Perspectives on Researchneeds to link reforestationstandards to management

outcomesD. (Doug) A. Sklar

Executive Director

Forest Management Branch

FGYA AGM & Tech Session, March 6-7th, 20082

Why Link Standards

u Alberta ReforestationStandards Science Councilrecommendation 2000

u Recent OAG reforestationaudit noted same

u AB For. Mgmt PlanningStandard requiresdevelopment of linkedstandard

u “Alternative RegenerationStandards” (ARS) isfocused on getting us there

FGYA AGM & Tech Session, March 6-7th, 20083

Points of linkage1. MAI - ARS forecast culmination MAI

compared to TSA assumed culminationtarget

2. Forest structure – Planned future foresttypes compared to actual – area andstructure of strata

3. Voids – Area not reforested

0

50

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Age

Yie

ld.

FGYA AGM & Tech Session, March 6-7th, 20084

Enabling Process :

u TM Regs changed

u Development ofcredible models

u Data sharing

FGYA AGM & Tech Session, March 6-7th, 20085

Limits to Endless Research

u Key factor is cost vsprecision trade-off

u Research must havepractical application

u Improve cost/precisiontrade-off, i.e. credibility

u KISS

FGYA AGM & Tech Session, March 6-7th, 20086

Research Needs: Broad

u Continuedimprovement ofmodels with newdata and/or newthinking

u Localization of‘developed’ models

u Focus on managedstands not ‘oldforests’

FGYA AGM & Tech Session, March 6-7th, 20087

Research Needs: Specific

u ‘Small’ tree dynamics

u Performance survey at14 – 20 years

u Forecast rotationsaround 60 – 120 years

u How much effort toexpend to capture smalltrees?

FGYA AGM & Tech Session, March 6-7th, 20088

Research Needs: Specifics

u Low density stands

u Models perform poorlyat low densities

u PSP data not from lowdensity stands

u Low density stand valuemay be in area otherthan fibre

FGYA AGM & Tech Session, March 6-7th, 20089

Research Needs: Specifics

u Enhanced forestmanagement practices

u Models not developed forthis application

u Few PSPs and fewmeasurements from EFMstands

u Will become important inthe near future

u Thinning and geneticstop priority

FGYA AGM & Tech Session, March 6-7th, 200810

Research Needs: Specifics

u Competition

u Models account for intertree competition only

u Small tree dynamicsimpacted by tree andnon-tree competition

u Competition is risk togrowth that we canmanage for

FGYA AGM & Tech Session, March 6-7th, 200811

Research Needs: Specifics

u Non clear-cut systems

u Strip harvest,shelterwood, patchharvests

u Range of tree sizes andspatial distributions

u Need data/modeldevelopment to accountfor these options

FGYA AGM & Tech Session, March 6-7th, 200812

Silviculture

u Accurate predictions of what standsresult from what treatments on whatsites

u Need cost effective andadministratively feasible system

FGYA AGM & Tech Session, March 6-7th, 200813

Questions