Research Services and Research Resources Offered

Research Services and Resources

• Imaging, Sensing Technology, and Geomatics

  Services

  • Aerial imaging and LiDAR scanning
  • Terrestrial LiDAR scanning
  • Analysis of remote sensing data – satellite imagery
  • Developing GIS-based imagery and LiDAR modelling products
  • Forest measurements and analysis from imagery and LiDAR products
  • Sub-meter GPS mapping
  • GIS mapping and analysis

  Equipment & Resources

  CNC Researchers

  Dr. Pablo Crespell, full-time Researcher, with multiple Research Assistants, focused on application of technologies to improve forestry practices.

  Aerial Drones

  • DJI 210
  • DJI M3M
  • DJI M350
  • DJI Mini 4 Pro
  • DJI Mini 5 Pro
  • DJI M400

  Imaging and Sensing Equipment

  • DJI P1
  • DJI D-RTK 3
  • Emlid Reach RS3 (base station)
  • Emlid Reach RS3 (rover station)
  • Geosun G-100G
  • Geosun G-200G
  • Micasense RedEdge-P
  • Zenmuse L2
  • Zenmuse L3

  Recent Clients

  • Willow River Demonstration Forest Society – Assessing pre- and post-thinning stand metrics using aerial imagery, along with aerial and terrestrial LiDAR scanning
  • BC Ministry of Forests – Aerial and terrestrial LiDAR scanning and analysis of provincial research sites
  • BC Ministry of Forests - Evaluating wildfire hazard reduction treatments from aerial photography, aerial near-infrared sensing, and LiDAR scanning

• Tree Ring Analysis and Dendrochronology

  Services

  • Field collection and lab preparation of wood samples
  • Deriving a statistically valid growth ring chronology from wood samples
  • Creating dendrochronology record for geographic area
  • Deriving year of mortality for dead wood samples
  • Dating of wood artifacts from samples with partial growth rings

  Equipment & Resources

  CNC Researchers

  • Over 10 years of combined tree ring and dendrochronology experience across 2 researchers
  • Access to Student Research Assistants to increase research capacity

  CNC Forest Samples Lab

  • Fully equipped lab for safely planing, sanding, cutting, and drilling wood
  • Multiple freezer storage for preserving wood, soil, and plant samples
  • Fisherbrand Isotemp oven
  • Olympus SZ61 microscope with EP50 camera attachment
  • QTRS tree ring scanner
  • COFECHA program for crossmatching annual tree rings
  • Digital microscope

  Recent Clients

  • BC Ministry of Forests - Subalpine fir wood shelf-life post-beetle mortality:  In lab testing and evaluation of wood quality attributes across hundreds of wood samples, including tree mortality dating via dendrochronology
  • BC Ministry of Forests - Spruce wood shelf-life post-beetle mortality

• Collection, Preparation, and Analysis of Forest Samples

  Services

  • Systematic collection of wood and vegetation samples
  • Preparation of forest samples for analysis
  • Soil texturing and analysis of physical properties
  • Analysis of physical properties of wood samples

  Equipment & Resources

  CNC Researchers

  • Well over 30 years of combined field sampling experience across 4 Researchers
  • Access to Student Research Assistants to increase research capacity

  CNC Forest Samples Lab

  • Fully equipped lab for safely planing, sanding, cutting, and drilling wood
  • Lab space for soil and plant preparation and drying
  • Lab space for soil texturing and soil analysis
  • Multiple freezer storage for preserving wood, soil, and plant samples
  • Fisherbrand Isotemp oven
  • Olympus SZ61 microscope with EP50 camera attachment
  • QTRS tree ring scanner
  • COFECHA program for crossmatching tree rings
  • Digital microscope

  Recent Clients
  

  • Ministry of Forests – Preparation and evaluation wood attributes across hundreds of subalpine fir wood samples
  • Willow River Demonstration Forest Society – Collection and preparation of post-thinning conifer branches/needles for nutrition analysis

• Field-based Research Design and Sampling

  Services

  • Designing and assessing tree and vegetation sample plots
  • Picture and video sampling of wildlife
  • Designing and implementing forest sampling for ecosystem and wildlife habitat research
  • Compilation, analysis, reporting, and knowledge sharing of research results

  Equipment and Resources

  CNC Research Forest

  • 12,500 ha forest to accommodate very small to very large, controlled experiments involving natural resources

  Researchers

  • Well over 30 years of combined field sampling experience across 4 Researchers
  • Access to Student Research Assistants to increase research capacity
  • Expertise in installing and maintaining continuous digital data logging of environmental monitoring equipment

  Equipment

  • 9 Climate stations across Prince George Natural Resource District continuously logging multiple elements of weather and soil moisture

  Recent Clients

  • SERNbc - Post-thinning treatment assessment and evaluation of trees, understory vegetation, sub-canopy climate, and wildlife response.
  • Prince George City - Examining distribution, and health of urban wildlife (bear) to inform future wildlife management strategies

• Silviculture Trials

  Services

  • Designing and implementing trial treatment areas and systematic sampling procedures
  • Implementation of large operation-sized planting and silviculture treatments
  • Compilation, analysis, reporting and knowledge sharing of research results

  Equipment and Resources

  CNC Research Forest

  • 12,500 ha CNC Research Forest to accommodate very small to very large experimental planting trials (various tree and plant species) and silviculture trials
  • 40ft geodesic dome greenhouse at Prince George campus for small tree and plant trials, (during growing season only)

  CNC Researchers

  • Well over 20 years of combined field sampling experience across 3 Researchers
  • Access to Student Research Assistants to increase research capacity
  • Expertise in installing and maintaining continuous digital data logging of environmental monitoring equipment

  Equipment

  • 9 Climate stations across Prince George Natural Resource District continuously logging multiple elements of weather and soil moisture

  Recent Clients

  • CNC Research Forest - Multiple tree planting trials for climate adaptation
  • BC Ministry of Forests - Novel tree planting trials for climate adaptation
  • Dunkley Lumber Ltd. - Site preparation study

• Climate and Soil Moisture Monitoring Data

  Services

  • Designing and installing climate and soil moisture monitoring stations
  • In lab soil texturing and analysis of physical properties
  • Calibrating soil moisture sensors for soil texture
  • Multi-year climate/soil data collection and analysis

  Equipment and Resources

  CNC Research Forest

  • 12,500 ha CNC Research Forest to accommodate multiple installations of environmental monitoring equipment

  CNC Researchers

  • Well over 20 years of combined field sampling experience across 3  Researchers
  • Access to Student Research Assistants to increase research capacity
  • Expertise in installing and maintaining continuous digital data logging of environmental monitoring equipment

  Equipment

  • 9 Climate stations across Prince George Natural Resource District continuously logging multiple elements of weather and soil moisture

  Recent Clients

  • CNC Research Forest / BC Ministry of Forests - 10+ installations of multi-attribute climate stations with continuous hourly data logging
  • BC Ministry of Forests - In-lab soil texturing and moisture probe calibration services across dozens of climate stations in north, central BC