Forest Fires and Old-Growth Forest Abundance in Wet, Cold, Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir Forests of British Columbia, Canada

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 345-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Kopra ◽  
M. C. Feller
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Old Growth Forest

Structure of high-elevation, old-growth stands in west-central British Columbia

2001 ◽  
Vol 31 (12) ◽  
pp. 2098-2106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pál Varga ◽  
Karel Klinka
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Height Distribution ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Tree Island ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
West Central

We described quantitatively the height distributions of three high-elevation, old-growth stands in the Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir zone of west-central British Columbia. The stands were composed of subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.), with very few Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) trees; had a two-storied canopy; and were multiaged. The height distributions were quantified by fitting curves to the cumulative frequency distributions. The diameter distributions of the study stands were reverse-J shaped and similar to those of other old-growth Engelmann spruce – subalpine fir stands in the Pacific Northwest; however, the height distributions were different, indicating the presence of two canopy layers. We suggest that high-elevation, subalpine boreal, old-growth stands composed of shade-tolerant tree species may display a modal height distribution instead of a reverse-J shape. This structural pattern is suggestive of the transition between the gap-phase and tree-island regeneration models and of the cyclic mode of succession.

Simulated conversion of unmanaged interior spruce-subalpine fir stands to a regulated uneven-aged structure

2000 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Farnden
Keyword(s):  
Old Growth ◽  
Individual Tree ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
High Q ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Management Objectives ◽  
Individual Tree Growth ◽  
Interior Spruce ◽  
Growth Attributes ◽  
Tree Growth Model

A localized version of the Forest Vegetation Simulator (FVS) individual tree growth model was developed to simulate stand level impacts under a variety of uneven-aged management regimes in old-growth interior spruce-subalpine fir forests near Prince George British Columbia. Options for using uneven-aged management to satisfy a range of management objectives were simulated using different sets of BDq regulation parameters, and by varying species composition and rules for reserve trees. The greatest timber yields were attained by promoting the highest possible spruce component, using high q ratios, low to moderate maximum diameters and 20 to 25 year cutting cycles, and allowing no reserves. Using strategies to promote stand structures maintaining some old-growth attributes resulted in much lower timber yields. Key words: white spruce, Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, uneven-aged management, BDq regulation, simulated yield

Cultivation of Hericium abietis on conifer sawdust

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 1155-1157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoping Xiao ◽  
Bill Chapman
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Mushroom Cultivation ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Old Growth Forest

Hericium abietis was isolated from a sporocarp collected near Quesnel Lake in the central interior of British Columbia and successfully cultivated indoors on conifer sawdust. Key words: Hericium abietis, mushroom cultivation, old growth forest.

Contrasting terrestrial lichen, liverwort, and moss diversity between old-growth and young second-growth forest on two soil textures in central British Columbia

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel S. Botting ◽  
Arthur L. Fredeen
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Forest Age ◽  
Old Growth ◽  
Moss Species ◽  
Old Growth Forest ◽  
Dominant Soil ◽  
Lichen Cover ◽  
Second Growth ◽  
Terrestrial Lichen ◽  
Woody Substrates

The diversity and abundance of terrestrial lichens, mosses, and liverworts were examined and compared between two ages of forest (old-growth and young second-growth) on two dominant soil types (fine- and coarse-textured soils) in subboreal spruce forests in central British Columbia. Major differences in species composition were found between forest ages, with 30% of species found only in old-growth forest and 21% found only in young second-growth forest. Liverworts were much more common in old-growth sites with half the liverwort species found exclusively in old-growth, and 90% of the recorded liverwort observations occurring there. Different moss species assemblages dominated old-growth and second-growth sites, with much of the terrestrial cover of second-growth sites composed of Polytrichum juniperinum Hedw. Young second-growth forest had higher cover of lichen species than old-growth forest. Lichens and bryophytes used different terrestrial substrates in each forest age, with higher cover of mosses and lichens occurring on woody substrates in old-growth, irrespective of substrate availability. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination clearly separated plots by forest age and also showed soil texture to be a defining variable. Though not statistically significant, there was increased bryophyte diversity on coarse-textured soils and increased lichen cover on fine-textured soils.

Height growth–elevation relationships in subalpine forests of interior British Columbia

1996 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Klinka ◽  
H. Y. H. Chen ◽  
Q. Wang ◽  
R. E. Carter
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Site Index ◽  
Height Growth ◽  
Picea Engelmannii ◽  
Abies Lasiocarpa ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Study Species

Stem analysis data from even-aged Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) and subalpine fir [Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.] stands on zonal sites in the Engelmann Spruce—Subalpine Fir biogeoclimatic zone of British Columbia were used to examine the relationships of site index and height growth and elevation, latitude, and longitude. Elevation and latitude were found to be strongly negatively correlated with site index of both study species. Spruce site index (bh age 50) was predicted to decrease 2.9 m and fir site index 2.5 m with every 100 m and 1° increase in elevation and latitude, respectively; however, (i) site index of both species appeared to decline faster with increasing latitude than elevation, and (ii) decrease appeared to be faster for spruce than for fir. Comparison of height growth curves for stands on zonal and azonal sites with similar site index from different elevations and latitudes suggested that there are probably inconsequential differences between the shape of curves for either species. These findings imply that (i) subalpine fir is better adapted to subalpine boreal climates than Engelmann spruce and (ii) development of polymorphic site index curves for estimating site index of both species may be appropriate. Key words: elevation, latitude, longitude, site index, height growth, Abies lasiocarpa, Picea engelmannii, Engelmann Spruce—Subalpine Fir zone

Pathology of conifer seed and timing of germination in high-elevation subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce forests of the southern interior of British Columbia

