Summary
Published in Canadian Journal of Forest Research 30: 59-66
Regeneration of first-cut strips in a two-cut system of strip clear-cutting was compared to that of large clear-cutting in four different areas representative of the black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) stands of the boreal forest of Québec. Seedlings were more evenly distributed in clearcut strips than in large clearcuts. Differences of about 10 000 black spruce seedlings per hectare and 20% of stocking were observed in favour of clearcut strips compared to large clearcuts. Black spruce stocking was about 14% larger on lowland than on upland sites but height growth was better on upland sites. A regeneration problem similar to that of large clearcuts was observed when the second strips were cut. One year after cutting these second strips, winter harvesting resulted in a 23% gain in black spruce stocking as compared to summer harvesting. Even if black spruce stocking marginally increased during the years following winter harvesting, the height advantage of the preserved advance growth justifies the application of this harvesting method. The strip clear-cutting system effectively improved the stocking of former black spruce stands but if the stocking level of advance growth is adequate, careful harvesting to preserve advance regeneration should be the preferred method since it would be more cost-efficient.
Sector(s):
Forests
Categorie(s):
Scientific Article
Theme(s):
Forestry Planning and Interventions, Forests, Silviculture
Author(s)
POTHIER, David
Year of publication :
2000
How to get the publication :
Keywords :
conifer, Picea mariana, black spruce, silvicultural regime, strip clear-cutting, regeneration, statistical analysis, Betula papyrifera, paper birch, first-cut strip, second-cut strip, boreal forest, sylviculture des forêts naturelles résineuses, silviculture and yield of natural forests - softwood stands, sylviculture et rendement des forêts naturelles - peuplements résineux
