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Site Degradation Workshop

Proceedings of the 1 Ith Meeting of the British Columbia Soil Science Workshop

Held at the University of British Columbia Campus, Vancouver, B.C.

May 3 and 4, 4 988

Province of British mlumbla Ministry of Forests

Site Degradation Workshop

Proceedings of the 1 Itk Meeting of the British Columbia Soil Science Workshop

Held at the University of British Columbia Campus, Vancouver, B.C.

M q 3 and 4, 1988

Sponsored by: Site Degradation Working Group, B.C. Minlstry of Forests, Department of Soil Science. UBC, and Soil and Water Conservation Society, B.C. Chapter

Site Degradation Workshop Proceedings ol the I l t h Meeting of the British Columbia

Soil Science Wokshop

Copies of this report may be obtained, depending upoc supply, from:

Research Branch B.C. Ministry of Forests 31 Bastion Square Victoria, B.C. V8W 3E7

Compiled by:

Homoky, S. 1989. Proceedings of the I1 th Meeting of the British Columbia Soil Science Workshop. B.C. Min. For., Research Branch.

Sponsored by:

Site Degradation Working Group, B.C. Ministry of Forests, Department of Soil Science, UBC, and Soil and Water Conservation Society, B.C. Chapter.

The contents of this repod may not be cited in whole or in pad without the approval of the Director of Research, B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria.

PREFACE

The 11 th B r i t i s h Columbia S o i l Science Workshop was held a t t h e Universi ty of B r i t i s h Columbia, Vancouver, on May 3 and 4, 1988. Its purpose was t o summarize recent s o i l degradation research going on i n B r i t i s h Columbia and t o recommend a c t i o n f o r the con t ro l of f o r e s t s i te degradation.

The workshop was at tended by researchers and f o r e s t p r a c t i t i o n e r s d i r e c t l y

involved with f o r e s t s i te degradation concerns. Subjects covered a wide range of s i t e degradation i s s u e s , from slashburning and s i te prepara t ion e f f e c t s t o s i te r e h a b i l i t a t i o n . On t h e second day, working groups were f o n e d t o a s sess pe r t inen t s i te degradation problems and t o recommend so lu t ions . Topics discussed were: t h e importance of s o i l degradation; understanding t h e l inkage between s i t e p roper t i e s and degradation; measurement of s i te degradation; pre-harvest assessment; modificat ion of c r i t e r i a f o r eco log ica l u n i t s , regions, etc.; condi t ions f o r requi r ing r e h a b i l i t a t i o n inpu t ; most important research p r i o r i t i e s ; and h ighes t p r i o r i t i e s of t r a i n i n g needs. One of the major items s f focus was t h e extension e f f o r t t o disseminate t h e wealth of re levant information t o opera tors , managers, and t h e genera l publ ic ,

Papers presented a t t h i s conference, summaries and recommendations of t h e working groups, t h e conference program, and a list of p a r t i c i p a n t s a r e

published i n t h i s proceedings.

iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would l i k e t o acknowledge Angus McLeod, I n s t r u c t o r , College of New

Caledonia, f o r organizing t h i s Workshop and s o l i c i t i n g papers. We would a l s o l i k e t o acknowledge Steve Chatwin, Manager, F ish/Fores t ry Watershed Assessment, Research Branch, Ministry of Fores t s , f o r contac t ing speakers and preparing t h i s proceedings; Bob Louie and Greg Utzig f o r cha i r ing t h e sess ions ; and t h e Site Degradation Working Group, t h e Ministry of Fores t s , t he Department of S o i l Science, t h e Department of Fores t Sciences of t h e Universi ty of B r i t i s h Columbia; and t h e B.C. Chapter of t h e S o i l and Water Conservation Society f o r sponsoring t h i s Workshop. We a r e a l s o g r a t e f u l t o the Universi ty of B r i t i s h Columbia f o r providing meeting space and refreshments .

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE ............................eDOOe~~.~.eO~e.e...e.e~..~ee.e....

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . , . . . ~ . e ~ e . e e e . . O e . e ~ , . . , . , e ~ e ~ . e . a ~ . . ~ e

PRESENTATIONS OF MAY 3, 1988 . . . . . . . . . . . . . , , . , . . , . . . . . . e O ~ - D O e a e . e . e . .

Keynote Address W,C. Cheston,

Assistant Deputy Min is te r o f Forests,

...................... Victor ia , B.C

Overview: ....................................................... Soi lDegradat ionas a M.E.WalmsleyandG.Utzig,

Factor Af fect ing Forest Westland Resource Group,

Product iv i ty i n B r i t i s h Vic tor ia , B.C.

Columbia: A Problem

Analysis and

.................................... Recommendations

Current Research: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . ~ O e e . O e e e ~ e . . . . . . . ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .

Assessing Whether A.J. McLeod,

Landing Rehab i l i ta t ion Regional College o f New Caledonia,

i s Possible Prince George, B.C. ................ Changes i n S o i l Bulk T. P , Rollerson,

Density With Increasing MacMillan Bloedel Ltd.,

Levels o f LGP Skidder Woodland Services,

T ra f f i c : Study Design Nanaimo, B,C,

.................................... and Prel iminary Results

S o i l Disturbance and W.J. Watt and J,T. Standish,

Degradation a t Buxton Min is t ry o f Forests, Cariboo

F la t s Forest Region, Will iams Lake, B.C.

and Stewart and Ewing Associates Ltd.,

Richmond, B.C. .....................

iii

i v

Predic t ing the Long-Term J.P, Kimmins, Consequences of Universi ty of B r i t i s h Site Degradation Columbia, Department of Using t h e Forcyte Model Fores t Science, Vancouver, B,C. .... 3 0

Impacts of Dras t i c S i t e R.B. Smith and E.F. Wass,

Prepara t ion (Stumping) P a c i f i c Fores t ry Centre, on Product iv i ty Resul ts Fores t ry Canada, Vic tor ia , B.C.

from Disturbance P lan t a t ions e ~ ~ . e . e . e e e . e e ~ e e e e ~ ~ o e o e e e e e e e ~ o e o * 31

Choosing Appropriate W.J. Beese, Rehab i l i t a t ion MacMillan Bloedel Ltd.,

Techniques f o r Land- Woodland Services , s l i d e s Result ing from Nanaimo, B,C.

Site Degradation O e e * O ~ e e @ O ~ @ e B e ~ e O l e B O O D ~ e . ~ e . D O ~ O O D 3 5

Fores t Site Product iv i ty G.F. Weetman, Problems on S a l a l Universi ty of B r i t i s h Columbia,

Dominated Cedar/Hemloek Faculty of Fores t ry , Cutovers on Coastal Vancouver, B .C . B r i t i s h Colunbia ~ ~ ~ ~ e ~ O Q e e O e O O ~ e . . e O ~ e e O ~ e e D O ~ O e ~ O B 8 38

Prescribed F i r e i n t h e R. Trowbridge, 1980s s: A Decade of Ministry of Fores t s , Experience i n Pr ince Rupert Fores t Region, Operat ional Use and Smithers, B.C.

Applied Research ...*.*.. e . . . e . . . . . . e e e e e e O . . . e e e ~ e o . 40

Examples of Results from M.P. Curran,

Resampling Pas t Research Ministry of Fores t s ,

S i t e s and Monitoring Nelson Fores t Region,

S i t e Impacts a t Micro- Nelson, B.C.

p lo t s : Slashburning

Research a t Mission

.................................... Tree Farm 42

PRESENTATIONS OF MAY 4, 1988 * e . . e . e . e e . . e . a e e . . O e e . e . . m a e * e a n * . . O . 46

Modifying Timber T. Lewis, Consultant,

Harvesting Prac t i ces t o Burnaby, B.C.

S u i t S i t e Degradation R. Louie,

S e n s i t i v i t y : An B,C. Ministry of Enviroment ,

In tegra ted Approach t o Vic tor ia , B,C,

S o i l Conservation i n

B r i t i s h Columbia . B . e . . O Q . . . . . e O . . . . e s s O . O O . . . . 47

WORKSHOP PROGRAM, MAY 4 , 1988 ~ ~ . . * e e ~ e e ~ e e e e . ~ e e e D ~ ~ O D D D . O ~ . . ~ . . e 51

Workshop Discussions G. S t i l l ,

Ministry of Fores t s ,

Research Branch,

Vic to r i a , B.C. ..................... 52

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS .............................................. 58

PRESENTATIONS OF MAY 3, 1988

KEYNOTE ADDaESS

W.C, Cheston, Ass is tant Deputy Minister Ministry of Fores t s

Vic tor ia , B.C.

It is my pleasure t o be here with you today, with a group of i n t e r e s t i n g people, working on an important f o r e s t r y and e n v i r o m e n t a l problem, t h a t is , S o i l Degradation i n B r i t i s h Columbia f o r e s t s .

This is t h e t h i r d workshop i n t h e l a s t 5 years on s o i l degradation i n B r i t i s h Colunbia. I n Apri l 1983, B i l l Young, then our chief f o r e s t e r , gave t h e Keynote Address a t the B.C. S o i l Degradation Workshop a t Harrison Hot Springs. Two years ago, t h e l o t h S o i l Science Workshop was held a t U.B.C. As f a r a s I am aware, i t was t h e f i r s t S o i l Science Workshop i n Canada s p e c i f i c a l l y addressing f o r e s t s o i l degradation. This workshop brought together people with some of t h e most up-to-date research knowledge and experience about f o r e s t s o i l degradation i n t h e P a c i f i c Northwest, and provided a forum f o r d iscuss ion with opera t ional f o r e s t e r s . As a r e s u l t , t h e awareness of f o r e s t site degradation increased s i g n i f i c a n t l y i n B r i t i s h Columbia, Cer ta in ly , f o r e s t e r s v awareness of s o i l concerns and of t h e number of pedologis ts a c t i v e i n f o r e s t s o i l s has increased dramatical ly s i n c e then.

A message t h a t has come ou t loud and c l e a r from these p a s t workshops, and 1 can see by todayqs agenda w i l l be amplif ied, is t h a t s o i l degradation i n our f o r e s t s is a major concern:

. Research r e s u l t s show t h a t s o i l disturbance, such a s sca lp ing, puddling, and compaction associa ted with harves t ing , not su rp r i s ing ly reduces t h e a b i l i t y of t h a t s o i l t o support tree growth. I n some s i t u a t i o n s , s tand growth reductions can be 15%, and t h e e f f e c t s can l a s t more than 50 years .

A problem a n a l y s i s conducted recent ly under the FRDA program concluded t h a t over t h e l a s t 10 years , product iv i ty l o s s e s a s a r e s u l t of s o i l degradation were 400,000 m3 per year , having a f fec ted over 400,000 ha of f o r e s t lands i n B r i t i s h Columbia.

Indeed, t h e f e d e r a l g o v e r m e n t 9 s Select Standing Committee on Agriculture and Fores t ry , having recent ly completed a r epor t on s o i l degradation i n Canada, described t h e s i t u a t i o n i n B r i t i s h Columbia a s fol lows :

The physiography of t h e province, coupled with the va r i a t ions i n t h e c l imate , bestow upon B r i t i s h Columbia v i r t u a l l y a l l of t h e s o i l degradation problems found i n t h e rest of t h e country, and a few more besides.

Now, some people may shrug, and say some s o i l d i s t u r b a n c e is necessary i n o r d e r t o h a r v e s t t h e f o r e s t . We do, a f t e r a l l , need roads and l and ings f o r example. Four hundred thousand cub ic metres is a r e l a t i v e l y s m a l l percentage of t h e t o t a l p r o v i n c i a l annual c u t , Some people may main ta in t h i s i s a cheap p r i c e of doing business . I t h i n k , however, t h i s would be a very shor t - s igh ted view of t h e problem:

Such an a n a l y s i s i gno re s t h e s i g n i f i c a n t impacts t h a t s o i l e r o s i o n and mass was t ing can have on o t h e r r e sou rces such a s f i s h e r i e s and water q u a l i t y , I n s o c i a l and d o l l a r terms, t h e s e impacts may more t han e c p a l l o s s e s i n f o r e s t r y p roduc t iv i t y .

The Minis t ry of F o r e s t s does no t cons ide r t h i s l o s s i n p r o v i n c i a l Annual Allowable Cut (ARC) inconsequent ia l . I n d i r e c t d o l l a r terms t h i s can be t e n s of m i l l i o n s of d o l l a r s annual ly . The Minis t ry has a mandate t o main ta in f o r e s t p r o d u c t i v i t y and s u s t a i n a b l e y i e l d . Los t investment o p p o r t u n i t i e s , l o s t employment, decreased t a x bases , and r e l o c a t i o n c o s t s a r e a l l a s s o c i a t e d with decreased timber supply. While t h e s e f u t u r e c o s t s cannot be s t a t e d i n d o l l a r terms, they c o n s t i t u t e s i g n i f i c a n t s o c i a l c o s t s ,

Si te degrada t ion l o s s e s a r e only one of t h e p o t e n t i a l l o s s e s con f ron t ing our f o r e s t l and base. Only 7% of B r i t i s h Columbia" 47 m i l l i o n h e c t a r e s a r e cons idered good f o r e s t l and , The p r e s s u r e s by u r k n i z a t i o n , t r a n s p o r t a t i o n c o r r i d o r s , a g r i c u l t u r e , w i l d l i f e p re se rva t ion , park r e s e r v e s , etc, a r e cont inuous,

The p o i n t I want t o make is: We need every b i t of f o r e s t l a n d we have, t o meet t h e demands pu t upon it by s o c i e t y -- no t t h e l e a s t of which is t o supply timkr t o meet t h e w e d s of i ndus t ry . That means we cannot a f f o r d t o see s i g n i f i c a n t p i e c e s of t h e f o r e s t l a r d base blow away i n t h e wind, s l i d e i n t o c r eeks , o r be des t royed i n o t h e r ways, The F o r e s t Se rv i ce , t h e r e f o r e , is very concerned wi th s o i l degrada t ion . So what a r e we doing about it?

There a r e 20 ongoing r e sea rch programs i n t h e F o r e s t Se rv i ce , with Regional s t a f f s p e c i f i c a l l y add re s s ing some a s p e c t of s o i l degrada t ion , The emphasis h a s k e n on s i te p repa ra t i on and s i te r e h a b i l i t a t i o n , Co-operative p r o j e c t s wi th t h e Canadian F o r e s t Se rv i ce and FERIC a r e under way i n t h e Kootenays. E igh t p r o j e c t s have k e n i n i t i a t e d through Sec t ion 88 funds t o companies on s i te r e h a b i l i t a t i o n , New agreements have been r e c e n t l y s igned t o con t inue t h e programs on t h e impacts of mass wast ing i n t h e Fish-Forestry I n t e r a c t i o n Program anri Carnat ion Creek exper imenta l watershed.

It is i n t h e a r e a of p revent ion , however, t h a t t h e Minis t ry feels t h e g r e a t e s t s t r i d e s can be made i n reducing s o i l degrada t ion . The most e f f e c t i v e and l e a s t expensive means of minimizing s o i l deg rada t ion is c a r e f u l p l ann ing of ha rves t i ng systems. P a r t of t h e planning process i s development of procedures o r g u i d e l i n e s f o r c r i t i c a l s i te assessment and de te rmina t ion of maximum

allowable d is turbance l e v e l s , For each harves t ing system we need t o know what l e v e l of d is turbance is necessary f o r f o r e s t access aml harves t ing and what is excessive. Careful planning would then allow a l t e r n a t i v e methods t o be se lec ted , which might achieve t h e same management objec t ive , but with reduced s o i l degradation.

