Forest Management Surveys - British Columbia · Forest Management Surveys ... The survival survey data indicates poor stock performance for Trembling aspen, ... the field assessment

Survival Survey June 16, 2006 (Assessment Town Creek Native Species Plant) Page 1

Forest Management Surveys 461 Marshall Road Merritt, BC V1K 1N5 Office: (250) 378-2494 Email: [email protected]

SURVIVAL SURVEY SUMMARY 1.0 Introduction This Survival Summary is intended to provide information on the survival of eight native species planted in the Town Creek watershed in Lillooet, B.C. in October of 2005. The planting project is described in the original report1, with planting conducted October 13 to 15, 2005. This summary provides survival information collected during a field review conducted June 16, 2006. The original report provides detail on the planting prescription, site information, stock handling, post-planting species composition, and mapping. Table 1 provides specific planting site details from that report. Table 2 summarizes the provenance, stock size, and quantity of the eight deciduous species planted. TABLE 1 Treatment Unit latitude, longitude, elevation, biogeoclimatic subzone, site series, slope, and

aspect. Planting

Unit Area (ha)

Latitude Longitude Elevation Range (m)

BGC Subzone

BGC Site

Series

Slope Range

Aspect

TU 1 0.4 50º 43´ 120º 00´ 1420-1450 MSxk 06 (09) 5-70% E to SE TU 2 1.7 50º 43´ 120º 00´ 1480-1570 MSxk 05 (09) 10-70% SE TABLE 2 Provenance, stock size, and quantity of the eight selected native species.

Species Latitude Longitude Elev. (m)

BGC Zone

Stock Size # of Seedlings Planted

Sitka alder 50º 17´ 120º 55´ 1372 IDFdk1 340 ml 200Wolf willow 50º 12´ 120º 55´ 518 PPxh2 170 ml 200Rose 49º 52´ 120º 55´ 1036 IDFdk2 340 ml 450Red osier dogwood 49º 52´ 120º 55´ 1036 IDFdk2 340 ml 500Cottonwood 49º 45´ 121º 00´ 1128 IDFdk2 340 ml 500Trembling aspen * 105 ml 750Douglas maple 50º 19´ 121º 03´ 884 IDFxh2 340 ml 750Salix 50º 30´ 121º 00´ 1433 MSxk 170 ml 1200 Total Stock: 4550 * Aspen seed was purchased from the Native Seed Foundation, Moyle Springs, ID, USA ** Plug measurements – 340 ml (6 x 15 cm), 170 ml (4.5 x 15 cm), 105 ml (3.5 x 15 cm)

1. Town Creek Watershed Native Species Plant October, 2005 dated November 30, 2005 prepared by I. Davis, RPF and C. Laursen, RFT.


Section 5 of the original report provides a description of the Control Plot and 3.99 m radius circular Survival Plot establishment; plot locations are marked on the project map in Appendix B of the report. The original report is intended as the detailed reference. 2.0 Plot Survival Assessment On June 16, 2006 a survival assessment (first spring after fall planting) was conducted on both the control plot and the circular survival plots established in October 2005. 2.1 Control Plot Results Each species planted, with the exception of red osier dogwood, was represented by 10 seedlings. Table 3 outlines the qualitative and quantitative results of the assessment. Field cards dated October 14, 2005 and June 16, 2006 are attached in Appendix 1. TABLE 3 Control Plot Survival results by species, survival check June 16, 2006. Each species

represented by 10 seedlings (i.e. 7 good = 70% good).

