Species Selection Reference System

Research and Forest Practices Branch MOFRWith Symmetree Consulting Group Ltd.

Who is involved

Technical Advisory Committee (Technical Steering Committee?)(Brian Raymer, Guy Newsome, Dave Weaver, Craig Wickland, Archie Macdonald, Leslie McAuley, Phil Lepage & Corey Erwin)

HQ Working groupBryce, Ken, Brian, Del & Corey

Symmetree TeamSub-contractors, grad students

Technical Working GroupRegional EcologistsDennis, Ray, Craig, Allen & Andy

Regional SilviculturistsPhil, Rod & Alan

Industry Staff (TBD) 3 regional reps (RCO, RNI, RSI)

Tree Improvement Branch1 representative (TBD)

Forest Industry

Forest Health

Forest Genetics

Operational Silviculturists

Draft material

Comments

Recommendations

ConsolidatedInfo & data

Guidance

Expertise & raw info/data

Draft material Comments

Other Interest Groups

Feedback

BC Timber Sales

Experts, User Groups & Information Providers

Who will use it?

You?Who will use it and how?

Foresters for choosing suitable species

Those reviewing Forest Stewardship Plans

Timber supply working groups

Academics

Tree improvement folks

Forest Health personnel

What it could look like – a work in progress

Zone map

With a drop down menu to access subzone variant combinations

This will take you to the new screen based on the variant you choose.

Phase II version would be done through the map

Opening screen BEC map with options to link to Zone

As you go further you get more detail

Subzone/Variant page Background information is on the page along with: Links to other BEC guide information – geographic location, climate, other background info that is not used up front for this screen.

Link to landscape discussion if available Link to forest health info relevant to this

unit. Phase two could have photos, Growth and yield information Drop down of available Site Series – this links you to the Site Series Screen

As you go further you get more detail

Site Series Screen

This screen has the following information.

List of ecologically suitable species – each hyper linked to a compendium for that species.

Additional notes by species from Ecological field guides – e.g., on moister microsites

Information on forest health for this SS – anecdotal or published.

Link based on GPS and elevation to SPAR seedlot information.

As you go further you get more detail

Species specific CompendiumInformation would include ecological tolerancesEcological amplitudesRange in provinceGrowth rate and yield expectations Links to other publications on the speciesSpecies mixes Partial cutting guidance – link to field forms

CWHvm1 /01 Ecologically Acceptable Tree Species

Conifers Broadleaves

Silvicultural Considerations

Shade tolerance Frost tolerance Snow tolerance Drought tolerance Water table tolrce

Nutritional requirementsBGC unit pest concerns (by BEC subzone/variant?)

ProductivityNatural regen potential

[go to table]

Open Shade

High:High:

This section mainly for comments specific to the species (site information, species mixes)Sources:• Reference Guide (2003)• Field guides

Ecologically acceptable tree species from the former P/S/T and

broadleaf categories; include broadleaf spp with b footnote?

We could have links here to:• forest health tables• FORREX has produced forest health SEDA (stand establishment decision aids) for the Southern Interior Forest Region (former Cariboo, Nelson and Kamloops regions); hazard rating system basic unit: BEC subzone/variants

Link to most recent 2006 SIBEC – SISU tables for each BEC subzone

Available Sources:• PR field guide (vegetation potential classes)• Competing vegetation SEDA (stand establishment decision aid) available for the former Cariboo Region (FORREX)

Sources for the majority of the info by tree species for the remaining boxes:• Klinka et al. 1990 In Lavendar et al. 1990 Regenerating BC’s forests•Prince Rupert region field guide page 7-24, figure 7.2). Similar info NOT available in all regional field guide - would need to create table

LINK to Partial Cutting information

Timber value

SBSdk/07 Sxw – Horsetail

Ecologically Acceptable Tree Species: Act At Ep Pl Sxw

Shade tolerance

Sxw > Pl Act At Ep

Frost tolerance

Pl > At Ep > Act Sxw

Snow tolerance

Sxw > Pl Act At Ep

Drought tolerance

Pl > Sxw > At Ep > Act

Water table tolerance

Act > Sxw > At Ep Pl

Nutritional requirements

Act > Sxw At Ep > Pl

Site Index (1st approx.) Pl = 21 Sxw = 21

Natural regen potentialOpen Shade High: Act At Ep Pl Med: Pl Sxw

Wind tolerance

Act > At Ep Pl > Sxw

Tree Species Composition:Historic 2nd Growth RecommendedSxw At (Act Pl) Pl (Sxw) Sxw (At Act Pl)

Tree Species Notes: Pl is limited by shade intolerance and saturated soils; Sxw is limited by growing season frosts; preserve advance regeneration; Act, At, Ep – limited in productivity, reliability and/or feasibility [Source: PR (LMHB 26); and the Reference Guide for FDP Stocking Standards Footnotes].

