CONSERVATION STRATEGY FOR WHITE AND RED PINE MANAGEMENT ON THE TIMISKAMING FOREST (Amended 2003)

Transcription

1 CONSERVATION STRATEGY FOR WHITE AND RED PINE MANAGEMENT ON THE TIMISKAMING FOREST (Amended 00) Introduction White and red pine ecosystems represent an integral component of the forested landscape from a variety of perspectives, including ecological, sociological and economical. The focus on the management of these species has developed due to a concern over the decrease in their distribution and abundance in management units across Ontario. These concerns have led to the development of specific silvicultural strategies to aid in the renewal and expansion of pine dominated stands within the landscape. The purpose of this strategy is to develop measures that will ensure that white and red pine ecosystems remain a healthy component in our future forest. It is an updated document based on one produced for both the 1 Elk Lake FMP as well as the 1 Contingency plan for the Elk Lake Management Unit. Special considerations are included to maintain and promote old-growth attributes within white and red pine stands and to incorporate strategies that promote the regeneration of new pine forests. White and Red Pine on the Timiskaming Forest White and red pine in the Timiskaming Forest is found at the northern extent of their natural range. Factors such as severe climate conditions and a reduced growing season limit the growth potential of these species, both in their abundance and distribution within the landscape. The following table details the extent of the white and red pine population on the Timiskaming Forest. Table 1: Summary of Pw and Pr Populations on the Timiskaming Forest Area (ha) Percent of Total Forest (%) Total Area of Forested Land:, Total Area of PWR FU Grouping,0 0. Total Area of PWR_H Forest Unit 1,0 0.1 Area of PWR_H FU unavailable in Parks (0.% of PWR_H) Area of PWR_H FU deferred in marten cores (001 FMP) 1 (1.% of PWR_H) Total Area of PWR_L Forest Unit,1 0. Area of PWR_L FU unavailable in Parks & OLL 1 (.% of PWR_L) Area of PWR_L FU deferred in marten cores (001 FMP) (1.0% of PWR_L) Total Area of non-pwr containing Pw or Pr (<=0%) 0,0.0 Total Area of Old Growth (+ yrs),0 (.% of PWR stands) 0.0 1

2 Note: The PWR forest unit grouping includes PWR_H (high stocked Pw & Pr >= 0%) and PWR_L (low stocked Pw & Pr >= 0%)

3 The majority of PWR_H stands are concentrated near the south-east and south-west corners of the Unit, within the Smith Lake Conservation Reserve, Makobe-Grays Provincial Parks and adjacent to Lady Evelyn Smoothwater and Obabika Provincial Parks. The Smith Lake Conservation Reserve was created following approval of the Temagami Comprehensive Plan subsequent to the completion of the 1 to 01 FMP for the Elk Lake Management Unit. Approximately 0.% of this forest unit is contained within these parks and conservation reserves, while a further 1.% is deferred within marten core habitat areas. This leaves.1% of the PWR_H forest unit stands available for management within the 0-year term of this plan. PWR_L stands are similarly distributed, though only.% of the forest unit area is contained within parks and conservation reserves (1% in Ontario s Living Legacy candidate areas), while 1.% is deferred within marten core habitat areas. This leaves.% of the PWR_L forest unit area available for management within the 0-year term of this plan. Stands containing to 0% white and/or red pine are also concentrated in the south-east and south-west portions of the Unit, although scattered populations are found throughout the central and northern sections of the Unit in increasingly infrequent or isolated stands. Table shows the total area of forest stands that contains white and/or red pine by forest unit. As well, the table details the area of forested stands that contain white and/or red pine by its percent composition of the forest stand. This table shows that 1% of the total area of forest stands that support some level of white and/or red pine are non-pwr forest unit stands. In addition, % of the total area that supports some level of white and/or red pine are comprised of stands that have % or less of white/red pine. Table : Total Area Containing White and/or Red Pine and Percentage of Pw & Pr FU Area (Ha) % Pw/Pr % 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Total 0 BWP 0 0 IH 1 1 LC1 1 1 MW1 1 MW 1 1 OH 1 PJ1 PJ 1 POP 1 1 PR1 1 PWR_H PWR_L SB1 1 1 SF1 0 0 SP1 0 1 Total Area (ha) Total % Pw/Pr % 1% % % % % % 1% 0% 1% 0%

