Species Selection Reference System

1. Species Selection Reference System Research and Forest Practices Branch MOFR With Symmetree Consulting Group Ltd.

2. Who is involved

3. Who will use it? Who will use it and how? Foresters for choosing suitable species Those reviewing Forest Stewardship Plans Timber supply working groups Academics Tree improvement folks Forest Health personnel You?

4. What it could look like – a work in progress

5. As you go further you get more detail

6. As you go further you get more detail Site Series Screen This screen has the following information. List of ecologically suitable species – each hyper linked to a compendium for that species. Additional notes by species from Ecological field guides – e.g., on moister microsites Information on forest health for this SS – anecdotal or published. Link based on GPS and elevation to SPAR seedlot information.

7. As you go further you get more detail Species specific Compendium Information would include ecological tolerances Ecological amplitudes Range in province Growth rate and yield expectations Links to other publications on the species Species mixes Partial cutting guidance – link to field forms

8. CWHvm1 /01 Ecologically Acceptable Tree Species Conifers Broadleaves Ecologically acceptable tree species from the former P/S/T and broadleaf categories; include broadleaf spp with b footnote? Silvicultural Considerations • This section mainly for comments specific to the species (site information, species mixes) • Sources: • Reference Guide (2003) • Field guides • Available Sources: • PR field guide (vegetation potential classes) • Competing vegetation SEDA (stand establishment decision aid) available for the former Cariboo Region (FORREX) LINK to Partial Cutting information • We could have links here to: • forest health tables • FORREX has produced forest health SEDA (stand establishment decision aids) for the Southern Interior Forest Region (former Cariboo, Nelson and Kamloops regions); hazard rating system basic unit: BEC subzone/variants • Sources for the majority of the info by tree species for the remaining boxes: • Klinka et al. 1990 In Lavendar et al. 1990 Regenerating BC’s forests • Prince Rupert region field guide page 7-24, figure 7.2). Similar info NOT available in all regional field guide - would need to create table Timber value Link to most recent 2006 SIBEC – SISU tables for each BEC subzone BGC unit pest concerns (by BEC subzone/variant?) Natural regen potential Productivity Nutritional requirements Open Shade [go to table] High: High: Shade tolerance Frost tolerance Snow tolerance Drought tolerance Water table tolrce

9. SBSdk/07 Sxw – Horsetail Ecologically Acceptable Tree Species: Act At Ep Pl Sxw Relative Tree Species Characteristics: Tree Species Ecological Amplitude: actual soil moisture soil nutrient VD MD SD F M VM W A B C D E Act At Ep Pl Sxw Natural regen potential Open Shade High: Act At Ep Pl Med: Pl Sxw Nutritional requirements Act > Sxw At Ep > Pl Site Index (1st approx.) Pl = 21 Sxw = 21 Water table tolerance Act > Sxw > At Ep Pl Wind tolerance Act > At Ep Pl > Sxw Drought tolerance Pl > Sxw > At Ep > Act Frost tolerance Pl > At Ep > Act Sxw Snow tolerance Sxw > Pl Act At Ep Shade tolerance Sxw > Pl Act At Ep Fire Tolerance Pl Sxw > At Ep > Act Timber Value Tree Species Composition: Historic 2nd Growth Recommended Sxw At (Act Pl) Pl (Sxw) Sxw (At Act Pl) Tree Species Notes: Pl is limited by shade intolerance and saturated soils; Sxw is limited by growing season frosts; preserve advance regeneration; Act, At, Ep – limited in productivity, reliability and/or feasibility [Source: PR (LMHB 26); and the Reference Guide for FDP Stocking Standards Footnotes]. Silvicultural site considerations: (link to Silvicultural BGC subzone considerations) Link to Reference Guide to Forest Development Plan Stocking Standards Additional Tree Species information: Sxw Pl Act At Ep Other

10. SBSdk – Sub-Boreal Spruce Dry Cool Biogeoclimatic Subzone Subzone Notes: Summers in the SBSdk are relatively warm and dry while the winters are typically cold and dry (snowpack < 50cm). The most common tree species include Sxw, Pl, At, Act and Ep. Climax forests are dominated by Sxw however, due to the recurrent disturbances common to this variant many forests are often dominated by Pl and At. Fd and Ep are relatively uncommon but where they do occur they are usually associated with drier sites. Sb is typically restricted to wetlands and Act is most common along rivers and streams in association with Sxw. Silvicultural Subzone Considerations: SBSdk Site Series Characteristics:(use site series number to link to site pages) Tree Species Composition Considerations: Notes: Future options are based on historic trends in species composition and current landscape concerns. These are intended to be used as guide and are expected to change as new forest management issues arise. Link to the Reference Guide to Forest Development Plan Stocking Standards Additional Tree Species Information : Sxw Pl Act At Ep Fd Sb Other species

11. Keep informed and if you like provide input If you would like to be added to the email distribution list, provide comments and/or recommendations or have any questions please direct them to: Tree.Speciesselection@gov.bc.ca Check for WEB links from the MOF Research and Forest Practices Branch sites, coming soon.