Development of pol icy a d guidel ines t o minimize t h e e n v i r o m e n t a l impact of f o r e s t opera t ions on t h e Coast and i n t h e I n t e r i o r have had p a r a l l e l h i s t o r i e s which I th ink would be worthwhile t o expand upon f o r a moment. On t h e c o a s t , s o i l e ros ion concerns s ince t h e l a t e 19608s have revolved l a r g e l y around f i sh - fo res t ry i s s u e s , I n 1972, Coast Logging Guidelines were formulated, aimed a t "best management p rac t i ces tv t o minimize s i t e - s p e c i f i c i n p u t s of sediment i n t o streams. By the e a r l y 19801s, research was showing t h a t these guidel ines were not aderyate t o p ro tec t f i s h h a b i t a t . The r o l e of Large Organic Debris, of s treamside vegetat ion, of new road building p rac t i ces e t c , , had been re-evaluated and needed t o be incorporated i n new g u i d e l i m s , Drawing up the new Fishery-Forestry guidel ines was no p icnic , It was 2 years of i n t e n s e bargaining, negot ia t ion , and compsmise between t h e Ministry of Fores t s , Environment, Federal F i she r i e s , and indust ry . A new c o n f l i c t r e so lu t ion s t r a t e g y evolved, with r ep resen ta t ives of each of t h e i n t e r e s t groups on every committee l e v e l . The interagency-industry process was d i f f i c u l t but necessary, It allowed each par ty t o express its concems but buy i n t o the f i n a l agreement,

Also, on t h e Coast, reductions have been made i n AAC f o r a l l of the F L t s because of s lope s t a b i l i t y concerns, With t h e dep le t ion of e a s i l y access ib le timber a t lower e l eva t ions and increas ing production Bevels, harves t ing is being pushed onto more d i f f i c u l t a d unstable t e r r a i n , Many a r e a s simply cannot be logged with present methods without mass-wasting problems. Each of t h e major l i censees have k e n required t o undertake s lope s t a b i l i t y mapping p r o j e c t s of t h e i r TFLws. Reductions i n t h e AAC a r e being made based on t h e wood volume within those uns table zones. I n TFL 44 (Vancouver I s l and) , f o r example, 7,000 ha of mature merchantable timber were removed f o r AAC c a l c u l a t i o n s f o r s lope s t a b i l i t y reasons,

I n t h e i n t e r i o r of B r i t i s h Columbia, t h e s i t u a t i o n has been somewhat d i f f e r e n t . The s o i l d is turbance problems associa ted with ground-based, steep-slope logging were f i r s t examined i n January 1974 by a committee c a l l e d t h e Nelson Region tvSteep Slope Cmit"eees\ i n response t o a District d i r e c t i v e r e s t r i c t i n g ground skidding on s t e e p slopes. The Committee had represen ta t ives from t h e Foses t Service, indus t ry , FERIC, CFS, and t h e ELUC, and was chai red by Jim McIntosh of the CFS, This committee had a l o t of d r i v e and i n i t i a t i v e i n i ts e a r l y years , It i n i t i a t e d a l o t of t h e e a r l y research and survey p r o j e c t s i n t h e I n t e r i o r , including work on the ex ten t of d is turbance and t h e appropr ia te harves t methods.

In 1982, because of concern within t h e Ministry t h a t a l l our easy sites were being logged and a l l t he more expensive, s t e e p e r s i t e s were being l e f t 'Ifor f u t u r e genera t ionsw t o d e a l with, a "steep s lopew requirement was included i n t h e TSA. This required the major l i censees t o harves t a minimum 25% of t h e i r AAC on s t e e p s lopes . The s t e e p s lope requirement r e v i t a l i z e d t h e Nelson Steep Slope Committee, which put considerable e f f o r t i n t o def in ing what a s t e e p s lope was and how t h e 25% AAC s t i p u l a t i o n would be administered, inc luding reviewing incent ives f o r s t e e p s lope logging. A new S i l v i c u l t u r e Policy regarding the reduction of product iv i ty l o s s e s from logging opera t ions was i ssued by the Ministry of Foses ts i n May 1984, The pol icy statement s p e c i f i e s t h a t :

- a l l logging opera t ions and road const ruct ion be planned and c a r r i e d out t o ensure s i te dis turbance leading t o s i te degradation and product iv i ty l o s s be kept t o a minimum. - dis turbance causing s i te degradation s h a l l not exceed limits es tab l i shed by the Regional Manager f o r the p ro tec t ion of s i te product iv i ty ,

This pol icy , of course, begs the quest ion of what a r e those acceptable d is turbance limits? "Procedures f o r implementation," which de f ine acceptable l e v e l s of s i te disturbance, have not y e t heen f u l l y e s t ab l i shed , A d r a f t procedure f o r assess ing degradation from bladed roads was developed by Ministry s t a f f l a s t year and i s cur ren t ly under review,

A numbs of concerns have been expressed by indus t ry and o the r s about s p e c i f i c procedures o r r u l e s f o r allowable d is turbance and the AAC pena l t i e s t h a t may r e s u l t f o r non-compliance, I th ink it is worthwhile t o go over t h e s e concerns with t h i s group, a s you can probably help answer them:

The main concerns a re :

1, Is t h e r e a widespread problem with s o i l degradation? That is, have any sys temat ic surveys been c a r r i e d o u t over whole d i s t r i c t s ? Or a r e we ins tead j u s t ex t rapo la t ing a few research p l o t s t o the e n t i r e province?

2, How confident can we be i n equating d is turbance with degradation? Or with p r o d m t i v i t y losses? Are we confident i n bringing north t h e research r e s u l t s from Oregon and applying them t o B r i t i s h Columbia's s o i l s ?

3. Has there been s u f f i c i e n t research on what various types of machinery a r e capable of doing t o minimize disturbance? That is: a r e t h e guidel ines obtainable?

4. W i l l t h e procedures still allow companies t o pursue " t o t a l chance" logging i n a watershed (something t h e indust ry and Ministry cons iders e s s e n t i a l f o r f u l l u t i l i z a t i o n ) ?

These a r e l eg i t ima te concerns. From an ob jec t ive viewpoint, it must be remembered t h a t any new guidel ines w i l l probably add t o t h e c o s t s of logging. I n pure d o l l a r terms, it can be e a s i l y shown t h a t a 10% increase i n logging c o s t s may exceed t h e expected economic l o s s e s from reduced stand product iv i ty ,

So we have got t o be a s s u r e a s poss ib le about our bas ic information before we implement any n e w procedures, but procedures a r e d e f i n i t e l y needed, I n Apri l of l a s t year it was decided t h a t an o rgan iza t iona l format s i m i l a r t o what was used on t h e Coast was needed t o come up with s i te degradation procedures t h a t were acceptable t o a l l concerned, An I n t e r i o r Fores t Harvest Council (IFHC) was es t ab l i shed cons i s t ing of t h e f i v e Ministry of Fores t s Regional Managers from the I n t e r i o r , four indust ry r ep resen ta t ives , FERIC, and Ministry of F o r e s t s t Research Branch, with myself a s chairman,

Among our ob jec t ives a r e t h e following:

- t o ensure t h a t t e r r a i n sites i n t h e I n t e r i o r a r e s t r a t i f i e d ;

- t o ensure t h a t the c o r r e c t harves t ing system is being used;

- t o ensure t h a t s i te product iv i ty is k i n g maintained; and

- t o ensure t h a t research is d i r e c t e d a t t h i s problem.

We w i l l a l s o a c t a s t h e provincia l co-ordinating group f o r t h e f i v e Regional Fores t Harvest Subcommittees, which were a l s o es t ab l i shed a t the same time, The Regional Sub-Committees w i l l have up t o e i g h t indust ry and Ministry members. They w i l l r epor t t o the IFHC. Their mandate is t o :

- i n v e s t i g a t e s i l v i c u l t u r a l problems, harvest ing systems, and incent ives f o r s t e e p s lope logging, and

- prepare guidel ines f o r s i te disturbance.

Both t h e EFHC and the Regional Sub-Committees w i l l a l s o develop incent ives f o r doing " t o t a l chances8 and '"rainage basingf planning during harves t ing operat ions.

The S i t e Degradation and Rehab i l i t a t ion Committee, which is a t echn ica l conamittee of Pedologists , w i l l r epor t t o t h e IFHC a s t h e i r t echn ica l exper ts on s o i l degradation through a Technical Working Group,

The s t r u c t u r e of these committees p a r a l l e l s t h a t used success fu l ly on t h e Coast f o r the Fish-Forestry Guidelines. They a r e committees with membership from a l l t h e a f fec ted p a r t i e s a t every l e v e l , with a bui l t - in c o n f l i c t r e so lu t ion mechanism. The philosophy of t h e committee is t h a t only through an in teg ra ted approach involving s o i l sc ience , machinery s t u d i e s , f o r e s t economics, and s i l v i c u l t u r e can environmentally sound and r e a l i s t i c and - -

achievable - and c o s t - e f f i c i e n t procedures be developed. The ob jec t ive is t o develop procedures f o r each region within t h e year ,

To s t a r t t h e p rocess , . th ree l i t e r a t u r e reviews have j u s t k e n contrac ted on:

l, s o i l degradation and product iv i ty ,

the economics of s o i l degradation, and

3, harves t ing methods and machinery,

The reviewers w i l l emphasize those r e s u l t s app l i cab le t o the I n t e r i o r of B r i t i s h Columbia and t h e i r r epor t s w i l l be ava i l ab le i n mid-July 1988, Concurrently, t h e S i t e Degradation and Rehab i l i t a t ion Committee w i l l be asked t o recommend a standard f i e l d survey method f o r measuring s o i l degradation.

When t h e l i t e r a t u r e reviews and measurement s tandards a r e completed, t h e IFHC w i l l work t o develope a "master setu of s o i l degradation guidel ines f o r t h e I n t e r i o r , Each Regional Sub-Committee w i l l , i n tu rn , modify these procedures f o r t h e unique condi t ions of t h e i r region, It is t h e Min i s t ry9s goal t o have t r i a l w p r o c e d u ~ s For reduction of product iv i ty l o s s e s w i n place within 1 year ,

With t h i s a s our goal , I am del ighted t o see t h a t t h e focus of your workshop sess ions tomorrow w i l l be on "es tabl i sh ing c r i t e r i a f o r a s sess ing s o i l degradation e f q could be more t imely, It will be t h e people i n t h i s room who w i l l u l t imate ly provide t h a t t echn ica l advice t o the Sub-Committees on recmmeded measuement and survey methods, on s i te assessment methods, and on limits o f t o l e r a b l e d is turbance on various site types -- not only f o r bladed roads, but a l s o f o r t h e more d i f f i c u l t impacts from compaction and puddling,

I leave you with t h a t chal lenge and wish you an exce l l en t conference,

OVERVIEW

SOIL DffiRADATION AS A FACTOR AFFECTING FOREST PRODUCTIVITY I N BRITISH COLUMBIA: A PROBLEM ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

M.E, Walmsley and G . Utzig Westland Resource Group

V i c t o r i a , B,C.

The fo l l owing paper is a b r i e f summary of a problem a n a l y s i s prepared f o r Fo re s t ry Canada t o e v a l u a t e t h e e x t e n t and effects of s o i l deg rada t ion on f o r e s t p r o d u c t i v i t y i n B r i t i s h Columbia, and t o make recanmendations f o r f u r t h e r r e sea rch , r e g u l a t i o n s , and l e g i s l a t i v e changes t o reduce t h e problem .I,

S o i l degrada t ion may be def ined a s any change i n phys i ca l , chemical , o r b i o l o g i c a l s o i l p r o p e r t i e s which reduces p r o d u c t i v i t y . It i n c l u d e s f a c t o r s such as compaction, puddling, l o s s of o r g a n i c ma t t e r , o r r educ t ion i n water o r n u t r i e n t a v a i l a b i l i t y , I n c o n t r a s t , s o i l d i s t u r b a n c e is a v i s i b l e change i n s o i l p r o p e r t i e s , occu r r ing f o r example, a s a r e s u l t of s c a l p i n g o r mixing of t h e s o i l s u r f a c e l a y e r s . S o i l d i s tu rbance such a s sha l low mixing can r e s u l t i n p r o d u c t i v i t y i n c r e a s e s , while s e v e r e d i s t u r b a n c e such as deep s c a l p i n g and compaction can o f t e n be ecya ted with s o i l degrada t ion .

When d i s c u s s i n g t h e n e t changes i n growth r e s u l t i n g from any p a r t i c u l a r '

t r ea tmen t , it is impor tan t t o remember t h a t t h e s o i l is only one component of t h e environment t h a t may have been a f f e c t e d by t h e t rea tment . Other f a c t o r s , such a s microc l imate and brush compet i t ion , which a l s o effect tree growth, a r e o f t e n a f f e c t e d by t h e t r ea tmen t , whether i t be sk idroad c o n s t r u c t i o n o r s i te prepara t ion . As F igu re 1 i l l u s t r a t e s , even though t h e p o s i t i v e changes i n t he se o t h e r f a c t o r s may have r e s u l t e d i n a n e t i n c r e a s e i n tree growth from a p a r t i c u l a r t r ea tmen t , t h e r e still may have been s o i l degrada t ion . A s well, f a c t o r s such a s brush compet i t ion and microcl imate may i n c r e a s e i n i t i a l s e e d l i n g growth, whi le s o i l deg rada t ion due t o n u t r i e n t r educ t ion o r compaction can have long-term effects which a r e no t ev iden t u n t i l l a t e r s t a g e s i n s t and development, S t u d i e s have shown t h a t t r ea tmen t s which r e s u l t i n i nc reased growth of s e e d l i n g s may still r e s u l t i n decreased y i e l d s a t h a r v e s t , The o b j e c t i v e s of any t rea tment should i n c l u d e t h e minimizat ion of s o i l degrada t ion .

l u t z i g , G .F. and M. Walmsley. 1988. Evalua t ion of s o i l deg rada t ion a s a f a c t o r a f f e c t i n g f o r e s t p r o d u c t i v i t y i n B r i t i s h Columbia: a problem a n a l y s i s (Phase I). Can. For. Se rv , , Pac. For. Cent. 108 p. and appendices. I n p re s s .

2 ~ a l m s l e y , M. , G .F . Utzig , and G . S t i l l . 1989. Evalua t ion of s o i l deg rada t ion a s a f a c t o r a f f e c t i n g f o r e s t p r o d u c t i v i t y i n B r i t i s h Columbia: a problem a n a l y s i s (Phase I1 and 111) . Can. For. Serv . , Pac. For. Cent. 43 p. and appendix. Unpublished r e p o r t .

Our review of l i t e r a t u r e has shown t h a t f o r e s t harvest ing can r e s u l t i n s o i l degradation ranging from 2 o r 3% of t h e a r e a with he l i cop te r o r horse logging, t o 40% with summer ground skidding on s t e e p s lopes . S o i l e ros ion, mechanical s i te prepara t ion , and slashburning a r e a l s o responsible f o r s o i l degradation on some sites.

By c a l c u l a t i n g t h e t o t a l a r e a s of various management t reatments, and applying appropr ia te percentages of degraded a r e a s t o each, we can es t ima te t h e t o t a l a rea of degraded s o i l s r e s u l t i n g from f o r e s t management. Based on f i g u r e s f o r

. t h e province from 1976 t o 1986, roughly 400,000 ha, o r 20% of t h e a rea harvested during t h a t period was degraded, If s i m i l a r t rends continue, 20% of t h e t o t a l f o r e s t land base of B r i t i s h Columbia may be degraded by t h e end of t h e f i r s t ro ta t ion . As shown i n Figure 2, t h e main con t r ibu to r is skidroads from ground skidding.

A review of the l i t e r a t u r e a l s o shows t h a t the reduction i n f o r e s t product iv i ty on degraded s o i l s can be a s high a s 50 o r 4096 f o r ind iv idua l trees, and up t o 90% f o r the impacted s tand, a s a r e s u l t of decreased s tocking l eve l s . For es t imat ing l o s s e s on a p rov inc ia l bas i s , we assumed a 50% growth reduction f o r a r e a s degraded by harves t ing a d s i te prepara t ion , and 100% f o r eroded a r e a s , The r e s u l t s showed t h a t t h e province is cur ren t ly los ing 410,000 m 3 i n growth a s a r e s u l t of s o i l degradation caused by f o r e s t r y p r a c t i c e s be 6 and 1986. This number increases each year these p r a c t i c e s continue, and may r e s u l t i n a l o s s of approximatePy 10% of t h e p rov inc ia l long-term y ie ld a f t e r the first r o t a t i o n ( see Figure 31,

The cur ren t annual l o s s t o t h e provincia l economy (from f o r e s t s o i l degradation generated between 2.976 and 1986) is est imated t o be roughly $80 mi l l ion (assuming $200/m3). This l o s s a l s o increases each yeas the p r a c t i c e s continue. The annual c o s t of f o r e s t s o i l degradation may double by the year 2000 ( see ~ i g u r e 3 ) .

