9:00 am - 10:00 am
South Academic Building (SAB) 150, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB
Event details: A graduate exam seminar is a presentation of the student’s final research project for their degree.
This is an ALES MSc Final Exam Seminar by Ethan Ramsfield. This seminar is open to the general public to attend.
MSc with Dr. Brad Pinno
Zoom Link: https://ualberta-ca.zoom.us/j/91862865074?pwd=q4Sg4hba7Dq94qwblkdLGJWdU9ayDA.1
Thesis Topic: Silvicultural intensification and the impact on structural diversity in regenerating Canadian boreal
mixedwoods
Abstract:
Silvicultural intensification is being implemented across the boreal forest to increase timber productivity but there are concerns about reducing the complexity and heterogeneity of stands, with few studies examining this in boreal mixedwoods. To investigate this, 20th year post-harvest data from the Timmins, ON NEBIE site (Natural, Extensive, Basic, Intensive, and Elite, referring to an increasing gradient of silvicultural intensity) were used. Results suggest that all treatments were effective at creating stands with multiple species. Basic had the highest tree species diversity and Extensive had the lowest. Basal area and densities were similar in treated stands, although how it is distributed between tree species and sizes was different. Examining the spatial arrangement, all treatments showed an aggregated arrangement of trees and Elite was best at creating an intimate mixture of broadleaf and coniferous species. Overall, as the intensity of silviculture increased structural diversity did not decrease.
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