Are clearcuts appropriate for the mixed forest of Québec?

Abstract

Sustainable forest management involves, among other things, maintaining diversity of ecosystems and preserving their natural processes. The main objective of this paper is to consider the validity of current harvesting techniques applied to the mixed forest of Québec. The old-growth mixed forest naturally regenerates by gap dynamics. However, the harvesting technique most commonly used in the mixed forest is clearcutting, with the result that succession must start over from the beginning. A general forest succession model applicable after such large disturbances is proposed. The most positive estimate indicates that the mixed forest will not be re-established earlier than 250 years after clearcutting. To ensure sustainable development in the mixed forest, harvesting techniques should imitate natural regeneration processes.Key words: balsam fir-yellow birch stands, CPRS, gap dynamics, succession model, sustainability, sustainable development Le développement durable des forêts implique, entre autres, le maintien de la diversité des écosystèmes et la conservation de leurs processus naturels. L'objectif principal de cette étude était donc de discuter des techniques de récolte actuelles: sont-elles adaptées pour la forêt mixte au Québec? La forêt mature mixte se régénère naturellement par des petites ouvertures. Cependant, la technique de récolte qui est la plus communément utilisée en forêt mixte est la coupe à blanc. Le principal résultat est que la succession repart du début. Nous proposons donc un modèle général de succession forestière après d'aussi grandes perturbations. Notre estimation la plus positive indique que la forêt mixte ne sera pas de retour avant au moins 250 ans après la coupe à blanc. Afin d'assurer le développement durable dans la forêt mixte, les techniques de récolte devraient imiter son processus naturel de régénération.Mots clés: CPRS, développement durable, durabilité, dynamique par trouée, modèle de succession, sapinière à bouleau jaune

Effect of gap size, aspect and slope on available light and soil temperature after patch-selection cutting in yellow birch–conifer stands, Quebec, Canada

“…For mixedwood forests, gap-based silviculture is suggested as an approach to meet timber production objectives without compromising ecosystem management principles (Coates and Burton, 1997). Canopy gaps are considered to be major drivers in the natural disturbance dynamics of the Quebec temperate mixedwood forest (Archambault et al, 1998;Hébert, 2003). Gap size diversity contributes to maintaining the principal species in this forest type (Kneeshaw and Prévost, 2007).…”

A meta-analysis of the effects of wildfire, clearcutting, and partial harvest on the abundance of North American small mammals

“…Still, several researchers have pointed out considerable differences in ecological consequences of fire and logging (e.g. McRae et al, 2001;Hé bert, 2003;Schieck and Song, 2006;Bergeron et al, 2007;Thiffault et al, 2007).…”

Effect of cutting intensity on microenvironmental conditions and regeneration dynamics in yellow birch – conifer stands

“…In the mixedwood forest, the natural disturbance regime is dominated by the death of overmature trees, windthrow, and insect epidemics (Grondin et al 1996), which create small openings in the canopy, usually of less than 300 m 2 (Kneeshaw and Prévost 2007). These openings can often be as small as the area of a single tree crown (Hébert 2003). Although an irregular to uneven-aged forest structure can be naturally maintained, the classical selection cutting method is not well adapted to multispecies stands, which present a wide range of longevities and light requirements.…”