FII Forest Research Program 2003/04 Annual Progress Report. Part A: General Project Information

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1 The purpose of this Annual Progress Report is to communicate progress and achievements of your research project over the funding period and identify impacts or outcomes of the project. Information from this progress report is required to assess the final progress of the project in relation to the Recipient Agreement and to provide information required for FII Ltd. to report on annual achievements and funding investments for the Forest Research Program. Complete the required information in the unshaded text boxes for Parts A to C, (text boxes will expand). Part A: General Project Information The information provided under Part A will be available for immediate posting on the Internet in a project repository on the Natural Resources Information Network (NRIN) website. Project No: R Organisation: British Columbia Ministry of Forest Research Branch Project Contact: Shannon M. Berch Address: PO Box 9519 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria BC V8W 9C4 Phone No Shannon.berch@gems7.gov.bc.ca Project Title: Long Term Soil Productivity Study Final Project Abstract: In the Long Term Soil Productivity study (LTSP), we recognize that a leading edge reputation in forest management is based on environmental sustainability as well as on high-quality, reasonably priced product. The LTSP is part of a large, international network dedicated to testing sustainable forest soil management over the full timber rotation. LTSP sites have been installed in BC in 4 biogeoclimatic zones with 5 timber species and on calcareous or non-calcareous soils. Throughout North America, there are 62 similar installations, all designed to investigate the impacts of soil disturbance on near-term and long-term soil and forest productivity. Plots have had three levels of compaction (none, intermediate and heavy) and three levels of organic matter removal (stem only harvest; whole tree harvest; forest floor removal and whole tree harvest) before being regenerated with commercial tree species. Measurement of soil properties, understory vegetation, microclimate, and tree productivity occur at scheduled periods throughout the full timber rotation. Findings from this research contribute to the development of our knowledge base and to ongoing development and refinement of forest practice regulations and guidelines. In 2003/4, we began to apply treatments to the final BC installation, remeasured BC LTSP sites in years 5 and 10, and maintained the remaining sites. We also collected soil fauna samples from the 2 SBS sites in year 10. Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 1 of 17

2 Keywords: Soil productivity, organic matter, soil compaction Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 2 of 17

3 Part B: Project Impacts, Outcomes, Progress, and Extension Information provided in Part B is used to evaluate and assess the completion of the project in relation to the terms and workplan outlined in the Recipient Agreement and assess the impacts and outcomes of the project. B1: Workplan and Annual Progress Summary: Using the table below, describe the extent to which the activities and objectives identified in the workplan (Schedule A Recipient Agreement) were achieved. Indicate any changes from the original plan in bold, and indicate date of approval and brief rationale for the change. Please list extension activities and deliverables in table B5 below( Outputs, Deliverables, and Extension ) Project Component or Objective Install final BC LTSP research sites Collect data from existing LTSP sites in remeasurement years Activities (Tasks) ICH-1 Year 1 installation - soil sampling for physical properties - soil sampling for chemical properties - lab analyses for chemical and physical soil parameters ICH-2 Year 0 installation - treatment application - elk fencing BWBS-3 Year 5 assessment SBS-1 Year 10 assessment SBS-2 Year 10 assessment IDF-1 Year 5 assessment Extent to Which Activities have been Completed and Objective has been Achieved ICH-1 Soil sampling for physical and chemical properties and analyses of the properties by the MoF Research Branch Lab have been completed. ICH-2 A very dry summer and long, severe fire season delayed initiation of treatment application and fence building at ICH 2 McPhee. Because of the delay, the time available for heavy equipment to work on the site was further limited by the onset of winter conditions. Extreme effort from the Ministry of Forests staff and equipment operator contractor resulted in the successful application of compaction treatment to most but not all plots. Costs were slightly higher than anticipated because it was necessary to clear snow from the access road to allow the heavy equipment operator and Ministry of Forest staff to maximize the amount of work done. The consequence is that all of the available funds were used but not quite all of the work was completed. This work will be finished in the spring of 2004 with funding from BCFSP. BWBS-3 Year 5 assessment SBS-1 Year 10 assessment SBS-2 Year 10 assessment IDF-1 Year 5 assessment Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 3 of 17

