period. In comparison to trees occurring on the foraging path but at which Caribou did not feed, those from which arboreal lichen was foraged intensively were of larger diameter, had greater lichen abundance, and were more likely to be Subalpine Fir (Abies lasiocarpa) or Engelmann Spruce (Picea engelmannii) and less likely to be Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis), Lodgepole Pine (P. contorta) or Alpine Larch (Larix lyalli). The shift in diet between the low-snow and deep-snow periods reflected two modes of foraging within the early winter period, distinct from one another and apparently also distinct from the late-winter season. Management for early-winter habitat will require retention of some commercially significant forest across extensive areas, both near the subalpine forest – subalpine parkland ecotone and lower in the subalpine forest.

Inonotus tomentosus and the dynamics of unmanaged and partial-cut wet sub-boreal spruce–fir forests

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 2663-2676 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. (Ted) Newbery ◽  
Kathy J. Lewis ◽  
Michael B. Walters
Keyword(s):  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Dead Wood ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Tree Density ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Live Tree

For wet sub-boreal spruce–fir forests (white spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) × Engelmann spruce ( Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) – subalpine fir ( Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.)) in east-central British Columbia, we asked (i) do compositional and structural dynamics differ for unmanaged (UN) and partial-cut (PC) (50% removal 45 years before measurement) forests and (ii) how does Inonotus tomentosus Fr. (Teng) affect these dynamics? Inonotus tomentosus infected stands had 17% less spruce basal area (P = 0.059) than uninfected stands, but PC did not exacerbate I. tomentosus effects. PC and UN had similar live tree density, but UN had lower dead tree density. In all stands, snag longevity was typically <32 years, and ~40 years was required for dead wood to reach decay stage 3 or greater. UN was characterized by variable severity disturbances averaging ~8% of the canopy per decade. Management implications include the following: (i) harvest systems designed to emulate small-scale disturbance could remove trees at 8% of the canopy per decade, varied spatiotemporally, (ii) emulating dead wood abundance with partial cutting may be difficult given the impacts of partial cutting on dead wood abundance, and (iii) forests with moderate levels of I. tomentosus should not respond differently to harvesting than uninfected forests and thus require no special management.

scholarly journals Early Winter Habitat Use by Mountain Caribou in the North Cariboo and Columbia Mountains, British Columbia

Rangifer ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 133 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Terry ◽  
B. McLellan ◽  
G. Watts ◽  
J. Flaa
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Regional Differences ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Winter Habitat ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
The North ◽  
Columbia Mountains ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Spruce Stands

Winter habitat use was compared between two mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) populations in British Columbia. Regional differences were apparent during November and December. Radio-collared caribou inhabiting the gentle plateaus of the northern Cariboo Mountains, near Prince George, B.C. primarily used mid-elevation balsam-spruce stands on moderate slopes (&lt;30%). In contrast, radio-collared caribou in the North Columbia Mountains, near Revelstoke, B.C. used low elevation hemlock-cedar stands and relatively steeper slopes (&gt;30%). To adequately address habitat requirements of caribou, forest management plans should incorporate varying regional and seasonal habitat use patterns. Hypotheses on observed differences in habitat use are discussed.

Stem- and stand-level growth and mortality following partial cutting in eastern boreal poplar – white spruce stands

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 463-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Brais ◽  
Brian D. Harvey ◽  
Arun K. Bose
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Natural Disturbance ◽  
White Spruce ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Tree Level ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Partial Cutting

Variable retention (VR) and partial cutting are both considered important silvicultural tools of natural disturbance or ecosystem based forest management approaches. Partial harvesting differs from VR in that post-treatment growth responses and stand regeneration are the primary objective rather than the maintenance of biodiversity. This partial cutting study is undertaken in mixed poplar (Populus spp.) – white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) stands in the eastern Canadian boreal mixedwood forest. It compares, at the tree level, absolute growth rates (AGR) and relative growth rates (RGR) of basal area (BA) and stem survival; and at the stand level, it also compares absolute BA growth, mortality, and sapling density 10 years following treatment. The completely randomized experiment was established with four intensities of partial cutting (0, 50%, 65%, and 100% of poplar BA). All partial cutting intensities had a significant and similar positive effect on AGR of residual spruce stems. Complete poplar removal resulted not only in the highest increase in RGR of suppressed and intermediate spruce stems, but also in higher spruce mortality. Removal of 50% of the initial poplar stand BA provided the best trade-off between positive residual stem growth of spruce and poplar and limited post-treatment mortality.

Short-term impacts of partial cutting on lichen retention and canopy microclimate in an Engelmann spruce – subalpine fir forest in north-central British Columbia

2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 830-841 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darwyn Coxson ◽  
Susan Stevenson ◽  
Jocelyn Campbell
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
North Central ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Single Tree ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Single Tree Selection

The retention of canopy lichens (Alectoria, Bryoria, and foliose) in group selection (GS) and single-tree selection (STS) partial cuts (30% removal) was studied within a subalpine spruce–fir forest (Picea englemannii Parry ex Engelm. – Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) in north-central British Columbia. Baseline canopy lichen loading (preharvest and immediate postharvest) was compared with lichen loading 2 years after harvesting, using both ground- and canopy-based sampling techniques. Additionally, canopy microclimate was compared between GS and adjacent stand areas with no harvest treatment (NT). Partial cutting did not have a significant effect on lichen loading in residual trees, although a trend of declining lichen abundance was observed in each of the GS, STS, and NT areas. Partitioning of lichen abundance data showed significant postharvest declines for upper canopy STS Bryoria and smaller, but significant, changes in foliose lichen abundance in the NT and STS areas. No significant changes in canopy microclimate were observed between treatments, with the exception of south-facing aspects in GS trees, which showed reduced duration of lichen hydration. Taken together, these factors suggest that although the placement of Bryoria in residual trees may shift towards lower canopy exposures, partial-cut harvest treatments can maintain short-term lichen loading and associated ecosystem values (e.g., caribou forage) in subalpine spruce–fir stands.

