Stand Level Biodiversity “Preparing for Effectiveness Evaluations”

1. Stand Level Biodiversity “Preparing for Effectiveness Evaluations” By Dean McGeough and Nancy Densmore FREP’s CI Workshop Victoria Feb. 28, 2007

2. Presentation Outline • Background – what are we doing? • Ecological Anchors • Data Validation • Improvements for 2007 • Fire Sites – what to do?

3. Stand Level Biodiversity Question Is stand-level retention providing the range of habitat with the structural attributes understood as necessary for maintaining the species dependent on wildlife trees and CWD? The underlying question is whether we are maintaining the health or sustainability of the resource.

4. Ecological Anchors Ecological Anchorsare structural elements that will provide ecological integrity (structure and composition) and resilience to the ecosystem. Are Ecological Anchors PRESENT in Permanent Retention strata?

5. Ecological Anchors Vet trees Big stick nests Largest tree Large Witches broom Large hollow tree Heavy CWD Active wildlife trail Cavity Nest Active WT Feeding Mineral Lick Rare tree species

6. Risk Ranking & Ecological Anchors Are VET Trees Present? ABSENT: Score of 0 (very high risk) PRESENT: Score of 5 (low risk)

7. Large Stick Nests Goshawk nest Bald Eagle Nest

8. Wildlife Trees

9. Culturally Modified Trees

10. Risk Ranking & Ecological Anchors Are OTHER Anchors Present (Not vets)? • For EACH retention stratum: Number of Anchors OBSERVED per hectare • SUM of all Anchors in Stratum(Form B) Frequency of Ecological Anchors & Risk Scores Absent = 0 (Very High) <0.5/ha = 3 (High) 0.5 – 1.0/ha =7 (Mod Risk) >1/ha = 10 (Low risk)

11. DATA Validation BEC classification: confirm validity Strata Sizes (NAR, Gross): confirm in RESULTS Species – confirm consistency and validity Stratum – confirm type and consistency Data – complete ? (Height, Diameter, Sp, Class)

12. Improvements for 2007 FORM D- Reference Card • Tree Class Refinements • CWD refinements • Species code Revised and Standardized

13. Conifer Tree Classes Class 9 – not sampled (now CWD)

14. Deciduous Tree Classes Class 6 – not sampled (now CWD)

15. CWD Decay Classes Fresh / Recent Hard Bark firm Elevated Hard Branches Supports Person Bleached Saprot Loose Bark Sagging Soft twigs May crack Advanced Decay Bark Absent Breaks easy Branches absent Class 5 not Sampled Extensive Decay Soft Heartwood Shape collapses No Branches

16. Improvements for 2007 FORM C – Block Information • WTP Over-ride • Invasive Plants: Keep to Listed Species & Codes (Species and Distribution) • Section 15: Time Resources • Section 16: Do NOT duplicate stratum

17. Improvements for 2007 FORM B – Stratum Summary • One summary for EACH Patch • Protocol improvements to guide summary • Constraints and Ecological Anchors for Patches AND Dispersed

18. Improvements for 2007 FORM A – Plot Information • Full Count – put all info onto 1st Plot • Plot ID: Numeric and NO repeats • Data: Use APPROVED Codes & Complete Info

19. Fire Sites – What to do? • Wildland Fire following Harvest • Wildland Fire pre-Harvest (Salvage)

20. Discussion or Questions?