4 Maintain LTSP sites not in remeasurement years - soil sampling for physical properties - soil sampling for chemical properties - lab analyses for chemical and physical soil parameters - remeasurement of regen - foliar nutrient lab analysis - remeasurement of vegetation - re-collection of soil fauna (SBS-1 and -2) BWBS-1 Year 9 maintenance BWBS-2 Year 6 maintenance SBS-3 Year 9 maintenance IDF-2 Year 4 maintenance IDF-3 Year 3 maintenance IDF-N-1 Year 4 maintenance IDF-N-2 Year 3 (Pl) and Year 2 (Fd) maintenance IDF-N-3 Year 2 maintenance ICH-3 Idaho Year 11 maintenance, being carried out by USDA Forest Service Soil sampling for physical and chemical properties and analyses of the properties by the MoF Research Branch Lab have been completed. Seedling and vegetation re-measurement were carried out. Foliage was collected and assessed for nutrients by the MoF Research Branch Lab. Soil fauna (mesofauna and macrofauna) were collected from SBS-1 and SBS-2. All of these sites were maintained as planned (road and trail access, plot marking). Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 4 of 17

5 Carry out LTSP extension Modify policy as result of LTSP 1) Update LTSP web site 2) Host PNW Forest Soils Tour to SBS LTSP 3) Publish refereed journal article on LTSP SBS soil fauna 4) Make invited presentation at World Forestry Congress on soil disturbance 5) Develop standard international terminology for soil disturbance LTSP data and researchers are actively involved in the development of FRPA and Effectiveness Evaluation. 1) Done. 2) Done. 3) Article has been accepted for publication in Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 4) Mike Curran made an invited presentation during the World Forest Congress on soil disturbance including information on the LTSP project. 5) An international strategy for developing common terminology has been developed and a draft manuscript has been written and submitted for publication in a proceedings. LTSP researchers were instrumental in the development of draft soil conservation indicators and methodology as part of a pilot project on FRPA Effectiveness Evaluation in collaboration with the Forest Practices Board and the Forest Practices Branch. LTSP researchers were also instrumental in the actual development of the FRPA regulation wording as well. Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 5 of 17

6 B2: Research Question: Restate the research question as per your original proposal and comment on the extent to which your research question has been answered during the current funding period. Research questions (objectives) in original proposal: 1) Determine the effects of different levels of organic matter (above-ground biomass and forest floor) retention and soil compaction on longterm forest soil productivity on a range of sites and ecological conditions. 2) Study the long-term effects of organic matter removal and soil compaction on soil nutrient status, soil physical properties, soil microclimate, soil biological activity, biodiversity of soil organisms, and nutrient cycling. 3) Identify causal relationships between soil properties that are altered by soil disturbance and long-term forest productivity. 4) Investigate the influence of ecosystem unit on the effects of soil disturbance on long-term soil productivity. 5) Provide research sites for detailed studies into forest soils, nutrient cycling, forest productivity, and reclamation. 6) Provide sites that illustrate the effects of soil disturbance on forest productivity for extension/demonstration purposes. 7) Extend the results to operations, resource management, and policy evolution to demonstrate and ensure sustainable forest development. Extent to which research questions have been answered during current funding period: The Long-Term Soil Productivity is a rotation-length study, so final results will not be available until the next time that timber is harvested from the sites (~100 years). During the current funding period (which corresponds to year 1 to year 10 for different BC LTSP research sites) we have ensured that the project has continued on track to meet the long-term objectives (objectives 1, 2, 3, 4) by maintaining and re-measuring existing installations and by moving toward completion of the last installation. In addition to these long-term objectives, because we remeasure the sites periodically, in the current year we have collected data that indicates the differences in short term site responses to levels of imposed soil disturbance. In the BWBS for instance, these short-term objectives have been used to guide timber harvesting in aspen stands. In the current year, LTSP sites have also been used to advance our understanding of soil fauna (Berch and Battigelli) and seedling physiological (Chang and Curran) responses to disturbance (objective 5). In the current year, a SBS LTSP site was used to illustrate responses to soil disturbance as part of the PNW Forest Soils Tour (objective 6). LTSP results were used in the current year to inform the development of draft soil conservation indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of the new Forest and Range Practices Act in sustaining forestry in BC and in the development of internationally accepted soil disturbance terminology (objective 7). B3: Impacts and Outcomes: Describe the impacts and outcomes of the research and how the research has benefited or improved sustainable forest management. Where possible, provide quantifiable outcomes associated with this research (i.e., volume gain in terms of m 3 ; cost savings due to improved access, etc.). Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 6 of 17

