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This project is a continuation of environmental maintenance on non-status roads that was commenced in 2005/06 in accordance with an approved Access Management Plan. Numerous non-status roads exist in the NW quadrant of TFL 15 that provide access to rare plant associations and bird/animal habitats. These roads are also vectors for invasive plants which threaten these associations and habitats.
Monitoring for species diversity and relative abundance is a long-term proposition. It can also be a relatively expensive one. However, dependable government funding commitments to museums and public wildlife agencies that would be expected to carry out this work, have only diminished in the recent past. Consequently, today the resources are largely unavailable to adequately carry out this vital work in the long-term and on a large scale. Without the required data that defines species, populations and their relation to habitat, effective and comprehensive conservation efforts are next to impossible. In light of this, a trend has developed in Canada and elsewhere during the 1990s to rely less upon governments and to shift attention increasingly towards alternative sources of funding and manpower. Programs are now in place where specialists in amphibian and reptile biology enlist and co-ordinate teams of volunteers who conduct basic population surveys in and around their own communities...
Bishop, C., Orchard, S.A.. 1999. Amphibian and Reptile Monitoring in British Columbia: Problems and Potential Benefits (in Proc. Conference Biology & Management of Species and Habitats at Risk). Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Conference Biology & ManagementProceedings. Vol. 1
Amphibians are considered to be a group of wildlife that is particularly sensitive to forest harvesting, and can be used as an indicator of riparian forest condition. We sampled populations of amphibians for 6 weeks in the autumn of 2002 at 6 sites associated with a riparian management experiment at UBC?s Malcolm Knapp Research Forest (north of Maple Ridge, BC). From spring 1997 to autumn 2000 (about 6 months sampling per year) we studied amphibian populations from before to after forest harvesting at these sites (2 controls, 2 with 30 m reserves, 2 with clearcut to streamside) in coastal hemlock forest. All 9 amphibian species expected to be found there were present at all sites. The year 2002 was unusual in that the weather remained dry into early November and amphibian activity did not begin until the rains started. A very large peak in activity occurred once rain started, but then ceased as the weather turned cold only two weeks later. These anomalous observations indicate the kind of variation that can potentially confound studies of wildlife populations and show the need for longer-term data series. Nevertheless, the relative abundances of amphibians showed no changes from the post-harvest patterns seen earlier (either higher or lower than controls and pre-harvest depending upon species). These results show that amphibian populations do not yet show signs of ?recovery? from the harvesting treatments, even on the sites with 30 m riparian reserves. John S. Richardson and Tatiana Lee.
Richardson, John S., Lee, Tatiana. 2003. Amphibian populations as indicators of forest ecosystem integrity and recovery from forest harvesting of riparian areas in a coastal forest.. Forest Investment Account (FIA) - Forest Science Program. Forest Investment Account Report. FIA2003MR280
Amphibians were trapped for 6 weeks in the autumn of 2003 at 6 sites in the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest. These 6 sites were in riparian areas adjacent to small streams, divided amongst 2 controls, 2 clear-cut sites, and 2 sites with 30 m reserves. The sites that received harvesting did so in 1998, and the changes in abundance of amphibians have been followed since. All 9 native species that should occur at the research forest have been found at most sites, in addition to the non-native green frog. In 2003 211 individuals across all species were trapped during the 6 week period across all sites. The most common of the species across all sites were the northwestern salamander, red-backed salamander, and the tailed frog (in order of abundance). The rate of capture in 2003 was the lowest in 6 years of trapping, probably reflecting the very protracted dry conditions of last year and late onset of rain. Year-to-year variation in numbers is relatively high, but there are still patterns associated with forest harvesting. Numbers of northwestern salamanders remain highest at the two control sites relative to the harvested sites. In contrast, red-backed salamander abundances remain higher at the harvesting sites than the control, although, they were also lower at the control sites prior to harvesting, so this probably reflects a site effect. Site-to-site and inter-annual variation remain high relative to the variation due to treatments, indicating the need for long-term data for species such as these to determine the consequences of harvesting and the efficacy of using riparian reserves to protect putatively sensitive wildlife species.
John S. Richardson, Tatiana Lee.
Richardson, John S.. 2004. Amphibian populations as indicators of integrity and recovery from riparian harvesting in a coastal forest. Forest Investment Account (FIA) - Forest Science Program. Forest Investment Account Report. FIA2004MR213
Amphibians and reptiles are currently receiving an unprecedented amount of attention in B.C. The Province is working to bring them under the general protection of the Wildlife Act, and the jurisdiction of the Fish and Wildlife Branch. The University of Victoria has a continuing herpetological research program, and is offering a forth-year course in herpetology.