4 The non-white/red pine stands that support -0% of these species are primarily mixed wood stands that have a large hardwood component and are found in the MW, IH, SF1,SP1 and OH forest units. Appendix 1 shows the distribution of stands by age class grouping that comprise the PWR_H & PWR_L forest units respectively, as well as stands belonging to other forest units with a minor component ( to 0%) of white and/or red pine. This distribution pattern translates into problems in maintaining the species present distribution or in attempting to expand its range, without the intervention of intensive silvicultural management tools. Figures 1 and show the current age class distribution of PWR_H & PWR_L forest units on the Timiskaming Forest. These graphs demonstrate a few key facts that must be acknowledged when discussing white and/or red pine on the Timiskaming Forest. The first, and most visually apparent, is that the pine stands located on the management unit are, on average, very old. Approximately % of all stands are classified as old growth with all but a small amount classified as mature. These graphs are indicative of one historical and one ecological truth. The former is that the white and red pine stands that were logged in the past (starting in the late 100 s and into the 10 s) were not managed on an ecological basis and as such, have been replaced by other non-white/red pine forest types. The latter is that there is little recruitment of white and red pine stands in the younger age classes. Simply put, there are fewer white and red pine stands on the management unit than in the past, those stands that are left are very old and likely deteriorating, and there are not enough new stands being created to maintain the presence of these pine ecosystems. Although there are some younger PWR_L stands shown in Figure, their age is largely a function of the dominant working group species following disturbance (e.g., Bw, Pj, Po, Sw). The FRI shows ha of PWR_H and PWR_L stands less than 0 years old. Of these stands, approximately 00 ha are in the Pw working group (only % of the total area). Generally, white pine is a residual component in the younger PWR_L stands and is usually much older than the regenerating species. Limited planting of red pine occurred in the past with most plantations having been identified from project records and included in the PR1 forest unit. The definition of white and red pine old growth stands are those stands with at least 0% composition of white and/or red pine and at least years of age. More often than not, these stands are poorly stocked. These areas represent approximately,0 ha, or 0.% of the total management unit land-base. Specific management objectives will be outlined based on provincial direction to promote the continued presence of old growth on the landscape.

5 Figure 1: Age Class Distribution of PWR_H Forest Unit Stands by SFMM Land Type Figure : Age Class Distribution of PWR_L Forest Unit Stands by SFMM Land Type

6 White and Red Pine Silviculture on the Timiskaming Forest. During the period where there was no harvest of white and red pine on the management units that now comprise the Timiskaming Forest, silvicultural renewal efforts continued. For the five year period of 1 to 001, a silvicultural program consisting of the planting of white and red pine nursery stock was undertaken with the objective of creating new white and red pine stands on the forest. For this period,,00 seedlings (,00 white pine,,00 red pine) were planted on 1. hectares. In addition. hectolitres of cones (. hl red pine,. hl white pine) were collected to support the renewal effort. The sites that were targeted for conversion often contained scattered white and red pine stems and were suspected to have supported white/red pine stands in the past. While these stands have not been established long enough to assess them as free growing, tending operations are ongoing and have been successful. No data is available to quantify the level of careful harvesting around residual white and red pine stems however whenever these species were encountered, operations were modified in order to ensure the retention of both the mature residuals and any advanced stems that were found on the harvest operations. Ecology of Pine Stands White and red pine stands typically occur on NORFEC ecosites 1, 1, 0 & 1. The development of pine dominated stands typically involve several minor disturbances over the course of its life cycle. Minor disturbances permit the species to infiltrate a site, to survive the early growth stages, and allow regenerating pines to occupy and maintain a position within the stand. Without natural intervention, whether it is through fire or smaller, stand level disturbances (i.e. gap replacement small openings in the canopy resulting from single trees falling and opening up sections of the canopy (Forman, 1), white and red pine stands require some form of silvicultural intervention to maintain stands of varying age classes in the management unit. White and red pine on a portion of the Timiskaming Forest (i.e. the former Elk Lake Management Unit) were reserved from harvesting during the first ten years of the 11-0 management planning period for that area. This moratorium was implemented to provide the delay period necessary to develop a silvicultural program which would address the concerns regarding old-growth forest areas, the conservation of genetic integrity of pine and the maintenance of biodiversity in pine dominated stands. The ecology of old growth stands is based on the structural diversity, including downed woody debris and snag components, found within an over-mature stand (OMNR, 1). Therefore, management considerations for old growth areas should include efforts to create or maintain the structural components necessary. Structural components that define old growth areas are as follows:

