What about the Berries? Managing for Understory Species The Centre for Non-Timber Resources Royal Roads University Victoria, BC March 2009 What about the Berries? Managing for Understory Species. Wendy Cocksedge1, Michael Keefer 2, Robin Munro3, Jason Meuleman4, Nancy MacPherson5, Tyson Ehlers6. Acknowledgements This work is based on the ecological overviews developed by Michael Keefer, with significant input from all authors. Wendy Cocksedge developed the overview and compiled the pieces. We are grateful for the extensive knowledge shared by the participants at the “What About the Berries” workshop held in Chase in March 2008. Chief Fred Sampson, of the Siska Band, played a valuable role in inspiring this guide on managing for berries. Many other Siska community leaders and members provided key inputs based on their knowledge and values. This small First Nation is forging the way in the ethical and economic use of non‐timber forest products (NTFPs). Evelyn Hamilton, a wildlife biologist who believes in compatible use of our natural resources, supported our interest in managing this NTFP resource. March 2009 In partnership with Keefer Ecological Services Ltd and the BC Ministry of Forests and Range Research Branch Funding assistance from the BC Forest Science Program and the Cascade Forest District Available on the web at http://cntr.royalroads.ca/ 1 Coordinator of Research and Extension. Centre for Non‐Timber Resources, Royal Roads University. E‐mail: [email protected] 2 Ethnobotanist and Principal, Keefer Ecological Services Ltd. E‐mail: [email protected] 3 Wildlife Information Specialist, BC Ministry of Environment Fish and Wildlife Section. E‐mail: [email protected] 4 General Manager, Tipi Mountain Native Plants Ltd. E‐mail: [email protected] 5 Graduate Student, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia. E‐mail: [email protected] 6 Partner and Researcher, Tysig Ecological Research. E‐mail: [email protected] Cocksedge and Keefer 2009 ii Guide books in this series Compatible Management of Timber and Pine Mushrooms Shannon Berch and Marty Kranabetter. 2009 Determination of potential pine mushroom habitat and suggestions for compatible management of timber and pine mushrooms Managed Access to Non‐Timber Forest Products on Private Land and Eligible Tenures Wendy Cocksedge, Emily Keller, Art Mercer and Grace Wang. 2009 Suggestions on if and how to develop a commercial permit system Creating a Regional Profile for Non‐Timber Forest Products Wendy Cocksedge, Tom Hobby, Kathi Zimmerman, Dan Adamson, Russell Collier and Emily Keller. 2009 Understanding and enhancing the NTFP sector in the region Non‐Timber Forest Product Development in B.C.’s Community Forests and Small Woodlands: Constraints and Potential Solutions Emily Jane Davis. 2009 Identification of compatible management barriers faced by managers of community forests and small woodlands, and suggested resources to overcome them What about the Berries? Managing for Understory Species Wendy Cocksedge and Michael Keefer. 2009 In‐depth ecology and use of five understory fruit species and their potential for compatible management with timber NTFPs and Tourism: Opportunities for Income from Compatible Management of Non‐ Timber Products and Services Darcy Mitchell. 2009 Suggestions for complementary management and marketing of services and products Understanding Non‐Timber Forest Products Activity on the Landbase Gerrard Olivotto. 2009 An overview of how to identify current and potential NTFP use by recognizing harvest signs on the landbase Cocksedge and Keefer 2009 iii Contents Guide books in this series ..............................................................................................................iii INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 Who should read this guide?....................................................................................................... 2 Using this guide .......................................................................................................................... 3 Contents of this guide ................................................................................................................. 3 WHY INCORPORATE NTFPs INTO A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM?....................................... 4 Cultural importance .................................................................................................................... 4 Access ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Traditional management ............................................................................................................. 6 CONSIDERATIONS WHEN INITIATING LOCAL NTFP INVENTORY AND MANAGEMENT............................................................................................................................ 7 Define goals for initiating inventory and management of non-timber species........................... 7 Develop Memorandums of Understanding................................................................................. 7 Develop a list of species for initial focus.................................................................................... 8 A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF FIVE BERRY SPECIES .................................................................... 9 Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia).................................................................................... 9 Beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) .......................................................................................... 10 Blackcap (Rubus leucodermis) ................................................................................................. 10 Soopolallie; soapberry (Shepherdia canadensis)...................................................................... 11 Black huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum)...................................................................... 11 LITERATURE CITED ................................................................................................................. 13 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES...................................................................................................... 16 Examples of similar or supportive work................................................................................... 16 Examples of on-line sources of autecological or ethnobotanical information ......................... 18 Examples of protocols, Memorandums of Understanding, and suggested resources .............. 18 Appendix 1. Concerns and recommendations from the ‘What about the Berries’ workshop ...... 21 Appendix 2. Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia)........................................................................... 23 1. Species Name............................................................................................................................ 23 2. Taxonomy ................................................................................................................................. 23 3. Description................................................................................................................................ 23 4. Distribution ............................................................................................................................... 24 5. Habitat....................................................................................................................................... 25 6. Response to Disturbance........................................................................................................... 25 7. Uses........................................................................................................................................... 29 A. Human.................................................................................................................................. 29 I. Nutritional ............................................................................................................................. 29 II. Cultural ................................................................................................................................ 31 B. Wildlife................................................................................................................................. 31 C. Agricultural .......................................................................................................................... 33 D. Restoration ........................................................................................................................... 33 8. Cultivation and Propagation ..................................................................................................... 33 Cocksedge and Keefer 2009 iv Literature Cited ............................................................................................................................. 34 Sub-Appendix of Appendix 2. BEC zones and subzones where Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia Nut.) occurs ................................................................................................................ 38 Appendix 3. Beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) ......................................................................... 40 1. Species Name............................................................................................................................ 40