Relative Tree Species Characteristics:

Link to Reference Guide to Forest Development Plan Stocking StandardsAdditional Tree Species information: Sxw Pl Act At Ep Other

Fire Tolerance

Pl Sxw > At Ep > Act

Site Limiting Factors Management Implications Management Options

Cold, wet, poorly aerated fine-textured soils

Root restriction, reduced productivity, windthrow, soil compaction

Mounding and/or elevated microsites for seedling establishment

Frost/cold air Seedling damage / mortality Mounding and/or elevated microsites for seedling establishment; partial canopy retention

Porcupine Reduced Pl productivity Mixed species composition

Pine dwarf mistletoe Reduced Pl productivity

Mountain Pine Beetle Reduced Pl productivity; Pl mortality Mixed species composition

Competing vegetation Seedling mortality and reduced growth rate Early planting post-harvest and/or minimize mineral soil exposure

Voles and Hares Seedling mortality

Timber Value

Tree Species Ecological Amplitude: actual soil moisture soil nutrient VD MD SD F M VM W A B C D EAct AtEpPlSxw

Silvicultural site considerations: (link to Silvicultural BGC subzone considerations)

SBSdk – Sub-Boreal Spruce Dry Cool Biogeoclimatic Subzone

Link to the Reference Guide to Forest Development Plan Stocking StandardsAdditional Tree Species Information : Sxw Pl Act At Ep Fd Sb Other species

Site series

Number

Frost / Cold

Air

High Water table Moisture Deficit Nutrient Deficit Root Restriction Subzone

Presence

01 Some sites Some sites Fine-textures 30%

02/03 Severe Severe Shallow soils 15% (less 02)

04 Common shallow soils 5%

05 Common Common Fine-textures 8%

06 Fine-textures 12%

07 Y Y Fine-textures 5

08 Y Y High water table 8

09 Y Y High water table 5

10 Y Y High water table 12

Subzone Notes: Summers in the SBSdk are relatively warm and dry while the winters are typically cold and dry (snowpack < 50cm). The most common tree species include Sxw, Pl, At, Act and Ep. Climax forests are dominated by Sxw however, due to the recurrent disturbances common to this variant many forests are often dominated by Pl and At. Fd and Ep are relatively uncommon but where they do occur they are usually associated with drier sites. Sb is typically restricted to wetlands and Act is most common along rivers and streams in association with Sxw.

SBSdk Site Series Characteristics:(use site series number to link to site pages)

Silvicultural Subzone Considerations:

Subzone Concerns Identified Risks / Implications Management Options

2nd growth shift in species composition Resilience of ecosystems, forest health risks Adopt appropriate mix of species

Overstocking on wet sites

Understocking on Pl dry sites Long term economics (I.e. forest health issues) Increase Pl density

Climate change – inc. in growing season temp Reduced Sxw productivity on drier sites Shift proportions of species mix (introduce Fd)

Increase in MPB in the southern portions Pl mortality

Tree Species Composition Considerations:

Site Old growth 2nd growth Future options

Dry Forest

Pl (Fd Sxw) Pl Pl (Fd)

Mesic Forest

Sxw Pl (At Fd) Pl (Sxw At) Sxw (Pl At Fd)

Wet Forest

Act Sb (Sxw) Sb Act Sxw Act Sb (Act)

Notes: Future options are based on historic trends in species composition and current landscape concerns. These are intended to be used as guide and are expected to change as new forest management issues arise.

Keep informed and if you like provide input

If you would like to be added to the email distribution list, provide comments and/or recommendations or have any questions please direct them to:

Tree.Speciesselection@gov.bc.ca

Check for WEB links from the MOF Research and Forest Practices Branch sites, coming soon.