Document Details

Title
Harvesting and site preparation treatments to develop and maintain open canopy conditions in Douglas-fir forests: the Isobel project
Author
Klenner, Walt
Date
2004
Abstract
The main objectives for the 2003-04 year were to complete the stand management treatments, to document and evaluate the site preparation activities, to prepare a report on pre-treatment conditions at the Isobel site, to re-establish the permanent sampling plots following harvesting and to measure post-harvest understory light conditions, to begin the extension and demonstration work at the area to illustrate the treatments and issues relating to the harvesting and site-preparation treatments, and to develop co-operative extension materials between the Isobel and Opax projects. The 2003-04 effort at Isobel to implement site preparation treatments was delayed by funding uncertainty until late summer. The extreme drought and accompanying fire hazard across much of the Southern Interior forced the project team to modify objectives. Prescribed fire treatments were not an option for 2003-04 in the wake of the catastrophic fires in July and August, hence the project focus was shifted to completing livestock exclosures. Following discussions with Fire Center staff, a modified plan was developed that would see the completion of the planned 12 livestock exclosures prior to implementing the prescribed fire treatments. Reports outlining the pre-treatment (harvesting) condition and the site fuel loading and soil nutrients were completed. Permanent sample plot locations were re-established following harvesting, and logging slash removed where it compromised plot re-measurements. The first post-harvest light and sample plot reference photographs were completed, and a report prepared using the TASS stand model to project the consequences of the harvesting treatments at Isobel on likely timber volume and understory forage production. Work on constructing the livestock exclosures began in January and all 12 exclosures (6.2 km of fencing) was completed by March 2004. Demonstration efforts to illustrate the application of prescribed fire will be delayed to 2004-05 following application of the prescribed fire treatments. Dr. Walt Klenner.
Report Number
 
Title
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Technical Report
Annual Progress Report

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