Our review of cu r ren t research pointed ou t t h e following:

The major i ty of research i s being d i rec ted a t harvest ing and s i t e prepara t ion technology and e f f e c t s ,

The major i ty of research i s being conducted i n t h e i n t e r i o r por t ions of t h e province,

The major i ty of research i s being conducted by the Ministry of Fores ts and Fores t ry Canada,

Some of t h e most promising research is on t h e verge of being completed o r is being conducted,

Lit t le research i s being conducted on monitoring systems and technology t r a n s f e r .

Lit t le research is being d i rec ted a t resource planning and economic i ssues .

Based on t h i s review and on d i s c u s s i o n s with government and i n d u s t r i a l r e sea rch f o r e s t e r s , we recommend t h e fo l lowing i n i t i a t i v e s f o r research :

1. t h e development, t e s t i n g , and implementation of a f o r e s t s e r v i c e p o l i c y on s o i l p r o d u c t i v i t y p r o t e c t i o n ;

2 , t h e development and implementation of a p p r o p r i a t e p r a c t i c e s f o r r e h a b i l i t a t i o n of s o i l p r o d u c t i v i t y ;

3. t h e development of monitor ing p l ans and procedures t o i n v e s t i g a t e and e v a l u a t e changes i n s o i l p r o d u c t i v i t y ;

4. t h e development of t echniques f o r p r e d i c t i n g where a r educ t ion of p r o d u c t i v i t y can be expected because of management p r a c t i c e s and s o i l c o n d i t i o n s ;

5. t h e assessment and t e s t i n g of t echniques f o r improving s o i l p r o d u c t i v i t y ; and

6 . t h e implementation of an e f f e c t i v e in format ion exchange program.

While t h e r e is no p r o v i n c i a l l e g i s l a t i o n t h a t is s p e c i f i c a l l y concerned with t h e p r o t e c t i o n of t h e s o i l r e sou rce f o r t h e purposes of main ta in ing f o r e s t p r o d u c t i v i t y , t h e r e is po l i cy o u t l i n e d i n t h e S i l v i c u l t u r e Manual which does add re s s p r o d u c t i v i t y l o s s e s from f o r e s t ope ra t i ons r e s u l t i n g from s o i l degrada t ion . However, t h e procedures f o r implementing t h e p o l i c y and t h e d e f i n i t i o n s of accep tab l e l e v e l s of d i s tu rbance a r e no t f u l l y e s t a b l i s h e d .

We a l s o recommend t h a t immediate a t t e n t i o n be g iven t o t h e development of p e r t i n e n t l e g i s l a t i o n and t h e implementation of e f f e c t i v e s o i l conse rva t ion s t r a t e g i e s t o a l l e v i a t e t h e ongoing l o s s of f o r e s t p r o d u c t i v i t y r e s u l t i n g from s o i l degrada t ion . The need f o r well-coordinated and focussed approach t o t r a i n i n g and ex t ens ion programs d e a l i n g with s o i l degrada t ion has a l s o been demonstrated. It is c r u c i a l t o raise t h e awareness of i n d u s t r y and government personnel regard ing t h e consequences of s o i l degrada t ion . The educa t ion and t r a i n i n g program should have two o b j e c t i v e s :

1. t o i n c r e a s e awareness and understanding of s o i l degradationlconservation i s s u e s among middle- and upper- level f o r e s t r y managers and t h e gene ra l p u b l i c ; and

2. t o t r a i n o p e r a t i o n a l f o r e s t r y personnel i n planning and s p e c i f i c f i e l d techniques which w i l l reduce t h e occurrence of s o i l degrada t ion .

If l e g i s l a t o r s , p r a c t i t i o n e r s , and t h e g e n e r a l pub l i c con t inue t o be unaware of t h e e x t e n t of t h e s o i l deg rada t ion i s s u e , on ly sma l l g a i n s w i l l be made i n d e a l i n g with t h e problem. Although i t is d i f f i c u l t t o measure t h e c u r r e n t commitment throughout t h e province, we sugges t t h a t government and i n d u s t r y

staffing levels and budgets are inadecyate to effectively deal with the current situation. We estimate the personnel requirements and program costs for a "soil degradation program to be:

$715,00O/year minimum program $1.56 million/year recommended program

A reduction i n the annual accumulation of productivity loss by approximately 18 or 26!X would make the minimum and recommended program, respectively, cost-justifiable (including cost for one-time only programs).

(% Volume)

5 0 . --

NET CHANGE

lNCREASED

SOlL TEMP

R E D U C E D

AWSC

FIGURE 1, Hypothetical short-term growth changes resulting from a s i t e treatment such as blade scarification.

CABLEIHELI LOGGING (8.8%) SLASHBURNING

(6.3%)

PREP I

ION (1.2%)

GROUND SKIDDING (69.4%)

FIGURE 2, Total area degraded by forestry practices between 1976 and 1986, by source ( to ta l = 403,551 ha ) .

Productivity Losses (1 000 m3/yr)

Economic Losses ($ million/yr)

FIGURE 3. Curren t and p ro j ec t ed annual l o s s e s due t o f o r e s t s o i l degrada t ion ( l o s s e s i n c l u d e deg rada t ion generated s i n c e 1976 on ly ) .

CURRENT RESEARCH

ASSESSING WHETHER LANDIM; REHABILITATION I S POSSIBLE

A. J . McLeod Regional Pedologist Ministry of Fores t s Pr ince George, B.C.

Fores t managers need t o decide exact ly what they wish t o do with t h e landbase occupied by landings, They must a l s o balance t h e economics of any treatment conducted on landing a reas with t h e need t o maintain t h e product iv i ty of the fo res ted landbase. For managers t o resolve what they w i l l do with a r e a s occupied by landings, they need t o have a good understanding of the ecosystem dynamics of the sites they a r e harvest ing. Edaphic f a c t o r s l i k e s o l a r r ad ia t ion , a i r temperature, wind speed, r e l a t i v e humidity, and p r e c i p i t a t i o n must be quant i f ied and r e l a t e d t o s o i l p roper t i e s l i k e t h e n u t r i e n t pool, biology pool, moisture regime, physica l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , and the thermal regime. To know how well trees w i l l grow on landings, managers must a l s o know how edaphic f a c t o r s and s o i l p roper t i e s change a s a r e s u l t of landing construct ion. After assess ing these changes, they need t o modify these edaphic f a c t o r s and s o i l p roper t i e s t o t r y and regain l o s t product iv i ty incurred a s a r e s u l t of landing const ruct ion , e s p e c i a l l y f a c t o r s l i k e s o i l n u t r i t i o n , s o i l bulk dens i ty (poros i ty and a e r a t i o n ) , and s o i l biology. Current landing r e h a b i l i t a t i o n techniques include green manuring, re- introduction of t o p s o i l , decompaction, and f e r t i l i z a t i o n .

I n the s h o r t term, t h e r e is no quest ion t h a t these techniques ameliorate some of t h e impacts from landing const ruct ion , However, t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l unknowns:

Can these benef i t s be sus ta ined over the ro ta t ion?

Can the c o s t of producing these b e n e f i t s be j u s t i f i e d ?

W i l l a merchantable s tand be produced i n t h e r o t a t i o n period?

One way a manager could determine i f landings were capable of producing a merchantable s tand would be t o compare t h e i r edaphic f a c t o r s , s o i l p roper t i e s , and observed tree growth with n a t u r a l ecosystems, For ins tance , t h e edaphic f a c t o r s and s o i l p roper t i e s t h a t a r e associa ted with t h e Pine-Black Spruce assoc ia t ion i n t h e Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone can shed l i g h t on whether o r not r e h a b i l i t a t i o n landings can produce a useable product. This assoc ia t ion develops on compacted g l a c i a l till o r heavy textured l a c u s t r i n e mater ia l . It is n u t r i t i o n a l l y poor (Figure l a , l b ) and experiences sa tu ra ted condi t ions from perched water t a b l e s i n t h e sp r ing (Figure Za, 2b). As a r e s u l t of these condi t ions , tree growth on t h i s ecosystem is poor (Figure 3).

Figure l a shows t h e d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e amount of t o t a l n i t rogen between va r ious ecosystem u n i t s i n t h e Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone, F igure l b shows t h e d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e amount of m i ~ r a l i z a b l e n i t rogen between t h e s e same ecosystem u n i t s .

F igure 2a shows t h e amount of water s t o r e d i n t h e va r ious roo tzones a s s o c i a t e d with s e l e c t e d site and vege t a t i on c o n d i t i o n s i n t h e SBSmc subzone f o r t h e 1985 growing season. F igure 2b shows t h e corresponding s o i l mois ture p o t e n t i a l f o r t h e s e same cond i t i ons . Note t h a t s a t u r a t e d c o n d i t i o n s a r e p re sen t on t h e PlSb ecosystems growing on g l a c i a l till p a r e n t m a t e r i a l well i n t o t h e 1985 growing season , which was one of t h e d r i e s t summers on record i n t h e SBSmc v a r i a n t .

F igure 3 shows t h e cumulat ive b a s a l a r e a curve f o r lodgepole p ine f o r s e l e c t e d f o r e s t e d ecosystems and p a r e n t m a t e r i a l s . Note t h a t t h e Pine-Black Spruce ecosystems growing on compacted g l a c i a l till pa ren t m a t e r i a l have t h e lowest cumulat ive basal a r e a , fol lowed by t h i s same ecosystem growing on l a c u s t r i n e p a r e n t m a t e r i a l . The b e s t measured cumulat ive b a s a l a r e a occurs on t h e Mesic Bunchberry-Moss ecosystems growing on g l a c i a l till pa ren t m a t e r i a l .

Cur ren t ly , E E f u l l l and ing r e h a b i l i t a t i o n E t i n t h e P r i n c e George F o r e s t Region c o s t $l,OOO.OO/ha, which i n c l u d e s r e sp read ing of t h e d e b r i s p i l e , r i pp ing with a winged s u b s o i l e r , f e r t i l i z i n g , seed ing a legume mixture , and p l a n t i n g t h e a r e a with lodgepole pine.

However, t h e b e s t way t o minimize t h e l o s s of p roduct ive l a r d b a s e occupied by l and ings i s through prevent ion , To h e l p prevent t h e impacts on t h e product ive landbase r e s u l t i n g from l and ing c o n s t r u c t i o n , managers can prep lan l and ing s e t t i n g s and minimize t h e a r e a of t h e cu tb lock g iven over t o them. Managers can a l s o c o n s i d e r us ing a l t e r n a t i v e h a r v e s t i n g techniques l i k e road-side sk idding which r e q u i r e s no l and ings be developed, Net t ing l and ing a r e a s o u t of t h e product ive landbase and cons ide r ing t h e s e a r e a s p a r t of t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n network is a n o t h e r approach managers can use.

Research h a s shown conc lus ive ly t h a t t h e n u t r i e n t s t a t u s of l and ing m a t e r i a l is very poor (Figure 4a , 4b) , Landings occur ing on loam o r f i ne r - t ex tu red m a t e r i a l s exper ience s i g n i f i c a n t r econso l ida t ion a f t e r being decompacted by t h e winged s u b s o i l e r (Figure 5). Lack o f o rgan ic m a t t e r i n t h e mine ra l s u b s t r a t e on t h e s e l and ing a r e a s is l i k e l y t h e reason s e r i o u s r e c o n s o l i d a t i o n is occur r ing . Addit ion of o rgan ic ma t t e r such a s pu lpmi l l s l udge is k i n g t r i e d i n t h e P r i n c e George F o r e s t Region t o a s c e r t a i n whether r econso l ida t ion can be reduced. I feel t h a t s u c c e s s f u l l and ing r e h a b i l i t a t i o n can occur on sand, loamy sand, and sandy loam sites i n t h e fo l lowing b iogeoc l imat ic zones: CWH, CDF, ICH, SBS, MH, MS, wetter IDF, and warmer BWBS. I a l s o be l i eve t h a t s u c c e s s f u l r e h a b i l i t a t i o n of l and ings occupying f i n e r - t e x t u r e d m a t e r i a l is s t i l l t o be demonstrated.

" PlSbT PlSbL M/e2 SM/h SH/hF SH/hL Site

FIGURE l a . To ta l n i t rogen n u t r i e n t poo l (summed over the e f f ec t i ve roo t i ng zone) f o r various s i t e s i n the Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone.

Site FIGURE l b . To ta l m imra l i zab le n i t rogen n u t r i e n t pool (summed over the

e f f e c t i v e roo t ing zone) f o r various s i t e s i n the Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone.

Note: PlSbT = Pine-Black Spruce ecosystems developed on g l a c i a l t i l l parent mate r ia l i n the SBSrnc variant.

PlSbL = Pine-Black Spruce ecosystems developed on lacus t r ine parent mate r ia l i n the SBSmc var iant ,

M/e2 = Mesic Bunchberry-Moss ecosystems developed on g l a c i a l t i l l parent mater ia ls i n the SBSmc variant.

SM/h = Submesic PL-Pinegrass-Feathermoss ecosystems developed on f l u v i a l parent mate r ia l i n the SBSdh variant.

SH/hL = Subhygric Pl-Sx-Thimbleberry ecosystems developed on f l u v i a l parent mate r ia l i n the SBSdh var iant .

SH/hL = Subhygric P1-Sx-Thimbleberry ecosystems developed on lacus t r ine parent mater ia l i n the SBSdh var iant .

Legend

- Zonal rill

PISb Lac

Julian day FIGURE 2a, Comparison of rootzone water content for different ecosystems

w i t h i n the SBSmc variant. Legend

- Zonal Till

-s- C.C. nil

PISID nit

-?- PISb Lac

Julian day FIGURE 2b. Comparison of rootmone potential for different ecosystems w i t h i n

the SBSrnc variant.

Note: Zonal T i l l = forested mesic bunchberry-moss ecosystems developed on glacial till parent material.

C.C. T i l l = clearcut mesic bunchberry-moss ecosystems developed on glacial till parent material.

PlSb T i l l = Pine-Black Spruce ecosystems developed on glacial till parent material.

PlSb Lac = Pine-Black Spruce ecosystems developed on lacustrine parent material.

FIGURE 3. Cumulative basa l a r e a curves f o r lodgepole pine i n t h e SBSmc var i an t .

Note: Mesic T i l l = fo res ted mesic bunchberry-moss ecosystems developed on g l a c i a l till parent mater ia l ,

PlSb T i l l = Pine-Black Spruce ecosystems developed on g l a c i a l till parent mater ia l .

PlSb Lac = Pine-Black Spruce ecosystems developed on l a c u s t r i n e parent mater ia l .

Treatments FIGURE 4a, T o t a l n i t rogen pool (summed ove r 20 cm e f f e c t i v e r o o t i n g zone) f o r

va r ious l and ing r e h a b i l i t a t i o n t r ea tmen t s i n t h e SBSmc v a r i a n t ,

Treatments

FIGURE 4b. T o t a l mine ra l i zab l e n i t r o g e n pool (summed ove r 20 cm e f f e c t i v e r o o t i n g zone) f o r va r ious l and ing r e h a b i l i t a t i o n t r ea tmen t s i n t h e SBSmc v a r i a n t .

Note : Landing = u n r e h a b i l i t a t e d l and ing m a t e r i a l NTS+S = l and ing a r e a s t h a t were r ipped by a winged s u b s o i l e r

without t h e a d d i t i o n of t o p s o i l and seeded t o a legume mixture.

TS+S = l and ing a r e a t h a t had t o p s o i l respread ove r i t , then t h e a r e a was r ipped by a winged s u b s o i l e r and seeded t o a legume mixture .

