Delineating population units is essential for the conservation and management of a species. Applying a genetic approach to delineate units, this study identifies genetic population structure, and landscape resistance to gene flow, of the nationally threatened boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) across the ecotypes’ southern range in Saskatchewan. Three genetic clusters were delineated across the study area, with moderate genetic connectivity identified with Manitoba. Isolation-by-distance was found to be significant across Saskatchewan, and within each genetic cluster. Gene flow across clusters in Saskatchewan was high (FST = ~0.01), with genetic connectivity being lowest for the south-central cluster surrounding Prince Albert National Park (FST = ~0.03). Resistance to gene flow was identified with the following landscape variables: water, forestry, roads, wildfire, and low suitability habitat. Careful consideration of these variables in range planning will help to maintain genetic connectivity of boreal caribou across its southern range in Saskatchewan. / May 2016

No description available.

The objective of this study was to examine the distribution of exotic plants and determine the potential threats in the mixedwood section of the boreal forest. The invasion of exotic plants into natural areas is a growing concern among ecologists. Exotic species have no previous exposure to the invaded area and have been introduced, either intentionally or accidentally, by humans. These plants have the potential to suppress surrounding vegetation and acquire the majority of available resources. This dominance alters important ecosystem functions and negatively affects ecosystem structure and composition. This study examined three types of land use (roadside right-of-way maintenance, timber harvesting and wildfire) to identify the density, frequency and cover of exotic plants within the mixedwood forest. There were also separate categories of the time since disturbance (re-current, recent and mature) for each disturbance type. Data were collected in the summer field seasons of 2000 and 2001 in and nearby the Prince Albert Model Forest (approximately 70 km north of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan). Surveying was completed in mature forest, harvested and wildfire areas using 10 x 10 m quadrats. These quadrats were adjacent to or remote from roadside right-of-ways that were deliberately seeded with exotic species. Seeding the right-of-ways with exotic species occurred along principal and secondary highways. Surveying was also conducted within roadside right-of-ways using 1 x 1 m quadrats. These quadrats were adjacent to the recently disturbed and mature quadrats surveyed in the previous year. Each plant species observed in the quadrats had a cover value assigned, while stem counts were also conducted for exotic species. A total of 23 exotic species were observed within the quadrats. The exotic herb species belong to the Gramineae (9 species), Leguminosae (7), Compositae (5) families with one species each in Plantaginaceae and Boraginaceae. No exotic trees or shrubs were observed within the study sites. Areas that were recently disturbed either by timber harvesting or wildfire had 6 different exotic species with an average density of 0.2 ± 0.1 stems/m2 and a frequency of 72 %. Similar exotic frequencies and species in both recently harvested and burned survey sites suggests that these disturbances have a comparable affect on exotic distributions. Exotic species capable of wind dispersal had the highest frequencies in the recently disturbed survey sites. Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) had a frequency of 57 %, perennial sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis) was observed in 38 % of the sites and annual hawksbeard (Crepis tectorum) was at 25 %. Mature forest had a lower population of exotic plants, with only 2 exotic species observed. Taraxacum officinale and Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa) were observed in 13 % of the mature quadrats with an average density of 0.002 ± 0.002 stems/m2. The right-of-way quadrats contained the highest amount of exotics with 22 observed species. The average density of exotic species in roadside right-of-ways was 117 ± 22 stems/m2 with 94 % of the quadrats containing at least one exotic plant. The deliberate introduction, frequency of disturbance and the physical environment of roadside right-of-ways appear to influence the distribution of exotic plant species. The most frequently observed exotic species in the right-of-way areas were Taraxacum officinale (observed in 73 % of the quadrats at 8 stems/m2) followed by alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum at 45 % and 17 stems/m2), Sonchus arvensis (43 % and 4 stems/m2), creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra at 36 % and 31 stems/m2) and smooth brome grass (Bromus inermis at 31 % and 17 stems/m2). These species are either common in urban areas, agricultural weeds or have been deliberately seeded into right-of-way areas. The distribution of exotic species suggests that land use contributes to increased densities and frequencies of exotic plants. Each exotic species observed was ranked according to a system developed by Hiebert and Stubbendieck (1993). The ranking system was used to determine the current and potential threat of exotic plant species to become detrimental to ecosystem structure, composition and function. The ranking identified 14 species that were a lesser threat and easy to control, 8 species that were a lesser threat and hard to control, and one species, Bromus inermis, that was ranked as a serious threat and hard to control. Additional monitoring is required as the species observed in this study may be exhibiting a lag phase of population expansion, which typically precedes an exponential increase. Other species (scentless chamomile (Matricaria perforata) and caragana (Caragana arborescens)) that were not observed in the study area, but are known to occur within the region, are also a concern with respect to future exotic species invasions. Anticipated climatic changes are also expected to increase the distribution of exotic species as changes to environmental attributes will produce a longer growing season and increased plant growth and productivity.