Orchard, Stan A.. 1984. Amphibians and Reptiles of B.C. An Ecological Review. Ministry of Environment. Wildlife Habitat Research Report. WHR-15
Small wetland habitats are numerically abundant across the landscape (e.g., see Wind 2003), and play an important role in maintaining connectivity among populations of wetland biota (Gibbs 2000). Species dependent upon moist environments use depressions, seeps, and small wetlands and streams as stepping stones to facilitate their movements throughout the landscape. Models from eastern North America suggest that all wetlands greater than 0.4 ha in size need protection in order to retain minimal wetland densities required to sustain wetland fauna such as amphibians which are dependent upon these habitats for breeding, cover, foraging, and hydration (Gibbs 2000). However, wetland legislation in North America is based on areal extent even though studies have not shown a relationship between wetland size and amphibian species richness (Snodgrass et al. 2000). For example, in BC isolated wetlands less 0.50 ha are not afforded riparian protection in the Forest and Range Practices Act (BCMFR 2004). The majority of amphibian species within BC are aquatic breeding, utilizing a variety of lentic water bodies including small wetlands and ponds that dry regularly (e.g., seasonal or semi-permanent). These latter habitats contain conditions conducive to improved larval development and overall fitness such as reduced predation and increased water temperatures (Alford 1999, Ultsch et al. 1999). However, under natural climatic conditions these habitats are unpredictable and larval survival rates fluctuate extensively from year to year. The success of aquatic-breeding amphibian populations is dependent upon the interactions that exist among ponds with various hydroperiods across the landscape (e.g., migrations between ponds). This ?boom or bust? life cycle is a natural strategy that helps maintain healthy amphibian populations. The greatest concern associated with forest harvesting and small wetland habitats is that they may act as population sinks for amphibian species. Amphibians may be attracted to breeding in ponds in newly harvested blocks due to increased solar radiation and the potential for greater productivity. Larvae and/or newly metamorphosed juveniles emerging from ponds at the hottest, driest time of the year may be negatively affected by forest harvesting, resulting in reduced overall abundance. One of the greatest factors that may be altered by forest harvesting that affects in-pond amphibian survival rates is hydroperiod, a variable that is highly dynamic and intimately related to local and climatic conditions. Concern for small vernal pools has increased in the United States, especially in the east (see e.g., Lawrence et al. 1998), but has lagged behind in most western states and provinces (except California). To my knowledge, no studies have investigated the role or importance of small wetlands or the effects of timber harvesting on these habitats within the Pacific Northwest. In 2003, we initiated a pre- and post-harvest experiment at three study sites with 70+ small wetland habitats less than 1 ha in size in the Nanaimo River Watershed to investigate the effects of forest harvesting on the hydroperiod and presence of breeding amphibians. Pacific Treefrogs, Red-legged Frogs, and Long-toed Salamanders occur in numerous ponds within the three study sites, including many relatively small ponds (e.g., 0.003 ha). To date, the results from this study confirm that all three pond-breeding amphibian species continue to reproduce in ponds within cutover areas initially after harvesting and that at least two of the species appear to exploit previously unoccupied ponds due to changes in the habitat characteristics (e.g., decreased canopy cover). In addition, the results have demonstrated that small ponds in the area have longer hydroperiods initially after harvesting due to a combination of increased water depths and slower drying rates. Initial habitat analyses indicate that canopy cover may be a major factor in breeding pond sel ...
Wind, Elke. 2008. Amphibians as indicators of wetland habitat conservation under variable retention harvesting. Forest Investment Account (FIA) - Forest Science Program. Forest Investment Account Report
Topic: FLNRORD Research Program
Series: Forest Investment Account Report
Keywords: Forest, Investment, Account, (FIA), British, Columbia
The Yellow List for British Columbia is defined as the list of vertebrate species not at risk in the province. It includes 493 species and subspecies. To help both wildlife managers and habitat managers make decisions about priorities, these taxa are also listed in five sublists with the following headings: Species maintained by ecosystem management; Conservation species (associated with a habitat or habitat element that is becoming rare or declining); Species managed for hunting, trapping or falconry; Species for which British Columbia has a global responsibility; and Non-native species. The Yellow List is consistent with the most recent Red and Blue Lists (Wildlife Branch, in prep.). It is presented by species except when subspecies are necessary to mesh with the Red and Blue Lists or when subspecies are listed s S4 by the Conservation Data Centre (see criteria in Appendix 3).