7 A forest with multiple age classes and canopies (multi-tiered canopy) with large old white or red pine in the overstorey, often well spaced; An understorey of trees that are often dominated by different species; Dead and dying standing trees are common in the overstory; and Large rotten stems and tops on the ground are common. These required components would direct the silvicultural systems chosen and the prescriptions created for present and future old growth stands. White and Red Pine Management Four main points were outlined by the Elk Lake Planning Team with input from the L.C.C., as necessary to be incorporated into the Contingency Plan in order to resume the management of white and red pine. Each point will be addressed within this section and will be summarized with management options in the recommendation section. Management strategies for white and red pine stands are being implemented based on a recognized need to ensure these stand types remain a component in the future forest. Strategies will be developed under the following headings: Review of research into the harvesting effects on genetic integrity of pine stands Implementation of the Conservation Strategy for Old Growth Red and White Pine Operational prescriptions incorporating biodiversity Seed management strategy Review of Research into the Harvesting Effects on Genetic Integrity on Pine Stands Developing management objectives to include the maintenance of genetic integrity requires combining current scientific research, forest management principles, and silvicultural strategies. In addition, there is a need to implement an adaptive approach to incorporate new directions for management. The management

8 strategy proposed for the Timiskaming Forest incorporates preferred silvicultural ground rules that are recommended by the Silvicultural Guide for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Conifer Forest in Ontario (OMNR, 1) and by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM, 1). The Silvicultural Guide for the Great Lakes St.-Lawrence addresses the issue of genetic integrity and maintaining or enhancing genetic diversity within a local population by setting out a Rules of Thumb management approach. These rules serve to assist both in the identification of isolated populations and in guiding management strategies for these populations. The problems associated with managing isolated populations of white and red pine is addressed further in the Seed Strategy section of this paper. The Rules of Thumb for recognizing and managing isolated stands (OMNR, 1) are: Retain a population of at least 0 mature individuals capable of breeding to be used as a minimum to ensure an effective breeding population. Consider a stand to be isolated if it is more than 1 km from another similar stand. Due to the great diversity in conditions that exists in forests, the minimum number of individuals and their distance to other populations of similar species should be used as general rules-of-thumb. They should be used or modified after consultation with experts on tree genetics. It is recommended those isolated populations of white pine with fewer than 0 individuals are harvested only if: The area is already satisfactorily regenerated, or Seed from the appropriate seed zone is available and is used to regenerate an equivalent site within the seed zone, or Regeneration must be secured before the removal of mature breeding individuals. Artificial regeneration may result in the transfer of seed or seedling stock over large distances. This practice can result in the introduction of new genetic material from populations not adapted to local conditions into locally adapted populations. Joyce et al. recommends seed and seedlings used in regeneration follow Ontario s system of seed zones and seed transfer guidelines. Applying the rules of thumb in the management of pine will include stand level operational considerations while monitoring the influence at the population-level, as population-level interaction has a strong influence on the maintenance of genetic diversity. The uniform shelterwood silvicultural system incorporates the Rules of Thumb mentioned above through the maintenance of a component from the

