Canadian Forest Service Publications
Regeneration response on different microsites following site preparation and direct aerial seedling in southwestern Nova Scotia. (Abstract) 2006. Cheatley, E.G.; Bourque, C.P-A.; Meng, F.-R.; Journeay, W.C.; Swift, D.E. Page 5 in Proceedings Bowater Mersey Woodlands Forestry Research Seminar, March 22, 2006, Brooklyn, N.S. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Atlantic Forestry Centre, Fredericton, NB.
Year: 2006
Issued by: Atlantic Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 26217
Language: English
Availability: Order paper copy (free)
Abstract
Timely regeneration of harvested forest land is arguably the most important aspect of forest management. Not only does the resulting regeneration have an impact on the future allowable annual cut and timber resource, but it also contributes to biodiversity, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, and management responsibilities. In order to be more competitive, forest industries in Canada must develop more cost-efficient, silvicultural methods that promote ecologically sustainable forest management. In 2003, Bowater Mersey Paper Company Ltd. began experimenting with aerial seeding of spruce as a cost-efficient method to regenerate partially stocked harvest blocks in southwestern Nova Scotia. Factors leading to the respectively unfavourable and successful results of the 2003 and 2005 direct aerial seeding operations were examined as a seniro B.Sc.F. thesis; the resulting information is provided here. Soil moisture was identified as a major environmental factor influencing survival of newly germinated seedlings on these sensitive sites. Recent increases in annual temperatures may be a primary factor in spruce seedling mortality on these sites in Nova Scotia. The rate of seeding was identified as a contributing factor for successful regeneration stocking of harvest blocks. A predictive tool is being developed using a slope-to-position map, because of the relationship of soil moisture to seedling survival. Although more research is required to refine the microsite relationships of spruce geneneration with the slope-to-position map, operational recommendations for direct aerial seeding based on results to date will be provided. The future direction of the study will also be made available to the audience.