7 Outcomes from Workplan Summary Table We are ensuring that the BC LTSP is broadly applicable in the province by installing sites in the ICH. With the completion of the ICH installations, this research project becomes applicable in 4 important timber-producing BEC zones in the province. We are ensuring that data is collected as per the working plan so response trends can be evaluated over time. The time component can help feed into Validation Monitoring by suggesting possible red flag indicators of problems. Again in the current year, we ensured that 100% of existing LTSP sites in BC were properly maintained by retaining good road and trail access and by re-marking plots and measurement trees as needed. We have ensured that short-term results of the LTSP are effectively and efficiently communicated and affect international approaches to forest soil disturbance terminology. A draft manuscript on soil disturbance terminology has been prepared by an international team and informed by a variety of research projects including the LTSP. All possible efforts were made by members of the LTSP research team and the FRPA Soils Value development team to include in FRPA and FRPP regulations to conserve soils. LTSP and other research findings provided support for restricting the extent of on-block soil disturbance. In the current funding year, LTSP projects were used to help support the development of draft soil productivity indicators for evaluation of the effectiveness of FRPA soil conservation provisions. How the research has benefited or improved sustainable forest management The LTSP project is in its 1 st to 10 th year of full timber rotation length (~100 years) so the full outcomes and benefits will not be realized for decades yet. However, some of our short term results have already benefited sustainable forest management. For instance, they have helped indicate problems with aspen regeneration in the BWBS and ways to avoid the problems. Also, LTSP soil fauna results have helped us understand how important organic matter (e.g. forest floor) is to soil productivity and this has been fed into the development of draft indicators of soil productivity for FRPA Effectiveness Evaluation. Rehab plots have also benefited and improved forest management with their results to date. B4: Users and Application of Results: List the user group and describe the realised or expected benefit of your research (eg, researchers, technical experts, planners, foresters, practitioners, regulators, decision makers, public). If results or information derived from the research have been used, provide the name of the individual and organisation and describe how the information has been applied. User/User Group general public including students, Realised/Expected Benefit Mike Curran and Shannon Berch delivered extension to university students through the development and presentation of LTSP-based case studies in soil physical disturbance and soil biotic productivity as part of UBC Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 7 of 17

