natural disturbance approaches to forest land management · ecosystems, while allowing for...

Natural Disturbance Approaches

to Forest Land Management

October 6-8, 2009

Hinton, Alberta

(Dave)

THANK YOU!

Jasper National Park

THANK YOU!

Joan Simonton

Fran Hannington

Chris Stockdale

Rob Galon

Hamilton Greenwood

Rob Rempel

Stan Boutin

Andy MacKinnon

Craig DeLong

Rob Wright

Greg Branton

Rick Bonar

Roger Nesdoly

Daryll Hebert

Margaret Donnelly

Barry Waito

Brad Hawkes

Mike Demyen

Jim Wittiw

Dave Cheyne

Cheryl Smyth



October 6-8, 2009

Hinton, Alberta

Day 1, Part 1: A Little Theory

Why are you here?

Why are we here?

Natural disturbance patterns…

- Are a nice addition to our toolbox of indicators

- Are just another way to get more wood and cut costs

- Are coarse filters

- Are useful guides for operational planning

- Are relevant only when it is convenient

- Should only be used as a package deal.

- Are of no value because we can’t mimic Mother Nature

- Represent a new way of thinking

- Are a passing fad soon to be replaced with ??

- Can be used as a planning framework

Purchase / Rent Tool

How do the Tools Work?

Construction Objective?

What Tools are Required?

Strategies for Const. Objectives

Skill / Knowledge Required?

Buy or Rent?

Make & Model?

Tool Buying for Perfectly Rational People:

Ohhh! Shiny Tool!

Exactly What Do They Do?

Construction Objective?

What Tools Achieve Const. Needs?

Strategies for Const. Objectives

Skill / Knowledge Required?

Buy or Rent?

Tool Buying for Home Depot Shoppers:

Make & Model?

Natural Pattern Knowledge

Describing “Variation”

Scope, Definitions & Interpretations

(NRV) Theory & Background

Identifying the Right Scale(s)

Application & Regulation Options

What is SFM? …EBM?

Decision-Making Level(s)

A (Spatial) Language

Ideal

Ideal vs Reality Reality

Natural Pattern

Knowledge

Describing “Variation”

Scope, Definitions & Interpretations

(NRV) Theory & Background

Identifying the Right Scale(s)

Application & Regulation Options

What is SFM? …EBM?

Decision-Making Level(s)

A (Spatial) Language

Conceptual

foundations Course #1

A series of scale

specific Courses

The Solution

Course Goal:

To get everyone

on the same

page.

Course Structure:

• Day 1 Establish conceptual

framework

• Day 2 Overlay real-life onto theory.

• Day 3 Design natural disturbance

management scenarios

Let’s Get Started

Remind me how we

got talked into

being here again??

Generalized Management Model

Reality

Values

Paradigms

Frameworks

Tools

Systems

Reality

Values

Paradigm

Frameworks

Tools

Reality = Current conditions.

- belief systems

- cultural circumstances

- state of knowledge

- social situation

- economic circumstances

- the health of biological systems

- etc… Systems

Reality

Values

Paradigm

Frameworks

Tools

Values = Needs & wants;

“I like…”

- living

- safety

- good health

- wilderness

- recreational activities

- financial security

Systems

Reality

Values

Paradigms

Frameworks

Tools

Paradigm = A philosophical

framework, or a way of thinking. - democracy (political)

- Buddhism (religious)

- capitalism (economic)

- natural resource extraction

(resource management)

- sustainable forest management (forest management)

Systems

Reality

Values

Paradigm

Frameworks

Tools

Framework = Interpretive

guidance (towards a paradigm)

For Forest Management:

- land ownership

- rights to natural resources

- land use policies

- tenure

Systems

Reality

Values

Paradigm

Frameworks

Tools

System = Organized set of

procedures and standards (towards a framework).

Tenure:

- long-term for mgmt. plan

- annual operating plan

- public consultation process

Forest & Prairie Protection Act:

- initial attack fire program Systems

Reality

Values

Paradigm

Frameworks

Tools

Tool = The medium by which

systems are implemented. (towards a system).