Coarse woody debris in sub-boreal spruce forests of west-central British Columbia

1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 284-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
D F Clark ◽  
D D Kneeshaw ◽  
P J Burton ◽  
J A Antos
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Coarse Woody Debris ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
History Of

An evaluation of how coarse woody debris (CWD) changes in quantity and quality during stand development was conducted using a 426-year chronosequence of 71 stands in sub-boreal forests in British Columbia. Additional characteristics of CWD were determined in 14 of the stands. Most stands are fire initiated and input from the predisturbance stand is critical in controlling the amounts and characteristics of CWD within young stands. Log volume declines from over 100 m3/ha in young stands (0-50 years) to just over 60 m3/ha in stands from 51 to 200 years old, and then increases to greater than 140 m3/ha in the oldest (>= 400-year-old) stands. Mean snag basal area is highest (31.6 m2/ha) in young, postfire stands, decreases to a very low value (2.0 m2/ha) in stands 51-100 years old, and then reaches a second maximum (12.1 m2/ha) in stands that are 201-250 years old; it declines slightly in very old stands. The high snag basal area in stands 201-250 years old coincides with the successional transition from lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) to stands dominated by subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) and interior spruce (hybrids of Picea glauca (Moench) Voss and Picea engelmannii Parry). Stand age, characteristics of the predisturbance forest, and the disturbance history of stands subsequent to stand initiation all appear to be very important in determining variation in both the quality and quantity of CWD in these sub-boreal forests.

scholarly journals Growth of Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, and ponderosa pine seedlings underplanted in a partially-cut, dry Douglas-fir stand in south-central British Columbia

2006 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 723-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Vyse ◽  
Christine Ferguson ◽  
Suzanne W Simard ◽  
Tamaki Kano ◽  
Pasi Puttonen
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Douglas Fir ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
South Central

The effects of partial cutting on seedling growth of three conifer species were studied at a very dry, hot interior Douglas-fir site near Kamloops, British Columbia. Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.), and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex. P. & C. Laws.) seedlings were planted in mechanically prepared 50 cm × 50 cm patches under different canopy conditions created by harvesting 60% of the original stand volume. The prepared areas were selected to represent canopy closures from open to closed, slopes from 0 to 60%, and all aspects. After six years, survival of Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine and ponderosa pine was 78%, 76% and 70%, respectively. Light level had a strong influence on survival and condition. Growth of all species increased linearly with light, and was greatest for lodgepole pine, followed by ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. Multiple regression analysis showed that six-year seedling size was most significantly affected by total light, and only occasionally by aspect, slope, or crown closure. The best models explained 53%, 47% and 42% of the variation in diameter of lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir, respectively. Natural abundance 13C was positively correlated with light and soil moisture availability, reflecting higher photosynthetic capacity of all species in the wetter, open canopy conditions. Patterns in isotopic discrimination also indicated greater water use efficiency of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine than lodgepole pine under low light conditions. Underplanting stands thinned to a basal area of less than 15m2 per ha offers a solution to regeneration difficulties on hot, dry Interior Douglas-fir sites. Key words: partial cutting, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, light, soil moisture, 13C, growth, survival, Opax Mountain Silvicultural Systems Project

Seedling response following partial cutting in lodgepole pine forests on caribou winter range in west-central British Columbia

2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 409-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
N M Daintith ◽  
M J Waterhouse ◽  
H M Armleder
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Picea Glauca ◽  
Group Selection ◽  
Pinus Contorta ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Lodgepole Pine ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Partial Cutting ◽  
West Central ◽  
Interior Spruce

Group selection and irregular group shelterwood silvicultural systems were applied to older lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) forests in west-central British Columbia to determine their potential for maintaining northern caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) habitat. These silvicultural systems created small openings 15–30 m wide,which were planted with lodgepole pine and interior spruce (Picea glauca x Picea engelmannii) seedlings. Fifth-year survival and growth results indicate that either species could adequately regenerate the small openings created by partial cutting. Pine survival in the partial cuts (93–95%) was comparable to the clearcuts (94%). Pine height and height growth did not vary significantly between treatments; however, diameters were significantly larger in the clearcuts. After five years across all treatments, pine seedlings were 38–42 cm tall with diameters ranging from 7–11 mm. Spruce survival varied considerably between the clearcuts (35–98%) but was more consistent in the partial cuts (66–97%). Total height and height growth differed significantly among treatments, with the shortest spruce seedlings found in the clearcuts. Seedling diameter did not differ among treatments. Average fifth-year height ranged from 31 cm to 44 cm and diameters ranged from 7 mm to 9 mm. To maintain caribou habitat, species should be planted in similar proportions to the pre-harvest stand composition to avoid potential impacts on the terrestrial and arboreal lichens, which are important caribou forage. Key words: caribou, lodgepole pine, partial cutting, planted seedlings, interior spruce, group selection, irregular group shelterwood

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document