Hlp 2011 10 prsnttn openhse emendsilviculture

EMEND: A Silviculture Perspective Presented By: Kevin Solarik, M.Sc

Sustainable Forest Management Officer Canadian Forest Service

October 3rd, 2011

Outline

Putting into Context: Variable Retention Harvesting

Establishing EMEND – Ecosystem Management Emulating Natural Disturbance

EMEND Design and Treatments Key Silviculture Studies The Future The Link – Forest Management Goals

Variable Retention Harvesting

Offers more Flexibility Retains Habitat for Forest

Species (i.e., nesting sites) Reduces Impacts on Biodiversity

and Ecological Processes Provides Energetic Substances

(i.e., course woody debris) Reduce wind speeds,

temperature and vapor pressure deficits

Species Life-Boating How Successful are these Life

Boats? Speed of Recovery?

What’s your Goal???

"Don't worry. As long as you hit that wire with the

connecting hook at precisely 88 miles an hour, the instant

the lightning strikes the tower... everything will be

fine!"

Establishment

1995-1997 1997

Site: DMI P2 Forest Management Area Populus tremuloides (Aspen) Picea glauca (White Spruce) Populus balsamifera (Balsam Poplar)

Core Crew canopy assessments and stand selection.

Canopy Composition

ADOM ADOMU MIX CDOMV

olu

me

In

de

x (

VI)

0

20

40

60

80

100

Poplar

Spruce

CDOM ADOMU

MIX ADOM

STAND COMPOSITIONS

Establishment

1997-98 Winter Practice Runs – Two Compartments

Final Design After 3 Phases and 4 Formal Designs

Harvesting

Design

Modified Shelterwood

A 2-pass System

1st Pass: Machine Corridors

2nd Pass: Achieve Retention

Compartment Design (853)

Summary of Harvesting Treatments

Retention Intensity (%)

Treatment Description

2 – Clearcut - Random skidding. - 2 Ellipses

10 - Machine corridors clear felled. - 7 of 8 trees within retention strips removed. - 2 Ellipses

20 - Machine corridors clear felled. - 3 of 4 trees within retention strips removed. - 2 Ellipses

50 - Machine corridors clear felled. - 1 of 3 trees within retention strips removed. - 2 Ellipses

75 - Machine corridors clear felled. - No trees removed from retention strips. - 2 Ellipses

100 - Control - No harvesting treatment applied.

PRESCRIBED FIRE

Prescribed Fire

Fire Regiments (1998-99) High Intensity

Medium Intensity

Low Intensity

Fire Weather Index (FWI) 1998,1999,2001

First Burn on August 4th, 1999.

Second Burn April 24, 2000. Burn Issues/Concerns

Hot, but patchy

Fear of impact to other compartments.

Too weak will prevent compartment from burning.

To date only 6 of 13 compartments burned.

New Burn Prescription Introduced – Slash Harvest

Compartment 926

SLASH HARVEST

Slash Harvest

New Fire Treatments:

Non-burned Control Slash Burn

12 Compartments scheduled for original burning were Harvested to 10% in 2002

Slash not removed, but distributed over the compartment

October 2003 11 of 14 compartments burned Aerial torches and hand held

dip torches Remaining 3 compartments

burned in 2005 Results

1. Burn coverage ranged 40-95% 2. Poor burn coverage in the

machine corridors.

Research

Silviculture Studies

1. Harvesting Economics 2. Natural Regeneration of

Aspen 3. Spruce: Natural

Regeneration and Planted 4. Residual Tree Health

Harvesting Economics

Phillips, E. 2004. Harvesting to emulate natural disturbance: EMEND harvesting costs and productivity. Advantage – FERIC. 5:36.

Findings

Objects: Document Harvesting

Logistics Calculate Productivity and

Costs Factors Affecting Harvest

Felling Higher Costs in Higher

Retentions Productivity 16% Higher in

Clear-cuts than combined avg. of Retentions

No difference between night and day shifts

Skidding Productivity decreased with

increasing retention Productivity decreased with

increasing amounts of conifer

EMEND Harvest Treatment Costs

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

0% 10% 20% 50% 75%

Retention Intensity

Co

st

($/m

3)

Deciduous-dominated

Conifer-dominated

Study Summary

CDOM had highest costs (~11$/m3) DDOM stands lowest (~8.3$/m3). Clear cuts and 10% Retention had

lowest costs. Costs in 20% (Highest), 50% and

75% were 8 to 16% greater. DDOM – highest productivity and

lowest cost DDOMu- lowest productivity

highest cost Clear-cutting 4-20% Cheaper than

Variable Retention Harvests. Processing Costs most for CDOM

and cheapest for DDOM Felling Costs and skidding more

impacted by stand type than by retention level!

Natural Regeneration of Aspen

Gradowski, T., Lieffers, V.J., Landhäusser, S.M., Sidders, D., Volney, J., Spence, J.R.,2010. Regeneration of Populus nine years after variable retention harvest in boreal mixedwood forests. For. Ecol. Manage. 259, 383–389.

