Reforestation is a subject vital to the economy of British Columbia which depends heavily on its forests -- a valuable but expendable resource. This book provides silviculturalists with a broad reference to the science and technology of reforestation in the Canadian province that forms the single most diverse forest region in North America. The work combines, for the first time, both experiences recorded from practical reforestation projects and the results of scientific investigations.
The chapters of Regenerating British Columbia's Forests were compiled and reviewed by experts in each field of discussion. Topics include:
- the physiological bases for seedling vigour and the interaction of reforestation with seedling physiology;
- the ecology of British Columbia's bioclimatic zones and the role of ecological site classification;
- the application of financial analyses to reforestation decisions;
- current technology in manual, mechanical, and chemical site preparation, and in the use of fire to prepare planting sites;
- recent progress in tree genetics and breeding and its relevance to the production of tree propagules;
- nursery technology;
- methodology in planting evaluation;
- techniques of plantation release; and
- the role of insects, disease, and small mammals and birds in the reforestation process.
Regenerating British Columbia's Forests will assist those responsible for planning reforestation projects to reach informed decisions and will challenge them to consider primarily the biological factors basic to reforestation success rather than short-term costs and production technology. Although its main audience is practising foresters and forestry students of British Columbia, the text will be of considerable interest to foresters in other parts of Canada, the United States, and Europe who manage reforestation.