TS = l anding a r e a t h a t had t o p s o i l respread ove r i t , then t h e a r e a was r ipped by a winged s u b s o i l e r bu t no t seeded t o any legume mixture .

Undisturb = Contro l a r e a l o c a t e d o f f t h e landing .

LEGEND

El Overwinter

TSSNS NTS-CS TSS-S

Treat menf

FIGURE 5 . Changes i n t h e 0-30 cm bulk d e n s i t y on r e h a b i l i t a t e d l and ings developed on g l a c i a l till pa ren t m a t e r i a l i n t h e SBSrrw, v a r i a n t .

Note: NTSiS = l and ing a r e a s t h a t were r ipped by a winged s u b s o i l e r without t h e a d d i t i o n of t o p s o i l and seeded t o a legume mixture.

TS+S = l and ing a r e a t h a t had t o p s o i l respread ove r it, then t h e a r e a was r ipped by a winged s u b s o i l e r and seeded t o a legume mixture ,

TS+NS = l a r d i n g a r e a t h a t had t o p s o i l respread ove r i t , then t h e a r e a was r ipped by a winged s u b s o i l e r but no t seeded t o any legume mixture .

CHANGES I N SOIL BULK DENSITY WITH INCREASING LEVELS OF LGP SKIDDER TRAFFIC: STUDY DESIGN AND PRELIMINARY RESULTS

T.P. Rollerson MacMillan Bloedel Ltd.

Woodland Services Nanaimo, B.C,

Both short-term and long-term information i s needed about t h e p o t e n t i a l s o i l and product iv i ty impacts of ground-based harvest ing systems on t h e B r i t i s h Colunbia coas t , Managers need t o know t h e magnitude of these impacts t o determine acceptable l e v e l s of d is turbance , and t o plan appropr ia te harves t ing systems o r r e h a b i l i t a t i o n measures.

Fa i lu re t o address these concerns could r e s u l t i n an increas ing number of a r e a s where s i te product iv i ty o r regenerat ion is a problem. Al ternat ive ly , unnecessary r e s t r i c t i v e guidel ines may be placed on mechanized harves t ing a c t i v i t i e s with r e s u l t i n g economic hardship, Timely assessment of t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r growth and regenerat ion problems associa ted with ground-based harves t ing systems should he lp t o resolve these i s sues .

This s tudy is designed t o a s s e s s t h e changes i n s o i l phys ica l p roper t i e s and t h e expected e f f e c t on s i te product iv i ty associa ted with wide-tire (LPG ) skidder t r a f f i c e .

The main ob jec t ives of the study a r e to:

compare t h e compactive e f f e c t s of ground-based yarding on f i v e c o a s t a l s o i l s over a range of s o i l moisture condit ions;

e s t a b l i s h basel ine s i t e s s u i t a b l e f o r e v a l u a t i n g t h e g rowthof c o n i f e r seedl ings on compacted s o i l s ; and

providing da ta which w i l l a s s i s t i n t h e development of guidel ines f o r the use of mechanized harves t ing equipment on c o a s t a l s i t e s ,

S i t e s e l e c t i o n

S i t e s were s e l e c t e d t o provide a range of parent ma te r i a l s , s o i l types, and s o i l t e x t u r e s , S i t e topography was s u i t a b l e f o r mechanized harvest ing. The a r e a s s e l e c t e d had been recen t ly cable yarded s o t h a t the compactive e f f e c t s of yarding could be considered minor. S i t e s were se lec ted t o minimize s o i l v a r i a b i l i t y , S i t e s s e l e c t e d have an a rea of 4-6 ha over which s o i l s and topography a r e r e l a t i v e l y homogeneous, S o i l type s e l e c t i o n was obviously constrained by the type of recent ly logged sites ava i l ab le .

The s o i l s a t each s i te w i l l be sampled and described f o r t h e purposes of s o i l c l a s s i f i c a t i o n , t e x t u r a l cha rac te r i za t ion , and n u t r i e n t s t a t u s .

Study Design

The s tudy tests the compactive effect of a wide-tire (LGP) skidder.

The machine is being run on f i v e d i f f e r e n t s o i l types under two d i f f e r e n t moisture condi t ions (e.g., dry-late summer and e a r l y f a l l , and moist-spring condi t ions 1.

A t each s i t e , a series of f i v e test loops of varying numbers of r e tu rn t r i p s (5, 10 , 20, 40, 80) a r e crea ted . The test loops w i l l be repeated f o r each s o i l moisture condit ion, Test loop pos i t ions a r e randomly assigned. Each test loop is approximately 100 m long.

S o i l bulk dens i ty measurements a r e taken on each test loop and on an undisturbed s t r i p adjacent t o each t r i a l . These samples w i l l be used t o determine changes i n s o i l bulk dens i ty , r e s u l t i n g from increas ing l e v e l s of sk idder t r a f f i c . S o i l s a r e sampled f o r gravimetric s o i l water content a t t h e time of machine treatment, S o i l bulk dens i ty is measured with a Troxles 3411 Moisture-Density Gauge.

Study l o c a t ions

The f i v e s tudy sites a r e loca ted i n t h e White and Adam River drainages i n Kelsey Bay Woodlands Division, t h e I ron River opera t ion of Menzies Bay W o o d l a ~ s Division, and Nanoose Bay i n Northwest Bay Woodlands Division. These a r e a l l operat ing d i v i s i o n s of MadJlillan Bloedel Ltd. located along t h e e a s t coas t of Vancouver Is land.

The White River s i te is a well-drained, sandy f loodpla in , while t h e Adam River s i te is a moderately well-drained, sandy t o sandy gravel ly , f l u v i a l fan. The I ron River s i t e c o n s i s t of a moderately well- t o imperfect ly drained morainal blanket and a well- t o rapid ly drained s o i l formed of shallow morainal veneers and weathered sandstone. The Manoose s i t e is a well- t o moderately well-drained morainal blanket which was subjected t o marine inundation a t t h e end of deg lac ia t ion and thus may have experienced some surface washing.

Preliminary Resul ts and Discussion

I n i t i a l a n a l y s i s of da ta from t h r e e of the s i t e s t r e a t e d i n t h e f a l l of 1987 (dry s o i l t rea tment) shows t rends of increas ing s o i l bulk dens i ty with increas ing skidder t r a f f i c . Most of the compaction occurs i n t h e f i r s t 5-10 re tu rn t r i p s (one re tu rn t r i p = one cyc le with the skidder empty and one cycle with a tu rn of l o g s ) , with a lesser amount of compaction occurring t h e r e a f t e r . Compaction a t depth i s g e w r a l l y s l i g h t l y less, though probably not s i g n i f i c a n t l y d i f f e r e n t , than compaction a t the surface. Compaction along the c e n t r e of t h e t r i a l tends t o be somewhat less than t h a t i n t h e wheel t r acks , but again t h e d i f fe rences a r e not expected t o be s i g n i f i c a n t .

The r e s u l t s t o da te ind ica te t h a t a r e l a t i v e l y low number of sk idder passes w i l l cause most of t h e compaction on a sk id t r a i l . These and s i m i l a r f ind ings elsewhere i n d i c a t e t h a t a move toward designated r a t h e r than operator" choice skid t r a i l p a t t e r n s is appropr ia te if si te degradation i s t o be minimized.

Plot I: LGP skidder return t r i p s X change in soi l bulk density -

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 -

versus

$2; 30cm

8 il G 0

7

3

-1 0 20 40 60 80

Number of skidder turns - dry soil

Plot 2: LGP skidiler return t r i p s versus X change in soil bulk density - s i t e 3

23 I 1 1 i t 1 1 1 i r i s

Number of skidder turns - dry soil

Plitt 5: LGP skidtier return t r i p s versus X change in soil b ~ l k density - s i t e 4 depth O-iQcm

................. ,, .." '.."'

0 2G 40 M)

Number of skidder turns - dry soil

SOIL DISTURBANCE AND DEGRADATION AT BUXTON FLATS

W.J. Watt a d J.T. Standish, Ministry of Fores t s , Cariboo Fores t Region, Williams Lake, B,C.

and Stewart and Ewing Assoc. Ltd, , Richmond, B.C.

A co-operative f i e l d s tudy of t h e impacts of s o i l d is turbance from ground skidding was es t ab l i shed i n 1984 by Weldwood of Canada, Merrill and Wagner d i v i s i o n , and the Research Section, B.C, Fores t Service, Cariboo Fores t Region. The study a rea is located north of Williams Lake i n t h e Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone (SBSk) . S o i l s a r e gravel ly , loamy-textured Gray Luvisols developed i n g l a c i a l till, Performance of Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine seedl ings on a r e a s severe ly r u t t e d by rubber-t i red skidders is compared t o a reas of "minimal d is turbancew and t o a t tcontrol l t (an a r e a logged without any machine t r a f f i c ) , Some r u t t e d a r e a s were a l s o subjected t o r e h a b i l i t a t i v e treatments ( r ipping and seeding w i t h grass-legume mixes).

The s tudy is intended t o improve l o c a l understanding of t h e impact of ground skidding on s i t e product iv i ty , t h e n a t u r a l r a t e of recovery f o r impacted s i t e s , and the e f fec t iveness of some simple r e h a b i l i t a t i o n procedures. Interim r e s u l t s c o n s i s t of same observations of seedl ing performance and grass-legume establishment, a s well a s some da ta on s o i l bulk dens i ty and seedl ing su rv iva l (Tables 1 and 2 ) . Complete remeasurement w i l l occur i n t h e 1988 f i e l d season (year 5 of the s tudy) , In t h e meantime, some in ter im ~ s u l t s and t e n t a t i v e conclusions (based on 1986 d a t a ) a r e offered:

Lodgepole pine outperformed Douglas-fir on a l l t reatments.

Survival of Douglas-fir was genera l ly low (29-55%) and was lowest on the "minimal disturbancew treatment.

Survival of lodgepobe pine ranged from 86 t o 97%.

Overal l seedl ing performance is bes t on t h e "controlw and i s r e l a t i v e l y poor on the "minimal disturbancew and some r u t t e d t rea tments*

. Ripping and/or seeding with grass-legume seems t o reduce s o i l compaction and may improve seedl ing s u r v i v a l and growth ( t e n t a t i v e ) .

Grass-legume establishment was s i m i l a r f o r ripped and non-ripped t rea tments , but individual species establishment varied between treatments.

TABLE 1. Buxton s o i l bulk density data (1984)

DETRIMENTAL^ SOIL BULK DENSITY~ COMPACTION CALCUL A T E D ~

TREATMENT ---------- kg/m3 ----...------- --me--- % ------am- SAMPLE SIZE

SURFACE SUBSURFACE COMBINED SURFACE SUBSURFACE

CONTROL 1250a 1540a 1 390a 0 0 16

"ACCEPTABLE" 1400ab 1730cb 156Oc 47% 27% 17

RUTTED 14 1300ab 1580a 1440ab 20 13 38

RUTTED 2 1370ab 1580a 1480abc 27 13 20

RUTTED, RIPPED 1 1 4 7 0 ~ 1650ab 1560bC 60 20 17

RUTTED, RIPPED 2 1360ab 1640ab 1500abc 47 27 53

l Values w i th in each column w i th d i f ferent l e t t e r superscripts are s i g n i f i c a n t l y d i f f e r e n t (p < -05).

Percent o f samples having a 15% o r more increase i n s o i l bulk density r e l a t i v e t o the con t ro l mean f o r each depth.

Estimated sample s ize based on standard dev ia t ion o f p l o t samples.

@Ilw and 982w r e f e r t o d i f f e r e n t p l o t s f o r r u t t ed anal rut ted, r ipped treatments.

TABLE 2. Buxton seedling performance t r i a l : t h i r d year su rv i va l and height growth by species

SURVIVAL (%) HEIGHT GROWTH (cm)

Treatment F P1 F P1

Control 39 98 25 49

Minimal Disturbance 26 84 23 32

Rutted 37 89 23 39

Rutted & Ripped 42 96 23 42

Rutted & Seeded 52 85 23 36

Rutted: Ripped Seeded 34 8 6 24 41

Overa l l Average 38 89 2 3 39

PREDICTING THE LOG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF SITE Dff iRADATION USING THE FORCYTE MODEL

J.P, Kimmins

Universi ty of B r i t i s h Columbia, Department of Fores t Sciences

Vancouver, B.C.

Process-oriented s c i e n t i f i c research i n f o r e s t r y has genera l ly contr ibuted more t o our understanding of t h e process and components of ecosystems than t o our a b i l i t y t o p r e d i c t f u t u r e events and condi t ions i n those ecosystems. Empirical research has genera l ly not provided an adequate b a s i s f o r p red ic t ing events and condi t ions f o r changed f u t u r e condi t ions o r f o r o t h e r sites with d i f f e r e n t e n v i r o m e n t a l condit ions. Process-oriented research tends t o be conducted on s p a t i a l and temporal s c a l e s t h a t a r e smal ler and s h o r t e r , r e spec t ive ly , than the s c a l e s t h a t a r e re levant t o f o r e s t s i te management, These observations suggest t h e need f o r an i n t e g r a t i v e mechanism t h a t would permit u s t o harness t h e empir ica l and process-oriented knowledge of s o i l , p l a n t , and atmospheric processes i n t o management decis ion support too l s . Such t o o l s would permit accura te p red ic t ions t o be made about f o r e s t ecosystems over appropr ia te temporal and s p a t i a l sca les .

Fores t s i te degradation i s f requent ly described i n terms of present condi t ions and the short-term (5-20 year) consequences thereof . The more important quest ion is, however, what is t h e s ign i f i cance of s i t e degradation over one o r more r o t a t i o n s f o r y i e l d , present ne t value, and a va r i e ty of o t h e r parameters. To answer t h i s quest ion, we can use ecosystem l e v e l management models l i k e FORCYTE-11. This model s imulates the growth of trees, shrubs, herbs, and mosses under t h e l i m i t i n g e f f e c t s of simulated canopy l i g h t and s o i l n u t r i e n t a v a i l a b i l i t y condi t ions , It can simulate a l l t he major management t reatments and s e v e r a l types of n a t u r a l d is turbances and can p r e d i c t t h e i r impl ica t ions f o r s tand l e v e l y i e l d , production, economics, and energy-use e f f i c i ency . Fur ther development of t h e model w i l l be necessary t o permit an evaluat ion of the i n t e r a c t i o n s between s i t e degradation and the predic ted g loba l c l i m a t i c change.

FORCYTE-11, which has been developed f o r use on microcomputers, has a l o t of p o t e n t i a l f o r use a s a dec i s ion support t o o l i n mat ters r e l a t e d t o s o i l and s i te degradation i n f o r e s t r y , ag r i cu l tu re , agrofores t ry , and mining.

IMPACTS OF DRASTIC SITE PREPARATION (STMPIM;) ON PRODUCTIVITY RESULTS FROM DISTURBANCE PLANTATIONS

R.B. Smith and E.F, Wass Fo re s t ry Canada, P a c i f i c F o r e s t r y Centre

V i c t o r i a , B,C,

Most in format ion used t o qiaantify impacts of f o r e s t r y o p e r a t i o n s on p r o d u c t i v i t y comes from h i s t o r i c a l s t u d i e s -- t h a t is, measurement of tree s i z e same y e a r s a f t e r a d i s t u r b a n c e and comparison of t h i s growth with growth on what we c l a s s i f y a s "undis turbed s o i l e g @ Disadvantages of h i s t o r i c a l s t u d i e s i n c l u d e a n absence of i n f o m a t i o n on tree m o r t a l i t y , e a r l y s tock ing and v e g e t a t i v e compet i t ion , and i n i t i a l s o i l and o t h e r e n v i r o m e n t a l cond i t i ons , The major advantage is t h a t in format ion cover ing a l ong pe r iod of time can be ob ta ined quickly.