9 original stand while creating conditions necessary for the renewal to pine. On site conditions where natural regeneration is considered unlikely to be successful, shelterwood systems combined with planting of nursery stock will be the preferred option. This approach will provide for the maintenance or enhancement of the genetic diversity within the population, especially in cases where the population is considered too small for appropriate levels of genetic information. Seed stock derived from the appropriate seed zone can often act as a valuable tool in contributing to the genetic diversity present in some small, under-represented, or isolated pine stands Implementation of the Conservation Strategy for Old Growth Red and White Pine A Conservation Strategy for Old Growth Red and White Pine Forest Ecosystems in Ontario (OMNR, 1) represents a broad outline of objectives for managing old growth stands. The goal of the Old Growth Strategy is to ensure that red and white pine forest ecosystems, including old growth stands, are present on the landscape of Ontario now and into the future, while permitting a sustainable harvest of red and white pine. Operational prescriptions will be developed based on incorporating the following objectives as outlined in the Conservation Strategy for Old Growth: 1. As a minimum, red and white pine in forest management units will not be reduced to an area less than current levels. Forest management plans will establish specific targets for restoring red and white pine on the landscape using historical records as a guide and focusing on sites that previously supported pine. Over the long-term, at least one old growth red and white pine ecosystem will be protected in each site district.. The age class distribution of red pine and white pine forests at the forest management unit level will include old growth red and white pine forests. The rationale for establishing the desired age class distribution must be explained in the forest management plan.. Silvicultural prescriptions will be based on specific stand and site conditions and should be used to achieve the objectives outlined in the forest management plans. Pre-harvest silvicultural prescriptions will be developed to retain old growth structural characteristics.. Where stand and site conditions permit, harvesting methods and silvicultural techniques that promote the natural regeneration of red and white pine will be the preferred option. Artificial regeneration techniques may be used to restore red and white pine to sites that they once grew on. Regional variance will require adjustments be made at the local level to produce an appropriate strategy. Management strategies will focus on maintaining the structural components necessary for old growth

10 stands and in maintaining representative older age class stands in the Management Unit. Figure shows the revised ecological districts for the Kirkland Lake district. There are four site districts located within the Timiskaming Forest (site district E-, E-, E- and E-). This map reflects the revised site district boundaries to account for local landform conditions. There are no white or red pine old growth sites identified within the northeastern region of the MNR however, as Table 1 shows, significant area of old growth has been captured in existing parks and Ontario Living Legacy areas within several ecodistricts in the Timiskaming Forest. In order to ensure the continued presence of white and red pine on the Timiskaming Forest, the following landscape and stand level objectives were developed based on the Temagami Land Use Plan (OMNR, 1). Landscape Objectives for White and Red Pine Provide old growth forest and old growth characteristics on the landscape Management decisions should be based on natural ecology Manage for pine on sites where sufficient numbers of trees and appropriate site condition exist; and, Show movement to increase the amount of white and red pine forests towards pre-settlement levels (as per provincial direction). Stand Level Objective The objective of stand level management will be to provide old growth characteristics while promoting the regeneration of white and red pine and the maintenance of genetic diversity. Appropriate harvesting and silvicultural practices will be employed where the potential exists to achieve this objective. The Silvicultural ground rules in the FMP contains recommended prescriptions for achieving this objective in both the PWR_H and PWR_L forest units, as well as any other stands containing to 0% white and red pine. The following operational principles will be incorporated to achieve stated stand level objectives: Regenerate stands to white/red pine as a minimum, regenerated stands should possess similar proportions of white and red pine to that contained in the original stand. Maintain white and red pine as the dominant tree species in the forest stand. Retain a white and red pine-dominated overstorey until regeneration is established. Keep the best phenotypes and the most vigorous trees for seed source. These are the straightest, largest, healthiest, fastest growing trees with the best-formed crowns that produce the most seed. Ensure that some large, older pines are left on the site (structural diversity). Retain downed woody debris.

