Hotchkiss River Mixedwood Timber Harvesting Study

Abstract

The Hotchkiss River Mixedwood Timber Harvesting Study is a cooperative project involving Canadian Forest Service, Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd., Manning Diversified Forest Products Ltd., the Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada and Alberta Land and Forest Service aimed at developing new approaches to natural regeneration and harvesting systems for western Canada's boreal mixedwood forests, at a site near the Hotchkiss River in northwestern Alberta. The study used conventional harvesting equipment to test eleven harvesting and silvicultural systems designed to protect and minimize wind damage to immature white spruce residuals and encourage vigorous hardwood regeneration following harvest of the aspen overstory. Research areas include wind damage, wind firmness and growth response of the immature white spruce, effects of harvesting disturbance and timing on soil properties, conifer and hardwood regeneration after harvest, efficiency of equipment and harvesting costs, modelling of wind flow and long-term growth and yield. Already in its sixth year, the project has a planned 20year series of harvests and surveys. Technology transfer is an important component of this study for delivery and promotion of research results on behalf of the proponents and all related research collaborators. Products include demonstration maps and field guides, self-guided tour trails with interpretive signage and field tours (including active operations) as required. Hotchkiss River has also been designated a Forest Ecosystem Research Network (FERN) site. Key words: silviculture systems, white spruce, Picea glauca, aspen, Populus tremuloides, understory protection, harvesting, Alberta, boreal mixedwoods, technology transfer