An a l t e r n a t i v e t o t h e h i s t o r i c a l r o u t e is t h a t of u s ing p l a n t a t i o n s , o r , a s we have c a l l e d them, wso i l -d i s tu rbance p l an t a t i ons . " With p l a n t a t i o n s , n o t only can many of t h e d i sadvantages of t h e h i s t o r i c a l method be e l imina t ed , bu t s p e c i e s , spac ing , s o i l d i s tu rbance , and even sme e n v i r o m e n t a l f a c t o r s can a l s o be c o n t r o l l e d , The major d i sadvantage of p l a n t a t i o n s is t h e i r long-term na ture .

Our f i r s t f o r ay i n t o so i l -d i s tu rbance p l a n t a t i o n s began i n 1980 when we were made aware of two stump e x t r a c t i o n o p e r a t i o n s being conducted i n t h e B r i t i s h Columbia I n t e r i o r -- one n e a r Vernon (IDFj) and t h e o t h e r nea r Phoenix (ICHc23, The stumping was recanmended t o reduce t h e spread of r o o t r o t from i n f e c t e d stumps t o newly e s t a b l i s h e d trees, Stumping is a d r a s t i c form of s i te p repa ra t i on and had, we be l ieved , p o t e n t i a l f o r r educ t ion i n f u t u r e p roduc t iv i t y . We now have p l a n t a t i o n s e s t a b l i s h e d i n f o u r stumping sites, p l u s two sites with cons t ruc t ed sk idroads . Some 11,000 trees have been p lan ted .

On t h e two o l d e s t s t udy s i tes (Vernon and Phoenix), s o i l s t u d i e s were conducted i n 1981 a f t e r stumping and p l a n t a t i o n s were e s t a b l i s h e d i n 1982. k e stumping was conducted a s t r i a l s i n which t h r e e b a s i c t r ea tmen t s were used:

1, stumping with a bu l ldoze r p l u s windrowing of p i l i n g ;

2 , stumping and windrowing o r p i l i n g p l u s r ak ing with a brush b lade ; and

3, no stumping.

Resu l t s

Impacts i n s o i l s

Our f i n d i n g s a r e summarized below:

Transpor t of s o i l du r ing windrowing was s i g n i f i c a n t .

Changes i n micro-rel ief and d ra inage p a t t e r n s were notab le .

. S o i l p e n e t r a b i l i t y on t h e Vernon site: - h i g h e s t r e s i s t a n c e was on t r a c k s - lowes t r e s i s t a n c e was i n undis turbed a r e a s - i n t e rmed ia t e r e s i s t a n c e occured where rakes had been used

S o i l p e n e t r a b i l i t y on t h e Phoenix site: - h i g h e s t r e s i s t a n c e was on t r a c k s - l e a s t r e s i s t a n c e was i n raked a r e a s t o 15-20 cm - h ighe r r e s i s t a n c e occurred i n undis turbed a r e a s t han i n raked

a r e a s t o 15-20 cm.

Bulk d e n s i t y on t h e Vernon site: - t r a c k s , r akes , and t h e bottom of r akes , 30-40% h ighe r d e n s i t y occured than on undis turbed a r e a s

- s c a l p s , no t s i g n i f i c a n t l y d i f f e r e n t t han on undis turbed areas.

Bulk d e n s i t y on t h e Phoenix sites: - no s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e s occurred between d i s t u r b e d t y p e s and undis turbed ,

Bulk d e n s i t y on t h e Vernon and Phoenix sites: - i n d i c a t i o n s a r e t h a t a c t i v e compaction has occurred a t Vernon, but such evidence is l ack ing f o r Phoenix,

I n chemical composition, t h e onby c o n s i s t e n t d i f f e r e n c e between d i s t u r b e d and undis turbed minera l s o i l was t h e much g r e a t e r (by 25-70%) C/N r a t i o s i n t h e d i s t u r b e d s o i l , pos s ib ly r e s u l t i n g from t h e mixing of r e l a t i v e l y undecomposed o rgan ic m a t e r i a l wi th mine ra l s o i l du r ing stumping.

Impacts on tree growth

P l a n t a t i o n s conta ined 200 trees of each of two s p e c i e s (Douglas-f i r and lodgepole p ine a t Vernon and western l a r c h and Douglas-fir a t Phoenix). A t o t a l of 2,400 trees were p l a n t e d a t Vernon on undis turbed s i tes and on f i v e d i s t u r b a n c e c l a s s e s , and 2,800 trees a t Phoenix on undis turbed sites p l u s s i x d i s t u r b a n c e c l a s s e s .

Height growth a t 5 years :

Vernon - lodgepole p ine Of f i v e p o s s i b l e undis turbed-dis turbed comparisons, two showed s i g n i f i c a n t l y g r e a t e r growth on d i s t u r b e d s o i l .

Vernon - Douglas-f i r A l l of t h e f i v e p o s s i b l e comparisons showed s i g n i f i c a n t l y g r e a t e r growth on undis turbed s o i l .

. Phoenix - western l a r c h O f s i x p o s s i b l e comparisons, two showed s i g n i f i c a n t l y g r e a t e r growth on undis turbed s o i l .

Pheonix - Douglas-fir O f s i x p o s s i b l e comparisons, two showed g r e a t e r growth on d i s t u r b e d s o i l .

Ove ra l l , o u t of 22 comparisons, 7 r e s u l t e d i n s i g n i f i c a n t l y g r e a t e r growth on undis turbed s o i l and 4 i n g r e a t e r growth on d i s t u r b e d s o i l . Add i t i ona l ly , growth tended t o be g r e a t e r on s c a l p s and rakes t han on t r a c k s .

Vegetat ion

Vegetat ion cover was c l o s e t o 0 i n i t i a l l y on t h e stumped p o r t i o n s of t h e cu tovers . A t Phoenix, cover e q a l l e d t h a t i n t h e non-stumped sites a f t e r 4 yea r s , Analyses a r e no t complete f o r Vernon.

Vegetat ion was c l i pped around a l l trees a f t e r t h e 5th-year assessment .

S e n s i t i v i t y of sites

Based on e a r l i e r h i s t o r i c a l work, t h e two s t u d y sites would be r a t e d s l i g h t l y t o moderately s e n s i t i v e t o d i s tu rbance . However, t h e h ighe r c l a y c o n t e n t of t h e Vernon s i t e appa ren t ly made i t more s e n s i t i v e t han t h e one a t Phoenix,

We had t h e oppor tun i ty t o extend t h e s e s t u d i e s t o a more s e n s i t i v e s i te when an a r e a nea r Golden a t Marl Creek was stumped. A non-stumped p o r t i o n with contour sk id roads was a l s o p re sen t on t h e s i t e , The s o i l was ca l ca reous a t depth ove r much but not a l l of t h e block. Some f i n d i n g s from t h i s s i t e fol low:

Stumping r e s u l t e d i n an i n c r e a s e i n f r e e carbonates a t t h e s o i l s u r f ace.

Mor t a l i t y was l e a s t on gouges and g r e a t e s t on d e p o s i t s .

Volumetric s o i l mois ture was g r e a t e r on t r a c k s ( sk idroad s u r f a c e s ) t han on d e p o s i t s o r undis turbed si tes.

Height growth of lodgepole p ine a f t e r 3 yea r s was s i g n i f i c a n t l y g r e a t e s t on t h e undis turbed sites than on stumping gouges o r d e p o s i t s . No s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e s showed up f o r Douglas-f i r .

. On sk id roads on t h i s site, h e i g h t growth a f t e r 3 y e a r s was s i g n i f i c a n t l y g r e a t e r on undis turbed s o i l t han on t h e sk idroad s u r f a c e f o r both Douglas-fir and lodgepole p ine ,

Conclusions

1. Stumping had g r e a t e r effects on s o i l with r e l a t i v e l y high c l a y con ten t (w i th in t h e range of sandy loam). However, growth impacts even on t h i s f i ne r - t ex tu red s o i l (Vernon sites) occurred only i n Douglas-f is, and most markedly on s t r o n g l y compact, seasonably wet d i s t u r b e d s p o t s .

2, A l l t h r e e s p e c i e s tended t o grow f a s t e r on r akes and s c a l p s t han on compact t r a c k s ,

3. S u r v i v a l of p l an t ed trees was h ighe r on sk idroad s u r f a c e s t han on l o o s e d e p o s i t s i n ca l ca reous s o i l s , pos s ib ly because of h ighe r mois ture c o n t e n t s i n s u r f a c e sk idroad s o i l s ,

4 , Growth i n he igh t of p l an t ed trees was less on sk idroad s u r f a c e s and stumping gouges and d e p o s i t s than i n t h e undis turbed s i te with a ca l ca reous s u b s o i l (Marl Creek).

CHOOSING APPROPRIATE REHABILITATION TECHNIQUES FOR LANDSLIDES RESULTING FROM SITE DEGRADATION

W.3, Beese Madvlillan Bloedel Ltd., Woodland Services

Nanaimo, B.C.

S o i l e ros ion, e spec ia l ly mass movement, is an important form of s i te degradation on s t e e p t e r r a i n i n t h e high r a i n f a l l a rea of c o a s t a l B r i t i s h Columbia. Many l ands l ides can be successful ly r e h a b i l i t a t e d . The challenge is t o match t h e va r i e ty of techniques a v a i l a b l e t o the va r i e ty of types of s l i d e s , s o i l parent ma te r i a l s , and site condi t ions t h a t occur. I n t h i s t a l k , I w i l l suggest r e h a b i l i t a t i o n methods f o r various s i t u a t i o n s , based on opera t ional experience with l a n d s l i d e and roadside seeding and preliminary r e s u l t s from two research s t u d i e s , now i n t h e i r 3rd and 5 th year. Both p r o j e c t s a r e funded i n p a r t by t h e Ministry of Fores t s through Seetion 88.

S i t e Conditions

k e degree of d is turbance o r degradation va r i e s between and within s l i d e t r acks , Debris s l i d e s , d e b r i s t o r r e n t s , d e b r i s flows, avalanches, r o c k f a l l s , and r o t a t i o n a l slumps a l l leave varying degrees of degraded landscape. These f a i l u r e s may be n a t u r a l o r induced by man% road building and harvest ing a c t i v i t i e s , Landslides may occur on open s lopes o r i n g u l l i e s , Remaining s o i l va r i e s from none, where bedrock o r compact till a r e exposed, t o deep till o r colluvium, Usually, t h e t a r g e t of r e h a b i l i t a t i o n e f f o r t s i s t h e t r anspor t zone o r middle por t ion of t h e s l i d e . This zone can have a mixture of scouring and deposi t ion , The zone of i n i t i a t i o n o f t en has l i t t l e o r no s o i l remaining, and t h e deposi t ion zone is o f t e n enriched, not degraded, by t h e s l i d e . I n the l a t t e r zone, su r face eros ion and gul ly ing i n loose ma te r i a l a r e important concerns.

Factors t o Consider

Some f a c t o r s the f o r e s t e r must consider when choosing r e h a b i l i t a t i o n t e c h n i y e s include: s lope s teepness , depth of unconsolidated mate r i a l , t he cha rac te r of the remaining s o i l ( t ex tu re , 8, o r C horizon), environmental condi t ions (cl imate, aspect , e l eva t ion) , o the r resource values ( f i s h h a b i t a t ) , v i s u a l impact ( s l i d e s i z e and l o c a t i o n ) , and c o s t ,

Teehniq.ws Available

Hydroseeding: spraying a s l u r r y of water, g rass and legume seed, f e r t i l i z e r , and t a c k i f i e r ( a s o i l binder) by truck o r he l i cop te r .

Dry seeding: applying seed and/or f e r t i l i z e r by hand o r a e r i a l seeders.

Mulching: applying f i b r e t o p r o t e c t seed and s o i l from eros ion and moisture l o s s . Mulch can be added d i r e c t l y t o hydroseeding mixtures, blown on, o r spread manually ( a s with s t raw mulching); o r applied a s prefabr ica ted ro l l -out mats ( a va r i e ty of products a r e ava i l ab le ) .

Bioengineering: using l i v e p l a n t s and p lan t p a r t s a s bui ld ing mate r i a l s f o r s lope s t a b i l i z a t i o n (e .g. , f a s c i m s , wa t t l e s , b w s h layer ing , and cordons).

Planting: ind iv idua l trees and shrubs, a s rooted s tock o r c u t t i n g s i n e i t h e r g r i d o r l i n e a r p lant ing arrangements,

Matching Techniques t o S i t e Conditions

Hydroseeding is t h e most cos t -ef fec t ive and broadly app l i cab le technique f o r e s t a b l i s h i n g p ro tec t ive vegetat ion cover on a s l i d e . Hydroseeding is t h e bas ic t reatment f o r any s l i d e with s o i l remaining, A mixture of s e v e r a l g rasses and 2040% clover , inoculated f o r N-fixation, is e f f e c t i v e , Other legumes may be included, such a s t r e f o i l o r lupine , but t h e i r seed is q u i t e expensive, For s l i d e s e a s i l y access ib le by road, truck-mounted seeding tanks with s e v e r a l lengths of f i r e hose a r e adequate t o seed most s l i d e s . For very l a rge o r inaccess ib le s l i d e s , a e r i a l seeding with a h e l i c o p t e r is t h e bes t method. Because of s i g n i f i c a n t l y higher c o s t s , a e r i a l seeding should be used only where necessary.

Dry seeding is r e s t r i c t e d t o gen t l e s lopes . It can be used on t h e deposi t ion zone of a s l i d e a s a cost-savings; however, l o g i s t i c s and economy of s c a l e may make hydroseeding t h e e n t i r e s l i d e more des i rab le .

Mulching is genera l ly not needed on t h e coas t i f seeding is done e a r l y i n t h e spring. Consider mulching f o r souther ly aspects , sandy s o i l s , o r d r i e r cl imates. Mulch mats a r e too c o s t l y f o r most s i t u a t i o n s ,

Bioengineering techniques a r e labour-intensive and expensive, Nevertheless, they can be very e f f e c t i v e i n s p e c i a l cases , such a s i n s t a b i l i z i n g s i d e c a s t o r s l i d e s a t important switchbacks and road junctions, o r f o r stream banks where s l i d e s have occurred, Live p l a n t s can a l s o be combined e f f e c t i v e l y with c r i b wa l l s o r o t h e r engineering s t r u c t u r e s f o r added s t r e n g t h ,

Conifers should be planted on any s l i d e t h a t has s u f f i c i e n t s o i l (over 25 crn) where t h e su r face has been s t a b i l i z e d w i t h a cover of g rass and legumes, For ease of p lant ing , 6 months t o a year should pass between hydroseeding and planting. P lant ing can be done i n some cases immediately fol lowing hydroseeding, with minimal damage t o p l a n t cover, A s l i d e should always be checked t o be s u r e it is s a f e and f e a s i b l e t o p lan t ,

The r a t i o n a l e f o r p lant ing shrubs is t o provide a d d i t i o n a l root s t r e n g t h t o hold s o i l , I n most cases , grass/legume cover combined with c o n i f e r s w i l l provide adequate su r face eros ion c o n t r o l and root s t rength . Shrub p lant ing does not seem warranted on most s l i d e s . Appropriate loca t ions f o r shrubs include: a t a s l ide /s t ream i n t e r f a c e f o r bank s t a b i l i z a t i o n , on switchbacks where a s t a b l e shrub cover would maintain v i s i b i l i t y , on very poor s o i l s t o help build up s o i l n i t rogen using S i tka a l d e r , and i n some g u l l i e s f o r added s t a b i l i t y .

S i tka a l d e r and salmonberry have had the bes t s u r v i v a l and growth i n t r i a l s . Poplar and willow a r e most s u i t a b l e f o r moist s o i l s . Tests with poplar and willow c u t t i n g s suggest b e t t e r r e s u l t s when they a r e planted i n unseeded mater ia ls . It may be best t o al low c u t t i n g s t o g e t well e s t ab l i shed before seeding, Because con i fe r s a r e cheaper and more read i ly a v a i l a b l e than shrubs, they can be used i n place of shrubs f o r hedgerows and o the r app l i ca t ions .

Conclusions

1. Do not write off s l i d e s a s non-productive: many have s u f f i c i e n t s o i l remaining t o support good con i fe r growth.

