Master in Forest Conservation (MFC) Capstone Papers

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/1807/71884

This collection houses capstone papers completed by students in Master in Forest Conservation program.
To obtain authorization to submit your paper to this collection, contact Laura Lapchinski or Sally Krigstin at Forestry.

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Practical challenges when updating tree marking direction to prioritize crown dieback
(2024-01) Adair, Hannah; Caspersen, John
In Ontario’s Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Forest region, professional tree markers are often relied upon to select trees for harvest, based on the presence or absence of various defects. Conventional tree marking guidelines do not currently make any distinction between defects which affect tree vigour, and those that affect tree quality. It is desirable to retain trees that are high vigour, and therefore likely to continue to provide seed and ecosystem services to the residual stand for at least another 20 years, while harvesting enough high-quality timber to make these stand improvement cuts economically viable. For this reason, it is important that the distinction between vigour and quality be taken into consideration in tree marking prescriptions. Defects which have been shown to indicate that a tree is low vigour include crown dieback (CDBK), fungi, and cankers. Defects which indicate that a tree is low quality include fungi, cankers, cracks, cavities, and decay. CDBK is one of the most useful indicators that a tree is lower vigour when affecting at least 15% of the crown. This indicator could be given considerably more importance when tree marking. There is currently no official threshold used in Ontario, but CDBK will usually only be considered as a defect if it is affecting at least 50% of a tree’s canopy. The purpose of this study was to test out a proposed, simplified tree marking system which reflects these advances in our understanding of defects as indicators of vigour and quality and prioritizes the removal of low vigour/high quality trees (with ≥ 15% CDBK but no quality affecting defects). We compared this new prescription with two conventional prescriptions by having experienced tree markers use all three in eight different plots. We were expecting the new prescription to result in 1) improved residual stand vigour (because it prioritizes the removal of trees with CDBK) and 2) increased consistency between tree markers (because the defect list they were using was shorter than that of the conventional systems). Neither of these desired outcomes were achieved in practice – we observed no significant difference in CDBK marked or consistency between the three prescriptions. This study represents an important first try at updating tree marking direction. Subsequent trials will be necessary to refine the new prescription, to achieve desired management outcomes in the field.
Regeneration response of tolerant hardwoods to beech bark disease vegetation management
(2024-01) Bein, Aliya; Caspersen, John
Beech bark disease (BBD) is the most significant natural disturbance affecting the Bancroft Minden Forest (BMF) and other forests across central Ontario. As a response to mortality from BBD or root injuries from harvesting, beech trees regenerate at a quicker rate than other species as they are very shade tolerant and can reproduce asexually from root or stump sprouts or sexually from a parent tree. The dominant regeneration of beech will affect the future composition of the forest as it makes it difficult for more valuable species to regenerate. Several vegetation management treatments are available to remove understory regeneration and mitigate root sprouts, such as mechanical treatments and chemical treatments. This study aims to determine which vegetation management treatment, between a mechanical brush saw treatment and a basal bark application of the herbicide triclopyr, is more effective six years after treatments were applied. Our results show that six years after treatments were applied, there is no significant difference between the two treatments amongst the large beech regeneration. However, the basal bark application of triclopyr may be a more effective long term treatment than the brush saw when looking at the small and medium regeneration size classes likely due to the increased sprouting response after mechanical treatments. We also aim to determine if these treatments had an effect on the regeneration of more desirable species such as sugar maple. We found no evidence that the treatments had any effect on sugar maple regeneration.
Ash Tree Regeneration & Decline in Lake Simcoe Watershed
(2024-01-12) Newell, Jack; Puric-Mladenovic, Danijela
The invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) is currently a major threat to ash trees throughout southern Ontario. We examined 20 plots in the Lake Simcoe Watershed in the years 2017 and 2023 to determine the effect that EAB had on the regeneration of the three major ash species in the region: white (Fraxinus americana), black (Fraxinus nigra), and red ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica). Analysis was conducted to determine if there were declines in any of the canopy, sub-canopy, shrub layer, ground layer, and basal area of ash trees over the period of six years. Significant decreases were found in both the canopy and basal area but not in the sub-canopy, shrub layer, or ground layer. EAB was found to be having a significant negative effect on only the most mature trees. However, the lower levels were found to have remained the same, indicating that seed production from the top layer has not been significantly hindered by EAB infestation.