Study Summary

Density and Volume

Nine years post harvest

Impacts of stand type & retention intensity

Key Findings

Aspen regenerates best after clear-cutting

20% Retention causes 50% decline in stem density and volume compared with clear-cutting.

Leaving lots of residual aspen suppresses aspen regeneration. Competition for resources

High Pre-Harvest Aspen Volumes = High Post-Harvest Aspen Regeneration

Natural Regeneration of White Spruce

Solarik, K.., Lieffers, V.J., Volney, W.J., Pelletier, R., Spence, J..R. 2010. Seed tree density, variable retention and stand composition influence recruitment of white spruce in the boreal mixedwood forests. Can. J. For. Res. 40(9): 1821–1832.

Study Summary

Density, Height, Stocking

10 Years Post Harvest

Seedling Age Distribution

Influence of Seed Source Trees

Machine Corridors

Influence of Canopy and Retention Intensity

179 Seedlings!!!

Seedling Age Distribution

Seedling Age (yrs)

4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Fre

quency o

f S

eedlings

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Pre-harvest (Error)

Harvest

Potential Mast Years

342 Seedlings from 432 transects collected (79.1%)

Variables Collected: • Height (cm) from root collar • Calliper (mm) at root collar • Age Misclassification Error: 3% ( 10 + Years)

Spruce

See

dlin

g D

ensi

ty (s

eedl

ings

/ 10

m2 )

0

1

2

3

4

5

Overstory Retention Intensity (%)

2 10 20 50 75 100

See

dlin

g S

tock

ing

(%)

0

20

40

60

B

B

B

B

B

A

B

B

B B

AB

A

Overstory Canopy Composition

D Du Mx C

Seed

ling S

tockin

g (%

)

0

10

20

30

40

50

Seed

ling D

ensit

y (se

edlin

gs / 1

0m2 )

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Maxim

um S

eedli

ng H

eight

(cm)

0

10

20

30

A

B B

B

B

AB

B

A

A

B

AB

B

Seed Trees

10%

% S

tockin

g

0

20

40

60

80

100

D

DDD

D

DDDD

DD

D

DD

DD D

D

C

C

CCC

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

CC

X

X

X

X

X X

X

X

XXX

XX

X X

X

X

XU

U

U

U

UU

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

UU

U

U

Chapman - Richards Curve

DeciduousD

Conifer C

MixedwoodX

Deciduous Dominated - Conifer understoryU

20%

D

D

DDD

D

D

D

D

D

D

D D

D

DD

DD

C

C

CC

C

C

C

C

C

CC

C C

C

C

C

C

C

U

U

U

UU

U

U

U

U

UU

U

U

U

U

U

U

U X

X

XX

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

XXX

X X

X

50%

Seed Trees ha-1

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

% S

tockin

g

0

20

40

60

80

100

DD

D

D

D

D

DDD

D

DD

D

D

DD

D

D

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C C

CCC

C C

C

C

C

C

UU

U

U

U

U

UU

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

U

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

XX

X

75%

Seed Trees ha-1

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

D

D

D

D

DD

D

D D

D

D

D

D

D

D

DD

D

C

C

C

C

C

C

C C

CC

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

C

U

U

UUUU

UU

U U

U

U

UU

U

UUU

X

X

X

XX

X

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

XX

Clear Cut (2%)

% S

tockin

g

0

20

40

60

80

100

C

C

C

C

C

C

CCCC

C

C

C

C

C

C

C C

D

D

D

D

DD

DDDDD

D

D

D

D

D

D

D U

U

U

U

U

U

U

UU

UUUU

U

U

U

U

U

X

X

X

X

XX

X

XX

X

X

X

X

X

XX

X

X

Key Findings

Seed Source within 60m Forest Floor Disturbance: Machine Corridors

6-fold increase Is competition that important? Yes…But…. Seed Tree Efficiencies:

Highest stocking in Clear Cuts (Trade off) Opportunities with Advanced Regeneration

Multi-layered Stand Natural Regeneration is Stochastic – use a distribution of outcomes

for prediction.

(3) Planted Spruce – Site Prep

Gradowski T, Sidders D, Keddy T, Lieffers VJ, Landhausser SM. 2008. Effects of overstory retention and site preparation on growth of planted white spruce seedlings in deciduous and coniferous dominated boreal plains mixedwoods. For. Ecol. Manage. 255(11): 3744-3749.

Study Summary

18 Stands (9 CDOM, 9 ADOM)

Clear-cut, 50% and 75%

Site Preparations:

Mounding

Mixing

Scalping

Control

Planted Spruce

0

50

100

150

clearcut 50% ret. 75% ret.

0

50

100

150

control

mix

mound

scalp

conifer-dominated

deciduous-dominated

ste

m v

olu

me

(c

m3)

Key Findings

DDOM stands better for Growth than CDOM

Best Growth in 50% DDOM

Mounding and mixing were superior site preparation

Scalping was worse than doing nothing.