2. Act promptly when r e h a b i l i t a t i n g l a n d s l i d e s before f u r t h e r s o i l degradation occurs.

3. Make su re you have j u s t i f i e d the use of more expensive t rea tments when prescr ib ing them.

4, Be s u r e t o evaluate s i te condi t ions i n d e t a i l t o p r e s c r i b e r the most appropr ia te t reatments,

FOREST SITE PRODUCTIVITY PROBLEMS ON SALAL DOMINATED CEDAR/EMLOCK CUTOVERS ON COASTAL BRITISH COLUMBIA

G .F. Weetman Universi ty o f B r i t i s h Columbia,

Faculty o f Forestry Vancouver, B . C .

On northern Vancouver Island, par ts of the coastal mainland, and the Queen Charlotte Islands, old-growth cedar/hemlock forests i n the wetter port ions o f the Coastal Western Hemlock Zone are characterized by deep o r humus l i t h o s o l s (CH s i tes) . These forests, undisturbed f o r centuries, are slash-burned fo l lowing clearcutt ing. Plantations and natura l regeneration of Si tka spruce, western redcedar, and western hemlock display chlorosis and growth check while growing i n the dense s a l a l (Gaultheria shallon) ground cover,

Since s a l a l i s a heath p lant (Ericaceae), i t i s hypothesized that the growth check i t experiences i s s imi la r t o the heather (Calluna) cheek noted i n Si tka spruce and found i n the U,K., and i s also s imi la r t o the Kalmia check noted i n black spruce on heathlands i n Neudfoundland. The main cause i s apparently a problem i n N and P uptake associated w i th the mycorrhizae o f the trees,

Nitrogen and P f e r t i l i z a t i o n provides immediate but temporary (5-8 year) r e l i e f o f check. Applications o f 300 kg N ha-l and 50 kg P haw1 have resul ted i n long leaders and deep green needles i n established regeneration.

A series o f experiments established a t Port McNeilS, BX,, i n co-operation with Western Forests Ltd., have tested f e r t i l i z a t i o n , s a l a l eradicat ion by ~ a r l o n ~ application, manual treatment, and backhoe treatment, A l l three t ree species appear t o be responsive t o treatment,

A group of interested sc ien t i s t s from the Universi ty o f a r i t i s h Columbia, the Pac i f i c Forestry Centre, and the Min is t ry o f Forests, under the acronym o f SCHIRP (Salal/Cedar Hemlock Integrated Research Project 1, are examining the causes o f growth check. Studies are under way on s o i l organic acids, mycorrhizae, p lant phenols, Pj2 uptake, N15 balance sheets, f e r t i l i z a t i o n , s a l a l eradication, coni fer plant ing with f e r t i l i z a t i o n , and stand dynamics.

I t appears tha t adjacent and intermingled forest stands, which have k e n subject t o per iodic blowdown a d are now growing vigorous hemlock/amabilis fir (HA s i tes) , have t h i n humus layers and act ive nu t r ien t cyc l ing and bet ter salal . No growth check i s seen on these cutovers.

These circumstances suggest tha t windthrow-associated s o i l disturbance has been an important feature i n preventing the deter iorat ion i n nu t r ien t a v a i l a b i l i t y associated with deep mor humus accumulations and salal , Windthrow, which causes inversion o f the s o i l organic a id mineral horizons, i s also of great importance i n maintaining s i t e qual i ty i n spruce/hemlock forests, without sa la l , i n the coastal forests o f Alaska.

These observations and f ind ings suggest the need f o r major s o i l d is turbance t o v r e v i t a l i z e l t t h e n u t r i e n t cyc les i n old-growth cedar/hemlock f o r e s t s . This is being t e s t e d experimentally, but is cos t ly . Per iodic f e r t i l i z a t i o n is a l s o expensive. Without e i t h e r t reatment, it is doubtful i f old-growth cedar/hemlock (CH) cutover sites w i l l produce operable second-growth s tands . On the Queen Char lo t tes , t h e problem is confounded by dee r e a t i n g a l l t h e cedar regenerat ion,

PRESCRIBED FIRE I N ME 1980's: A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE I N OPERATIONAL USE AND APPLIED RESEARCH

R. Trowbridge Ministry of F o r e s t s ,

P r ince Rupert F o r e s t Region Smithers , B.C.

Prescr ibed f i re i s used i n B r i t i s h Columbia i n t h e r e f o r e s t a t i o n of harves ted a r e a s , conversion of non-commercial s t a n d s , and range abatement. I n 1987, 135,001 ha were repor ted by t h e P r o t e c t i o n Branch t o be prescribed-burned. There has been a s t e a d y i n c r e a s e i n t h e number of h e c t a r e s burned dur ing t h e 1980%, except i n 1986 which followed a very bad w i l d l i f e season i n 1985. However, i t is i n t e r e s t i n g t o note t h a t t h e 1986 decrease was i n a l l a c t i v i t i e s except s i l v i c u l t u r e , which cont inued t o i nc rease ,

Opera t iona l burning was s t imu la t ed and inf luenced by s e v e r a l improvements and management g o a l s dur ing t h i s per iod . The p red ic to r /p l anne r coupled with t h e ecosystem s p e c i f i c i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s and s i te s e n s i t i v i t y guides helped t o improve p r e s c r i p t i o n making. New technology, such a s weather s t a t i o n s with remote te lemet ry , and g r e a t e r exper ience with i g n i t i o n devices and p a t t e r n s helped t o achieve p r e s c r i p t i o n s . Management promoted t h e concept of a l l - season burning and pub l i c concerns were a c t i v e l y addressed.

There a r e approximately 35 research and development p r o j e c t s i n B r i t i s h Columbia t h a t p e r t a i n t o w i l d l i f e o r prescr ibed f i r e , Although t h e s e p r o j e c t s a r e widely d i s t r i b u t e d throughout t h e province, t h e g r e a t e s t concen t r a t ion l ies i n south c o a s t a l and no r th c e n t r a l B r i t i s h Columbia, The primary agencies (given by number of p r o j e c t s ) conduct ing f i re r e sea rch a r e t h e B.C. Minis t ry of F o r e s t s , t h e Univers i ty of B r i t i s h Columbia, and Fores t ry Canada. I n a d d i t i o n , o t h e r p r o v i n c i a l agencies and p r i v a t e i ndus t ry have r e c e n t l y begun f i r e r e sea rch o r monitor ing s t u d i e s . Opera t iona l f o r e s t r y s t a f f i n t h e Minis t ry of F o r e s t s and i n d u s t r y a r e involved i n research development and planning, i n l o c a t i n g appropr i a t e s tudy a r e a s , and i n t h e a p p l i c a t i o n of prescr ibed f i re t rea tments , The ma jo r i t y of research is r e l a t e d t o impacts on s i te and c rop s p e c i e s f o r s i l v i c u l t u r a l purposes, Notable research achievements i n t h e province a r e t h e ecosystem i n t e r p r e t a t i o n and s i te s e n s i t i v i t y guides , a s i te a d f u e l assessment handbook, and the numerous f i e l d t r i a l s .

I be l i eve t h e o p e r a t i o n a l cha l l enges w i l l be continued monitor ing, development of a n informat ion system, t r a i n i n g , and cons ide ra t ion of p u b l i c and environmental concerns. The immediate research cha l lenge w i l l be i n t h e d a t a ana lys i s / r educ t ion of t h e f i e l d t r i a l r e s u l t s , i n t h e subsequent i n t e r p r e t a t i o n and ex tens ion , and i n t h e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of r e sea rch p r i o r i t i e s . Our o v e r a l l cha l lenge w i l l be t h e a b i l i t y t o p lan and achieve s i t e - s p e c i f i c management,

A t t h i s workshop, we want t o d i scuss how t o minimize s o i l degradation and enhance s o i l product iv i ty while i d e a l l y meeting t h e ob jec t ives of o the r d i s c i p l i n e s , such a s s i l v i c u l t u r e . Each d i s c i p l i n e may have t o be compromised somewhat from t h e i d e a l t o meet o v e r a l l f o r e s t management. However, t h e pas t decade's experience lends c r e d i b i l i t y t o an o p t i m i s t i c f u t u r e f o r the continued use and development of prescribed f i r e i n B r i t i s h Columbia,

EXAMPLES OF RESULTS FROM RESAMPLIM; PAST RESEARCH SITES AND MONITORIM; SITE IMPACTS AT MICROPLOTS: SLASHBURNIM; RESEARCH AT MISSION TREE FARM

M.P. Curran Min is t ry o f Forests, Nelson Forest Region

Nelson, B,C,

T,M. Bal lard Universi ty o f B r i t i s h Columbia

Vancouver, B.C,

Some resu l ts from resampling past research s i t es and using microplots are discussed f o r 1984-87 research tha t included: (1) the sampling o f trees and s o i l s on 1968-70 f i r e research microplots established by the Canadian Forestry Service (CFS; La f fe r ty 1972) ; and (2) the establishment, s o i l sampling, and monitoring o f adjacent new burn microplots based on Hawkes (1986) and Curran (1986b), adapting methods presented i n Trowbridge e t a l . (1986). Also -- included i n the pro jec t was research i n i t i a t e d on slashburning e f fec ts on mineralizable N (M.J. Douglasv M,Sc. study), and f i r e e f fec ts on i n i t i a l mycorrhizal associations of fo res t trees (discussed b r i e f l y f o r western redcedar i n Curran and Dunsworth 1987). A unique feature o f a l l the study s i t es i s t ha t they have up t o 29 microplots tha t have measures o f f i r e impact and are permanently marked on the ground.

Data analysis i s based pr imar i ly on regression analysis, using the paired data sets re la t i ng t ree growth and nu t r ien t status ( f o l i a r and s o i l ) t o spec i f i c measures o f f i re impact a t the microplots (depth-of -burn, res idual du f f , consumed slash classes, etc,) . F i r e impact variables were screened f o r use i n regression, according t o p r inc ip les summarized i n Neter e t a l . (1985)- These -- variables (1) represented a fundamental re la t ionship with tree growth o r nu t r ien t status, (2) were not subject t o large measurement error, and (3) d id not represent dupl icat ion o f other variables (e. g. , mul t i co l l inear i ty ) , (It was also important that a su f f i c ien t range i n impacts be represented, t o enable enough var ia t ion i n the X variables f o r regression analysis [Mwkes 19861,) To select the f i n a l X variables, stepwise regression was used, with alpha-toenter and alpha-to-remove = .15. The dependent variables were checked f o r normality using normal p robab i l i t y p lo ts ; regression residuals were p lo t ted t o check f o r homogeneity o f variance.

Some mul t ip le regressions included:

1970 P lo t T13 Fd Ht 1985 = Constant + Fine Fuel Consumption + Large Fuel Consumption + Net Mineral S o i l Exposure R~ = .515 P = .002

1970 P lo t T13 S o i l pH (CaC12) = Constant + Residual Duff Depth + Fine Fuel Consumption + Large Fuel Consumption + Net Mineral S o i l Exposure

R~ = +484 P = -010

1970 P l o t 110 Fd H t 1985 = Constant + Depth-of-Burn + Net Mineral S o i l Exposure - Residua l Duff Depth (1984 d a t a is s i g n i f i c a n t but 1985 used f o r purposes of t h e example) R~ = .460 P = .017 - 1985 P l o t T85 pH Duff (CaC12) = Constant + Fine Fuel Consumption + Large Fue l Consumption R2 = .548 P = .001

Considerably more r e l a t i o n s h i p s e x i s t (e.g., s o i l K 1 month a f t e r burning, ~2 = .755) and w i l l be expanded upon i n a FC FRDA r e p o r t on t h e Mission Tree Farm research . The above a r e presen ted he re as examples f o r d i s cus s ion . Although t h e R2 va lues may not seem very h igh f o r the o ld p l o t s , one must keep i n mind t h a t t h e o b j e c t i v e is not t o p r e d i c t tree growth o r n u t r i e n t l e v e l s , but t o demonstrate r e l a t i o n s h i p s . Consider ing a l l the o t h e r f a c t o r s involved i n i n f l u e n c i n g tree growth and s o i l chemistry, t h e r e s u l t s a r e encouraging, based only on d i r e c t measures of f i re impacts. Effects of f i r e on tree growth f a c t o r s a r e reviewed by F e l l e r (1982a and b ) , and summarized by Curran ( 1 9 8 6 ~ ) .

R e s u l t s vary ove r time and space ; t h e examples s e l e c t e d demonstrate t h i s . On p l o t T13, Douglas-fir h e i g h t i n 1985 is s i g n i f i c a n t l y p o s i t i v e l y r e l a t e d t o t h r e e f i r e v a r i a b l e s . On p l o t T10, t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p is not very s i g n i f i c a n t and invo lves two o t h e r v a r i a b l e s , one of which is nega t ive . Both r e s u l t s a r e e c o l o g i c a l l y accep tab l e and sugges t t h a t d i f f e r e n t f a c t o r s a r e c o n t r o l l i n g tree growth on t h e two p l o t s (TlO is north-facing, t h e weakness of t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p and t h e nega t ive r e l a t i o n s h i p with du f f dep th may sugges t a p o s s i b l e o v e r r i d i n g temperature e f f e c t ) . The o t h e r two examples demonstrate how t h e t y p i c a l pH effect of burning can be modelled ove r time and f o r d i f f e r e n t s o i l hor izons ,

Re l a t i onsh ips can be found wi th Y v a r i a b l e s expressed a s g r o s s , net, and r e l a t i v e measurements (e.g., a v a i l a b l e K, postburn K - preburn K, and 1985 r e l a t i v e he igh t growth, r e s p e c t i v e l y ) . The Y v a r i a b l e s can a l s o be s t u d i e d over time (I month, and 1-45 y e a r s i n t h e example), with some s i g n i f i c a n t r e l a t i o n s h i p s occu r r ing f o r s p e c i f i c Y v a r i a b l e s throughout t h e time pe r iod s t u d i e d . For de te rmina te s p e c i e s , such a s Douglas-f i r , s i g n i f i c a n t r e l a t i o n s h i p s were demonstrated f o r a l a r g e number of subsequent yea r s through t h e examination of incrementa l h e i g h t growth da t a .

I n summary, t h i s paper has provided suppor t f o r t h e r e sea rch needs paper "Rocks on Stumpsw presen ted a t t h e 1 0 t h B,G, S o i l Science Workshop "Fores t Soils a t Riskg' (Curran 1986a) , which cons idered t h e merits of (1 ) resampling p a s t r e sea rch sites and (2 ) t h e mic rop lo t approach. Resampling p a s t FC r e sea rch sites a t Mission Tree Farm has provided va luable long-term feedback a t a reasonable c o s t , c a p i t a l i z i n g on prev ious investments . The r e s u l t s demonstrate t h e u s e f u l n e s s of t h e microplo t approach i n enab l ing s e n s i t i v e w i th in - s i t e a n a l y s i s of r e l a t i o n s h i p s . Together, both approaches a r e provid ing informat ion about which v a r i a b l e s a r e most important when long-term effects a r e s tud i ed . Large paired-data sets a l s o provide oppor tun i ty f o r a n a l y s i s of e c o l o g i c a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s (e.g. , tree performance i n r e l a t i o n t o competing vege t a t i on ) .

Conclusions

1. Valuable information on t h e long-term e f f e c t s of s i l v i c u l t u r a l t reatments can be gained by studying ca re fu l ly chosen pas t research o r t reatment sites .

2, Short-term e f f e c t s a r e a t l e a s t sometimes s i m i l a r t o long-term e f f e c t s , but can a l s o change over time.

3 . The microplot approach has d e f i n i t e merit i n providing paired d a t a f o r s e n s i t i v e within-si te da ta ana lys i s .

4. Resampling of pas t research sites with microplots can provide valuable information on important va r i ab les f o r measuring s i te impacts, I n t h e case of s lashburning a t Mission Tree Farm, r e s i d u a l duff depth, depth-of-burn, and net mineral s o i l exposure a r e important va r i ab les t h a t a r e commonly r e l a t e d t o tree growth and n u t r i e n t l e v e l s .

