Click here to view an outline of research conducted in phase 1 (1993-2000) and to be conducted in phase 2 (2001-2006)Click here to view the progress of the Sicamous Creek Silvicultural Systems Research Project 1992 - 2006 BACKGROUND: In response to public concern about clearcutting and its effects on biological diversity and visual aesthetics, the BC Forest Service established a program to investigate alternative silvicultural systems in 1992. The Sicamous Creek Project, which is part of this effort, provides information on how a high-elevation forest ecosystem in the southern interior responds to different cutting and site preparation treatements. the project is a cooperative effort between the BC Forest Service (Ministry of Forests and Range), Thompson Rivers University, University of British Columbia, independent research scientists and Tolko Industries.
OUR CHALLENGE:To find ways to manage high-elevation forests to provide a sustainable wood supply while protecting the soil, wildlife, water quality, and scenic values of the ecosystem.
These forests are home to a diversity of plants and wildlife.
Spruce Grouse
Grylloblattid (ice crawler)
False hellebore
WHERE IS SICAMOUS CREEK The research area is high in the mountains southeast of Sicamous. The site is in the wet cold subzone of the Engelmann Spruce Supalpine Fir biogeoclimatic zone, and lies near the ecological tree line, beyond which only scattered trees, shrubs, and hardy alpine grasses are found.
WHY CONDUCT SILVICULTURAL SYSTEM TRIALS IN THE ESSF FOREST? The Engelmann Spruce Subalpine Fir (ESSF) biogeoclimatic zone occurs at high elevations (over 1500 m) throughout much of the interior of British Columbia. Learning how to manage this resource sustainably is our goal. Communities in the interior of British Columbia rely on these high-elevation forests for many things - a reliable supply of clean water, fibre to keep the mills running, recreation, and tourism.
ESSF Forests are characterized by: a short growing season, 8 months of snow, and extended periods of sub-zero temperatures.WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS?Trees were harvested to create five different canopy opening sizes. Each treatment was replicated three times in a randomized block design separated by buffers of mature forest. About 33% of the volume was removed from each 30-hectare replicate block.
LOGGING TREATMENTS
aerial view after logging
control individual tree selection array of 0.1ha patches
1 ha patch cut 10 ha patch cut
SITE PREPARATION
The harvested areas were site prepared using a mounder (1995) and then planted (Summer, 1996). Three experimental site preparation methods were also applied, in a split plot design, to 25 m x 25 m areas in each of the replicates (burning, organic layer removal, and no site preparation). a mixture of Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir was planted in eac site preparation treatment.
Sicamous Creek is a co-operative project between the B.C. Forest Service, Tolko Industries, and several Universities.
Partial research funding is currently supplied by Forest Innovation Investments.
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