8 more informed audiences course AGRO 402 on Soil Productivity and Management. Dr. Art Bomke and Maja Krzic, UBC, used the case studies as part of the course curriculum. The LTSP contributed to Selkirk College student education and employment, training and professional development of Selkirk College instructors, and provided enhanced field laboratory experience. researchers It is expected that the publications and field tour for researchers provide new information on soil disturbance. forestry professionals It is expected that forestry professionals seeking guidance for results-based forest management soil conservation and conservation of soil-linked biodiversity will find LTSP results and indicators that evolve in part from them useful in developing forest management plans. It is expected that the report on common international protocol for describing soil disturbance and reporting under the Montreal Process and will be of direct use to those involved in forest certification. It is expected that forestry professionals will see at our LTSP sites that rehabilitation appears to work on shallow, sensitive (calcareous) soils and could be part of a harvesting strategy on these difficult sites. government staff Ministry of Forests soil scientists involved in development of soil conservation regulations, and responsible for the revision of guidebooks, benefit from the information being provided by LTSP. B5: Outputs, Deliverables, and Extension List the deliverables or extension products developed from the research during the 2003/04 funding period. Please identify a) the type of deliverable (TYPE), b) the deliverable citation, and c) whether it is (Y) or is not (N) included as part of this Annual Progress Report submission (INCL). Τ Note that draft manuscripts have not been included in this submission. Only published or accepted publications have been included. Draft manuscripts could be sent as long as they are protected. TYPE CITATION INCL (Y/N)Τ An analysis of litter nitrogen dynamics using artificial soils across a gradient of forest soil disturbances. y Accepted for publication in Canadian Journal of Soil Science. EXT Chapman. Impacts of LTSP treatments on soil temperature. Draft extension note. n Haeussler, Kranabetter, Chapman, Sanborn, Dubé. SBS LTSP plant community responses to soil n compaction and organic matter removal. Draft manuscript for Refereed Journal Article. Haeussler and Kabzems. BWBS LTSP plant community responses to soil compaction and organic matter n removal. Draft manuscript. EXT Curran and Hope. IDF LTSP installations. Draft extension note. n Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 8 of 17

9 Battigelli, Spence, Langor, Berch. Short-term impact of forest soil compaction and organic matter removal y on soil mesofauna density and oribatid mite diversity. Accepted for publication in Canadian Journal of Forest Research. Battigelli, Berch, Kranabetter, Sanborn, Dubé and Chapman. Recovery of soil microarthropods on SBS n LTSP. Draft manuscript to be completed once 10 th year data collected in 2004/5. Battigelli, Berch, Kranabetter, Sanborn, Dubé and Chapman. Soil macrofauna of SBS and short term n responses to soil disturbance. Draft manuscript. OTH The British Columbia Long Term Soil Productivity Study (LTSP). Pamphlet. y OTH Brief discussions were held with Kathy Swift, FORREX, and Suzanne Simard, UBC, about including n LTSP findings in expert systems. This will be explored farther as longer-term LTSP results become available. OTH, ORA Dr. Paul Sanborn, UNBC, included the LTSP installation near Prince George in the field tour for the PNW n ORA POS ORA Forest Soils Tour in July, Shannon Berch and Stephane Dube made presentations on the LTSP. Progress toward more uniform assessment and reporting of soil disturbance for operations, research and sustainability protocols Michael P. Curran, Richard E. Miller, Steven W. Howes, Douglas G. Maynard, Thomas A. Terry, Ronald L. Heninger, Thomas Niemann, Ken Van Rees, Robert F. Powers, and Stephen H. Schoenholtz An adaptive management approach to soil conservation. Mike Curran, Doug Maynard, Ron Heninger, Tom Terry, Steve Howes, Doug Stone, Tom Niemann, Richard E. Miller, and Bob Powers. XII World Forest Congress, September , Quebec. An abstract is included in this report. Soil compaction and soil organic matter loss: criteria for long-term soil productivity. Berch, S.M. 1, B. Chapman 2, M. Curran 2, S. Dube 3, G. Hope 2, R. Kabzems 3, M. Kranabetter 3 1. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Research Branch, Victoria, BC, Canada. 2. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Southern Interior Forest Region, Williams Lake, Nelson, Kamloops, BC, Canada. 3. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Northern Interior Forest Region, Prince George, Dawson Creek, Smithers BC, Canada. Presented at North American Forest Soils Conference Available from The North American Long-Term Soil Productivity Experiment: Findings from the First Decade of Research R. Powers1, S. Berch2, M. Busse1, W. Chapman2, S. Dube2, R. Fleming3, N. Foster3, R. Kabzems2, M. Kranabetter2, K. Ludovici1, D. Page-Dumroese1, F. Ponder1, 1N. Rappaport, P. Sanborn4, F. Sanchez1, A. Scott, D. Stone1, A. Tiarks1 Affiliation(s): 1USDA Forest Serv., 2B.C. Ministry of Forests, 3Canadian Forest Service, 4Univ. Northern Abstract attached Abstract attached See web site for full poster Abstract attached Abstract attached Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 9 of 17