Line Species Dead Poor Fair Fair/ Good

Good Excellent % Survival by Species

1 Rose 3 7 100 2 Cottonwood 1 2 7 100 3 Trembling aspen 4 3 1 2 100 4 Wolf willow 5 4 1 100 5 Douglas maple 10 100 6 Salix 3 1 4 2 70 7 Sitka alder 1 3 6 90*

Total: 4 6 17 5 22 16 Overall Percentages: 6% 9% 24% 7% 31% 23%

*Note: Following the establishment of the Control Plot, the planter’s used a stump located at the Point of Commencement (PoC) for Line 7 as a central meeting location and to “bag-up”. It is likely that the first Sitka alder plant located near the base of the stump was trampled due to this activity; although indicated by a planting screef this seedling, counted as dead, was not located. 2.2 Circular Survival Plot Results Two 3.99 m circular survival plots were established in Treatment Unit 1; four 3.99m circular plots were established Treatment Unit 2. The following table provides a compilation of all six survival plots.


TABLE 4 Condition of all seedlings sampled in 3.99 m radius circular survival plots (TU 1 and 2).

Species Dead Poor Fair Fair/ Good

Good Excellent # in Sample

% Survival

by Species

Rose 1 1 100 Cottonwood 6 1 7 100 Trembling aspen 8 4 12 100 Wolf willow 1 3 4 100 Douglas maple 3 5 1 9 100 Salix 2 4 8 5 8 27 93 Sitka alder 1 1 1 4 1 8 88 Red osier dogwood 2 3 5 100

Total: 3 19 17 8 24 2 73 Overall Percentages: 4% 26% 23% 11% 33% 3%

During collection of data on June 16, 2006 it was noted that three errors in plant identification had been made in the initial survey assessment due to a lack of foliage at the time of the survival plot establishment; the required changes have been noted on the field note cards attached for Unit 2 Plot 1 and Plot 2. One Rose seedling was captured in plot data; coding was corrected to “Ro” for rose species. Individual survival plot information for each of the 3.99 meter circular plots is summarized in Appendix 2. Survival Survey field cards dated October 15, 2005 and field notes dated June 16, 2006 can be found in Appendix 3 for Treatment Unit 1 and Appendix 4 for Treatment Unit 2. Survival plot photographs for Treatment Unit 2 are located in Appendix 5. 3.0 Discussion of Observed Results The eight species used in the planting project were Douglas maple (Acer glabrum), black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera spp.), red osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), rose (Rosa spp.), wolf willow (Elaeagnus commutata), Trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides), willow (Salix spp.) and Sitka alder (Alnus sitchensis). The 1st year spring survival assessment indicates a 96% survival rate for the 4,550 seedling planted. Treatment Unit 1 was planted with a mixture of Sitka alder (5%), cottonwood (10%), red osier dogwood (10%), Douglas maple (35%), and Salix (40%). Planting of red osier dogwood was restricted to the creek draw and associated riparian area. Results of the two circular plots established in this unit indicate a survival rate of 93%. Treatment Unit 2 was planted with a mixture of Sitka alder (4%), wolf willow (7%), Douglas maple (8%), red osier dogwood (11%), cottonwood (11%), rose (14%), Salix (20%), and Trembling aspen (24%). Planting of red osier dogwood was restricted to the creek draw and associated riparian areas. Results of the four circular plots established in Treatment Unit 2 indicate a survival rate of 98%.


With the exception of the Salix (70% survival), high survival rates were also noted in the Control Plot. The 90% survival rate indicated for the Sitka alder is possibly due to the mortality of one seedling caused by planter activity (trampling) shortly after plot establishment. A 100% survival rate was noted for the remaining species sampled. The survival survey data indicates poor stock performance for Trembling aspen, varied performance for the cottonwood and Salix, and generally fair to fair/good stock performance for the wolf willow. The majority of stems in the remaining species (Douglas maple, red osier dogwood, rose, and Sitka alder) were observed to be in good to excellent condition. The Control Plot data for the Salix indicates a 30% mortality rate; the circular plot summary notes a 7% mortality rate, with 44% of remaining stock in poor to fair condition. As air pockets and loose stems were noted for the Salix stock in both the Control Plot and in the circular sample plots (Treatment Unit 1 Plot 1 and Treatment Unit 2 Plot 4) it appears the problem may be related to stock failure rather than a planting fault(s). Poor performance of the aspen stock is consistent in both the Control Plot and circular Survival Plot data. The circular plot data indicates 100% of this stock is in poor to fair condition; Control Plot data notes 70% poor to fair, 10% fair to good, and 20% good. As the aspen seed was not sourced locally the poor performance of the Trembling aspen may be due to provenance; further information on the seed origin has been requested for this stock. The poor results for the cottonwood summarized in the 3.99 m circular Survival Plot sampling (86% poor, 14% good) is not reflected in the Control Plot data (30% poor to fair, 70% good). The following table summarizes the ratio of stock recorded in “Good” to “Excellent” condition (Category A) and stock recorded as “Dead”, “Fair”, or “Fair to Good” condition (Category B). Data has been compiled by Control Plot, 3.99 m circular Survival Plot, and combined total of both samples. TABLE 5 Ratio of “good” to “excellent” condition (Category A) vs “dead”, “fair”, or “fair-good”

