Applied Research and Innovation Projects

LiDAR is currently underutilized as a planning and assessment tool for silviculture practices in northern British Columbia, and this project aims to address that gap by developing simple, reliable protocols for capturing and using imagery and scanning products to improve both treatment planning and post‑treatment assessment. The approach uses aerial and terrestrial LiDAR to collect pre‑ and post‑treatment data and imagery, which are compared against detailed manual ground sampling, including timber cruising, vegetation and coarse woody debris transects, and fire fuel assessments. The project will identify which tree‑, stand‑, and site‑level attributes can be reliably derived from LiDAR and how these measurements can be applied operationally, while also evaluating the effectiveness of commercial thinning in meeting prescribed timber objectives and its effects over time. Overall, the work is intended to demonstrate the technical feasibility of integrating LiDAR into BC’s silviculture practices, with the expectation that increased efficiency and lower costs would support broader adoption of commercial thinning and deliver associated economic and environmental benefits.

Wetlands provide habitat for a myriad of wildlife species including birds, amphibians, mammals, aquatic invertebrates and fish. This project aims to promote ecological awareness and habitat conservation for a small wetland identified by the Prince George Airport Authority. Using trail cameras, this project will identify wildlife use in and around the surrounding wetland habitat to aid in public awareness for wetland conservation. This project will provide education opportunities for the public on wildlife species and wetland conservation. All findings from this project will be provided to the Prince George Airport Authority, to whom CNC is providing research support. Findings from this project will be used in education purposes and to ensure proper protection of the wetland identified.

This study commissioned by the Ministry of Forests uses dendrocronology to determine the 'shelf life' of subalpine fir trees. Through careful analysis of tree rings under a microscope, we can determine the exact year of death, injury, or environmental disturbance such as drought or fire. Using this information, we are helping determine how long subalpine fir trees can remain dead and standing in the forest and still produce usable lumber, promoting sound salvage logging decisions.

As forestry practices change so does the need to change approaches to forest restoration. This project aims to expand restoration capabilities through the planting of native understory vegetation. Through partnerships with the McLeod Lake Indian Band and the Industrial Forest Service Ness Lake Nursery a protocol to collect native seed and grow those plants will be developed with multi-year monitoring post planting. Findings will support the use of native plants in restoration sites and help further develop protocols for planting understory species after resource extraction. The College of New Caledonia Research Forest gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program for its contribution to the Growing Native Plants In a Greenhouse for Restortation Yr 1/5.

Reforestation after harvest is a legal obligation within the province of British Columbia, ensuring seedling survival, ecosystem diversity and sufficient stocking are common challenges forest managers face. The aim of these reforestation projects are to assess different treatments associated to seedling survival and sufficient stocking, as well as different species to enhance stand diversity. We are trialing multiple different projects focusing on seedling survival and stocking based on different stock type, species and site prep methods within the SBSwk1 biogeoclimatic subzone. The results gained from these studies will supplement understanding of the pros and cons of certain site preparation methods (mounding/screefing/prescribed burn), the variation of seedling establishment and survival of different stock sizes, including seedpods, and varying species (commercial conifer and native deciduous). Findings from this research will support forest management decisions to meet reforestation obligations, based on ecological and economical evidence.

In North America alone, over 45 million hectares of plantation forest exists, contributing to both biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. This research aims to assess whether biodiversity and wildlife habitat objectives may be achieved through small patch cuts in a second growth spruce plantation, while ensuring economic feasibility through the extraction of timber without contributing negatively to watershed hazards and landscape conditions. Habitat enhancement objectives are investigated through the creation of small openings (<0.9ha) select tree removal, and long-term habitat monitoring to assess forage availability and quality, tree growth to promote snow interception and thermal regulation required among winter range habitats. A final report will be generated outlining the long-term findings of this project, including changes in plant communities, wildlife use, and thermoregulating properties of the forest as time progresses. This data can then help land managers and forest management planning better understand how to better manage plantations for wildlife habitat.

An increase in both global temperatures and deforestation has put many small streams at risk in British Columbia. This project aims to understand the potential impacts of forest harvest, and the corresponding activities, including the creation of road crossing, on riparian habitats, and to track stream recovery post-harvest. Long term monitoring using the Forests and Range Evaluation Program (FREP) is used to assess stream function over time. This project will track stream recovery over time and will help better understand the impact of forestry practices on small streams, as increased water temperatures from small streams resulting from inadequate riparian retention and additional inputs of sedimentation can dramatically alter the composition of larger systems, compromising fish habitat. Understanding both the immediate, short-term impacts of forest practices on small streams, and long-term recovery of streams can help forest managers better protect valuable riparian habitat and waterways.