Urban Forestry and Energy Efficiency: A Case Study in Waterloo's Public Schools
(2024-01-10) Zhao, Yifeng; Puric-Mladenovic, Danijela
This capstone project delves into the intricate relationship between tree species, their canopy cover, and their impact on energy consumption within school buildings. Through an analysis of tree data surrounding school buildings, we quantified the average canopy cover for each school. Tree canopy covers by schools range from a sparse 5% to a lush 27.3%. Similarly, school buildings overlapped by tree canopy also vary. This study also examines the spatial arrangement of trees near buildings and elucidates how different tree species and their canopies influence school energy saving. It highlights how tree shading can affect carbon emissions and energy consumption for heating and cooling, thus underpinning the pivotal role of urban trees in enhancing energy efficiency in educational environments. In addition, a rational management strategy is given that serves as a cornerstone for future research to optimize green space management and urban planning, specifically tailored to bolster school energy conservation.
Physical Accessibility of Cedar for Cultural Use in Haida Gwaii Cedar Stewardship Areas
(2024-01-08) Jackson, Carly; Koven, Anne; Puric-Mladenovic, Danijela
Often referred to as the edge of the world, Haida Gwaii is an island archipelago off the northwest coast of British Columbia. Home to the Haida peoples for thousands of years, its forests are dominated by western hemlock, Sitka spruce, western red cedar, yellow cedar, and red alder. Cedar is the newest arrival on the islands, showing up around 1230 BC, however, due to its rot-resistant properties, it was adapted into all aspects of Haida life, from cradle to grave. Cedar became central to Haida culture, making red and yellow cedar important to protect to ensure future generations of Haida have access to the wood as well. Logging became widespread across the islands a few decades after the turn of the century because the large trees of the temperate rainforest region were prized for building materials. After decades of logging, particularly old growth trees, members of the Haida Nation brought forward a mandate in 1993 and again in 2001 over concern about the over-logging of cedar trees, fearing the loss of cultural sustainability. In response to this, Cedar Stewardship Areas (CSAs) were created with the intention of preserving cedar, and a management plan for the areas was published in 2016. This study uses the 2016 management plan as a foundation and builds on it by revisiting the CSAs and analyzing their physical accessibility for members of the Haida Nation. This is done by spatially assessing three factors; species dominance to determine cedar dominant stands within CSAs, road access and walkability from the roads, and terrain. Overall accessibility was determined by applying an accessibility rating system to the CSAs and comparing the outcome to the results from the spatial analysis. Results reveal that less than 50% of the CSAs are cedar dominant stands, not all the areas within the CSAs are reachable by road or foot based on the criteria set forth in this study, and steep slopes in certain CSAs add to difficult access. The study recommends collaborative planning between the Haida Nation, CHN, government of BC, and local logging licensees to devise permanent routes into CSAs that will be maintained by central funding. Additionally, future ethnographical research about the importance of CSAs coupled with scientific research involving CSAs could be conducted to raise more awareness and strengthen the protection of the areas. This study aims to bridge the gap between policy and reality in terms of cultural wood access in Cedar Stewardship Areas.
Ecological Restoration on Municipal Public Parklands: Assessing LEAF’s Community Tree Planting in York Region
(2023-12-19) IDOWU, Dele Solomon; SMITH, Sandy M.