Uncontrolled wildfires occur in Ontario and across Canada each year, typically during the fire season from April 1 to September 30. Fire suppression in protected areas and property (private, Crown land) coupled with warmer and drier summers are causing increased hazardous conditions that add fuel to the fire and result in more intense and prolonged wildfires. Park managers realize that fire plays a significant role in maintaining the health of a boreal ecosystem and reducing flammable forest fuels. Prescribed burning is one practice that can regenerate fire-dependent ecosystems, reduce hazardous fuels, reduce wildfire spread, and protect values. The objective of this research is to develop and test a methodology for modeling the potential of prescribed burns to serve as regional fire breaks. This method will be suitable for parks and protected areas, particularly those with flammable fuels close to their boundaries and ensure that fire does not spread beyond their jurisdiction. Park managers that implement fire as a tool in managing the landscape and permitting prescribed natural fires may find interest in the results of this proposed fire break method. The research study area is Quetico Wilderness Provincial Park, a park that successfully integrated the use of fire in their management strategies. However, it is anticipated that this method can be applied to other locations to regenerate fire-dependant ecosystems, reduce fuel and control wildfires. Five fire break designs were simulated using Prometheus fire growth modeling software. There was statistically less fire outside the barrier, compared to having no barrier in place. Factors influencing the effectiveness of each break included fire break size, number of years required to create the break, proximity to the park boundary and barrier compactness (fragmentation or continuity). The potential escape in wildfires and area burned varied significantly between fire break designs. In these simulations, a fire break is effective in reducing flammable fuels, regenerating boreal forest species and reducing the spread of and containing wildfires. It is evident that fire is an important factor in park management for maintaining ecosystem diversity. Regional fire breaks should be incorporated for fire and vegetation fuel management in parks. The use of software modeling should also be included with park operation.

Uncontrolled wildfires occur in Ontario and across Canada each year, typically during the fire season from April 1 to September 30. Fire suppression in protected areas and property (private, Crown land) coupled with warmer and drier summers are causing increased hazardous conditions that add fuel to the fire and result in more intense and prolonged wildfires. Park managers realize that fire plays a significant role in maintaining the health of a boreal ecosystem and reducing flammable forest fuels. Prescribed burning is one practice that can regenerate fire-dependent ecosystems, reduce hazardous fuels, reduce wildfire spread, and protect values. The objective of this research is to develop and test a methodology for modeling the potential of prescribed burns to serve as regional fire breaks. This method will be suitable for parks and protected areas, particularly those with flammable fuels close to their boundaries and ensure that fire does not spread beyond their jurisdiction. Park managers that implement fire as a tool in managing the landscape and permitting prescribed natural fires may find interest in the results of this proposed fire break method. The research study area is Quetico Wilderness Provincial Park, a park that successfully integrated the use of fire in their management strategies. However, it is anticipated that this method can be applied to other locations to regenerate fire-dependant ecosystems, reduce fuel and control wildfires. Five fire break designs were simulated using Prometheus fire growth modeling software. There was statistically less fire outside the barrier, compared to having no barrier in place. Factors influencing the effectiveness of each break included fire break size, number of years required to create the break, proximity to the park boundary and barrier compactness (fragmentation or continuity). The potential escape in wildfires and area burned varied significantly between fire break designs. In these simulations, a fire break is effective in reducing flammable fuels, regenerating boreal forest species and reducing the spread of and containing wildfires. It is evident that fire is an important factor in park management for maintaining ecosystem diversity. Regional fire breaks should be incorporated for fire and vegetation fuel management in parks. The use of software modeling should also be included with park operation.

