Constraints to grassland and open forest restoration (e.g., poor seed sources, yearly variation in establishment, and the persistence of weeds) necessitate the development of innovative methods to restore bunchgrass communities. We assessed the use of two native bunchgrass transplants, Bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata) and Spreading needlegrass (Achnatherum richardsonii), for restoration within thinned montane forest communities of southeastern British Columbia, Canada. Fall and spring plantings were examined, either with or without glyphosate treatments to Pinegrass (Calamagrostis rubescens) neighbors. Calamagrostis rubescens is abundant in grassland affected by tree encroachment and may limit transplant establishment. Bunchgrass survival was positively associated (p < 0.05) with transplant size. Although P. spicata survival was greater (p < 0.01) with fall (81%) than with spring (44%) planting, survival of A. richardsonii was greater (p < 0.01) when planted in the spring (68 vs. 23%). Reduction of C. rubescens led to a relatively small but significant increase (p < 0.05) in bunchgrass survival by 7%. The summer after planting, changes in transplant tiller number varied by bunchgrass species, planting season, and treatment of neighboring C. rubescens.Removal of neighboring C. rubescens generally increased the number of tillers (or reduced tiller loss) but only within fall-planted A. richardsonii and spring-planted P. spicata. Both A. richardsonii and P. spicata transplants have potential for understory restoration within thinned montane forests, particularly using larger individuals, although to maximize survival, these species should be planted in the spring and fall, respectively. Reduction of C. rubescens may also enhance transplant survival and in some cases growth.
The objective of our study was to determine the effects of timber harvesting and cattle grazing on aspen regeneration, forage production, and soil compaction on aspen cutblocks in the Peace River region of British Columbia. This project was carried out on a long-term study site established 5 km south of Dawson Creek, B.C. Samples were collected and vegetation was assessed during the summer of 2002. Summer and winter harvesting significantly increased aspen stem density relative to unharvested plots, whereas 4 years of cattle grazing had no significant impact on stem density. Inter-tree spacing remained above the postulated minimum of 60-80 cm, indicating that livestock can access the stand. Timber harvesting increased forage production by 69%, while grazing had no effect on forage production. Soil penetration resistance was similar for three harvesting treatments down to a 21 cm depth, while between 21 and 60 cm penetration resistance was consistently the highest on summer-harvested plots, followed by winter-harvested and unharvested plots. Grazing had no impact on soil penetration resistance. The results of this study support the view that cattle grazing and aspen harvesting are complementary land uses for aspen cutblocks on similar sites in the Peace River region; however, proper planning is required to avoid potential cattle distribution problems.
Pre- and post-thinning relationships between forest overstorey and understorey characteristics at sites in both the Interior Douglas-fir (IDF) and Ponderosa Pine (PP) biogeoclimatic zones in the East Kootenay region of southeast British Columbia were investigated to quantify understorey responses to dry forest restoration thinning. Pre-thinning data consistently indicated that understorey shrub and herb abundance were positively associated with light intensity and inversely with tree density (i.e., ingrowth) at both locations. Immediately after thinning, greater reductions in tree density or increases in understorey light were generally associated with greater reductions in understorey species richness, diversity, and shrub and herb cover; however, the presence of drought conditions complicated this effect. Overall, the results indicate that while the effects of ingrowth appear detrimental to understorey vegetation, the disturbance caused by mechanical thinning, particularly when accompanied by drought, can reduce the abundance of many important understorey characteristics in the short term. These results have management implications for areas where forest restoration using commercial thinning is being considered.
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