Acknowledgements

Numerous ind iv idua l s have been ins t rumenta l i n providing funding (Be Lawson and B. tiawkes, FC: FC-BCFS IFMSA and FRDA; B. Beese, MadJlillan Bloedel: B.C, Sc i . Council GREAT A d , ) f i e l d and l a b a s s i s t a n c e (M,J. Douglas and o the r s a t UBC) , and s t a t i s t i c a l advice (P. Schumacher , S t a t i s t i c a l Consulting and Research Lab. , UBC) . L i t e r a t u r e Cited

Curran, M.P. 1986a. Rock on stumps: the importance of pas t research sites and microplots f o r s i te degradation s t u d i e s , I n Proc, l o t h B,C, S o i l Science Workshop, Univ. B.C., Feb, 20-21, 19867- 3.0. Lousier and G . S t i l l ( e d i t o r s ) . B.C, Min. For., Vic tor ia , B.C.

1986b, Slashburning e f f e c t s on tree growth n u t r i e n t l e v e l s a t Mission Tree Farm: p ro jec t s t a t u s . I n Proc, l o t h B,C, S o i l Science Workshop, Univ. B.C., Feb. 20-21, 1986. J ,D. Lousier and G , S t i l l ( e d i t o r s ) , B,C. Min, For., Vic tor ia , B.C,

1986c. Short and long-term e f f e c t s of s lashburning on s o i l p roper t i e s , tree growth, and n u t r i t i o n on some c o a s t a l B.C, sites, I n Proc. N,W, F i r e Council Annual Meetings, Nov. 18-19, 1986, Olympia, Wash. L. Anderson ( e d i t o r ) .

Curran, M.P. and B.G, Dunsworth, 1987. Coas ta l western redcedar regenerat ion: problems and po ten t i a l s . I n Proco Western Redcedar: Does It Have a Future? July 13-15, 1987,Tniv . of B.C. N. Smith ( e d i t o r ) . Univ. B,C., Faculty of Fores t ry , Vancouver, B.C.

F e l l e r , M,C. 1982a. The ecologica l e f f e c t s of s lashburning with p a r t i c u l a r reference t o B r i t i s h Columbia: a l i t e r a t u r e review. B.C. Min. For., Land Manage. Rep. No. 12, 60 p.

1982b. S o i l and o t h e r cons idera t ions i n slashburning. I n Proc. - B.C. S o i l Survey Workshop on S o i l I n t e r p r e t a t i o n s f o r Forestry. T. Vold ( e d i t o r ) , B.C. Min, For., Land Manage. Rep. No. 10.

Hawkes, B.D. 1986. Microplot approach t o prescribed f i r e e f f e c t s research. I n Prescribed burning i n t h e Midwest: s t a t e of t h e a r t Conf. held a t - Stevens Point , Wisc., March 3-4, 1986,

Laffer ty , R.R. 1972. Regeneration and p lan t succession as r e l a t e d t o f i r e i n t e n s i t y on c l e a r c u t logged a r e a s i n c o a s t a l cedar - hemlock type: an interim repor t . I n t e r n a l Report BC-33, Can. For. Serv., Pac. For. Res. Cent., V ic to r i a , B,C. 129 p.

Meter, J., W . Wasserman, and M. Kutner. 1985. Applied l i n e a r s t a t i s t i c a l models, 2nd ed. Richard E. Irwin, Inc. , Homewood, Ill,

Trowbridge, R e , B. Hawkes, A. Macadam, and J, Parminter. 1986. Fie ld handbook f o r prescribed f i r e assessments i n B r i t i s h Columbia: logging s l a s h f u e l , i3.C. Min. For. , Land Manage. Handb. No. 11. 63 p.

PRESENTATIONS OF MAY 4, 1988

MODIFYING TIMBER HARVESTING PRACTICES TO SUIT SITE DEGRADATION SENSITIVITY

T. Lewis, Consultant i n S o i l s and Land Use Burnaby, B.C.

A f i e ldgu ide has been developed t o provide t o those responsible f o r formulating logging p resc r ip t ions , a package of s t r a t e g i e s f o r harves t ing timber without causing excessive s i te degradation and corresponding l o s s e s i n long-term f o r e s t product iv i ty . At ta in ing t h i s ob jec t ive r equ i res t h a t f o r e s t managers have :

an ob jec t ive process t o a s s e s s t h e r e l a t i v e s e n s i t i v i t y of a s i te t o degradation, and

a range of a l t e r n a t i v e , appropriate, workable s t r a t e g i e s t o modify timber harves t ing p r a c t i c e s t o s u i t t h e varying degrees of s e n s i t i v i t y .

The intended audience f o r t h i s f i e l d g u i d e is composed of the opera t iona l s t a f f a t t h e Fores t District l e v e l of t h e Ministry of Fores ts , and t h e corresponding personnel i n t h e f o r e s t industry. These a r e the personnel l a rge ly responsible f o r development and opera t ional planning, l ayou t , and supervis ion of logging operat ions. Contractors and opera tors a r e not included i n t h e intended audience, although i t is recognized t h a t f o r them, both t r a i n i n g programs and support ing m a t e r i a l s such a s t h e pamphlet, "Maintaining Productive Fores t soilsw1 a r e e s s e n t i a l t o the e f f e c t i v e implementation of t h i s approach.

Scope

The f i e l d g u i d e encompasses timber harves t ing a c t i v i t i e s appl ied i n t h e interiorZ of B r i t i s h Columbia. This area encompasses a considerable range of physiography, c l imates , timber types , and s o i l condit ions, Consequently, most suggest ions w i l l r equi re t h a t use r s and/or regional s t a f f modify o r l o c a l i z e them t o s u i t regional , subregional , and s i t e - s p e c i f i c condi t ions ,

l S t i l l , G . and D. MacDonald. 1987. Maintaining productive f o r e s t s o i l s . Pamphlet. B.C, Ministry of Fores t s atxi Lands, Vic tor ia , B,C.

The I n t e r i o r a s used here encompasses a l l of the Cariboo, Kamloops, and Nelson Fores t Regions; and, within t h e Pr ince Rupert Fores t Region, t h e Bulkley, Cass iar , Kispiox, Lakes, and Morice Fores t Districts, a s well a s the northern p a r t of Kalum Fores t District.

Timber harves t ing is considered t o be a system made up of a number of phases up t o , but not including, s i t e preparat ion. It includes secondary roads; f a l l i n g ; t h e skidding, yarding, o r forwarding of l o g s t o a landing; and the provision of f i r eguards , a s necessary, t o f a c i l i t a t e logging s l a s h d i sposa l , The guide addresses t h e planning, cons t ruct ion , opera t ional , maintenance, and/or r e h a b i l i t a t i o n s t a g e s of each of these phases of logging. Even though t h e scope does not include site prepara t ion , it should be recognized i n t h e formulation of o v e r a l l harves t ing-s i lv icul ture p resc r ip t ions , t h a t harves t ing has considerable p o t e n t i a l t o prepare sites f o r regeneration. Furthermore, t h e r e l a t i v e s u s c e p t i b i l i t y of a s i t e t o degradation during harves t ing is a r e l evan t f a c t o r i n applying mechanical s i te prepara t ion techniques, s ince prime movers a r e o f t en used i n both s t ages .

S i t e S e n s i t i v i t y and Harvesting Guidelines

The o v e r a l l s e n s i t i v i t y of a s i t e t o timber harves t ing a r i s e s from a wide range of both on-si te and o f f - s i t e cons idera t ions . On-site s e n s i t i v i t y may involve p o t e n t i a l impacts on s i te product iv i ty by way of changes t o s o i l o r microclimate, o r on w i l d l i f e h a b i t a t , Off-si te s e n s i t i v i t y may involve watershed concerns over water q u a l i t y , water y i e l d , and flow regime, p a r t i c u l a r l y a s t h e s e a f f e c t consumptive use and f i s h e r i e s h a b i t a t s . Aes thet ic /v isual s e n s i t i v i t y usual ly involves on-si te impacts, and commonly inc ludes of f -site impacts. The nature of t h e s tands (species , volume, value) , combined with logging chance, g ives an economic s e n s i t i v i t y t o sites, determined by both on-si te and o f f - s i t e condit ions. Furthermore, t h e perception of s e n s i t i v i t y by e i t h e r a concerned public o r o t h e r agencies may be a s important a s a " rea lw o r ob jec t ive ly determined s e n s i t i v i t y .

The focus of concern i n t h e guidel ines is t h e s e n s i t i v i t y of a s i te t o timber harves t ing a r i s i n g from t h e r i s k t h a t timber harves t ing a c t i v i t i e s w i l l adversely a f f e c t f u t u r e s i te product iv i ty . This "degradation s e n s i t i v i t y w is a measure of a site" inheren t s u s c e p t i b i l i t y t o degradation.

The guide reviews t h e various p o t e n t i a l degrading processes t h a t may occur during logging, t h e mechanisms of degradation, and t h e f a c t o r s c o n t r o l l i n g the ex ten t and s e v e r i t y of s i te degradation. The ob jec t ive assessment of s i t e degradation s e n s i t i v i t y is then presented.

The quest ion, "What needs t o be done i n add i t ion t o normal o r conventional p r a c t i c e s , t o allow harves t ing of sites of higher s e n s i t i v i t y without causing unacceptable s i t e d e g ~ a d a t i o n ? ~ ' , is posed. Any a r ray of s t r a t e g i e s is suggested. These a r e designed t o reduce site degradation by modifying opera t ions t o r e f l e c t the inherent s e n s i t i v i t y of sites t o degradation, Items t h a t could be considered "normal practice1' a r e included o r even s t r e s s e d when they a r e commonly overlooked o r poorly executed, p a r t i c u l a r l y if c r i t i c a l on s e n s i t i v e sites.

AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO SOIL CONSERVATION I N BRITISH COLUMBIA

R. Louie Minis t ry of Environment

V i c t o r i a , B.C.

Concerns with s o i l conse rva t ion i s s u e s c r o s s r e g i o n a l boundaries and p r o f e s s i o n a l d i s c i p l i n e s , touching on a l l l e v e l s of government and on s p e c i f i c i n t e r e s t groups. The r e g i o n a l summaries shown i n Table 1 a t t empt t o b r i n g t o g e t h e r t h e wide range of op in ions , e x p e r t i s e , and a v a i l a b l e w r i t t e n d a t a ga thered du r ing t h i s review, r e l a t e d t o what t h e problems a r e , t h e i r gene ra l l o c a t i o n , and t h e i r r e l a t i v e s i g n i f i c a n c e .

The summaries a r e , no doubt, f a r from complete a d , a s f u r t h e r in format ion becomes a v a i l a b l e , they may r e q u i r e r e v i s i o n , However, they have k e n compiled a s a s t a r t i n g po in t , t o i l l u s t r a t e t h e d i s t i n c t r e g i o n a l d i f f e r e n c e s w i th in t h e t o t a l l and use complex.

S o i l conse rva t ion i s s u e s have been grouped by perceived r e l a t i v e s i g n i f i c a n c e w i th in t h e reg ion , High, moderate, and low a r e no t w a n t i t a t i v e l y d e f i n e d , but a r e intended t o provide a framework o r re levance based on ou r exper ience , i n t e rv i ews , and r e f e r ence research . It should be noted t h a t r e l a t i v e s i g n i f i c a n c e is based on r e g i o n a l cons ide ra t i ons . I n some c a s e s , l o c a l s i g n i f i c a n c e w i l l undoubtedly be a t var iance with t h e r e g i o n a l summary. S i m i l a r l y cumulat ive r e g i o n a l s i g n i f i c a n c e may not n e c e s s a r i l y r e f l e c t t h e p r o v i n c i a l pe r spec t ive .

L a d / w a t e r u se a c t i v i t i e s i d e n t i f i e d a s being a s s o c i a t e d wi th s p e c i f i c s o i l conservation/degradation i s s u e s reflect t h e complex use p a t t e r n and c o n t r i b u t i n g / r e c e i v i n g environments. A s wi th s i g n i f i c a n c e , t h e s e land use a c t i v i t i e s do not n e c e s s a r i l y apply l o c a l l y , bu t a r e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of g e n e r a l r e g i o n a l u se a c t i v i t y concerns,

TABLE 1. Summary o f s o i l conserva t ion issues s i g n i f i c a n c e by regions1

ISSUES REGION Peace Thompson- Cen t ra l East Lower Vancouver

R i ve r Omineca Skeena Cariboo Mico la Okanagan Kootenay Kootenay Main land I s l a n d

Water e ros i on

Wind e ros i on

Mass wast ing

S o i l d i s t u rbance

S o i l compaction

Organic ma t t e r l o s s

Organic s o i l subsidence

A c i d i f i c a t i o n

S a l i n i z a t i o n W

S o i l con tamina t ion L M L t4

Sedimentat ion F( I4 H M I4 H H b4 n

Water con tamina t ion L P1 L H M M

I t shou ld be no ted t h a t i ssue s i g n i f i c a n c e i s r e l evan t w i t h i n reg ions only . Comparisons between reg ions should be

approached w i t h caut ion, as r eg i ona l s i g n i f i c a n c e cannot be i n t e r p r e t e d as r e f l e c t i n g p r o v i n c i a l s i g n i f i c a n c e f o r any s p e c i f i c s o i l conserva t ion issues.

High, moderate, and low a re no t q u a n t i t a t i v e l y def ined; r a t he r , they a r e in tended t o p rov i de a framework o f re levance w i t h i n t he reg ion .

I n d i c a t e s e i t h e r no i n f o rma t i on o r no perce ived s i g n i f i c a n c e w i t h i n t h e region.

WORKSHOP PROGRAM, MAY 4, 1988

WORKSHOP DISCUSSIONS

The fol lowing summary inc ludes d iscuss ion po in t s from smal ler groups and from t h e f i n a l workshop summary sess ion . It provides a p i c t u r e of what was perceived a s important by workshop p a r t i c i p a n t s . The most discussed aspec t s of s i te degradation were education and t r a i n i n g , and t h e need f o r a c t i v e indust ry p a r t i c i p a t i o n , Also, prevention of de t r imenta l s o i l d is turbance through b e t t e r planning, execution, and supervis ion , was a cons i s t en t theme throughout the workshop.

I n a meeting following the workshop, t h e Fores t S i t e Degradation and Rehab i l i t a t ion Committee (FSDRC) used t h e workshop input t o he lp formulate recommendations f o r f u t u r e ac t ion . The recommendations address i s s u e s r e l a t e d t o research needs, t r a i n i n g and extension, site s e n s i t i v i t y evaluat ion , and s o i l d is turbance assessment, During t h i s subsequent FSDRC meeting, t h e na ture and s t a t u s of ongoing s i te degradation research and opera t ional work was a l s o discussed, p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e context of extension, A l a r g e amount of information is cur ren t ly , o r w i l l soon become, ava i l ab le . It i s important t h a t e f f e c t i v e extens ion mechanisms be i n place t o ensure the t r a n s f e r of a l l r e l evan t , a v a i l a b l e information t o opera tors , managers, and t h e genera l publ ic ,

Workshop Quest ion 1

"How important is site degradation?"

Discussion Summary

S i t e degradation is important. E f fec t s on t h e AAC a r e not prec ise ly known, but a r e s i g n i f i c a n t . Product iv i ty l o s s e s a r e cu r ren t ly on t h e order of 10% of each block harvested.

Provincia l l o s s e s due t o site degradation a r e less than t h e l o s s e s t o i n s e c t s / f i r e , but they a r e 2 t o 3 times more than t h e l o s s e s associa ted with formal land removal, S i t e degradation a s a f o m of land removal ( " in te rna l land a l ienat ion9 ' ) must be recognized by f o r e s t r y profess ionals .

The i s s u e must be presented i n more understandable terms, f o r example: "Productivi ty l o s s e s could represent 15,000 new homes annually,"

S i t e degradation is o f t e n not easy t o see, An education program would increase understanding among resource p ro fess iona l s and t h e genera l public .

Fores t ry p r a c t i t i o n e r s should become educators and demonstrators.