The objective of this study was to examine the distribution of exotic plants and determine the potential threats in the mixedwood section of the boreal forest. The invasion of exotic plants into natural areas is a growing concern among ecologists. Exotic species have no previous exposure to the invaded area and have been introduced, either intentionally or accidentally, by humans. These plants have the potential to suppress surrounding vegetation and acquire the majority of available resources. This dominance alters important ecosystem functions and negatively affects ecosystem structure and composition. This study examined three types of land use (roadside right-of-way maintenance, timber harvesting and wildfire) to identify the density, frequency and cover of exotic plants within the mixedwood forest. There were also separate categories of the time since disturbance (re-current, recent and mature) for each disturbance type. Data were collected in the summer field seasons of 2000 and 2001 in and nearby the Prince Albert Model Forest (approximately 70 km north of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan). Surveying was completed in mature forest, harvested and wildfire areas using 10 x 10 m quadrats. These quadrats were adjacent to or remote from roadside right-of-ways that were deliberately seeded with exotic species. Seeding the right-of-ways with exotic species occurred along principal and secondary highways. Surveying was also conducted within roadside right-of-ways using 1 x 1 m quadrats. These quadrats were adjacent to the recently disturbed and mature quadrats surveyed in the previous year. Each plant species observed in the quadrats had a cover value assigned, while stem counts were also conducted for exotic species. A total of 23 exotic species were observed within the quadrats. The exotic herb species belong to the Gramineae (9 species), Leguminosae (7), Compositae (5) families with one species each in Plantaginaceae and Boraginaceae. No exotic trees or shrubs were observed within the study sites. Areas that were recently disturbed either by timber harvesting or wildfire had 6 different exotic species with an average density of 0.2 ± 0.1 stems/m2 and a frequency of 72 %. Similar exotic frequencies and species in both recently harvested and burned survey sites suggests that these disturbances have a comparable affect on exotic distributions. Exotic species capable of wind dispersal had the highest frequencies in the recently disturbed survey sites. Common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) had a frequency of 57 %, perennial sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis) was observed in 38 % of the sites and annual hawksbeard (Crepis tectorum) was at 25 %. Mature forest had a lower population of exotic plants, with only 2 exotic species observed. Taraxacum officinale and Canada bluegrass (Poa compressa) were observed in 13 % of the mature quadrats with an average density of 0.002 ± 0.002 stems/m2. The right-of-way quadrats contained the highest amount of exotics with 22 observed species. The average density of exotic species in roadside right-of-ways was 117 ± 22 stems/m2 with 94 % of the quadrats containing at least one exotic plant. The deliberate introduction, frequency of disturbance and the physical environment of roadside right-of-ways appear to influence the distribution of exotic plant species. The most frequently observed exotic species in the right-of-way areas were Taraxacum officinale (observed in 73 % of the quadrats at 8 stems/m2) followed by alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum at 45 % and 17 stems/m2), Sonchus arvensis (43 % and 4 stems/m2), creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra at 36 % and 31 stems/m2) and smooth brome grass (Bromus inermis at 31 % and 17 stems/m2). These species are either common in urban areas, agricultural weeds or have been deliberately seeded into right-of-way areas. The distribution of exotic species suggests that land use contributes to increased densities and frequencies of exotic plants. Each exotic species observed was ranked according to a system developed by Hiebert and Stubbendieck (1993). The ranking system was used to determine the current and potential threat of exotic plant species to become detrimental to ecosystem structure, composition and function. The ranking identified 14 species that were a lesser threat and easy to control, 8 species that were a lesser threat and hard to control, and one species, Bromus inermis, that was ranked as a serious threat and hard to control. Additional monitoring is required as the species observed in this study may be exhibiting a lag phase of population expansion, which typically precedes an exponential increase. Other species (scentless chamomile (Matricaria perforata) and caragana (Caragana arborescens)) that were not observed in the study area, but are known to occur within the region, are also a concern with respect to future exotic species invasions. Anticipated climatic changes are also expected to increase the distribution of exotic species as changes to environmental attributes will produce a longer growing season and increased plant growth and productivity.

During the summer of 1982, trapping and vegetation surveys were carried out on permanent study plots within 6 of 7 different types of plant communities within the South-eastern Manitoba Taiga, which had been subjected to fire in May of 1980. A unique feature of this study area was the existence of an 8 year pre-fire data base. A total of 129 mammals, 123 of which are typified as "small mammals" were captured in 2100 trap nights. The number captured in each plant community were as follows: Jack Pine Ridge 19, Alder Jack Pine Ecotone 30, Alder Tamarack Bog 20, Jack Pine Sand Plain 5, Black Spruce Bog 5, Aspen Upland 21, Black Spruce Tamarack Bog 29. Pre-fire small mammal data for the permanent study plots were available, and up to ten years of data were used for comparative evaluation of fire effects. The effects of the fire vary according to the severity of the burn, but small mammal population numbers and biomass estimates for most plots increased the fall immediately after the burn, and then dropped in 1981. Specifically, Clethrionomys gapperi and Peromyscus maniculatus increased with the fire, and Sorex cinereus continued to fluctuate. Three growing seasons after the fire, population numbers and biomass estimates have declined, but are equal to or above minimum pre-fire levels. The effects of fire on other local wildlife, such as ungulates, fur bearers, and birds are discussed briefly. Current vegetation data were compared with pre-fire data and some basic post-fire reproductive strategies were observed. Pioneer or fugitive species with numerous light-weight wind-disseminated seeds, or those with Long-lived seeds stored in soil seed banks, which grow and mature rapidly were present. Frugivores are also suspected to have been an agent of post-fire seed dispersal. Vegetative reproduction through root sprouting or suckering was a dominant strategy observed on some plots. Relatively slow growing, late maturing species with larger, heavier seeds were also observed, and these are expected eventually to regain their upper canopy status. In an attempt to place a dollar value on the study area, the user's willingness to pay for benefits from use of the resources of the area, was combined with the potential attainable revenue from exploitation of local resources. The combined value is calculated to be in excess of $597,208.93. Interest in timber resources 80 years hence could present a conflict for land use management. It is recommended that the Taiga Biological Station study area be protected in its natural state, with controlled educational, research, traditional, and recreational activities permitted.