10 POS B.C. Presented at North American Forest Soils Conference in Sault Ste. Marie in July. The final draft of the paper is currently under co-author review. G Hope presented the poster, Soil compaction and soil organic matter loss: criteria for long-term soil productivity at the annual Southern Interior Silviculture Conference (SISCO) winter workshop. There were over 200 participants at the workshop, predominantly operational staff and planners from industry, the Ministry of Forests, and consulting companies. Foliar 13C and 15N response of lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir to soil compaction and forest floor removal Woo-Jung Choi, Scott X. Chang, Michael P. Curran And Hee-Myong Ro Soil Compaction and Forest Floor Removal Affect Early Growth and Physiology of Lodgepole Pine and Douglas-Fir in British Columbia M. Kamaluddin, Scott X. Chang, Michael P. Curran, and Janusz J. Zwiazek N Abstract attached Abstract attached Deliverable Type Legend TYPE OUTPUT DESCRIPTION TYPE OUTPUT DESCRIPTION TEC Technical Report FGM Field Guide or Manual Peer Reviewed Journal Article ORA Oral Presentation EXT Extension Note or Newsletter Article POS Poster Presentation NEW Newsletter WEB Website BOK Book or Book Chapter OTH Other Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 10 of 17

11 Part C: Additional Project Information Information provided in Part C will be used to report out on the overall investments of the Research Program during the 2003/04 funding period. C1: Multi-year Projects: If the project is part of a multi-year research initiative, indicate in the statement below where the current funding period (2003/04) lies within the longer term research program: The 2003/04 fiscal period represents year 1-10 of a year research program/project. C2: Research Focus: Select (by placing an X in the preceding box) the primary category that would best categorize the focus of research Silvicultural Systems - (harvesting systems shelterwood, clear-cut, etc.) Natural Disturbance Dynamics (fire, wind, etc.) Growth and Yield (modeling, site index work) Ecosystem Dynamics (classification, inventory, PEM, ecosystem research) Biodiversity/Habitat Management (SAR, Wood Quality (assessment, wood habitat requirements, habitat supply modeling) properties and potential applications) Forest health (pests and pathogens) X Soil Conservation, Health, and Productivity Riparian and Aquatic Management (buffers, Integrated Resource Management (land CWD) use planning) Site Rehabilitation and Restoration Forest Genetics Other Please specify C3: Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification: Identify (by placing an X in the preceding box) the BEC zone(s) to which the research applies. Alpine Tundra Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir Ponderosa Pine X Boreal White and Black Spruce X Interior Cedar-Hemlock Spruce-Willow-Birch Bunchgrass X Interior Douglas-Fir X Sub-Boreal Spruce Coastal Douglas-Fir Montane Spruce Not applicable Coastal Western Hemlock Mountain Hemlock Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 11 of 17

12 C4: FII s Objectives and Strategies: With respect to FII s objectives and strategies listed below, identify (by placing an X in the preceding box) which of the following strategies best represents the overall objective and approach of your research project. Objectives and Strategies Objective: To support more effective policies, regulations, and guidelines X Support policy, regulatory and guideline development, evaluation and adjustment X Enhance quality of decision making through improved knowledge base Empowered decision makers to employ practical adaptive management approaches X Support greater certainty in planning and decision making for all forest resources values Objective: To enhance the value of timber and forest land assets X More effective and efficient use of forest resources Reducing costs of timber production Reducing forest health risks through improved management practices Enhancing timber quality and resulting products Increasing available volume and value through productivity enhancements, increased utilisation and better realisation of inherent site potential Increasing available timber volume through management of access constraints Objective: To improve stewardship and market acceptability of BC forest practices and forest products Promoting new or adapted forest practices which give BC an edge in the world forest product marketplace X Improving sustainable forestry practices in terms of planning, management, monitoring, analysis, reporting and adjustment Enabling and accelerating certification practices Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 12 of 17

