Site Units of the University of British Columbia Alex Fraser Research Forest
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Site Units of the University of British Columbia Alex Fraser Research Forest K. Klinka, P. Varga, C. Trethewey, C. Koot, M. Rau, J. Macku and T. Kusbach © UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest May 2004 i Site Units of the University of British Columbia Alex Fraser Research Forest K. Klinka 1, P. Varga 1, C. Trethewey 2, C. Koot 2, and M. Rau 2 In collaboration with J. Macku 3 and T. Kusbach 3 1 Forest Sciences Department University of British Columbia 3041-2424 Main Mall Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Cananda 2 University of British Columbia Alex Fraser Research Forest 72 South 7th Avenue Williams Lake, BC V2G 4N5, Canada 3 Ustav pro Hospodarskou Upravu Lesu (Forest Management Institute) Brandys nad Labem, Czech Republic May 2004 © UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Assistance of C. Chourmouzis and X. Wang, UBC Forest Sciences Department, in reconnaissance, C. Chourmouzis in preparing the paper and pdf version of this report, B.A. Blackwell and Associates, Ltd., North Vancouver, BC, in ecosystem sampling, Paragon Resource Mapping Inc., Williams Lake, BC, in digital line capture, Pacific Soil Analysis, Inc., Richmond, BC, in chemical analysis, and K. Day, UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest, Williams Lake, BC, for financial and logistic support is gratefully acknowledged. BC Ministry of Forests, and Forestry Innovation Investment (for the second year of the two year project) provided funding for this project. PHOTO CREDITS The cover photograph is of Gavin Lake, taken from the field camp in the Gavin Lake Block of the UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest. The photographs presented in this report were taken by the authors, C. Chourmouzis, and field staff of B.A. Blackwell and Associates. Site Units iii SUMMARY Knowledge about ecosystems and their distribution across the landscape is essential for stand level forest management and research, as trees and associated vegetation develop according to the sites on which they grow. Following the initiative of K. Day, manager of the UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest (AFRF), this project was undertaken to provide an advanced and detailed ecological framework for supporting ecosystem-specific research, education, planning, and operations at the research forest. Products from this project include: (1) a large-scale site series map, (2) site identification tools specific to the forest, (3) silvicultural and forest nutrient status interpretations, (4) a printed report, (5) a CD-ROM (combining the report, maps, and linked digital images), (6) field demonstration sites and, (7) images of forest communities for each site series at different locations. This project is a co-operative effort between the UBC Forest Sciences Department (K. Klinka, P. Varga), the Alex Fraser Research Forest (C. Trethewey, C. Koot, and M. Rau) and Forest Management Institute, Czech Republic (A. Kusbach and J. Macku, who as Visiting Scientists, contributed their expertise in site classification, mapping, and map and pamphlet production). With some deviations, we followed the 1998 Standards for Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia and used the classification system described in the 1997 Field guide for site identification and interpretation for the Cariboo Forest Region. Sites that were difficult to identify or had not yet been classified were additionally sampled. We introduced the concept of a transitional (interzonal) area between adjacent biogeoclimatic units, recognizing the fact that climate changes gradually along a longitudinal gradient in both Knife Creek and Gavin Lake blocks and, in consequence, vegetation and sites along the zonal boundary feature transitional properties. We described local site modifiers to further enhance environmental information at the site series level. The 1:10,000 mapping scale allowed for the delineation of a high proportion of single-site-series polygons thus reducing the need to group several site series within a polygon. We used a global positioning system (GPS) for locating 2,269 waypoints during reconnaissance and ground inspection phases. To ensure maximum map reliability, approximately 90% of the polygons were inspected in the field and, if required, polygon boundaries, site identification, and modifiers were revised. During the field inspection, 1,783 digital images were taken to develop a visual library of forest stands, plant species, and sites in the forest. One of the interpretive maps shows the locations of old-growth stands and the location of western hemlock and western redcedar in the transition area between the SBS and ICH zones in the Gavin Lake block. Species suitability, site productivity (site index), and stand nutrient status interpretive maps have also been produced. Sample plot, and soil and foliar chemistry data are hyperlinked to polygons in a GIS to provide a spatial database for each site series; similarly, hyperlinked images of forest communities provide a virtual reference of vegetation in various stages of disturbance and succession for each site series. These tools are expected to improve understanding of site classification, identification, and interpretation, as well as the management and research activities in the forest. For more information, please contact: UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest, 72 South 7th Avenue, Williams Lake BC, V2G 4N5, Canada. Tel: (250) 392-2207 Fax: (250 398-5708 UBC Alex Fraser Research Forest iv Site Units v TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................................ii PHOTO CREDITS .................................................................................................................................ii SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................................... iii 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................. 1 2 APPROACH, CONCEPTS, AND PRINCIPLES 2.1 Ecosystem Classification .................................................................................................................3 Definition of Ecosystem .......................................................................................................... 3 Levels of Ecosystem Classification ........................................................................................ 3 2.2 Ecosystem Maps .............................................................................................................................4 Ecosystem Classification and Mapping Units ......................................................................... 4 Desirable Ecosystem Map Content ........................................................................................ 4 3 ALEX FRASER RESEARCH FOREST 3.1 Knife Creek Block ............................................................................................................................5 3.2 Gavin Lake Block .............................................................................................................................6 4 MATERIALS AND METHODS 4.1 Ground Reconnaissance and Inspections .....................................................................................7 4.2 Sampling and Analysis ...................................................................................................................7 4.3 Classification, Identification Tools, and Digital Images .................................................................8 4.4 Mapping and Map Presentation ....................................................................................................9 4.5 Interpretations and Interpretive Maps ...........................................................................................9 4.6 CD-ROM Development ................................................................................................................. 10 5 ZONAL UNITS 5.1 Nomenclature ................................................................................................................................11 5.2 Interior Douglas-fir Zone ...............................................................................................................11 5.3 Sub-boreal Spruce Zone ............................................................................................................... 12 5.4 Interior Cedar - Hemlock Zone ..................................................................................................... 13 5.5 Identification of Zonal Units .......................................................................................................... 14 5.6 Boundaries of Zonal Units ............................................................................................................ 14 6 CLASSIFICATION, IDENTIFICATION AND MAPS OF SITE UNITS 6.1 Site Units and Nomenclature ........................................................................................................ 17 Site Association .................................................................................................................... 17 Site Series ............................................................................................................................ 17 Site Groups ........................................................................................................................... 17 Site Modifiers .......................................................................................................................