Annual plans:

- harvesting

- guidebooks

- compliance rules

Long-term Plans:

- planning standards

- forest estate models Systems

Reality

Values

Paradigm

Framework

Tools

For Example:

Canada is a wealthy first world country

with strong social roots.

We value human health.

“Universal health care”.

Federal tax policies & treasury

commitment.

Transfer payments, health plans.

Network of health care facilities.

Systems

Exercise:

1. Tool

2. System

3. Framework

4. Paradigm

5. Some of the above (list them)

6. All of the above.

Assuming for the moment that this particular

management model is legitimate, off the top of

your head, do you believe that a “natural pattern

approach” is a:

Who wants:

1. Coffee

2. Pepsi

3. Water

4. Juice

5. A smoke

6. To call the office.

7. To shut us up for a few

minutes.

Exercise:

Resource

Extraction

Sustainable

Extraction

Integrated

Resource-Use

Management

Ecosystem

Management?

1900 1950 1980 2000

Sustainable

Forest

Management?

Profit Trees Stands Organisms Systems

A Brief History of Forest Management

Strategies in North America

For what are we trying to manage?

Trust us…we know what we

are doing.

(Associated Press)

Ecology

Starting in the late -1980’s;

- Acknowledge “change” as natural.

- Disturbance is part of the system.

- “biodiversity” = $!

- biodiversity is beneficial

- Ecological systems are complex and

interconnected.

- Seeing more negative impacts of

previous, well-intentioned strategies.

Brush (mostly birch) competition to increase

growing space for pine.

Removing hardwoods Increases risk of MPB,

armillaria, dothistroma, root collar weevil,

lowers soil microbial diversity, changes soil

nutrient dynamics, and lowers overall

productivity.

Simplifying Species

Simplifying

Landscapes

Size Class Distribution of ??

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

0-1 1-2 2-3 3-4 4-5 5-6 6-7 7-8 8-9 9-10 >10

Size Class (ha)

Nu

mb

er

2 km.

Unraveling Evolution

Sharks are being “finned” for soups

on the eastern US coast.

They feed on cownose rays, which

have now boomed to 10x numbers

from a decade ago.

Cownose rays feed on scallops.

The scallop fishery has been closed

off N. Carolina since 2004.

Scallop hide from cownose rays in

seagrass, which is now being ripped

apart by all the rays.

Oysters, hard clams, and soft shelled

clams use seagrass as habitat…

Unraveling Entire Ecosystems

Response:

To avoid “national train

wrecks”, the Clinton

administration will shift

federal policy away from a

single species approach to

one that looks at entire

eco-systems.

(James Babbit)

(Margaret)

Ecosystem Management integrates scientific knowledge of

ecological relationships within a complex socio-political and

values framework towards the general goal of protecting

native ecosystem integrity over the long term. (Grumbine,

1994)

Ecosystem-Based Management is an integrated, science-

based approach to the management of natural resources that

aims to sustain the health, resilience and diversity of

ecosystems, while allowing for sustainable use by humans of

the goods and services they provide. (Kappel, 1994)

Sustainable Forest Management is management that maintains

and enhances the long-term health of forest ecosystems for

the benefit of all living things while providing environmental,

economic, social and cultural opportunities for present and

future generations (CFS, adopted by CSA)

Ecologic

Social

Economic

Ecologic

Social

Economic

Other Possibilities Ecologic

Social

Economic

• Science / knowledge based.

• Focus on the whole (ecosystem), not the pieces.

• Natural functioning ecosystems is a priority.

• Involves some sort of balance. “Sustainability is

a social choice with limitations” (Shleapfer 1997)

• A need to be open, flexible, and humble.

Common Elements of

SFM / EBM / EM

Reality

Values

Paradigm

Frameworks

Tools

1990’s Canada

Forest land is valuable in and of itself,

we are prosperous & nature is dynamic &

complex.