11 Retain some large standing dying/dead trees (snags), where they exist and are not a safety hazard. Consider forest health issues in the selection of retained trees. Minimize harvesting of rotten stems in cases where the snags do not represent potential safety hazards. As shown in Table, non- Pwr forest unit stands comprise 1% of the area that supports white and/or red pine and these stands represent the best opportunity to increase the overall area of pine dominated ecosystems on the landscape. The non-pwr stands are predominantly mixedwood stands (conifer or hardwood mixedwoods) and often have multistory canopies. The white/red pine located on these sites is generally distributed in two ways. The first is characterized by a scattered distribution of the species across the stand. In the post-harvest condition, no less than five, phenotypically superior seed producing trees per hectare will remain on site as a seed source. The second distribution pattern is characterized by the presence of small, relatively pure clumps of white/red pine. The definition of a clump are those areas found within a non-pwr forest unit stand that are too small to have been delineated as a separate FRI stand but which are, none the less, small functioning pine ecosystems. These clumps will be managed in a similar manner as large PWR_L and/or PWR_H forest unit stands. The clumps will be marked as per the Ontario Tree Marking Guide and the harvest will be conducted to ensure the regeneration success of the clump. TFAI is responsible for marking all white pine stands prior to harvest. MNR, through the forest operations compliance program, will be responsible for auditing the results of the harvest operation to ensure that the harvest prescription was satisfactory. In addition, TFAI and MNR will monitor the effectiveness of the silvicultural treatment to ensure that the results meet silvicultural ground rule standards. Finally, the Timiskaming Forest will have an Independent Forest Audit every five years during which time the success of the white pine management strategy will be assessed, and reported on. Operational Prescriptions Incorporating Biodiversity Approaches Biodiversity remains an important objective for the management of white and red pine in the Timiskaming Forest. Strategies incorporating current research have been developed for the Great Lakes St.-Lawrence Silvicultural Guide which are applicable to Ontario s Northeast Region (OMNR, 1). Silvicultural prescriptions for the management of white and red pine in the Timiskaming Forest are being tailored from those created in the North Bay District (OMNR, 1) and the Draft Ontario Tree Marking Guide. Tree marking will be consistent with the methods taught at the Provincial Tree Marking Certification Course. Preliminary Detailed Treatment Descriptions Although the primary intent of this document is to provide strategic direction rather than operational detail, effort has been made to develop a set of operational treatments and standards to meet stated landscape and