. Industry is a c e n t r a l p layer i n deal ing with t h e i s s u e , and must accept some r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r education and innovation,

I n some cases , o f f - s i t e impacts a r e more important than on-si te impacts. The prevention of on-si te impacts w i l l reduce t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r o f f - s i t e impacts.

Recommendations

1. An education program is necessary, focussing on bas ic s o i l management p r inc ip les , t h e e f f e c t s of f o r e s t management on product iv i ty , and ways and means of minimizing det r imenta l f o r e s t s o i l disturbance. Target audiences should include opera tors , managers, and t h e genera l public .

2, Industry must be encouraged t o p a r t i c i p a t e a c t i v e l y i n def in ing the nature and ex ten t of t h e problem and i n developing ways of minimizing it,

Workshop Quest ion 2

"How well do we understand the l inkage between s i te p roper t i e s and d e g r a d a t i ~ n ? ~ '

Discussion Summary

Much research work has been i n i t i a t e d recent ly i n B r i t i s h Columbia and some r e s u l t s from many research s t u d i e s should be ava i l ab le within t h e next 2 years.

Discussion errphasized the importance of bas ic p r i n c i p l e s i n t h e l i n k between site condi t ions and product iv i ty . Predic t ion of product iv i ty l o s s e s is imperfect, but some threshold l e v e l s a r e known t o adversely a f f e c t product iv i ty ,

Recommendat ions

1. There is a need t o continue (and enhame) research using mul t ip le approaches: h i s t o r i c a l s t u d i e s measuring tree growth on old cutblocks, and new research designed t o provide r e l i a b l e short-term, r o t a t i o n length , and Longer-term i n f ormation.

2, Basic s o i l management p r inc ip les , coupled with t h e l imi ted "hardd"' information t h a t is ava i l ab le , should be used t o guide f o r e s t management decision-making,

3. Demonstration p r o j e c t s showing the r e l a t i o n s h i p s between s i te condi t ions , s o i l d is turbance , and tree growth a r e reeded a t a l o c a l l e v e l , both t o improve awareness and t o he lp build a r e l i a b l e information base.

Workshop Quest ion 3

"How should s i t e degradation be measured?"

Discussion Summary

. A f a s t , r e l i a b l e opera t iona l technique is needed. Comparability and r e p r o d u c t i b i l i t y a r e important c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of an acceptable measurement procedure.

S o i l d is turbance c l a s s e s a r e t h e most appropr ia te way t o cha rac te r i ze s o i l d is turbance l e v e l s . Fur ther work is needed t o determine which types of s o i l d is turbance represent s i te degradation.

Recommendations

1. Standardized s o i l d is turbance c l a s s e s and a s tandard s o i l d is turbance measurement system must be developed. To ensure comparability of r e s u l t s , even i n t h e absence of a s tandard measurement system, stamlard s o i l d is turbance c l a s s e s must be used.

2, A s t r a t i f i e d opera t iona l procedure should be developed, composed of a f a s t , inexpensive overview system t h a t he lps i s o l a t e cutblocks of c r i t i c a l concern, and a more r igorous d e t a i l e d system t o quant i fy d is turbance l e v e l s on c r i t i c a l un i t s .

Workshop Quest ion 4

v*Pre-harvest assessment: how t o p r e d i c t p o t e n t i a l degradation?"

Discussion Summary

Prevention/minimization of s i te degradation is c r i t i c a l , Good pre-harvest planning is e s s e n t i a l .

The e x i s t i n g pre-harvest assessment does not comprehensively address a l l s i t e degradation concerns, but t h e assessment procedure could e a s i l y be modified t o do so.

. Other i n t e r p r e t a t i o n approaches a r e being developed (e,g., erosion/compaction i n d i c e s ) which do not necessar i ly have t o be p a r t of t h e pre-harvest ing s i t e assessment procedure, but could a l s o be used.

1. The pre-harvest s i te assessment procedure should be used t o evaluate s i te s e n s i t i v i t y t o degradation and t o he lp p resc r ibe appropr ia te management regimes. The procedure should be modified t o address s i te degradation more adequately,

2. Because good pre-harvest planning requ i res r e l i a b l e pre-.harvest s i te assessment, pre-harvest s i te assessment t r a i n i n g should be administered widely, Pre-harvest assessment monitoring is required t o ensure r e l i a b i l i t y of pre-harvest d a t a c o l l e c t i o n and t o he lp a r t i c u l a t e t h e need f o r continued o r a d d i t i o n a l t r a in ing .

Worksho~ Quest ion 5

"1s t h e r e a need t o modify c r i t e r i a (acceptable l i m i t s ) f o r d i f f e r e n t eco log ica l u n i t s , d i f f e r e n t regions, and d i f f e r e n t logging equipment history?"

Discussion Swnmary

Maximum allowable l e v e l s of d is turbance must be c l e a r l y s t a t e d .

C r i t e r i a must be f l e x i b l e , depending on a range of s i t u a t i o n s . It may be poss ib le t o use ecosystem type, providing it al lows f o r a cha rac te r i za t ion of s i te s e n s i t i v i t y t o degradation, because s i t e s e n s i t i v i t y is a major determinant of acceptable limits.

Some s tandardiza t ion is necessary.

Connection of c r i t e r i a t o economics and l o c a l equipment h i s to ry should a l s o be attempted,

Recommendat ions

1, Maximum allowable s o i l d is turbance l e v e l s should be formulated using s i te s e n s i t i v i t y t o degradation a s t h e major determinant. Regional d i s c r e t i o n could be applied i n modifying c r i t e r i a based on such f a c t o r s a s l o c a l economic condi t ions and equipment a v a i l a b i l i t y . If regional d i s c r e t i o n of t h i s nature is applied, some mechanism should be i n place t o ensure t h a t t h e l e v e l s formulated a r e p rov inc ia l ly acceptable.

Workshop Quest ion 6

When should r e h a b i l i t a t i o n be required?"

Discussion Summary

Because complete recovery of product iv i ty through r e h a b i l i t a t i o n cannot be guaranteed, prevention of s i te degradation should be t h e f i r s t p r i o r i t y ,

. Two l e v e l s of r e h a b i l i t a t i o n should be recognized: - prevention of f u r t h e r damage (erosion c o n t r o l ) - r e s t o r a t i o n of product iv i ty .

. Mitigat ion, by enhancing t h e product iv i ty of non-degraded a r e a s through a c t i v i t i e s such a s f e r t i l i z a t i o n , was discussed a s a poss ib le a l t e r n a t i v e t o r e h a b i l i t a t i o n , Some p a r t i c i p a n t s f e l t mi t iga t ion measures should only be undertaken i f the economic re tu rn was pos i t ive . F e r t i l i z a t i o n , f o r example, should not be undertaken if expected product iv i ty ga ins a r e less than t h e accrued c o s t of f e r t i l i z i n g , no matter how severe t h e degradation, Fines o r p e n a l t i e s make more sense. Other p a r t i c i p a n t s f e l t t h a t the re was g r e a t value i n maintaining the productive capaci ty of a degraded timber supply u n i t , and t h a t mi t iga t ive measures somewhere i n t h e u n i t were bound t o have a pos i t ive economic re turn .

Recommendat i ons

1. Prevent ion of s i te deg rada t ion through better planning, l ayou t , and t h e use of app rop r i a t e systems should be encouraged t o prevent t h e need f o r r e h a b i l i t a t i o n , A system of i n c e n t i v e s / p e n a l t i e s could be i n s t i t u t e d t o h e l p mot iva te o p e r a t o r s i n minimizing s i te degrada t ion ,

2. C r i t e r i a should be developed t o a s s i s t i n t h e p r e s c r i p t i o n of r e h a b i l i t a t i o n f o r p r o d u c t i v i t y r e s t o r a t i o n ve r sus r e h a b i l i t a t i o n f o r e r o s i o n c o n t r o l ,

Workshop Ques t ion 7

#What a r e t h e most important r e sea rch p r i o r i t i e s ? "

Discuss ion Summary

Group d i s c u s s i o n and r e sea rch recommendations were p a r a l l e l . See wRecommendationsw,

Recommendat i ons

1. Research i s needed, r e l a t i n g : - s i t e c o n d i t i o n s t o s i te p r o d u c t i v i t y - s o i l d i s tu rbance t o changes i n s i te p r o d u c t i v i t y - f o r e s t management a c t i v i t i e s t o l e v e l s and t y p e s of

s o i l d i s turbance .

2. A mix of short- term, long-term, and h i s t o r i c a l r e sea rch is needed.

3, I n t e n s i v e , r i go rous ly c o n t r o l l e d s t u d i e s are r equ i r ed t o quan t i fy degrada t ion .

4. Cons i s t en t r e sea rch approaches need t o be used, s o t h a t r e s u l t s from any one s tudy a r e d i r e c t l y comparable t o r e s u l t s from any o the r .

5. The economic i m p l i c a t i o n s of s i te degrada t ion should be a component of most s t u d i e s ,

Workshop Ques t ion 8

"Consider t r a i n i n g needs: what a r e t h e h i g h e s t p r i o r i t i e s ? "

Discussion Scarnmary

. Tra in ing d i s c u s s i o n s a l l focussed on t a r g e t t i n g s p e c i f i c groups with s p e c i f i c t r a i n i n g programs. P r i o r i t y t a r g e t groups a r e :

1. o p e r a t o r s 2. managers 3. p u b l i c

. The need f o r t r a in ing was discussed as a component o f most o f the questions addressed i n the workshop, Many o f the s i t e degradation concerns can be addressed now, i n par t , by avai lable informat ion being e f fec t i ve l y presented t o tb various target groups.

Recammendations

1. The development of targetted t ra in ing packages ( including video presentations) i s required t o extend avai lable information t o key target groups.

2. Demonstrations a d demonstration areas are needed t o show the f e a s i b i l i t y o f achieving minimum s i t e degradation through the appropriate planning and execution o f a c t i v i t i e s .

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Baker, T. M in is t ry o f Forests Research Branch 1450 Government Street V ic to r ia , B.C. V8W 3E7

Beese, B. MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. Woodlands Services 65 Front St reet Nanaimo, B.C. V5R 5H9

Biggs , W. Westland Resource Group 1035A Pandora Ave. V ic tor ia , B.C. V8V 3P6

B l a i r , He FERIC 201 - 2112 W . Broadway Vancouver, B.C, V6K 2C8

Breadon, B. FERIC 201 - 2112 W , Broadway Vancouver, B,C, V6K 2C8

Bregg, Be 309 - 8750 Selkisk Vancouver, B.C, V6P 434

Carr, Be Terrasol P,O. Box 2092 Vancouver, B.C, V6B 312

Chatwin, S. M in is t ry o f Forests Research Branch 1450 Government St reet V ic tor ia , B.C. V8W 3E7

Cheston, W,C. M in is t ry o f Forests 1450 Government St reet V ic tor ia , B.C. V8W 3E7

Commandeur, P. P a c i f i c Forestry Centre Forestry Canada 506 West Burnsj.de Road V ic to r ia , B.C. V8Z lM5

Curran, M e Min i s t r y o f Forests Nelson Forest Region 518 Lake Street Nelson, B,C. VlL 4C6

Davis, G. Soilcon Laboratory {I105 - 2931 Olafson Avenue Richmond, B,C, V6X 2R4

Diggle, P. M in is t ry o f Forests S i l v i c u l t u r e Branch 1450 Government St reet V ic tor ia , B.C. V8W 3€7

Douglas, M.-J. Dept, o f S o i l Sciences Univers i ty o f B r i t i s h Colunbia 2075 Wesbrook Ma l l Vancouver, B,C, V6T lW5

Herman, 8. P a c i f i c S o i l Analysis Inc. 1560 Rand Avenue Vancouver, B.C, V6P 362

Hirczy , B. M in is t ry o f Forests Prince Rupert Forest Region 3726 A l f red Avenue Bag 5000 Smithers, B.C, V O J 2NO

Homoky, S. M in is t ry o f Forests Research Branch 1450 Government Street V ic tor ia , B,C. V8W 3E7

Hope, G . Min is t ry o f Forests Research Section Kamloops Forest Region 515 Columbia St reet Kamloops, B.C. V2C 2T7

Howes, D. Recreational F isher ies Min is t ry o f Environment 780 Blanshard St reet V ic tor ia , B.C. V8V 1X5

Hunt, J. 3 - 1268 McKenzie Street V ic tor ia , B.C, V8V 2W5

Kimmins, H. Univers i ty o f B r i t i s h Columbia Facul ty o f Forestry 2075 Wesbrook M a l l Vancouver, B,C. V6T 1W5

Konkin , J. c/o Crestbrook Forest Indus t r ies P,O, Box 4600 Cranbrook, B.C. V1C 4J7

Kovats, M e Min is t ry o f Forests Research Branch 1450 Government St reet V ic tor ia , B,C. V8W 3E7

Krag, R. FERIC 201 - 2112 W. Broadway Vancouver, B.C. V6K 2C8

Lewis, T. 6149 Burns St reet Burnaby, B.C. V5H 1x3

Louie, B. M in is t ry o f Environment 553 Superior St reet V ic to r ia , B.C. V8V 1T7

Lousier, D. Su i te 11, Comp, 102 R,R* /I1 Lan tzv i l l e , B,C. VOR 2H0

Luttmerding, H. M in is t ry o f Environment Surveys & Resource Mapping 553 Superior St reet V ic tor ia , B.C. V8V 1x5

McDonald, M, Un ivers i ty o f B r i t i s h Columbia Faculty o f Forestry 2075 Wesbrook Ma l l Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1W5

McLeod, A. College o f Mew Caledonia 3330 - 22nd Avenue Prince George, B.C. V2N 1P8

Mason, P. Evans Forest Products Golden, B.C. VOA 1HO

Maynard, D. 13 - 251 West 14th Street North Vancouver, B .C. V7M 1P4

Mi tche l l , B. M in is t ry o f Forests Research Section 515 Columbia Street Kamloops, B.C. v2c 217

Oskrg, M. Ecology Section Min is t ry o f Forests Prince George Forest Region 1011 - 4th Avenue Prince George, B.C. V2L 3H9

Price, L. Min is t ry o f Forests Golden Forest D i s t r i c t P.O. Box 1380 Golden, B,C. VOA 1HO

Rollerson, T. MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. Woodland Services 65 Front Street Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5H9

Salmon, B. Evans Forest Products Golden, B,C. VOA 1HO

Schwab, J. M in i s t r y o f Forests Prince Rupert Forest Region 3726 A l f red Avenue Bag 5000 Smithers, B.C. VOJ 2NO

Senyk , J. P a c i f i c Forestry Centre Forestry Canada 506 West Burnside Road Vic tor ia , B.C. V8Z 1M5

S inc la i r , A e FERIC 201 - 2112 W e Broadway Vancouver, B . C , V6K 2C8

Smith, D. P a c i f i c Forestry Centre Forestry Canada 506 West Burnside Road Vic tor ia , 0-C. V8Z 1M5

Standish, J. Stewart and Ewing Associates Ltd. Sui te 210, 2560 Simpson Road Richmond, B.C. V8X 2P9

S t i l l , G , Min is t ry o f Forests Research Branch 1450 Government Street V ic tor ia , B.C, V8W 3E7

Thibideau, D. Evans Forest Products Golden, B.C. VOA 1HO

Trowbridge, R. M in is t ry o f Forests Prince Rupert Forest Region 3726 A l f red Avenue Bag 5000 Smithers, B,C. V O J 2NO

Utzig, G. Westland Resource Group 1035A Pandora Avenue V ic to r ia , B.C. V8V 3P6

Walmsley, M. Westland Resource Group 1035A Pandora Avenue V ic to r ia , B.C. V8V 3P6

Wass, E, P a c i f i c Forestry Centre Forestry Canada 506 West Burnside Road V ic to r ia , B.C. V8Z 1M5

Watt, B. M in is t ry o f Forests 540 Borland St reet Will iams Lake, B.C. V2G 1R8

Weetman, G, Un ivers i ty o f B r i t i s h Columbia Facul ty o f Forestry 2075 Wesbrook Ma l l Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1W5

Wells, W.H. P.O. Box 5 Johnson's Landing, B.C. VOG 180