We value long-term prosperity, health, &

biodiversity

SFM / EBM / EM

Provincial legislation, tenure,

certification, CCFM, adaptive mgmt, …

FMP’s, compliance regulations,

guidelines …

Harvesting, silviculture, public

involvement, indicators, …

Systems

The Alberta Forest act:

“The Minister… may enter into a forest

management agreement with any person to

enable that person to enter forest land for the

purpose of establishing, growing, and

harvesting timber in a manner designed to

provide a perpetual sustained yield”.

Are we Walking the Walk?

Reality

Values

Paradigm

Frameworks

Tools

Systems

Reality

Values

Paradigm

Frameworks

Tools

Systems

Reality

Values

Paradigm

Frameworks

Tools

Systems

Reality

Values

Paradigm

Models

Tools

Frameworks

Forest Management Energy & Mines

Agriculture Highways, Unities

Managing Ecosystems =

“Optimize the sustained contribution from

Alberta’s energy and mineral resources in

the interests of Albertans”

Alberta Energy’s Vision:

Photo: Charles Truscott Reality

Values

Paradigm

Framework

Tools

Systems

Are We Making Progress?

A Humble Ontario

“Is Ontario managing its forests sustainably? Within

the limits of science, data sources, and our

knowledge of forest ecosystems, we believe so”

OMNR, 2001



Day 1, Part 2: The Natural Disturbance Approach

is Born

(Margaret)

October 6-8, 2009

Hinton, Alberta

Where Do We Need to Go?

- More humility (what do we NOT know?)

- Adaptive solutions.

- Relevant science.

- Landscape management approaches.

- Represent natural functioning of

ecosystems – manage wholes, not the

pieces.

How Do We Define

“Natural Functioning Ecosystems”?

What the heck is:

• Biodiversity?

• Ecosystem health?

• Ecological integrity?

• Ecosystem resilience?

Natural Function Translation

Options:

A. Walk away

B. Zonation

C. Fine Filter

D. Coarse Filter


Option A: Walk Away

Let nature take its course.

Example 1: 33% industrial, 33% mixed use, and

33% natural.

Example 2: Set aside (12% - Bruntland, 33% -

Noss) of the landscape to allow “natural”

functions.

Example 3: Protected / representative area

(networks), parks, conservation areas, ecological

reserves,…(land use framework?)

Example 4: Define shifting zones for allowable

energy sector development.


Option B: Zonation

Manage based on the needs of each species and

function. Issue by issue (i.e., pieces)

= Manage for fine filters of biodiversity.

Decision-making criteria.


Option C: Fine Filter

Ecological Issue #1: Pine Marten

Ecological Issue #2: Moose

Ecological Issue #3: Soil erosion

Ecological Issue #4: Productivity

……etc

Economic Issue #1: Woodflow

Economic Issue #2: Local jobs

Economic Issue #3: Outfitters

Economic Issue #4: Reduce waste

…. etc

Social Issue #1: Recreation

Social Issue #2: Hunting opp.

Social Issue #3: Local jobs

Social Issue #4: TEK

…. etc

Mgmt. Objectives

Advantages to the Issue-

Based Approach?

Make a list.

• Long history of research

• Target most important biological values

• Concepts easily grasped

• Science based

• Regulatory friendly

• Consistent with existing

• Tools (optimization models),

• Systems (planning standards and manuals) and

• Frameworks (SARA, certification)

Advantages to the Issue-

Based Approach

Challenges to the Issue-

Based Approach?

Make another list.

What are

- clean water,

- non-”merchantable” species,

- nutrient cycling,

- recreational opportunities,

- natural beauty…

Worth? (compared to timber, oil, gas, etc)


Based Approach

• Targets are always interpreted.