13 Appendix of deliverables: Poster Presentation: Soil compaction and soil organic matter loss: criteria for long-term soil productivity. Berch, S.M. 1, B. Chapman 2, M. Curran 2, S. Dube 3, G. Hope 2, R. Kabzems 3, M. Kranabetter 3 1. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Research Branch, Victoria, BC, Canada. 2. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Southern Interior Forest Region, Williams Lake, Nelson, Kamloops, BC, Canada. 3. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Northern Interior Forest Region, Prince George, Dawson Creek, Smithers BC, Canada. The Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) study addresses two key soil factors limiting tree growth and site productivity in the timberharvesting land base that can be affected by forestry operations, soil compaction and organic matter loss. Throughout North America, there are 62 LTSP installations (Bob Powers, USDA Forest Service and co-investigators). We have imposed certain levels of soil disturbance in a research design that will separate impacts of compaction from impacts of organic matter loss. The levels of disturbance encompass the range of potential operational disturbance and beyond. In BC, four fully replicated LTSP installations now exist in the Sub-Boreal Spruce, Boreal White and Black Spruce, and Interior Douglasfir (IDF) biogeoclimatic zones and in the IDF on calcareous soil. There currently exists one LTSP replicate in the Interior Cedar Hemlock (ICH) biogeoclimatic zone in Idaho and a second in BC. In 2003/4, we intend to establish the final replicate in this forest type in British Columbia. Within each study site a minimum of nine core treatment plots have been established, representing a factorial combination of three organic matter removal treatments and three soil compaction treatments. In BC, two tree species are being grown in split plots. Measurement of soil properties, understory vegetation, microclimate, and tree productivity occurs at scheduled periods throughout the full timber rotation. In addition, on the IDF calcareous and the BC ICH sites, we have installed mini-plots of defined disturbance and an amelioration (rehabilitation) plot in collaboration with Doug Maynard and Brian Titus, Pacific Forestry Centre, and Chuck Bulmer, BC Ministry of Forests. These will facilitate the extrapolation of our research findings to the operational context and provide for calibration and revision of Provincial soil conservation standards in relation to Montreal Process indicators for soil disturbance. Our short-term results confirm that sites and species respond differently to the same disturbance. After 5 years of growth at the SBS sites, we could not detect a treatment effect on white spruce or lodgepole pine tree height, but some trends were starting to appear for white spruce height increment. In contrast, aspen growth and productivity at the BWBS sites were strongly negatively affected by heavy soil disturbance. At the IDF site near Kamloops Calamagrostis rubescens, which competes with seedlings for soil moisture, was significantly reduced in cover by severe organic matter removal but not by compaction, whereas in the BWBS sites Calamagrostis canadensis early colonization and cover were increased by soil compaction where organic matter was retained. International protocols for describing and reporting soil disturbance are currently being discussed by BC, Canadian, and international soil scientists based on results of research such as the LTSP, and will be a featured session at the International LTSP meeting in the Southern Interior Forest Region, Cranbrook BC, in Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 13 of 17