12 stand level objectives. Table provides detailed treatment descriptions for each forest unit/silvicultural intensity combination to be found in the Timiskaming Forest FMP. Table : Detailed Treatment Descriptions for White and Red Pine Forest Units. Detailed Treatment Descriptions for White Pine and Red Pine Forest Units (Forest Unit /Silvicultural Intensity Combinations) PWR_H PWR_L PWR_L PWR_L Present Extensive Basic Intensive Silvicultural System: Shelterwood Silvicultural System: Clear cut Silvicultural System: Clear cut Silvicultural System: Clear cut Forest Condition: Basal Area Pw + Pr + Sw > 1m/ha I.e. > stems per hectare Forest Condition: Basal Area Pw + Pr + Sw > m/ha and <= 1m/ha I.e. stems per ha Forest Condition: Basal Area Pw + Pr + Sw <= m/ha I.e.,< stems per hectare Forest Condition: Basal Area Pw + Pr + Sw <= m/ha I.e. < stems per hectare Harvest Method: One or Two-cut Shelterwood Harvest Method: Seed Tree Harvest Method: With Standards Harvest Method: With Standards Careful felling and skidding mandatory on all sites. Uniform Shelterwood tree marking rules apply Careful felling and skidding mandatory. CLAAG recommended to protect understory Pw, Sw, Pr. These species must be present to carry out CLAAG harvest option (i.e. Bf component <0% and Po<0%) Careful felling and skidding mandatory. CLAAG recommended to protect understory Pw, Sw, Pr. These species must be present to carry out CLAAG harvest option (i.e. Bf component <0% and Po<0%) Primarily FT but TL and processing at stump may occur. CLAAG recommended to protect understory Pw, Sw, Pr. Retain up to m/ha BA of overstory Pw, Pr, Sw aggregated or dispersed across the harvest block. Treatment: a) Natural Regeneration by Uniform Shelterwood b) Fill plant Pw, Pr, Sw Treatment: a) Natural Regeneration and CLAAG Treatment: a) Seed Tree b) Scarification-assisted Natural Regeneration Treatment: a) Plant Pw, Pr, Sw Natural regeneration. Retain minimum of 0-0% crown closure. Residuals must be capable of producing future seed crops. Type of system specified (one or two cut) will depend on initial stand stocking. At time of final harvest retain min. of veterans for diversity/stand structure. Natural regeneration. Must retain a minimum of 1 Pw well-distributed trees/ha and 0% of the retained Pw or Pr must be capable of producing future crops. Natural regeneration. Retain - of original Pw and Pr trees in canopy, half of which must be phenotypically superior individuals capable of producing future crops. Light SIP > meters from tree Retain a minimum of Pw, Pr that are capable of producing future crops. Retain other non- Pw/Pr stems to ensure 0-0% canopy closure. Enhance plant Pw and/or Pr, Sw (max 0% Sw). SIP > meters from retained Pw, Pr. Isolated populations are those stands that are greater than 1 km from an adjacent stand that contains a minimum of % of white and/or red pine. Operations within stands defined as isolated can occur only if the isolated stand will have greater than 0 stems of white and or red pine in the post harvest condition. For those stands, or clumps within stands that have a total basal area of 1m/ha (i.e.> stems/ha of Pw, Pr and Sw) the uniform shelterwood system will be utilized. In the uniform shelterwood system in the 1

13 Boreal Forest, the first entry into a stand is usually for a Seeding or Regeneration Cut to prepare the stand for natural and/or artificial regeneration. The aim is to retain about 0-0% crown closure in the overstorey, which consists of mainly white pine but also includes other species as represented in the stand composition. Red pine and white spruce are also preferred crop species to be left with white pine to provide a seed source and overhead shading to prevent excessive competition and white pine weevil damage. Where these species are not present in parts of stands, other species such as black spruce, cedar, jack pine, white and yellow birch and hard and soft maple may also be retained. On average, white pine, red pine and/or white spruce is desired to be left at a spacing of about 0% of height, or ½ crown width apart of the dominant white pine after the Seeding Cut. In a well-stocked PWR_H forest unit stand with an average height of 0 metres, the residual trees should be about 1 metres apart, or about 0 trees per hectare on average. The residual trees would be made up of a mixture of species. Figure shows a graphic representation of the White Pine -Cut Shelterwood System. Figure shows a similar representation of the White Pine Clearcut with Seed Tree System. In order to release the regeneration, the final removal cut is normally carried out after the regeneration has reached - metres in height. This normally occurs 0-0 years after the Seeding Cut. At the time of the final harvest removal careful logging will be done to protect the advanced regeneration and at least veteran white and/or red pine per hectare will be left for biodiversity, stand structure, wildlife habitat and seed source. The tree-planting target for the -year operational term of the plan is to plant 0,000 Pw and 0,000 Pr trees respectively. This target will contribute to regenerating approximately 0 hectares per year of Pwr forest unit area. In addition, the careful harvesting around white pine and subsequent tending of non-pwr Forest Unit area will create additional Pwr_L and Pwr_H area, however no target is assigned since the actual location and area of these sites are not identified on the FRI. With the proper implementation of intensive renewal treatments (i.e.. planting white/red pine) the FMP target of increasing the Pwr forest unit grouping by 0% within 0 years (i.e. approximately 1 hectare per year) will be attained. The addition of extensive treatments such as careful logging around advanced white pine and the retention of seed trees on harvested sites will ensure that the target is met, and potentially exceeded.. In the operational allocation there are 0. ha s allocated with a -0% white and or red pine component. These stands represent 0.0% of the total allocated harvest area for the FMP. Not all of these sites will be managed intensively for white pine but all are evaluated for white pine management potential. As part of the operational silvicultural planning, TFAI completes PHSP s for most mixedwood sites. Where advanced Pw or Pr is identified during a PHSP survey, or where the species is found during the course of operations, a careful logging prescription will be implemented to maintain and/or promote the species. Utilizing PHSP information will ensure that all areas that have white pine will be managed, and not only the areas identified on the FRI. Appendix shows examples of PHSP survey data that has been carried out on 001 FMP allocations that has identified white pine area that was previously unidentified While FMP- shows that natural regeneration is the preferred silvicultural treatment for the shelterwood and intensive 1

