Reforestation is a subject vital to the economy of British Columbiawhich depends heavily on its forests -- a valuable but expendableresource. This book provides silviculturalists with a broad referenceto the science and technology of reforestation in the Canadian provincethat forms the single most diverse forest region in North America. Thework combines, for the first time, both experiences recorded frompractical reforestation projects and the results of scientificinvestigations.
The chapters of Regenerating British Columbia’s Forestswere compiled and reviewed by experts in each field of discussion.Topics include:
- the physiological bases for seedling vigour and the interaction ofreforestation with seedling physiology;
- the ecology of British Columbia’s bioclimatic zones and therole of ecological site classification;
- the application of financial analyses to reforestationdecisions;
- current technology in manual, mechanical, and chemical sitepreparation, and in the use of fire to prepare planting sites;
- recent progress in tree genetics and breeding and its relevance tothe 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 thereforestation process.
Regenerating British Columbia’s Forests will assistthose responsible for planning reforestation projects to reach informeddecisions and will challenge them to consider primarily the biologicalfactors basic to reforestation success rather than short-term costs andproduction technology. Although its main audience is practisingforesters and forestry students of British Columbia, the text will beof considerable interest to foresters in other parts of Canada, theUnited States, and Europe who manage reforestation.