ABSTRACT: Ecological restoration, mainly through naturalization, is an effective method for transitioning damaged or degraded urban environments to a more natural state. LEAF, a non-profit organization, has played a pivotal role in urban forestry by engaging communities in tree-planting events since 2014. The organization emphasizes the importance of planting native species and addresses factors such as soil limitations, topography, and seedling characteristics. Naturalization efforts are costly, time-demanding to establish a tree, and expensive to implement and maintain. Hence, assessing the success of ecological restoration projects is critical to justify restoration in naturalization and improve best practices. This paper aims to assess LEAF’s Community Tree Planting approach to naturalization in the York Region, assess the practices and relative success of the LEAF-CTP program based on a review of tree survival between the years 2020 and 2022, and identify areas where tree planting improvement in the region and provide guidelines for LEAF’s future naturalized restoration projects. Adopted for this study were a multi-stage sampling procedure with a three-stage design. LEAF provided information on Community Tree Planting (CTP) areas and planting practices and prepared survival assessment data for the areas covered each year for analysis. The data obtained were analyzed using both one-way ANOVA and descriptive statistical techniques. The survival rate, diversity index, and health status were analyzed, and invasive species were identified and documented. The ANOVA results reveal that sapling height significantly affected plant survival while other factors did not. The results showed records of 94% survival rates out of 5,421 trees and shrubs planted between 2020 and 2022, with a 0.9 diversity index. A minimum survival rate of 66% was recorded at Humber Flats Ecopark of Richmond Hill in 2020, with poor health status recorded in three public parklands out of eight parklands with trees and shrubs. Identified with invasive species are 26% of the total plots established in the study area. The study concluded that LEAF-CTP’s approach to naturalization across the York Region is advancing with a high diversity of woody plants across the years in all the cities. According to LEAF practises, all plots were mulched, but not all plots were watered, identified fewer invasive species in Richmond Hill and none at King and Markham City. Hence, this study recommends continuing planting events with community participation and adequate monitoring. Experimental trees and shrub planting design will be better than on a plot basis. Smaller (lower height) saplings should be used for planting as they can withstand environmental stress. Ensuring proper watering to promote root growth in the topsoil as part of a new tree-planting technique and managing invasive species to ensure better-established planted trees is vital.
Stand level forest management for biodiversity and Ecosystem Based Management on Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands
(2006) Toledo, Ricardo; Caspersen, John
Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) is gaining increasing legitimacy in the province of British Columbia as an integrated planning and operational framework that ensures social, economic, and ecological goals are achieved from activities in the forested landscape. Industry has expressed worry that the added restrictions imposed by EBM will represent an insurmountable loss of profitability. This study involves the analysis of site plans and timber cruise data for 14 randomly selected cut blocks on Haida Gwaii/ Queen Charlotte Islands (HG/QCI) in order to determine whether current management practices for stand level biodiversity are consistent with the Ecosystem Based Management (EBM) benchmarks. The quantity and quality of wildlife tree retention was examined. Percentage of wildlife tree retention was calculated using site plan records for all areas harvested between January 2004 and July 2006. Structural attributes were measured for a sub-sample of 14 blocks and compared to pre-harvest timber cruise data. The study found that on HG/QCI average per cutblock wildlife tree retention, calculated as a proportion of TAUP, would need to increase by 79 percent in order to meet the minimum EBM benchmark. No significant deviation in the quality of structural attributes and species composition of this retention was found relative to the pre-harvest stand. Unless levels of wildlife tree retention can be increased substantially, ecosystem-based management on HG/QCI remains a distant goal.
Perspectives and Approaches to Sustainable Forest Management on the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii
(2005) Furrer, Martina; Blake, Terry; Kant, Shashi
The old growth hemlock and cedar forests on the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii are among the most biologically diverse temperate forests on Earth. They represent the largest intact temperate rainforests on Earth. Conflicts surrounding the use and management of forest resources on Haida Gwaii have received global attention. There have been many disagreements among the forest industry, the provincial government, the Haida Nation and local environmental groups with regard to forest management practices. There is much concern surrounding the current rate of harvest and the longterm supply of monumental sized red cedar (Thuja plicata). The objective of this paper is to look for similarities among the often contrasting perspectives and approaches to sustainable forest management of the forest industry, the BC government, the Haida Nation and several local environmental groups. A questionnaire was designed to assess different parties' understandings of and commitments to sustainable forest management. One representative from each of 11 organizations involved in forest management on Haida Gwaii was interviewed. With respect to their perspectives on sustainable forest management, all respondents agreed that sustainable forest management involves balancing ecological, economic and social components. They also agreed that sustainable forest management involves managing the resource such that today's needs are met without compromising the resource for future generations. The forest industry, the government, the Haida and the environmental groups agreed that cooperative work is a necessary precursor for sustainable forest management. The conservation and management of red cedar is important to the Haida and environmental groups, and to a lesser extent government and industry. This research shows the four groups share similar perspectives and approaches to sustainable forest management. They are not as far apart as it often seems on the surface. Acknowledging one another's positions and recognizing commonalities may be an important first step in improving forest management strategies and practices on the Queen Charlotte Islands/Haida Gwaii.