14 Oral Presentation The North American Long-Term Soil Productivity Experiment: Findings from the First Decade of Research R. Powers1, S. Berch2, M. Busse1, W. Chapman2, S. Dube2, R. Fleming3, N. Foster3, R. Kabzems2, M. Kranabetter2, K. Ludovici1, D. Page- Dumroese1, F. Ponder1, 1N. Rappaport, P. Sanborn4, F. Sanchez1, A. Scott, D. Stone1, A. Tiarks1 Affiliation(s): 1USDA Forest Serv., 2B.C. Ministry of Forests, 3Canadian Forest Service, 4Univ. Northern B.C. The North American LTSP study was chartered in 1989 to see how pulse changes in site organic matter (OM) and soil porosity affect a site s long-term capacity for sustained productivity. Treatments removed as much as 250 Mg C and 1 Mg N ha -1, but finefraction C and N have not declined in surface soil profiles. Soil losses are balanced by root decay from the harvested stand and by input from herbaceous species. Impacts of OM removal on tree growth are minor to date and depend on climate and soil type. Complete OM removal increased soil temperature, extending the growing period on cool sites, but not warm and dry. Soil compaction effects varied by initial soil density, soil texture, and climate. Reduced macroporosity reduced growth on clayey soils, but increased growth on sands by improving water availability. Soil density recovery was restricted to the upper few cm. Treatment effects on soil biota depended on organism size and function. Soil invertebrates decreased with compaction. Microbial community characteristics largely were unaffected by any treatment, except in the Southeast, where weed control led to a consistent decline in bacterial community size and structure. Overstory removal had the greatest effect on soil biota. Operational monitoring indices are discussed. An adaptive management process for forest soil conservation Michael P. Currana, Douglas G. Maynardb, Ronald L. Heningerc, Thomas A. Terryd, Steven W. Howese, Douglas M. Stonef, Thomas Niemanng, Richard E. Millerh, and Robert F. Powersi Forest soil conservation should be based on an adaptive management process that guides where, how, and when forest practices are implemented. This includes guidelines, standards, Best Management Practices, and operational monitoring techniques to check compliance and support third-party certification and the Montreal Process. Core components of this process include: reliable monitoring protocols for measuring and comparably describing soil disturbance, effective methods to predict the vulnerability of specific soils to disturbance and related mitigative measures, and quantitative research to build a database that documents the practical consequences of soil disturbance for tree growth and soil functions. Our ability to predict these practical consequences is based on a limited number of past investigations, often yielding inconsistent results. For example, soil compaction can adversely affect tree growth at some locations, but be beneficial or inconsequential at other locations. The consequences of other types of soil disturbance such as rutting and topsoil displacement also need quantification. The tools and components of the process require continuous improvement, to support improved understanding, which leads to improved effectiveness of soil conservation. Equally important is the need for common terms describing soil disturbance, to enable comparison and transferability of results. Consistent application and interpretation of internal agency or company soil quality guidelines and standards, as well as consistent and accurate reporting under international protocols requires effective communication of operational and research results among collaborating parties, and on continued support for monitoring of forestry operations and for focused research. We recommend, for example, that soil disturbance guidelines be based on comparable disturbance categories adapted to specific local soil conditions, and be validated by monitoring or pertinent research. While soil Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 14 of 17