1999 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianwen Zhong ◽  
Bart J van der Kamp
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Forest Floor ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Seed Viability ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Black Mold ◽  
Nurse Logs

Unstratified seed of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt.) in nylon mesh bags was placed on various natural and disturbed forest floor seed beds in the Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir Zone in the southern interior of British Columbia in September 1995 and recovered just before snow melt in June 1996. Fifty-two and 86% of the viable spruce and fir seed, respectively, had germinated before snowmelt. Germination under snow may be an adaptation of these high-elevation species to short cool growing seasons. Seed viability at recovery was significantly lower on undisturbed forest floor seed beds (spruce, 13%; fir, 12%) than on exposed mineral soil (spruce, 57%; fir, 42%). Viability of seed placed on nurse logs was 38 and 23% for spruce and fir, respectively. Isolation from ungerminated seed yielded a Rhizoctonia sp., an as yet unidentified black mold at high frequencies, and several other seed pathogens at low frequency. Multiple linear regression of the frequency of isolation of Rhizoctonia and black mold on seed viability was highly significant for both tree species. Seed pathogens appear to cause a major loss of seed and seedlings in these forests, and this may explain both the common occurrence of regeneration on nurse logs and the requirement of mineral soil seed beds for adequate regeneration.

scholarly journals Holocene Climatic Change and Landscape Response at Cathedral Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada

2006 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus L. Heinrichs ◽  
Martin G. Evans ◽  
Richard J. Hebda ◽  
Ian R. Walker ◽  
Samantha L. Palmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Sediment Yield ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Plant Macrofossils ◽  
Fire Frequency ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Landscape Response ◽  
Provincial Park

Abstract Environmental sensitivity to temperature change was established by comparing pollen, plant macrofossils, macroscopic charcoal, and sediment yield data from Lake of the Woods, Cathedral Provincial Park in the Cascade Mountains of southern British Columbia, Canada, to an independent record of midge-inferred paleotemperature. Steppe vegetation with some spruce and fir occurred initially, developing into pine forests in the warm early Holocene. These forests burned often, preventing spruce and fir succession. Once established, the forests retained an Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir character. After 8000 cal BP, in warm but wetter conditions, the forest contained less pine and fires burned less frequently. About 4000 cal BP, cooler temperatures resulted in closure of the Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir forests and a further reduction in fire frequency. Sediment yield results suggest a stable environment throughout the Holocene, likely due to sediment trapping in two upstream lakes. Midge-inferred temperatures correspond closely with a consensus reconstruction of temperatures from southern British Columbia, however Cathedral Provincial Park terrestrial ecosystems were not as sensitive to past climate change when compared to other nearby Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir sites.

scholarly journals Caribou in British Columbia: A 1996 status report

Rangifer ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas C. Heard ◽  
Kathryn L. Vagt
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Forest Harvesting ◽  
Status Report ◽  
Population Estimates ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
Abundance Estimates ◽  
The Difference

Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in British Columbia are classified into mountain, northern and boreal ecotypes based on behavioural and ecological characteristics. We recognized 12 mountain caribou herds, 27 northern caribou herds, and an area occupied by low density boreal caribou dispersed in the boreal forests of the northeast portion of the province. Abundance estimates were usually based on attempts at total counts made from the air. Trends were based on repeated population estimates or the difference between recruitment and mortality rates for each herd. In 1996 there were approximately 18 000 caribou in British Columbia; 2300 mountain and 15 600 northern and boreal. These estimates suggest a slight increase in the numbers of both ecotypes over the last 18 years. Fifteen percent of the herds were reportedly increasing, 10% were decreasing, 31% were stable, but for 44% of the herds the trend was unknown. Historically caribou were found throughout 8 of the 14 biogeoclimatic zones in B.C. Caribou are now rarely found in the Sub-Boreal Spruce zone, likely due to increased predation from wolves that increased in response to increasing moose numbers. Ranges of several herds in the Engelmann Spruce — Subalpine Fir and Alpine Tundra zones of south-eastern British Columbia are also reduced relative to historic conditions, probably because of habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, predation and hunting. Forest harvesting represents the greatest threat to caribou habitat and current research focuses on the mitigation of forest harvesting impacts.

scholarly journals Post-glacial diatom-inferred aquatic changes in Sicamous Creek Lake, British Columbia, Canada

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea C. Voit ◽  
Richard J. Hebda ◽  
Julien M.J. Racca ◽  
Reinhard Pienitz ◽  
Ian R. Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Late Glacial ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Subalpine Fir ◽  
Engelmann Spruce ◽  
South Central ◽  
Inferred Ph

Diatom analyses of sediments from a high elevation lake situated in an Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir (ESSF) forest of south-central British Columbia, Canada, reveal long-term climate and water chemistry change. During the transition from the late-glacial / Pleistocene to the xerothermic early Holocene, small, benthic Fragilaria diatoms species that grew under low light conditions in Sicamous Creek Lake gave way to planktonic Cyclotella species that require open-water conditions. Warm temperatures in the mesothermic Holocene are indicated by smaller Cyclotella species and large, benthic pennate diatoms. Diatom communities reflected Neoglacial cooling in the late Holocene, with abundant Nitzschia fonticola and Achnanthes minutissima. Small, benthic Fragilaria regained abundance, suggesting cooling and conditions similar to the late-glacial interval. Diatom community composition responded to the deposition of the Mt. Mazama and Mt. St. Helens tephras, though the Mazama eruption caused greater change in relative abundance of various taxa within the assemblage. Correspondence analysis shows distinct communities have occurred since the initiation of sedimentation, likely due to climate controlled landscape and vegetation changes; diatom-inferred pH values using various models and training sets show limited acidification change occurred through the lake’s history.

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