CDOM clear cuts had better growth.

New Re-measurement in 2010

Residual Tree Health

Solarik, K.., Volney, W.J., Lieffers, V.J., Spence, J..R, Hamann, A. 2011. Tree and crown size, retention harvest level and forest composition affect mortality of white spruce and aspen 10 years after partial harvest. Journal of Applied Ecology, Submitted.

---------20m-------

-5m-

2x40m

Residual Tree Health

432 Transects – 6 (2x40m Transects)/ Compartment Measured in 1999, 2003, 2008 Status: Live/Dead/Fallen Predictors

Height (m) DBH (cm) Height to base of live crown (m) Height to top of crown (m) Tree to corridor Distance (TCD) (m) (2008)

Calculated Variables: Percent Live Crown (Live Crown length/Height) Slenderness (Height/DBH) Tree Basal Area

Retention Impact

Aspen - 5yrs

0

10

20

30

40

50

Aspen - 10yrs

10 20 50 75 100

Mo

rta

lity (

%)

0

10

20

30

40

50

White Spruce - 5yrs

White Spruce - 10yrs

Retention Intensity (%)

10 20 50 75 100

Fallen Dead

Standing Dead

AB

A

BC

A

BA

A

B

CC

B B

A

AA

B

B

B

CDD

Canopy Impact

Spruce 5 years

Overstory Composition

C Mx Du D

0

10

20

30

40

50Spruce 10 years

C Mx Du D

Aspen 5 years

Cum

ula

tive M

ort

ality

(%

)

0

10

20

30

40

50

Aspen 10 years

Standing Dead

Fallen Dead

A

AAA

A

AB

B B

A

A

B B

A

AB

B AB

25/1/4

74/6/5165/27/1 87/13/1

25/5/8

74/12/15

165/32/17 87/15/10

150/12/9

137/6/8

111/0/3 30/1/0

150/27/12

137/10/18

111/0/3 30/1/0

Retention Intensity (%)

10 20 50 75 100

Cum

ulat

ive

Mor

talit

y (%

)

0

10

20

30

40

50

0

10

20

30

40

50

5 years

10 years

Advance Growth (<15m)

Canopy (>15m)

a A

a A a A

a A a A

a A

a A

b B

bc BC

c C

8/15

15/20

5/16

1/7

1/4

1/1

3/5 3/4

3/3 4/7

Maintaining Residual Tree Health Take Home

Increase Harvest = Increase Mortality

Taller Trees = Increased Mortality

Large Live Crowns = Decrease Mortality

Aspen more likely to be standing dead (snag)

Spruce more likely to be fallen dead

Machine Corridors Impact at 10 years

Challenges in the Future

Not as simple as getting to 88MPH!

A Block - Compartment 853 in 1999

Aerial Photos

A Block - Compartment 853 in 2004

A Block - Compartment 853 in 2010

Climate Change

Insect Outbreaks

Wild Fires

THE LINK

Are these life boats taking on water? Maybe… Management Goals

Mortality or Regeneration Issues of Retention Cost Concerns $$$

TAKE HOME MESSAGE:

Clear Forest Management Goals Expect a change in plans Clear Initiatives – Pulp and Saw logs or Biodiversity Long Term vs Short Term Benefits Avoid Playing “Hot Potato”

EMEND Silviculture Literature

Phillips, E. 2004. Harvesting to emulate natural disturbance: EMEND harvesting costs and productivity. Advantage – FERIC. 5:36.

Gradowski, T., Lieffers, V.J., Landhäusser, S.M., Sidders, D., Volney, J., Spence, J.R.,2010. Regeneration of Populus nine years after variable retention harvest in boreal mixedwood forests. For. Ecol. Manage. 259, 383–389.

Gradowski T, Sidders D, Keddy T, Lieffers VJ, Landhausser SM. 2008. Effects of overstory retention and site preparation on growth of planted white spruce seedlings in deciduous and coniferous dominated boreal plains mixedwoods. For. Ecol. Manage. 255(11): 3744-3749.

Solarik, K.., Lieffers, V.J., Volney, W.J., Pelletier, R., Spence, J..R. 2010. Seed tree density, variable retention and stand composition influence recruitment of white spruce in the boreal mixedwood forests. Can. J. For. Res. 40(9): 1821–1832.

Solarik, K.., Volney, W.J., Lieffers, V.J., Spence, J..R, Hamann, A. 2011. Tree and crown size, retention harvest level and forest composition affect mortality of white spruce and aspen 10 years after partial harvest. Journal of Applied Ecology, Submitted.

Thanks…

Research

John Spence

Jan Volney

Victor Lieffers

Derek Sidders

Tim Keddy

Tomasz Gradowski

Simon Landhausser

Jim Stewart

Rick Pelletier

Andreas Hamann

Funding

CANFOR

DMI

NCESFM

NSERC

CFS

Work

EMEND Core Crews

Undergraduate and Graduate Students

ARSD Field & Fire Crews