The Canadian Ecology Centre – Forestry Research Partnership: Implementing a research strategy based on an active adaptive management approach

2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 666-677 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Wayne Bell ◽  
James A Baker ◽  
George Bruemme ◽  
John Pineau ◽  
Al Stinson
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Data Acquisition ◽  
Adaptive Management ◽  
Forest Ecology ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Forest Economics ◽  
Research Partnership ◽  
Forestry Research ◽  
Integrated Research

Between April 2000 and March 2007, the Canadian Ecology Centre – Forestry Research Partnership funded, directed, or catalyzed approximately 145 projects. Most of these focused on knowledge and data acquisition, providing a solid foundation for a series of sensitivity and gap analyses to determine whether a long-term goal of enhancing productivity on 6 forest management units in Ontario was achievable, and more importantly, sustainable. A research strategy provided the focus for knowledge and data acquisition and the partnership facilitated integrated research, development, transfer, and implementation. Here we provide an overview of this effort, which is expected to position forest managers of the 6 forests to apply an adaptive management process to increase understanding of the response of their forests to various forest management policies and practices in the future. The strategy and approach described could be useful to other jurisdictions aiming to more closely integrate forest research and operations as well as those interested in implementing adaptive management. Key words: forest ecology, forest economics, forest inventory, forest management

Ontario's Forestry Research Partnership: Progress and next steps

2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 756-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A Baker ◽  
F. Wayne Bell ◽  
Al Stinson
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Adaptive Management ◽  
Research Partnership ◽  
Organizational Goals ◽  
Phase Approach ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Forestry Research ◽  
Intensive Forest Management ◽  
Management Policies ◽  
Crown Lands

This paper provides a synthesis of a 2-phase approach used by the Canadian Ecology Centre – Forestry Research Partnership (CEC-FRP) to implement adaptive management on 6 forest management units in northeastern Ontario. It also provides a summary of a self evaluation of the partnership using a set of attributes deemed necessary to successfully implement adaptive management (i.e., leadership; alignment with organizational goals; commitment, will, and capacity to act; and formal and explicit documentation). We conclude that the adoption of the 2-phase approach, rather than direct implementation of adaptive management, provided the partners with the means to identify and address critical uncertainties related to intensifying forest management on Crown lands in Ontario, focus research and transfer activities, develop and test new landscape- and stand-level models, and adjust forest management policies and practices. Key words: adaptive management, intensive forest management, knowledge transfer

Developing a silvicultural framework and definitions for use in forest management planning and practice

2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 678-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Wayne Bell ◽  
John Parton ◽  
Neil Stocker ◽  
Dennis Joyce ◽  
Doug Reid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Adaptive Management ◽  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Research Partnership ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Forest Management Planning

Lack of a management framework on which to base silviculture options has plagued the forest management planning process in Ontario. The Forest Management Planning Manual for Ontario’s Crown Forests directs that strategic silvicultural options be developed and identified in terms of the (i) applicable forest unit, (ii) associated assumptions, and (iii) extent to which they can be used on a forest management unit. In this paper, we describe a framework for classifying management (or silviculture) intensity and propose definitions for extensive, basic, intensive, and elite intensities of silviculture to support the framework’s use in planning and application. We outline how the Canadian Ecology Centre – Forestry Research Partnership, a research partnership between Tembec Inc., the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and Natural Resources Canada, is considering applying these in the forest management planning process. The framework and definitions can be used to develop strategic silviculture options within an active adaptive management approach. This framework should help to reduce uncertainties associated with forest development, treatment costs, response to treatments, and success rates provided appropriate monitoring. The framework and definitions described were specifically developed for silviculture related to reforestation of even-aged boreal forests. Key words: intensive silviculture, adaptive management, forest management

Knowledge transfer and extension in the Canadian Ecology Centre – Forestry Research Partnership: From awareness to uptake

2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 748-755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy KM Smith ◽  
John F Pineau ◽  
F. Wayne Bell
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Transfer ◽  
Adaptive Management ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Research Partnership ◽  
Interactive Approach ◽  
Level Of Involvement ◽  
Case Examples ◽  
Forestry Research