I compared understorey communities under Alnus viridis ssp. crispa (Ait.) Pursh (green alder) and Corylus cornuta Marsh. (beaked hazel) in two boreal jack pine forests. There was no difference in inorganic soil nitrogen, but alder plots had lower species richness at Star Lake and higher evenness in the Sandilands. I incubated chopsticks and litterbags containing natural litter assemblages underneath A. crispa and C. cornuta in the field, and litterbags containing artificial litter mixes in a dark growth chamber. There was no significant difference between treatments for litterbags or chopsticks in the field, nor between mixes with or without alder in the growth chamber.

This thesis examines the politics of managing the boreal forest in the Abitibi region of Québec in Canada. It pays particular attention to how the plurality of forest users produces multiple forest imaginaries that are involved in the constitution of the micropolitics of quotidian practices of the forest. The aim is to show how different forest imaginaries and their politics could inform current forest management and open up other possibilities for the governance of, and relationships with, the boreal forest. By investigating the power relationships involved in the production of boreal forest politics, this work shows how forestry science and ecology have established and exercised their authority over how the forest is imagined and experienced. This territoriality has been articulated through discourses and practices that promote dominant industrial relationships with the forest which undermine other ways of imagining the relationships between forest users and non-humans. Engaging with post-structuralism theory, phenomenology and political ecology, I demonstrate how the multiplicity of forest users comes to know and experience the boreal forest in various and unstructured ways which destabilise efforts to imagine and construct the forest as a static entity. By paying attention to everyday life practices of various forest users, I show how contestations and negotiations about different imaginaries and places of the boreal forest are interrelated and mutually constituted. These practices and the imaginaries that they construct work together to produce the forest as an open space which is capable of embodying a wide range of meanings. By investigating how the boreal forest is constituted by various unstable imaginary places and politics, I argue that the current territoriality and politics produced by the imbrication of forestry science and industrial forestry should be challenged by another form of governance. This new form of governance needs to acknowledge the relational quality of imaginaries and to democratize the politics of the forest. By showing how abstract concepts such as relational politics can become implemented in current forest policies, the significance of institutions that are already in place and that can serve to embody other politics of the forest is highlighted. Apart from contributing to political ecology and environmental politics, the findings of this research show that political projects which can seem utopian at first glance have the potential to become tangible agents of social and environmental change.

During the summer of 1982, trapping and vegetation surveys were carried out on permanent study plots within 6 of 7 different types of plant communities within the South-eastern Manitoba Taiga, which had been subjected to fire in May of 1980. A unique feature of this study area was the existence of an 8 year pre-fire data base. A total of 129 mammals, 123 of which are typified as "small mammals" were captured in 2100 trap nights. The number captured in each plant community were as follows: Jack Pine Ridge 19, Alder Jack Pine Ecotone 30, Alder Tamarack Bog 20, Jack Pine Sand Plain 5, Black Spruce Bog 5, Aspen Upland 21, Black Spruce Tamarack Bog 29. Pre-fire small mammal data for the permanent study plots were available, and up to ten years of data were used for comparative evaluation of fire effects. The effects of the fire vary according to the severity of the burn, but small mammal population numbers and biomass estimates for most plots increased the fall immediately after the burn, and then dropped in 1981. Specifically, Clethrionomys gapperi and Peromyscus maniculatus increased with the fire, and Sorex cinereus continued to fluctuate. Three growing seasons after the fire, population numbers and biomass estimates have declined, but are equal to or above minimum pre-fire levels. The effects of fire on other local wildlife, such as ungulates, fur bearers, and birds are discussed briefly. Current vegetation data were compared with pre-fire data and some basic post-fire reproductive strategies were observed. Pioneer or fugitive species with numerous light-weight wind-disseminated seeds, or those with Long-lived seeds stored in soil seed banks, which grow and mature rapidly were present. Frugivores are also suspected to have been an agent of post-fire seed dispersal. Vegetative reproduction through root sprouting or suckering was a dominant strategy observed on some plots. Relatively slow growing, late maturing species with larger, heavier seeds were also observed, and these are expected eventually to regain their upper canopy status. In an attempt to place a dollar value on the study area, the user's willingness to pay for benefits from use of the resources of the area, was combined with the potential attainable revenue from exploitation of local resources. The combined value is calculated to be in excess of $597,208.93. Interest in timber resources 80 years hence could present a conflict for land use management. It is recommended that the Taiga Biological Station study area be protected in its natural state, with controlled educational, research, traditional, and recreational activities permitted.