15 conservation has been adopted as an indicator under the Montreal Process, implementation is not considered complete and we urge that comparable terms be used in a common adaptive management process. Journal manuscripts Foliar 13C and 15N response of lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir to soil compaction and forest floor removal Woo-Jung Choi, Scott X. Chang, Michael P. Curran And Hee-Myong Ro Soil compaction and forest floor (FF) displacement resulting from intensive forest management practices often deteriorate soil properties resulting in impairment of tree growth. In this study, the effects of soil compaction, FF removal, and rehabilitation (reverse of soil compaction) treatments on foliar 13C and 15N of drought-avoiding lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm) and drought-tolerant Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Baissn.) Fraco) were examined on a calcareous soil Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) installation in southeastern British Columbia. Lodgepole pine and Douglas-fir exhibited different foliar 13C response to the treatments. Regardless of soil compaction, foliar 13C of lodgepole pine (-25.9 to ) was increased by FF removal, whereas soil compaction effects were observed only within the FF intact treatment. On the other hand, foliar 13C of Douglas-fir (-25.0 to ) were not affected by the treatments. For lodgepole pine, foliar 13C was negatively correlated with seedling growth, indicating stomatal limitation of photosynthesis due to water limitation. Foliar 15N (0.2 to 2.8 ) of both species was not affected by soil compaction but was increased by FF removal and rehabilitation treatments, indicating that FF removal altered soil N dynamics. We suggest that site- and species-specific 13C and 15N signals can be used as time-integrating indicators to assess the effects of soil disturbances on tree physiology and soil N cycling. Soil Compaction and Forest Floor Removal Affect Early Growth and Physiology of Lodgepole Pine and Douglas-Fir in British Columbia M. Kamaluddin, Scott X. Chang, Michael P. Curran, and Janusz J. Zwiazek We investigated the effects of soil compaction and forest floor removal on growth and physiology of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Baissn.) Franco). The study was conducted on a calcareous Long-Term Soil Productivity (LTSP) study site near Invermere, British Columbia. Treatments consisted of factorial combinations of soil compaction (non-compacted vs. compacted) and forest floor removal (forest floor intact vs. forest floor removed) as well as a remedial (rehabilitation) treatment, that is deep ripping following soil compaction. The two tree species responded differently to those treatments. Lodgepole pine increased height and diameter growth and unit needle-weight (dry mass per unit needle) in the rehabilitation treatment, whereas Douglas-fir responded to the rehabilitation treatment by increasing stem diameter, but not height growth. Forest floor removal decreased height growth in lodgepole pine, but increased diameter growth in Douglas-fir. The decreases in growth for lodgepole pine in the forest floor removal treatments were accompanied by lower foliar N concentrations. Foliar N concentrations were positively correlated with rates of net photosynthesis and growth in lodgepole pine, but not in Douglas-fir. Depletion of soil moisture as a result of forest floor removal likely played a role in shaping the growth and physiological responses of trees. Progress toward more uniform assessment and reporting of soil disturbance for operations, research and sustainability protocols Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 15 of 17

16 Michael P. Curran, Richard E. Miller, Steven W. Howes, Douglas G. Maynard, Thomas A. Terry, Ronald L. Heninger, Thomas Niemann, Ken Van Rees, Robert F. Powers, and Stephen H. Schoenholtz A common approach to soil disturbance will clarify and support development and reporting of indicators of sustainable forestry, such as those outlined in the Montreal Process (MP). We discuss recent progress on three topics that facilitate reporting under various sustainability protocols: (i) common terms and comparable guidelines for soil disturbance, (ii) cost-effective and statistically sound techniques for assessing and monitoring soil disturbance, and (iii) improved methods to rate soils for risk of detrimental soil disturbance. Representative research and regional databases should provide information from which: MP values can be addressed, detrimental soil disturbances defined, and risk-rating systems developed for operational application. Subsequently, best management practices (BMPs) and ameliorative treatments can be improved and either applied to avoid or correct disturbances that are deemed detrimental. International protocols like the MP have a similar purpose, but specify the desired outcome without specifying the process and components required to attain the objectives. We think the process and its components are critical to achieving desired outcomes. Uniform terms for soil disturbance will enable reporting and exchange of information and research results. However, disturbance classification is not a means unto itself. Having reliable monitoring techniques, and tracking the consequences of soil disturbance for forest growth and hydrology is paramount to improving understanding and prediction of the practical consequences of management practices. The classification is the tool to facilitate consistent communication of this knowledge. Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 16 of 17

17 Jeff P. Battigelli 1*, John R. Spence 1, David W. Langor 3,and Shannon M. Berch 2.. Short-term impact of forest soil compaction and organic matter removal on soil mesofauna density and oribatid mite diversity. Accepted for publication in Canadian Journal of Forest Research. The British Columbia Long Term Soil Productivity Study (LTSP) pamphlet. Kranabetter, J.M.1 and Chapman, B.K. An analysis of litter nitrogen dynamics using artificial soils across a gradient of forest soil disturbances. Accepted for publication in Canadian Journal of Soil Science. Annual Progress Report Template Forest Research Program 2003/04 Page 17 of 17