Applied Research and Innovation Projects

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.

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.

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.

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.