Based Approach

Short-tailed

weaselTree

swallow

Mountain

bluebirdEuropean

starlingBufflehead

Mountain

chickadee

Black-capped

chickadee

Red-breasted

nuthatch

Downy

woodpecker

Pileated

woodpecker

Hairy

woodpecker

Red-naped

sapsucker

Northern

flickerNatural

Aspen

Northern

flying

squirrel

FirPine Spruce

Three-toed

woodpecker

Secondary Cavity Nesters

Trees

Weak

Excavators

Primary Excavators

ChipmunkBushy-tailed

woodratBarrow’s

goldeneyeAmerican

kestrel

Northern

saw-whet

owl

Red

squirrel

N = 950 nests

< 0.10

0.50 - 1.00

Nest Use (proportion)

0.10 - 0.49

Deer MouseShort-tailed

weaselTree

swallow

Mountain

bluebirdEuropean

starlingBufflehead

Mountain

chickadee

Black-capped

chickadee

Red-breasted

nuthatch

Downy

woodpecker

Pileated

woodpecker

Hairy

woodpecker

Red-naped

sapsucker

Northern

flickerNatural

Aspen

Northern

flying

squirrel

FirPine Spruce

Three-toed

woodpecker

Secondary Cavity Nesters

Trees

Weak

Excavators

Primary Excavators

ChipmunkBushy-tailed

woodratBarrow’s

goldeneyeAmerican

kestrel

Northern

saw-whet

owl

Red

squirrel

N = 950 nests

< 0.10

0.50 - 1.00


0.10 - 0.49

< 0.10< 0.10

0.50 - 1.000.50 - 1.00


0.10 - 0.490.10 - 0.49

Deer Mouse

Figure 1: This figure covers nests found between 1995-2000 where the excavator of the cavity is known. It shows the links between

species using cavity nests and those that provide the resource. For example, Bufflehead primarily used flicker cavities, but also used

Pileated woodpecker cavities, and occasionally natural holes.


Based Approach No such thing as an independent

species or issue.

• Selective & subjective.


Based Approach

- Are the several million species that we have

not yet studied important?

- How humble is managing complex systems

only via the pieces that we know about?


Based Approach

• Targets, goals are subjective.

- How many Grizz are “good” or “sustainable”?

(Is it more or less than 581?!)

- Who decides?

• Forces tradeoff mentality

Is This Moose a social,

economic, or biological value?


Based Approach

Manage the historical

patterns and

structures of forests.

= Manage for

coarse filters of

biodiversity.

(OMNR, 2001)


Option D: Coarse Filter

Fire

Moose

“Hotels”

Progressive clear cut

(60’s& 70’s)

OMNR Effects & Effectiveness

– Timber Guidelines

What Defines Natural Patterns

and Structures? Earth, water, air, fire,

& life.

Evolutionary, geologic, climatologic,

biologic, hydrologic, pedolgic …

Disturbance

Diversity and number of individuals,

species, ecosystems & interactions.

Elements of biodiversity

Long - term processes

Short - term processes

Biodiversity

Outcomes Species population levels, timber supply,

wildfire risk, clean water, recreation…

“…organisms…have

adapted and evolved

with the natural

disturbance regimes and

therefore should be able

to cope much easier with

the ecological changes

that correspond to

timber harvest activities,

if those changes closely

resemble a natural

disturbance.”

Hunter, 1990

How to manage our disturbance

activities…

…to correspond more closely to those of

Mother Nature….

…in an effort to better manage for (natural

levels of) biodiversity values.

(Adapted from: D.W. Andison, L. Van Damme, D. Hebert, T. Moore, R. Bonar, S. Boutin, and M.

Donnelly. 2009. The healthy landscape approach to land management. Foothills Research Institute

Natural Disturbance program, Hinton, Alberta. January, 2009.)

• Type

• Frequency & Periodicity

• Size & Shape

• Severity

• Tendencies

Economic and Social Consequences

• Recreation

• Oil and Gas Extraction

• Clean Water Supply

• Fishing

• Timber Harvesting

• Grazing…

• Seral-stage levels

• Old forest patch sizes

• Edge density

• Coarse woody debris

• Suspended sediment & O2…

• Fire risk

• MPB risk

• Water quality

• Caribou habitat

• Grizzly bear habitat…

Disturbance Patterns

Landscape Condition

Biological

Consequences

FOOOODD!!!!

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