Monitoring the effects of deer on plant abundance and diversity in old-growth temperate coastal rainforests, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia
(2009) McKenzie, Annie; Kenney, Andy
Overabundant deer populations are a major factor affecting forest ecosystem dynamics in many parts of North America. Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) were introduced to Haida Gwaii, a remote island archipelago in British Columbia, in the late 19th century. The mild climate, abundant vegetation, absence of predators, low hunting pressure and lack of competing herbivores on Haida Gwaii allowed the deer to flourish and the population exploded. This long-term monitoring experiment studies the. effects of Sitka black-tailed deer on the diversity, abundance and reproduction of understory vegetation. In this study 20 deer exclosures were monitored over a period of 12 years from 1997 to 2009 in old growth forests on Graham Island, the largest island of the Haida Gwaii archipelago. The results showed that protection from deer did not have an effect on species richness. However, deer are having a significant impact on the abundance of understory vegetation in the medium height stratum (0.5 m - 1.5 m) and they are shifting the community composition towards less palatable species. The plant species most affected by deer browsing were bunchberry (Cornus unalaschkensis) and fern-leaved goldthread (Coptis aspleniifolia), and these are important forage species for Sitka black-tailed deer in their natural habitat in Alaska. Deer are also having an impact on plant reproduction, as a significantly higher proportion of flowers and fruits were found inside the exclosures. More research is needed to understand the impacts of deer on understory vegetation and therefore this study provides practical recommendations for improving this long-term monitoring experiment as well as recommendations for future research.
Stumping Deer: Are Old Growth Stumps Creating Refugia for Understory Plants on Haida Gwaii?
(2010) Holmes, Dan; Caspersen, John; Kenney, Andy
Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitchensis) were introduced to Haida Gwaii, British Columbia in the late 19th century and are having a dramatic impact on the regeneration of understory vegetation. Although never formally tested, past investigations have reported that in parts of Haida Gwaii understory vegetation is restricted to old growth stumps, suggesting they are providing refugia from browsing deer. Additionally, little is known about which plant species utilize stumps and whether these communities' changes during stand development. The objectives of this study is to (1) determine if old growth stumps are providing refugia for understory plants and (2) determine if stand age influences the understory plant community. Species density(# of species/m2) and percent cover of vegetation present on stumps above (>1.5 m) and below (<1.5 m) the deer browse line as well on the forest floor was assessed across sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) dominated stands of different ages: 10 years after clear cut harvesting, 30 years after clear cut harvesting, 60 years after clear cut harvesting and old growth (>250 years). Species density and percent cover was found to be greatest on the forest floor in the 10 and 30 year old stands, indicating that stumps are providing relatively poor refugia in younger stands. The only indication that stumps provided protection for understory plants was found in the 60 and >250 year old stands. In these stands percent cover was significantly greater on stumps above the browse line than on stumps below the browse line or the forest floor. Possible reasons for why stumps in younger stands are not providing refugia for vegetation include substrate preference and microclimate. Many plant species prefer to germinate and establish on soil rather than woody material. Furthermore, stumps extending beyond the browse line likely experience more extreme high and low temperatures limiting plant establishment and growth. However, these factors likely diminish as the stand ages. Most plant species appeared not to have a clear association with a single stand age class. The exceptions to this include Gaultheria shallon which appears to prefer 30 year old stands and graminoids which showed the greatest species richness on the forest floor of the 10 year old stands. Overall, the results from this study suggest that the understory vegetation of older stands will benefit the most from stump refugia. Species with strong preferences for soil substrate will benefit the least.