The deforestation of British Columbia's old growth forests is becoming an increasing concern for many wildlife species and can be particularly detrimental for many mammal species, which may avoid crossing high exposure areas. This project aims to monitor wildlife use among constructed coarse woody debris piles created for habitat enhancement in areas impacted by forest harvest. By using trail cameras, wildlife use will be assessed across four different habitats, including the constructed piles, to assess wildlife use and overall species diversity. A final report will be generated comparing wildlife use across habitats to better understand wildlife use and distribution in altered landscapes. This research can provide insight into simple habitat enhancement measures that can make cutblocks more wildlife friendly towards all wildlife species.

Worldwide, it is estimated that wildlife populations have declined by over 70% since the early 1970’s, much of which has been attributed to habitat loss and degradation. Understanding wildlife use and occupancy within a landscape is a valuable, and often overlooked practice that land managers should consider when planning and implementing forest harvest practices. Through a network of motion activated trail cameras, this project will document wildlife (mammals, birds) within the Research Forest and is expected to aid in the planning of future forest harvest practices to ensure the proper management of the forest for wildlife species of notable interest, special concern, or high abundance. This information can also provide valuable information on future wildlife research for both CNC and project partners.

With increasing climatic pressures, reforestation practices are experiencing more challenging conditions due to increasing temperatures and prolonged periods without precipitation, causing stress on seedlings and there survival. These trials are being administered to assess the survival of commercial conifer species planted outside their natural range to see their adaptability, suitability and survival to a change in climate and geography. We are trialing five different species on SBSwk1 and SBSdw3 biogeoclimatic subzones to collect data on survival and suitability. This work will generate information that will support a species distribution range as well as provide information on climatic influences that impact survival. Findings will support provincial research as well as forest management strategies for determining species distribution range.

As the global human population expands, natural ecosystems diminish, and global temperatures increase, wildlife adaptation and physiology is becoming an increasing concern, especially among those individuals living near cities. This project aims to develop and validate methods to measure biomarkers of health and welfare in urban wildlife via endocrine sampling, with a focus on urban bears. This project relies on community involvement in the detection and collection of urban bear scat (feces) which will be analyzed in the laboratory for hormones related to stress, metabolites and reproduction. Endocrinological methods can inform ecosystem/wildlife scientists, city officials and managers about the health of urban bears in comparison to wild bears, assess overall health of local populations, increase our understanding of anthropogenic pressures, and mitigate bear-human conflict. Understanding how wildlife responds to urban environments is essential in investigating wildlife conflict mitigation techniques and may reduce bear mortality within the City of Prince George and beyond.

As requested by the BC Ministry of Forests, CNC is contributing to the mission of the Canada Wildfire partnership to undertake priority research in vegetation fire management. It is critical that forestry practitioners understand how to continuously steward forest ecosystems, within urban interfaces, to significantly lessen the likelihood of severe, out-of-control forest fires. CNC is engaged in a multi-year assessment of the wildfire hazard reduction treatment applied within the Pidherny Recreation Area in the City of Prince George.

Across much of northern British Columbia, moose populations are declining due to habitat conversion, decreased forage availability, and increased predation. This project aims to identify the preferred commercial thinning density to promote moose habitat, including forage, within the traditional territory of the McLeod Lake Indian Band. Long-term monitoring, including the collection of field data related to tree species composition, understory vegetation, soil and air temperature, available light, snow interception, and detecting the presence of wildlife are planned for this project. The findings of this research are provided to the Society of Ecosystem Restoration of Northern BC (SERNBC) and the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, to whom CNC is providing research services. Findings from the research can provide insight into preferred commercial thinning densities that may enhance moose habitat throughout the north.

The aim of this research is to test a protocol for mycelial inoculation in wood chips. The results of this testing will inform the development of mycelial inoculation protocol that would be effective in lessening soil erosion, potentially improving rates of revegetation and promoting ecosystem resiliency as it relates to logging road activities.

This research aims to test the feasibility of tracking tree nursery assets using radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. By monitoring assets, the research team will gain insights about the potential to integrate RFID tracking to optimize seedling management and transport.

This research examines temporary roadside ponds as a breeding habitat for amphibians, including the western toad (Anaxyrus boreas). Findings will inform about the relationships between artificial ponds created via forest practices, weather, and amphibian breeding behaviour.

This research aims to assess seedling growth response to wildfire impact. Findings of the research will inform reforestation and seedling regeneration in areas impacted by wildfires.