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. 1995. Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals Not at Risk in British Columbia: the Yellow List (1994). Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Wildlife Bulletin. B74
Landscape-level planning in TFL 45 requires identification of sensitive sites and hydroriparian features for designing reserve networks. For sensitive sites analysis, International Forest Products (IFP) is adopting a similar approach to that used for a recently completed Interim Watershed Plan in the Clayoquot. Following recommendations from the Clayoquot Scientific Panel, criteria were developed for defining sensitive soils and unstable terrain which were applied to landscape-level inventory data. These formed the core of reserve networks. Hydroriparian planning in TFL 45 will assess the application of the Hydroriparian Planning Guide (HPG) in designing related reserve networks. This project is intended to provide core data to support that analysis. This follows the comprehensive testing of the HPG in three small coastal watersheds completed in 2003 (Warttig and Landers 2003). Existing resource information for TFL 45 (TRIM, TEM, terrain stability, stream classification) can be used in a GIS analysis for deriving preliminary spatial data on sensitive sites and hydroriparian ecosystems. Not all features used for identifying these areas are comprehensively covered in the existing inventory data. Where appropriate, these inventories can be revisited through a focused photo interpretation exercise, and enhanced to better reflect key site features. The objectives of this project are to: ? Identify opportunities for enhancing the TEM database to better reflect key site features used in identifying sensitive sites and hydroriparian ecosystems. ? Based on the previous, review original typed airphotos (TEM polygons) and delineate additional polygons to enhance the database for deriving candidate reserve areas. ? Based on analysis of available GIS databases, generate spatial themes for identifying sensitive sites and relevant hydroriparian features.
by R.N. Green.
Green, R.N. (Bob). 2006. Analysis and enhancement of TFL 45 inventories for deriving sensitive soil and hydroriparian themes. Forest Investment Account (FIA) - Forest Science Program. Forest Investment Account Report. FIA2006MR234
This proposed project is to report on the 32-year growth response of a coastal Doulas-fir stand to thinning (partial cutting), in the Shawnigan Lake Fertilizer and Thinning Experiment Project, also known as the Shawnigan Lake Project (SLP). The SLP was established in 1970 within the Shawnigan Lake Research Forest (SLRF) to study the short-term and long-term effects of fertilization and thinning on growth and yield, and to explain growth responses through ecosystem changes both above and below ground.
The experimental design is divided into two components: a) the main experiment (two levels of thinning and two levels of nitrogen fertilization and controls (1971, 1972 plots), and b) subsidiary experiments (high levels of nitrogen fertilization and fertilization nitrogen phosphorous and sulfur (1982, 1987 NPS plots). The SLP is one of the most famous older silvicultural experiments in coastal British Columbia. It is one of the few well designed growth and yield experiments in coastal British Columbia that provide valuable growth response information over this extended period of observation. More than 70 reports have been published since the initiation of this project, greatly contributing to the understanding of the tree and stand response to thinning and fertilization. The most recent report (November 1996) documented the 24-year growth response. Two more plot remeasurements have been made since then. This proposed project aims to build upon this past work, by analysing and documenting the thinning (and fertilization) growth response and trends, 34 years since the initiation of the SLP project. This LOI is submitted under the New Research Projects, Timber Growth and Value Proponent-Driven Program category. Specifically, it falls under the Timber Growth and Value PAC Theme 2.0 - Design and analysis of silvicultural systems and Topic 2.2 - Even aged stands. While the fertilization component of the SLRF experiment falls under the priority topic area of Topic 2.2 (assessment and analysis of fertilization experiments or trials), the thinning treatment, which also falls under research theme 2.2 (interactions among silvicultural regimes), is not a priority topic area.
Omule, Stephen A.Y.. 2008. Analysis and Reporting of the Shawnigan Lake Fertilizer and Thinning Experiment. Forest Investment Account (FIA) - Forest Science Program. Forest Investment Account Report. FIA2008MR077
Topic: FLNRORD Research Program
Series: Forest Investment Account Report
Keywords: Forest, Investment, Account, (FIA), British, Columbia
Efforts to derive effective regeneration standards for aspen-spruce mixedwoods, for example, have been stymied by several factors including uncertainty in stand level targets, diverse professional opinion, the lack of an effective survey methodology and weak links to growth & yield models. It is proposed that some of these issues can be addressed through the development of an analysis framework, the core of which is a stand level silviculture survey simulator. Such a model would start with a known population of juvenile trees, and test various survey methodologies for their ability to accurately describe that population. The same population of trees could then be repeatedly sub-sampled to generate treelists compatible with various existing growth models. Growth simulations on these treelists could provide strong indications of whether or not the cumulative conditions within a particular stand would satisfy the stated objectives (i.e. Stand Types). When linked with results from survey simulations, tests could be conducted for easily measured juvenile stand conditions that are highly correlated to factors affecting success in achieving stand level objectives. In this way, threshold conditions between acceptable and unacceptable outcomes could be identified that would form the basis of defensible regeneration standards. The project will be completed by Craig Farnden RPF. Craig is a forester with 20 years of experience in silviculture and growth & yield. He has worked extensively with several growth & yield models, and has developed several useful G&Y-based decision support tools for silviculturists. He will be undertaking this work as part of his PhD work as a graduate student at UBC under the supervision of Dr. Bruce Larson.
Craig Farnden.
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