Abstract
Even-aged forest management using the clearcutting silvicultural system as it is currently applied threatens mountain caribou habitat in British Columbia. Since neither complete preservation nor maximum development of timber resources are socially acceptable alternatives, forest managers are anxious to find integrated management options. We describe alternative silvicultural systems currently being tested, including single-tree and group selection. All the treatments have the goal of periodically extracting viable timber volumes while perpetually retaining stand characteristics necessary for caribou. The effects of these logging prescriptions on lichen biomass and growth rates are being tested. Alternative silvicultural systems may become part of a larger strategy to maintain caribou habitat in managed forests.
Highlights
W h y do we need to consider alternative silvicultural systems tointegratemountaincaribou (Rangifer tarandas caribou) andtimbermanagement ? W h a t is wrongwith the status quo? Abriefreviewof mountain caribou habitat requirements i n British Columbia will help explain w h y the current applic ationof the clearcutting silvicultural system is threatening mountain caribou habitat, and w h y alternatives are necessary.Mountain caribou occur at l o w densities and range over large areas o f east-central and southeastern British Columbia
Growth rates o f arboreal lichens are beingmea sured, since growth could be affected by changes to the stand microclimate caused by timber harvesting
In the group selection block at ResearchCreek ( C P 1 1 3 ), the proportionof lichens lost o n felled trees was equal to the 30% o f the area that was harvested
Summary
W h y do we need to consider alternative silvicultural systems tointegratemountaincaribou (Rangifer tarandas caribou) andtimbermanagement ? Mountain caribou occur at l o w densities and range over large areas o f east-central and southeastern British Columbia. Throughout the winter carib o u use o l d forests and avoid immature stands ( Simpson et al, 1 9 8 5 ; S e i p , 1 9 9 2 ). M o s t stands usedby caribou i n early winter are commercially valuable. A s snow densities increase to levels that will support caribou, the animals move up in elevation and feed almost exclusively on arboreal lichens for the rest o f the winter. In the late winter there is less conflict w i t h forest managem e n t since moreof the stands used bycaribou at that time are non-merchantable
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