Knowledge transfer, including awareness, transfer, extension, training, and education activities, was purposely incorporated into the Canadian Ecology Centre – Forestry Research Partnership (CEC-FRP) at an early stage as part of an adaptive management approach. Over the course of 7 years, the level of involvement from researchers, policy-makers, and forest resource managers in knowledge transfer activities progressed from passive to interactive participation, with each successive stage requiring greater attention to timing and the capacity of participants to take in new knowledge. An interactive approach, dubbed core teams, proved essential in overcoming barriers to the flow of knowledge into practice. Four case examples: (1) revising growth and yield predictions, (2) integrating spatial and nonspatial landscape analysis tools, (3) developing and applying advanced silvicultural decision-making, and (4) applying spray delivery systems, are used to convey the success of knowledge transfer and extension efforts in the CEC-FRP and the essential role of the core teams. Physical, human, and financial resources, coupled with strong involvement by partner organizations, were key factors in the success of knowledge transfer efforts. Key words: active adaptive management, forest management

scholarly journals Applying research for enhanced productivity on the Canadian Ecology Centre – Forestry Research Partnership forests

2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 653-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott McPherson ◽  
F. Wayne Bell ◽  
Jeff Leach ◽  
Peter Street ◽  
Al Stinson
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Adaptive Management ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Forest Productivity ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Potential Productivity ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Intensive Silviculture ◽  
Forest Management Planning ◽  
Forestry Research

The application of enhanced forest productivity (EFP) through intensive silviculture on designated forest areas is arguably one means to maintain or increase fibre supply and global market competitiveness. The Canadian Ecology Centre – Forestry Research Partnership’s (CEC-FRP) 10/10 objective (to increase sustainable fibre production by 10% in 10 years) has focused many years of forest research largely on the practical application of EFP. Large-scale implementation of this research, through a process of adaptive management, is incumbent on first identifying forests that are available and potentially suitable to implement EFP with more intensive silviculture on portions of the landbase. This paper describes forests in northeastern Ontario that were evaluated for EFP potential, and provides some of the rationale for their selection or rejection for this purpose. To date, the Gordon Cosens, Romeo Malette, Martel, and Nipissing forests are identified as potential CEC-FRP core forests in which research can be directed towards sustainable increases in forest production. These 4 forests are located in Ontario’s boreal and Great Lakes–St. Lawrence regions and have the necessary tenure, potential productivity, protection from fire, insect and disease, and are managed under a suitably enabling planning and legislative environment. In addition, forest management planning teams for these forests are closely integrated with the CECFRP through core teams that are critical to identifying science priorities based on local operational issues, and moving subsequent research into practice. As such, it seems timely to move forward with EFP implementation through a process of adaptive management on these forests. Key words: enhanced forest productivity (EFP), intensive forest management (IFM), intensive silviculture, forest management planning (FMP), adaptive management

ON FOREST ECONOMICS TRANSFORMATION

1970 ◽  
pp. 8-11
Author(s):  
А. Kh. Chochaev
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Market Economy ◽  
Atmospheric Precipitation ◽  
The State ◽  
Forest Economics ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Groundwater Reserves ◽  
Growing Conditions ◽  
Environmentally Sound

The article analyzes problems of the Russia forest complex development related to social, environmental and infrastructure issues, the solution of which is impossible without state participation. The reasons of the poor adaptation of the forest complex market economy to long development periods, as well as the environmental consequences of economic activity, including environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, loss of biodiversity and damage to public health, are considered. The analysis of the forest complex market economy features is made on domestic and foreign examples, a serious shortcoming of which is the isolation of the investment payback process from the chosen economic development direction. Forest rejuvenation in this way leads to a decrease or even loss of the forests biospheric properties to regulate the surface runoff of atmospheric precipitation and the formation of groundwater reserves. It is known, that in the forests of the European part of Russia have been accumulated large reserves of semi-subsistence conifer and hard wood. It is shown that to involve it in use it is necessary to change the principles of annual use calculations and to actually re-develop the regulatory framework for the intermediate use of forest wood resources. Four forest management units in the forest economy of the forest complex were identified: state forest management and implementation of medium-term and long-term planning of all types of work in forests, taking into account materials of the state forest inventory and assessing the state and trends in the development of domestic and foreign timber markets; protection and protection of forests from fires and other adverse natural factors (insects, fungi, pollution); carrying out planned logging with the differentiated use of all types of wood and the organization of reforestation taking into account the diversity of growing conditions and the possibilities of using the lands of the state forest fund of Russia. It is advisable to create economic mechanisms to stimulate the activities of all enterprises and institutions of the Russia forest complex for the transition to new environmentally sound technologies in the forest. A flexible economic mechanism is needed to include forest management costs in the cost of harvested wood in order to restore the ecological, economic, social and cultural properties of forests.

