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Kamloops WL-1601 - Research Project

Location
Kamloops, BC
disturbance
Wildfire in 2021
Application year
2022
hectares
30
Species
Douglas-fir, Lodgepole pine, Hybrid spruce, Western larch
seed pods used
seeding density
target pod:tree ratio
target stocking
1,400
target trees
41,720
assessment year
2023 & 2024
achieved stocking
923
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Project Overview

Flash Forest partnered with a private landowner on an Interior Douglas-fir BEC zone near Kamloops, which experienced a high-severity burn followed by two consecutive dry summers and a high amount of cattle damage.

Flagged Transect Summary (Permanent Plot)

In the first year, seven plots of flagged rows were distributed across WL1601 with pods planted directly adjacent to flags. These permanent plots allowed us to assess early germination rates in a south-facing block, as well as test the performance of embedded vs dropped pods and the relative success of the planted species. We used a sampling density of roughly 1 plot / 3 hectares for this site.

Circular Plot Summary (Temporary Plot)

In the second year, zero circular plots were distributed at this site due to the impact of grazing cattle. Our team learned that livestock were allowed to access this site shortly after it was planted, and when the team returned in the fall, many of the permanent plot flags and seedlings had been damaged by trampling. This compromised the data, and after conversations with the landowner it was determined that no further plots (including permanent circular plots) should be established until the cattle issue is addressed.

Findings: Permanent Plot Assessments at Year 1 & Year 2

This data summary is distinct from most sites because no circular plots (temporary) were established here. To calculate seedling counts, the team counted seedlings at undisturbed flagged transects and estimated total seedlings based on those survival rates. For example, if the flagged rows showed 7% of seedlings surviving, we assumed that held true for the rest of the site

Flag-Transect Assessment - Seedlings (entire site)

Summer 2022 - 46,447

Fall 2022 - 22,106

Fall 2023 - 27,507

Average Stems Per Hectare - 923

Species Mix (Year 1 permanent plots)

Douglas Fir - 89.5%

Hybrid Spruce - 4%

Western Larch - 2.5%

Lodgepole Pine - 4%

Takeaways

  1. Permanent plots showed low-to-average germination rates in the first 3 months.
  2. South exposure and hot conditions at the site resulted in lower germination in the first three months. Notably, the pods that did germinate at this site were some of the largest and fastest growing of any sites planted, likely due to insolation.
  3. Between the mid-summer and late fall assessment in year 1, 52% of early germinants died. It is impossible to determine which died as a result of environmental conditions and which were due to livestock, though every attempt was made to remove cattle-impacted stands from the data set.
  4. Fortunately, there was no additional mortality between fall 2022 and fall 2023. Surprisingly, a 20% increase in seedlings occurred in the second year, indicating that many pods waited until weather conditions were ideal for germination.
  5. The flag-transect estimates indicated that the site was slightly understocked by the end of year 2. This was partially due to cattle damage, and Flash Forest responded by planting additional seedlings at other sites in 2023 to honor tree commitments to clients.
  6. Any sites with cattle or livestock grazing will be excluded from future operations unless fenced.
  7. This site was also too dry and hot for commercial operations and would be deprioritized for drone planting in the future.

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