FPInnovations partnered with Canfor Vanderhoof and Doug Brophy Contracting Ltd. to install a high-density lodgepole pine direct seeding trial in the spring and fall of 2014. Two blocks were seeded at rates of 20 000 and 40 000 seeds/ha using the Bracke s35.a seeder mounted on a disc trencher. At the end of the 2015 growing season, total stocking was 6 630 and 5 170 st/ha respectively, of which 46% and 57% came from direct seeding. Further natural ingress and delayed germination are expected to increase stocking to target levels.
Wearable sensors have gained popularity in many industries because they offer a wide range of opportunities for efficiency gains. In reforestation operations, one such way that wearable sensors could improve efficiency is by enabling the creation of detailed maps that show the locations of individual planted seedlings. A planting map with such level of details would benefit foresters, planting supervisors and tree planters by helping them quickly identify missed (unplanted) areas, tree-stashing issues or spacing issues and by providing comprehensive maps of stocking density.
The current regeneration challenges posed by salvage logging following large-scale disturbances in western Canada, such as wildfire and mountain pine beetle, warrant the need for cost-effective reforestation strategies. Mechanized ground-based direct seeding was assessed in a variety of conditions to explore viability, determine which factors influence success, and determine the expected establishment rate when seeding with B.C. tree species. This report includes guidelines and recommendations for implementing direct seeding in B.C., based on observations from operational trials established in 2013-2017 across the province.
Recent advances in ubiquitous sensing, such as accessible, wearable sensing technology and the emerging field of big data analytics have sparked the current wave of interest in self-tracking by means of personal wearable devices that quantify everyday activities and improve behaviours and processes. This trend is quickly extending into the workplace: It is estimated that by 2020, over 75 million wearable devices will be used in the workplace (Kaul and Wheelock, 2016). In this context, knowledge extracted from pervasive sensor data can lead to improvements in the health and productivity of workers and to gains in data-driven operational efficiency across a wide spectrum of sectors.
FPInnovations’ members in the northern B.C. coastal region have expressed interest in looking for cost-effective ways to regenerate remote-access sites within their licenses. Many of the coastal sites in this area have difficult planting conditions due to remote mountainous terrain and helicopter-only or boat-only access. The logistical challenges associated with planting containerized stock (seedling ordering and delivery logistics, stock thawing and handling requirements, time constraints, etc.), coupled with the difficulty of access, make reforestation in these remote sites a cumbersome and costly operation.
Manual seeding with “seed pucks” or “seed wafers” (seeds embedded in a compact growing medium) has been suggested as an alternative method of reforestation in remote areas. If successful, this method could simplify logistics and greatly reduce reforestation costs. Past studies have tested the use of seed pucks in forestry with promising results (Adams et al., 1990; Wennström, 2014). However, the potential of using this alternative method has not yet been explored in B.C. FPInnovations is exploring the concept with a series of laboratory and field trials, the first of which is described in this report.
Many sites in coastal B.C. have difficult planting conditions as a result of their remote mountainous terrain and helicopter- or boat-only access. The logistical challenges associated with planting containerized stock – seedling ordering and delivery logistics, stock thawing and handling requirements, time constraints, etc. – coupled with the difficulty of access, make reforestation in these remote sites a cumbersome and costly operation.
The cost and productivity of producing and transporting bio logs from the harvest site to the mill was determined. The incremental cost ($10 increments) and potential fibre displacement of recovering residual fibre as bio logs was assessed.
The present is a review of current glyphosate use in British Columbia forestry, peer-reviewed forest science on the impacts of glyphosate use on forests, and input from stakeholders. The use of glyphosate in relation to the multiple values pertinent to forest management in British Columbia was considered. This report focuses on the silvicultural application of glyphosate as a vegetation management tool in re-establishing forest stands post-harvest.
This review explores the benefits, challenges, limitations, logistics, and cost-effectiveness of different management options to convert conifer-dominated stands to aspen-dominated stands. These alternatives can include overstory removal (harvesting, bulldozing, shear blading, prescribed burning) and site preparation (root trenching, drag scarification, broadcast burning) treatments. On sites where parent aspen trees are not present in the original stand, tree planting will be necessary albeit costly in comparison to regeneration by suckering. While extensive literature exists on the regeneration of trembling aspen through suckering, research on artificial establishment with seedlings and its requirements is still in its infancy and rapidly developing.
This guide provides machine operators who work in winch-assisted harvesting operations with best practices guidelines for handling wire rope. It offers guidance on damage
prevention, inspections, end connectors, storage, and rope
management during harvesting operations. Following these
best practices is essential in order to maximize the service life
of the rope and to prevent accidents.