An Assessment of Habitat Suitability in Old Growth and Secondary Growth Retention Area’s on Haida Gwaii
(2015) Hudson, Virginia; Malcolm, Jay; Munt, Leonard
In British Columbia, tree retention in harvested areas has become a standard forest management practice, however the ecological benefits that result from tree retention remain uncertain. Tree retention in the harvested landscape is thought to have the potential to ameliorate negative ecological effects of logging as it can provide refugia for elements of biological diversity, structural enrichment by retaining forest features, and enhance connectivity in the landscape between forested areas. Habitat quality in retention areas is important for avian species as it can influence suitable nest site structural features, predation levels, prey availability, competition rates, and nest-area microclimate. In the following study, old growth and second growth tree retention areas were analyzed on Haida Gwaii in order to examine structural habitat features. The structural features present in these retention types were then related to the published habitat characteristics of three old growth forest dependent avian species at risk on Haida Gwaii, in order to determine if suitable habitat is available in these retention areas. The three species analysed were the northern saw-whet brooksi owl (Aegolius acadicus brooksi), the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), and the northern laingi goshawk (Accipiter gentilis /aingi). A total of 10 old growth and 11 second growth retention areas were surveyed in the Skidegate Plateau physiographic region of Haida Gwaii that were adjacent to cut blocks harvested within 3 years of 2015. The second growth retention areas surveyed in this study resulted from a harvest 50-65 years previously and most were mechanically thinned when 15-25 years old. Variable radius plots (prism sweeps) and snag and downed woody debris (DWD) transects were carried out in order examine structural features in retention stands. Vertical distribution of foliage was measured by estimating foliage percent cover in 6 height classes, while vertical canopy complexity was measured by estimating height differences between dominant and co-dominant canopy layers. Canopy gaps, salal (Gaultheria shallon) and Vaccinium (V. parvifolium, V. a/askaense, V. ovalifo/ium) abundances were estimated and dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium tsugense) and mossy platforms (> 18.5 cm dbh) were counted from plot centres. Old growth tree retention had significantly more diverse forest structure characteristics than second growth tree retention areas, however second growth tree retention areas contained some diverse features that most likely resulted from mechanical thinning. Results also indicated that old growth retention areas were significantly more suitable for all three avian species at risk with only a small proportion of the analyzed avian habitat characteristics present in second growth retention areas. Both retention types had edges exposed to harvested cut blocks, putting them at potential risk for forest edge related impacts, such as avian nest site predation and competition. My results indicate that second growth retention areas on Haida Gwaii lacked the structural complexity of old growth forests at age 50-65 years old. Strategies for improving habitats for old growth dependent avian species in such retention patches include: increased harvest rotation ages, strategic allocation in areas with large diameter trees and snags, and girdling or topping of suitable cavity nesting trees.
Examination of Potential Highgrading for Selective Helicopter Logging in the Queen Charlotte Islands
(2005) Mousseau, Karen; Caspersen, John; Munt, Leonard
It has been suggested that highgrading of preferred species and grades may be occurring in forest stands as a result of single-stem helicopter logging operations on the Queen Charlotte Islands. The possible occurrence of highgrading is a very contentious issue in the area. Despite this, no comprehensive analyses of this issue has yet been performed due to a lack of available post-harvest summary data at the cutblock level. The primary purpose of this study was thus to determine if evidence for highgrading exists based on a comparison of cruise and scale data for grades and species distributions on the west coast of Graham Island. A secondary purpose was to determine if greater volumes are being removed than prescribed in the heli-select system. Conventional clearcut blocks were used as a control group to account for discrepancies between cruise and scale data. Data for grades and species distributions were compared graphically, as well as statistically using Mann-Whitney tests. The analyses revealed that there is a particular focus on harvesting the highest grade categories and consequently, a lesser removal of the lowest grade categories. There is also a statistically greater removal of sitka spruce, and a similar trend is apparent for western red cedar. It can thus be concluded that highgrading is occurring in the heli-select harvest stands in the area, although further analysis would be required to determine the corresponding magnitude as well as the factors that may be influencing it.