14 silvicultural ground rules, the reality is that the pre-harvest and subsequent post-harvest condition will dictate whether natural or artificial methods will be utilized. Recent experience has shown that for most 1

15 Figure : -Cut Shelterwood System 1

16 Figure : White Pine Clearcut with Seed Tree System sites where white pine management prescriptions are developed, both natural regeneration, with a supplemental artificial treatment, is required in order to meet expected renewal standards. Demonstration Area A candidate demonstration area in Barber Township south of the Mountain Lake Road was selected as the preferred location for the contingency FMP. The demonstration area was to be a working example of the silvicultural tools of choice to be implemented in stands with a white pine component. After reviewing the site in the fall of 1, the determination was made that there was not enough white pine, or other species volumes on the site, to make the operation economically feasible, even at a breakeven economic level. As well, the access into the site would have to be via a winter road due to the site conditions and topography, and therefore would be unsuitable for a demonstration area. A new white pine demonstration located within the Roadhouse 0 harvest block. This Pwr_H area is 1. hectares in size and will provide a suitable location to demonstrate a shelterwood harvest. Timiskaming Forest Alliance will also be developing a white pine management tour that will include the Roadhouse 0 block in addition to suitable areas that demonstrate other silvicultural techniques for managing white pine. This tour will be given to interested parties by TFAI staff and will include management of non-pwr stands for white pine, red pine regeneration, stand tending techniques and examples of stand conversion. The development of this tour will be in consultation with the LCC and will be incremental as these sites are developed on the Timiskaming Forest. Seed Management Strategy The seed management strategy will incorporate requirements outlined in the Silvicultural Guide for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Conifer Forest (OMNR, 1). This strategy will include maintaining seed trees on site when available to promote natural regeneration. Planting stock from local seed sources will be used when necessary to supplement natural regeneration. Wherever possible, the TFAI will aim to keep white pine seed separated by the individual township in which it was collected in order to plant seedlings in the townships from which the seed originated. Sources for seeds will be from harvested trees in good seed years. Other sources of cones such as squirrel caches and tree climbing will be explored as well. Current seed inventories can sustain the annual demand however if more than two poor cone production years occur then the inventory for white pine seed will be depleted. Since bumper seed crop years are relatively infrequent, a target of million seeds for seed zone and 00,000 seeds from seed zone will be established. Depending on when a bumper seed year occurs, it is anticipated that it may take up to years to achieve this target although if conditions are ideal and a bumper seed year occurs, the target can be achieved in one year. 1

