Richard Thompson and Nancy Densmore

January 2007

2005 Stand Level Biodiversity Final Report

“Proof of Concept”

Question?Question?

Is the structural retention (WT and CWD) left associated with cutblocks adequately maintaining habitat for dependent species at the site and across the landscape now and in the future?

Is the structural retention (WT and CWD) left associated with cutblocks adequately maintaining habitat for dependent species at the site and across the landscape now and in the future?

Stand Level BiodiversityStand Level Biodiversity

What are we measuring?What are we measuring?

•% area retained•Tree size •Wildlife tree class•tree species•CWD Size•CWD decay class•Ecological Anchors – e.g. large hollow trees, bear dens •Windthrow•Invasive Species

How are we measuring it?How are we measuring it?

Standardized protocolPlot base and overviewRandomized designQuality assurance

Protocol Available on the Web:http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/frep/values/biodiversity.htm

Standardized protocolPlot base and overviewRandomized designQuality assurance

Protocol Available on the Web:http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/frep/values/biodiversity.htm

2005 Provincial Sample2005 Provincial Sample

Summary of retention levels (hectares) on 201 sampled cutblocks

ATotal gross block area 6,916

B Total patch retention area (includes 33 hectares of temporary patch retention)

932

C Total dispersed retention area1 (includes 99 hectares of temporary dispersed retention)

385

D Total rotational Patch area2 899

E Total rotational Patch area2 considered unconstrained3 471

F Total rotational dispersed area1 2 286

Average Indicator Value by BECAverage Indicator Value by BEC

BEC Zone Blocks Sampled (ave % retained)

Vet Trees #/ha of patch

Ecological Anchors #/ha of patch

Large Dead trees #/ha of total retention

Large trees live and dead #/ha of total retention

BWBS 16 (15%) 0.4 3.5 16.2 14.3

CDF 1 (24%) 12 4.2 0.4 51.8

CWH 47 (24% 15.5 5.1 28.1 74.2

ESSF 14 (14%) 0.5 1.8 63.7 16.4

ICH 6 (30%) 0.3 0.7 24.1 57.5

IDF 20 (37%) 22 5.7 1.9 9.7

MH 3 (20%) 2.7 2.7 46.4 93.6

MS 7 (26%) 3 3.0 2.5 5.7

SBPS 15 (7%) 0 0.6 26.0 0.3

SBS 72 (14%) 2.8 2.3 22.3 11.5

Distribution of baseline indicator dataDistribution of baseline indicator data

0.020.040.060.080.0

100.0120.0

0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0

Trees > 50 cm dbh (sph)

Cu

mu

lati

ve f

req

uen

cy

(% b

lock

s)

Retained species abundance SBS blocksRetained species abundance SBS blocks

0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

<4 species 4 species 5 species >5 species

categories of tree species abundance

% s

amp

led

cu

tblo

cks

baseline

WT class 3 or higher, dbh >30 cm and height >10m for 72 SBS blocks

WT class 3 or higher, dbh >30 cm and height >10m for 72 SBS blocks

0.010.020.030.040.050.060.0

<2.1sph 2.1-6.1 sph 6.1-17.6sph

>17.6 sph

abundance of large dead trees

% s

amp

led

cu

tblo

cks

Comparison of Data on Large Dead Tree Abundance for Kolmogorov-Smirnov test

Comparison of Data on Large Dead Tree Abundance for Kolmogorov-Smirnov test

0

20

40

60

80

100

0 25 50 75 100 125 150

Wildlife tree class 3+, DBH 30cm+, height 10m+ (stems per ha)

Cum

ulat

ive

freq

uenc

y (%

)

2005 SLBD

Cruise (equally w eighted blocks)

SBS

CWD Patch/Harvest VolumeCWD Patch/Harvest Volume

0.010.020.030.040.050.060.0

<33.7 33.7-92.9

92.9-206.1

>206.1

categories of CWD volume (m3/ha)

% o

f sa

mp

led

cu

tblo

cks

Patch

Harvestbaseline

CWD Patch/Harvest LengthCWD Patch/Harvest Length

0.020.040.060.080.0

<7.6 7.6-64.0

64.0-155.3

>155.3

Density categories of CWD pieces >10m (SPH)

% o

f sa

mp

led

cu

tblo

cks

Patch

Harvestbaseline

Categories of windthrow 70 SBS cutblocksCategories of windthrow 70 SBS cutblocks

0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

>30% 16-30 5-15% <5%

categories of windthrow

% o

f sa

mp

led

cu

tblo

cks

Patch location 69 SBS BlocksPatch location 69 SBS Blocks

:

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

none external edge internal

Patch location in relation to cutblock

% o

f sam

pled

cu

tblo

cks

SummarySummary

Trend or indicator Good for Biodiversity

Risky for Biodiversity

13.7% overall retention (32% <75 retention, 10% >30% retention)

X

42% of blocks with large patches X

9% of blocks with external non-contiguous patches

X

7% of blocks with zero retention X

84% of blocks have patch retention X

63% of blocks with 3 or less tree species retained

X

43% of blocks with few large trees X

51% of blocks with many large trees X

CWD volume comparable patch to harvest area and baseline

X

Long pieces of CWD less common in harvest area compared to retention patches and baseline

X

Where to Next? Where to Next?

Data sets continue to be built

Data Management Systems being built

Work to build baselines

Work to put stand structure into landscape

Data sets continue to be built

Data Management Systems being built

Work to build baselines

Work to put stand structure into landscape