Ontario's forest growth and yield modelling program: Advances resulting from the Forestry Research Partnership

2008 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 694-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahadev Sharma ◽  
John Parton ◽  
Murray Woods ◽  
Peter Newton ◽  
Margaret Penner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Forest Growth ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Research Partnership ◽  
Wood Supply ◽  
Permanent Sample Plots ◽  
Forestry Research ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Forest Growth And Yield

The province of Ontario holds approximately 70.2 million hectares of forests: about 17% of Canada’s and 2% of the world’s forests. Approximately 21 million hectares are managed as commercial forests, with an annual harvest in the early part of the decade approaching 200 000 ha. Yield tables developed by Walter Plonski in the 1950s provide the basis for most wood supply calculations and growth projections in Ontario. However, due to changes in legislation, policy, and the planning process, they no longer fully meet the needs of resource managers. Furthermore, Plonski`s tables are not appropriate for the range of silvicultural options now practised in Ontario. In October 1999, the Canadian Ecology Centre- Forestry Research Partnership (CEC-FRP) was formed and initiated a series of projects that collectively aimed at characterizing, quantifying and ultimately increasing the economically available wood supply. Comprehensive, defensible, and reliable forecasts of forest growth and yield were identified as key knowledge gaps. The CEC-FRP, with support from the broader science community and forest industry, initiated several new research activities to address these needs, the results of which are outlined briefly in this paper. We describe new stand level models (e.g., benchmark yield curves, FVS Ontario, stand density management diagrams) that were developed using data collected from permanent sample plots and permanent growth plots established and remeasured during the past 5 decades. Similarly, we discuss new height–diameter equations developed for 8 major commercial tree species that specifically account for stand density. As well, we introduce a CEC-FRP-supported project aimed at developing new taper equations for plantation grown jack pine and black spruce trees established at varying densities. Furthermore, we provide an overview of various projects undertaken to explore measures of site productivity. Available growth intercept and site index equations are being evaluated and new equations are being developed for major commercial tree species as needed. We illustrate how these efforts are advancing Ontario’s growth and yield program and supporting the CEC-FRP in achieving its objective of increasing the supply of fibre by 10% in 10 years while maintaining forest sustainability. Key words: permanent sample plots (PSPs), permanent growth plots (PGPs), normal yield tables, sustainable forest management, NEBIE plot network, forest inventory, Forest Vegetation Simulator

Developing an Adaptive Management approach to prescribed burning: a long-term heathland conservation experiment in north-west Italy

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davide Ascoli ◽  
Rachele Beghin ◽  
Riccardo Ceccato ◽  
Alessandra Gorlier ◽  
Giampiero Lombardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Design ◽  
Adaptive Management ◽  
Prescribed Burning ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Detailed Measurement ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
North West ◽  
Heathland Management

Calluna vulgaris-dominated heathlands are globally important habitats and extremely scarce outside of north-west Europe. Rotational fire, grazing and cutting by local farmers were dominant features of past heathland management throughout Europe but have been abandoned, altering the historical fire regime and habitat structure. We briefly review research on Calluna heathland conservation management and provide the background and methodology for a long-term research project that will be used to define prescribed fire regimes in combination with grazing and cutting, for management of Calluna heathlands in north-west Italy. We outline the ecological and research issues that drive the fire experiment, making explicit the experimental design and the hypotheses that will be tested. We demonstrate how Adaptive Management can be used to inform decisions about the nature of fire prescriptions where little formal knowledge exists. Experimental plots ranging from 600 to 2500 m2 are treated according to one of eight alternative treatments (various combinations of fire, grazing and cutting), each replicated four times. To date, all treatments have been applied for 4 years, from 2005 to 2008, and a continuation is planned. Detailed measurement of fire characteristics is made to help interpret ecological responses at a microplot scale. The results of the experiment will be fed back into the experimental design and used to inform heathland management practice in north-west Italy.

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