This full report presents a classification of mid-seral black spruce ecosystems in the Boreal White and Black Spruce (BWBS) and Sub-boreal Spruce (SBS) zones of British Columbia. The classification is based on a total of 122 plots sampled during the summers of 1997 and 1998. We used multivariate and tabular methods to synthesize and classify ecosystems according to the Braun-Blanquet approach and the methods of biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification. The black spruce ecosystems were classified into 8 vegetation units (associations or subassociations) and the same number of site associations. We describe vegetation and environmental features of these vegetation and site units. Vegetation and environmental tables for individual plots are given in Appendices. In addition, we also present the relationships between site index of black spruce and direct and indirect measures of site quality.

This pamphlet provides a summary of a fuller report issued under the same title.

This full report presents the first approximation of vegetation classification of trembling aspen ecosystems in interior British Columbia. The classification is based on a total of 186 plots sampled during the summers of 1995, 1997 and 1998. We used multivariate and tabular methods to synthesize and classify ecosystems according to the Braun-Blanquet approach and the methods of biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification. The aspen ecosystems were classified into 15 basic vegetation units (associations or subassociations) that were grouped into four alliances. Communities of the Populus tremuloides – Mertensia paniculata, and Populus tremuloides – Elymus innovatus alliances were aligned with the boreal Picea glauca & mariana order and were distributed predominantly in the Boreal White and Black Spruce zone; communities of the Populus tremuloides – Thalictrum occidentale alliance were also aligned with the same order, but were distributed predominantly in the Sub-Boreal Spruce zone; communities of the Populus tremuloides – Symphoricarpos albus alliance were aligned with the wetter cool temperate Tsuga heterophylla order and the drier cool temperate Pseudotsuga menziesii order and were distributed in the Sub-boreal Spruce, Interior Western Hemlock, Montane Spruce, and Interior Douglas-fir zones. We describe the vegatation and environmental features of these units and present vegetation and environmental tables for individual plots and units.

This pamphlet provides a summary of a fuller report issued under the title: Classification of mid-seral black spruce ecosystems of northern British Columbia

This full report describes both forested and non-forested ecosystems of the Mountain Hemlock (MH) zone of British Columbia (also referred to as the subalpine MH zone, coastal subalpine forest, or coastal mountain hemlock forest). It is one of 14 technical reports intended to provide a comprehensive account of the biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification (BEC) system as well as some management implications for each zone in the province. These zonal reports should fill the gap between the general description given in “Ecosystems of British Columbia” (Meidinger and Pojar 1991) and the information on site identification and interpretation given in regional field guides (e.g., Banner et al. 1993, Green and Klinka 1994).

This pamphlet provides a summary of a fuller report also issued under the title: The mountain hemlock zone of British Columbia. It describes both forested and non-forested ecosystems of the Mountain Hemlock (MH) zone of British Columbia (also referred to as the subalpine MH zone, coastal subalpine forest, or coastal mountain hemlock forest). It covers classification, reviews of vegetation regions and environmental relationships, as well as silvicultural and resource management implications.

Where timber production is the primary management objective, knowledge of the relationship between the potential productivity of candidate tree species and levels of light, heat, nutrient, moisture and aeration is necessary for species- and site-specific decision making. For example, foresters need to decide which tree species to regenerate on a particular harvested area to obtain maximum sustainable productivity. Similarily, when considering the application of silvicultural treatments such as spacing or fertilizing, foresters need to determine whether the potential productivity of a particular site warrants the cost of the treatment. We used the site index (height of dominant trees at breast height age) of western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn. ex D. Don.) as a measure of productivity, and described the pattern of mean site index in relation to field identified soil moisure and soil nutrient regimes.

Knowledge of the potential productivity of a tree species becomes especially important when timber production is the primary management objective. However, direct determination of potential productivity is often not possible. For example, in situations where the site is unstocked, stocked with trees unsuitable for productivity measurement, or stocked with species other than the one of interest. In these cases, an indirect estimate using known characteristics of the site itself is required. Such estimates were made using regression to model site index with indirect measures of site quality for lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and interior spruce (Picea engelmannii × P. glauca) in the Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS) zone of central BC. We tested the utility of these productivity relationship models for predicting the site index of lodgepole pine and interior spruce (Kayahara et al. accepted for publication).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2009. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

The sustained-yield policy presently practiced in British Columbia necessitates intensive management of forest land especially in the coastal region of the province. Soils, their nature and distribution, provide an ideal framework for a successful implementation of such management. A mapping system encompassing geology and soil and providing units interpretable for forestry practices was developed for the coastal forested lands of British Columbia. The system contains several steps of mappings corresponding to different intensities or levels of abstraction. These levels are: 1. Bedrock geology, 2. Surficial geology, 3. Geologic units, 4. Geologic unit - drainage classes, 5. Soil associations, and 6. Soil catenas. Mapping employs air-photo interpretation extensively and can be directly undertaken at any desired level for inventory of interpretation purposes. Grouping of units can also be made from any level of mapping. Maps showing the distribution of bedrock types, surficial materials and soils were prepared. Vancouver volcanics, Coastal intrusives and Cretaceous sandstones are the main bedrock formations. The surficial materials encompass the inter-glacial, glacial, post glacial and recent deposits, and consist of glacial tills, glaciofluvial, alluvial and marine sediments. The soils encountered represent the Podzolic, Brunisolic, Regosolic, Gleysolic and Organic Orders. The area is comprised of primarily Douglas-fir plantation, 20 to 30 years of age. Studies involving the soil-stand growth relationship were undertaken on the well drained soils developed on the major surficial materials. Morphological, physical, chemical and minera1ogica1 characteristics of soils and the growth statistics of stands were determined. The growth performance of Douglas-fir varied with the kind of soil. Growth was best on soils developed from marine clay. Soils developed from stony outwash exhibited the slowest growth and lowest productivity. Till soils had productivity between these two extremes. The textural components of soil (coarse sand, medium sand, total sand, total silt, coarse clay, fine clay and total clay), were correlated to growth. With respect to chemical nutrients, organic matter, calcium and magnesium, phosphorus and zinc appeared to be important factors. The soil moisture retention characteristics such as field capacity and available water showed correlation with growth. The relationship between the growth and soil characteristics became more apparent as stand age advanced. Interpretation of soil series and mapping units at different levels was carried out for: productivity for Douglas-fir, species suitability, logging hazard, slash burning hazard, natural regeneration probabi1ity, brush hazard, browsing hazard, thinning prescription, fertilizer recommendation, road construction suitability, and erosion. Two groupings, potential productivity and thinning recommendation for Douglas-fir, were undertaken. The study indicated that knowledge of soils and their distribution are prerequisite to the operational and economical management of forest and soil resources. Consequently, a classification scheme such as the one presented is the first and essential step towards the intensive management of the coastal forested lands in British Columbia. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Folded map and table in back pocket. / Graduate