Western red cedar regeneration on Haida Gwaii, British Columbia: Comparing the performance of four browse barrier types, and recommendations for management
(2008) Satel, Alexander; Malcolm, Jay
This report presents the results of a study undertaken on Haida Gwaii in 2008 to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the long-term performance of four seedling protector (or browse barrier) types used in the protection of regenerating Western redcedar (Thuja plicata ). The assessment is provided to inform stakeholders and improve silvicultural practices on Haida Gwaii. In the study, 187 free-growing 11-year-old cedars protected by either Vexar, metal cages, Sinocast or Growcone protectors are assessed for 20 growth, form and health variables, and the browse barriers are assessed for their durability and condition. Findings suggest that, although cedars in metal cages generally perform significantly better in many aspects of growth, form and health when unbrowsed, the high variability between unbrowsed and browsed cedars in cages does not compare favourably with the performance of Growcone-protected seedlings. Results are contextualized in a discussion of the legislative requirements for cedar regeneration and the variety of challenges facing it on Haida Gwaii most notably the high population of introduced Sitka black-tailed deer Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis). The report also reviews the available literature regarding browse barriers, and finds that solid-walled protectors have frequently been show to improve seedling growth and survival. Seven key recommendations are outlined for consideration by the Haida Gwaii Forest District, local timber licensees, and the Council of the Haida Nation to promote sustainable cedar management on Haida Gwaii. The recommendations are to 1) undertake long-term protection trials, 2) discontinue the use of Vexar and Sinocast, 3) use metal cages in lowbrowse areas or for spruce, 4) use Growcone or similar protector types, 5) consider implementing cedar underplanting trials in protected areas, 6) consider developing a protector removal policy, and 7) to monitor regenerating cedar stands for stand health and composition after free-growing declaration has been established, preferably more than once per rotation cycle.
Monumental cedar on British Columbia’s Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands: Abundance, distribution, and implications for land-use planning and forest management
(2004) Parkes, Mike; Caspersen, John
Executive summary This study involved the analysis of timber cruise data1 to learn more about the abundance and distribution of large-diameter red cedar (Thuja plicata), and yellow-cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) on British Columbia's Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands. The impetus for this project was to ensure that concerns about the present and future supply of large-diameter cedar for the creation of monumental art e.g. totem poles, canoes) could be addressed in the Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands Land Use Plan. While this project focused specifically on Haida Gwaii, the results may also be relevant for other areas in the Pacific Northwest where cedar is a subject of concern. The study attempted to answer three specific research questions: •What is the approximate density of large-diameter cedar in remaining old-growth stands on the Queen Charlotte Islands? •What percentage of large-diameter cedar is of 'monumental quality'? •How does the density of large-diameter cedar vary with site conditions? Key Findings • Large-diameter red cedar (> 100 cm DBH) is relatively common, with an approximate density of 10-15 trees/hectare across the landscape. Large-diameter red cedar is most prevalent in the CWH wh1 subzone, however, the wh2 and vh1 subzones also contain significant amounts of large-diameter red cedar. Large-diameter red cedar is found predominantly in cedar-leading and mixed cedar-hemlock stands. • Large-diameter yellow-cedar is much less common than large-diameter red cedar. Very large yellow-cedar (> 160 cm DBH) is particularly rare. Large-diameter yellow-cedar is concentrated within the CWH wh2 subzone, with negligible amounts in the other two subzones. It is found predominantly in yellow-cedar leading stands. • Only a small percentage of large-diameter cedar ( approximately 10%) is of suitable quality to be used in monumental art. The exact proportion varies depending on the quality definition, and the tree species and size. • The three major biogeoclimatic subzones on the Queen Charlotte Islands have significantly different densities of large-diameter cedar. However, within a biogeoclimatic subzone, differences in large-diameter cedar densities between site series are relatively small. • The leading species in a stand is an excellent predictor of the stand's density of large diameter cedar. Height class and maximum slope are not significant predictors for the abundance of large-diameter red cedar. In conclusion, the project was successful in increasing knowledge of the abundance and distribution of large-diameter cedar, although concerns remain about the non-random nature of the sample data. Progress has also been made in identifying the site factors that determine where large-diameter cedar is likely to be found, and in determining what percentage of large-diameter trees are of monumental quality. However, field verification is needed to confirm the accuracy of site series data and the reliability of the 'monumental quality' definition used in this study. Land-use planners must consider cedar's role in monumental art together with cedar's other functions to ensure that this valuable resource is managed to bring maximum benefits to the inhabitants of Haida Gwaii, and the citizens of British Columbia.