17 Recommended Strategies 1. Prepare detailed pre-harvest silvicultural prescriptions, including tree-marking guidelines, for all PWR_L and PWR_H stands, to ensure renewal efforts are well coordinated with harvesting, and that all non-timber values are addressed. Individual stand evaluations will determine whether the shelterwood system or the seed-tree silvicultural system will be applied. The intent of the shelterwood harvest prescription would be to preserve the integrity of the PWR_H stand. A seed tree prescription would facilitate the objective of increasing the amount of pine on the site so that the future stand would be a PWR_H forest unit. In both cases, supplementary planting of nursery stock may occur to ensure future stocking targets. This treatment would occur both immediately after the seeding cut in order to supplement natural regeneration and before the final removal cut if required.. Planting of white and red pine in selected areas where they are found as incidental species. This effort will promote an increase in the total amount of white and red pine on the sites with the objective of achieving a PWR_L forest unit designation.. To provide structural diversity, selected super canopy trees, particularly white and red pine will be left unharvested.. Tops, limbs, cull, etc. will be left at stump as much as possible to provide coarse woody debris for wildlife.. An appropriate number of trees of species that are uncommon will be left on site to maintain diversity, i.e. white and black spruce, cedar, maples, yellow birch etc.. Damage to the roots and stems of remaining trees and advanced regeneration of pine will be minimized to aid in regeneration of the desired understorey and protect the health of retained trees. This will include consideration of tree-length logging and no site-preparation within the drip line. Summary This strategy outlines an intensive management effort that is required to maintain the existing white pine and red pine on the landscape to meet the conditions described in the Conservation Strategy for Old Growth 1

18 Red and White Pine Forest Ecosystems in Ontario. In addition, the strategy provides the means to increase the amount of forest that is classified as white pine, as per the objectives of the FMP. The following table summarizes the needs faced in the management of white and red pine and the suggested actions to be included in the strategy. This strategy will evolve over the course of the implementation of the FMP and alterations will be made where necessary based on new research, where local conditions require modification, or when, based on the results of monitoring, management strategies chosen are not considered to be successful. It is the intent of this strategy is to incorporate measures to protect and conserve white and red pine forests for the future. Recommended Action NEEDS ACTIONS REFERENCE Conservation of Genetic Shelterwood silvicultural system CCFM, 1 Information Continued research into genetic integrity OMNR, 1 Maintain and protect advanced growth Manage and monitor seed source Maintain viable population sizes Strategy for the Maintain old growth structural components in OMNR, 1 Conservation of Old post harvest stands Growth Focus on specific stand level objectives to promote old growth attributes Increase red and white pine component in Unit towards historical level Maintaining and Focus on landscape level attributes to promote OMNR, 1 Enhancing Biodiversity pine distribution and composition Guidelines developed Incorporate tree-marking guidelines by MNR North Bay Development of stand level and landscape level management objectives 1 Seed Strategy Follow directives described in OMNR Seed Strategy Monitor operations to ensure proper seed source chosen and sites are renewed to a pine stand Implemented by TFAI 1

19 Literature Cited Calvert, R. et al. 11. White pine in the eastern part of the Boreal West Region: A position on management. Ont.Min. Nat. Res. Unpublished Report. pp. Canadian Council of Forest Ministers. 1. Criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management in Canada. Technical report 1. 1 pp. Forman, R. T. 1. Landscape Mosaics: the ecology of landscapes and regions. Cambridge University Press, N.Y. pp. Joyce, D. A. Mosseler, and P. Nitschke. (in press). Managing forest genetic resources. In: Regenerating Ontario s forests. R. Wagner and S. Columbo (Eds.) pp. Morneault, A. 1. Personal communication. Vegetation Management Program Leader, MNR North Bay District. OMNR. 1. Conservation Strategy for Old Growth Red Pine and White Pine Forest Ecosystems. In: Forest Management Planning Manual for Ontario s Crown Forest. Ont. Min. Nat. Resour. Queen s Printr for Ontario. Toronto., 1. Management of white pine and red pine stands for old growth characteristics in Temagami District. In: Temagami Land Use Plan. Ont. Min. Nat. Resour. Queen s Printer for Ontario. North Bay. pp., 1. A silvicultural Guide for the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Conifer Forest in Ontario. Ont. Min. Nat. Resour. Queen s Printer for Ontario. Toronto. pp. Stewart, K. 11. Biodiversity Discussion Paper; Elk Lake Management Unit. Ont. Min. Nat. Resour. Queen s Printer for Ontario. Kirkland Lake. 1 pp. 1

20 APPENDIX 1 0