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This three-year project will look at the effects of mountain pine beetle on selected understory plant and fungal species which are of high cultural importance and priority to the T'exelc and Xats?ull First Nations. Aboriginal Peoples continue to rely on traditionally used forest botanical species for cultural, recreational, subsistence and economic activities. Over the past several decades, the commercial use and awareness of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have risen dramatically due to various reasons such as increased global market demand, rural communities requiring alternatives for economic diversification, increased awareness of health and nutraceutical benefits, and a growing interest in cultural revitalisation. The expansion of the sector has been beneficial for many individuals and communities, but has also raised a number of concerns around resource and access rights, over-harvesting, and stewardship of the species and their ecosystems. There is currently no methodology developed for incorporating non-timber forest products into conventional vegetation inventories, and therefore it is difficult, if not impossible, to ensure sustainability of this sector. Overlaying this scenario is an increase of disturbance within areas traditionally harvested, including logging, fires and, recently, severe mountain pine beetle (MPB) outbreaks. The mountain pine beetle, by effectively killing large portions of the pine forests, is inevitably affecting the distribution, abundance and quality of the understory. This in turn affects community access to and ability to use these species. Understanding which species are important to the local Aboriginal communities and how to assess and incorporate the species quality (i.e. whether it is sufficient for traditional/NTFP use) within vegetation inventories is the first step necessary to ensure appropriate methods of study, as currently there are no adequate methods available to incorporate NTFP information within vegetation inventories. With these tools, it will then be possible to look at the distribution, abundance and quality of the species within MPB affected areas, compare with non-affected areas or historical data in order to understand the effect of the MPB on the understory and therefore help to address remediation of effects and possibly guide restoration efforts. To address these concerns, it is important to establish partnerships based on the diverse perspectives, knowledge, and experience that characterize this sector. The Aboriginal perspective and knowledge is crucial to the stewardship of the NTFP sector. It is further important to develop relationships which will protect Aboriginal culture, history and use while ensuring that knowledge important to the sector and the ecosystems is shared and developed for the benefit of all those who depend upon these resources. The project will establish protocols and formal agreements for the sharing of information between the Aboriginal bands, Tolko Industries, and Royal Roads University. Every stage of this project will strive to combine traditional knowledge with western knowledge, as well as two-way transfer of knowledge between the two. Year one provides a background exploration of the non-timber forest species of interest to the T'exelc and Xats?ull communities through previously completed traditional use studies, literature reviews and one workshop within each of the partner bands. A maximum of 20 species will be selected at the workshops for focus for the field studies. Geographic areas of focus will also be identified through the collaboration and input by all of the partners. These areas will be within the territory as defined by the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council, focusing on the Northern areas of the territory (above William?s Lake), and within areas of Tolko operation in the William?s Lake Timber Supply Area. Only MPB affected areas will be selected, and data will be compared with previously collected data from ...
Cocksedge, Wendy. 2007. Assessing cultural use species in mountain pine beetle affected areas. Forest Investment Account (FIA) - Forest Science Program. Forest Investment Account Report
Topic: FLNRORD Research Program
Keywords: Forest, Investment, Account, (FIA), Non-timber, forest, products, British, Columbia
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