Feasibility Analysis of Free-Use Permits for the Development of a Cedar Conservation Strategy: Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia
(2004) Pansino, Christine; Kenney, Andy; Munt, Leonard
Historically, cedar has been the cultural keystone species of the Haida First Nation. At present, due to a variety of pressures on the resource, an effective strategy is required for the conservation of western redcedar (Thu/a plicata) and yellow-cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) for traditional and cultural uses by the Haida First Nation in Haida Gwaii/ Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia One approach, the "Coast Forest Region Guidelines for Managing Cedar for Cultural Purposes" outlines three preliminaiy requirements for the development of a cedar conservation strategy: a)identify cultural cedar needs, b) assess cultural cedar supply, and c) formulate management decisions and recommendations based on these results. The current study focuses on the first requirement, cedar needs, by undertaking an analysis of free-use permits (FUPs) issued by the Ministry of Forests, British Columbia for the harvesting of Crown timber for cultural purposes (Section 49, Forest Act). Through an analysis of FUP records data current cultural cedar uses are identified, recent trends in cedar use and demand over time are quantified, and estimates of future cedar volumes required by the Haida for the short and long-term are projected. Minimum target volumes for the conservation of red and yellow cedar for future cultural uses are derived from these. Parameters regarding accessibility requirements for cultural cedar trees are discussed. Results indicate that if future trends in cultural cedar use continue at a rate similar to the recent demand, a steady increasing trend over time, the potential annual target volume may be estimated at I I, 720m3 by 2050. This study will determine the feasibility of using FUPs, the only data available to the Ministry of Forests, to predict the scope of future cultural cedar demand in Haida Gwaii/ Queen Charlotte Islands, and propose further recommendations for reliable cedar conservation planning.
Success of the Capital Project Tree Planting in the Toronto District School Board
(2023) Wen, Jie; Puric-Mladenovic, Danijela
As the second-largest landowner in the City of Toronto, the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is unique as it has considerable influence in shaping the city's green space. With the aim to create a more diverse and resilient urban canopy in response to the climate crisis, TDSB has put sustained effort into tree planting activities. In addition to its "Large Tree Program," the board has explored tree planting opportunities in its capital projects as part of the school's facilities enhancement efforts. While TDSB has undertaken capital project tree-planting (CP tree-planting) activities, the board did not have updated tree inventory information regarding schools that participated in CP tree-planting activities over the past ten years. Therefore, the objective of this study is to assess the current condition of recently planted trees based on the data obtained by Neighbourwoods© tree inventory and identify maintenance priorities informed based on the current tree conditions. The overall tree conditions indicate that TDSB needs to provide more timely maintenance to establish and grow newly planted trees. However, tree planting locations are often scattered over large geographic areas; performing maintenance practices on all recently planted trees will be time-intensive and require sufficient funding. Therefore, given the limited resources, this study recommends that TDSB prioritize maintenance practices based on tree conditions. Additionally, to help the board achieve a higher level of planting success in the future, this study suggests that the right tree must be planted in the right place and receive the right care. The results of this study could be used to further guide TDSB's urban forest management and maintenance plans.
The Impact of Planting Practices on Tree Health and Asset Protection
(2022-12-16) Tooke, Madeleine; Puric-Mladenovic, Danijela
Urban conditions can be challenging for the growth and health of many tree species. The cause of urban tree decline can be difficult to identify, as decline may be the result of the cumulative impact of multiple stressors. Tree planting, care, and removal is often a large expense of a municipal forestry budget. In 2022, a tree inventory was collected along regional roads in Peel Region, Ontario. Using the data collected in the inventory, Random Forest models were built to determine whether foliar decline variables (wilt, dieback, chlorosis, epicormic shoots, and scorch) could be predicted based on observed size, tree genus/species, root health variables, damage/decay, and traffic volume. The models determined that the presence of foliar decline variables could be predicted, with accuracy ranging from 66.5% - 79.4%. The results support the need for more environmental and tree health data to improve modeling, diverse and resilient species selection, continued and improved urban forest management and maintenance practices, and continued and expanded monitoring projects.
