To: FOREST1 --INTERNET FOREST@LISTSERV.FU *** Reply to note of 12/01/95 12:20 Glenn Moroz (on December 1) introduced an element to this discussion that is ofconsiderable interest to me - the idea of managing for old growth attributes. Glenn provides an example in the eastern U.S. where previously high-graded stands are now being managed for development of old growth characteristics. I work mainly with the natural forests of north western British Columbia, forests that have not been previously disturbed by logging; forests that vary from being dominated by small-scale gap disturbance (some coastal forests) to large-scale catastrophic disturbance on a 100-200 year return interval (interior forests). The description of forest structure used to describe old growth in Washington/Oregon makes some sense in our coastal forests but increasingly less in our interior forests. The research group I work with is struggling with the question of how much structure is required to maintain old growth attributes/conditions. Part of the problem is that to maintain different values (e.g. habitat for some organism, forest interior conditions, abundance and distribution of dead wood) you may have to retain different attributes or quantities of attributes. I would be interested in the groups thoughts on managing for old growth attributes, examples of such, and research approaches. Dave Coates, Research Silviculturist B.C. Forest Service, Bag 5000, Smithers, B.C., V0J 2N0. Internet ID dcoates@mfor01.for.gov.bc.ca Office (604) 847-7436 fax (604) 847-7217
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