Assessing Maple Species in The Annex Neighbourhood from 2011 to 2022
(2023) Zihang, Wang; Puric-Mladenovic, Danijela
The Annex neighbourhood is an old neighbourhood located in downtown Toronto, Ontario. Due to its early history in land development, it started with tree planting back in the 1900s. The first tree inventory for the Annex was done from 2011 to 2014. The inventory project was conducted by volunteers and students from the University of Toronto with support from the Neighbourwoods© program. In 2022, the community started reassessing trees sampled in 2011. The objectives of this study were to understand the performance of the three most abundant maple species, Manitoba maple (Acer negundo), Norway maple (Acer platanoides), and silver maple (Acer saccharinum), in the Annex by analyzing the changes in their growth from 2011 to 2022. The other objective was to assess their health condition by analyzing three health indicators, rot/cavity on the trunk, crown defoliation, and branch poor attachment. The results show that Manitoba and silver maples have significantly faster growth rates than Norway maple in the Annex. Norway maple demonstrates a comparatively inferior performance when compared to Manitoba and silver maples. Notably, Norway maple exhibits a significantly slower diameter at breast height (DBH) growth rate than silver maple. While the defect of rot/cavity has a lesser impact on Norway maple compared to Manitoba and silver maples, crown defoliation and poor branch attachment emerge as the two pressing tree health issues that require attention. In 2022, there is an increase in the number of Norway maple trees exhibiting higher severity levels of these defects compared to the data collected in 2011, emphasizing the need for prompt resolution.
Evaluation of Changes in Urban Forests in the Annex Neighbourhood, Toronto from 2011 to 2022
(2023-01) Kwong, Wing Kei; Puric-Mladenovic, Danijela
Urban forests play an important ecological role in urban society's well-being. Given their functionalities, they are regarded as an indispensable key to developing green and sustainable communities. Nevertheless, rapid urbanization in recent years has threated urban trees' survivorship and increased their vulnerability to numerous environmental stresses. The Annex Neighbourhood, as one of the communities in Toronto and the only one that its urban forest has been undergone with monitoring, is an appropriate candidate where evaluation of changes in urban forest over 11 years-period can be developed. Tree inventory data collected in 2011 and resampled in 2022 are compared and analyzed based on species richness, canopy cover and basal area either at community or parcel level. Results show that while positive changes are observed in tree growth (reflected by DBH and basal area) and species richness, the community also experiences a net loss of trees and canopy cover, along with a slight decline in its species evenness and Shannon Wiener Index at the parcel level. The importance value also shows that Acer is the most dominant species in both periods. Possible reasons behind decreasing trend in forest cover and diversity could be the lack of diverse tree species being planted from 2011 to 2022, increased tree mortality due to intensified environmental stresses, and insufficient rate of tree replantation. To preserve urban forests and enhance their ecosystem services in the Annex Neighborhood, a sustainable forest stewardship programme is recommended by strengthening local residents' education, implementing a regular tree monitoring programme, assisting in protecting surviving trees and planting diverse tree species strategically with homeowners in the community.
A monitoring protocol for assessing plant diversity on small private woodlots in Southern Ontario under the OWA Forestry Cooperative Pilot Project
(2023) Ouyang, Ningxin; Krigstin, Sally; Pineau, John
This capstone project report describes the development of an adapted protocol for assessing and monitoring plant diversity in Southern Ontario. In Southern Ontario, old unmanaged private conifer plantations are gaining attention and are beginning to be thinned to create conditions for the regeneration of native hardwood forests. The Ontario Woodlot Association, the sponsor of the Forestry Cooperative Pilot Project, wanted to explore a rapid and effective sampling method that could be used by landowners to generate monitoring feedback. The adapted method is developed based on a methodology that adapts the Vegetation Sampling Protocol for easy implementation and increased efficiency for surveyors with different backgrounds. Preliminary results show that the protocol can provide a rough estimate of biodiversity distribution patterns and trend for on-going use. The protocol will be further refined in the future through testing at additional sites.

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