(Category B) compiled by species in Control Plot, Survival Plots, and combined sample. i.e.) Ratio 5:1 = 5 “good to excellent” stems for every one “dead, fair, or fair-good”.

Control Plot 3.99m Circular Plots Total Sample

Species A B Ratio A:B

A B Ratio A:B

A B Ratio A:B

Douglas maple 10 0 - 6 3 2:1 16 3 5.3:1 Sitka alder 9 1 9:1 5 3 1.7:1 14 4 3.5:1 Rose 7 3 2.3:1 0 1 - 7 4 1.8:1 Red osier dogwood - - - 3 2 1.5:1 3 2 1.5:1 Cottonwood 7 3 2.3:1 1 6 0.2:1 8 9 0.9:1 Wolf willow 1 9 0.1:1 3 1 3:1 4 10 0.4:1 Salix 2 8 0.3:1 8 19 0.4:1 10 27 0.4:1 Trembling aspen 2 8 0.3:1 0 12 - 2 20 0.1:1

Total stems: 38 32 26 47 64 79


4.0 Summary The initial survival data indicates the highest overall performance (on this site) will be achieved by the Douglas maple and Sitka alder species. The current assessment indicates a high rate of mortality is expected for the Trembling aspen seedlings (750 stems planted); further information on the origin and provenance of this stock has been requested. Variable results are indicated for the Salix, cottonwood, and wolf willow stock; further monitoring is recommended to determine the longer-term outcomes. In this report, as the survival data is providing relatively new “baseline” information on native species planting, the field assessment of stock condition and the data compilation has erred on the side of caution. The overall assessment of stock condition from the Control Plot and 3.99m circular sample plots indicate 5% mortality, 17% poor, 24% fair, 9% fair/good, 32% good, and 13% excellent. In total 143 stems were sampled, equivalent to a 3% sampling of the 4,550 stems planted. Photographs located in Appendix 6 depict six species noted in good condition. Overall pest incidence on site was low; <4% browse was indicated in sample plots (2 Douglas maple and 4 Salix stems browsed); vegetation competition at the time of the assessment was low to nil. Daily precipitation records covering the timeframe from September 1, 2005 to June 20, 2006 (per. com. Michael Bensen, Lillooet Fire Zone) and a summary spreadsheet of historical average monthly precipitation (per. com. Gerald Smith, Kamloops Fire Center) are available through Forest Management Surveys, if required for future reference. 5.0 Recommendations A “one year” field review and survival check is recommended for the Fall of 2006, prior to leaf drop. Based on local climatic records this should be carried out no later than early September. The survival plot center stakes should be re-painted and re-flagged at that time. A second year survival check in the Spring of 2007 is also recommended. During the Fall 2006 field review, photographs taken at the time of the initial plot establishment can be re-created in order to provide a “photopoint” reference. Additional Survival Plot photographs have been attached to this summary. As noted in the Town Creek Watershed Effectiveness Monitoring report prepared by GGEM Consultants Ltd., the establishment of plots in a “control” area, and the assessment of cover in the established plots in order to provide a comparison of vegetation cover between treated and untreated ground is also recommended.

Appendix 1 FS 844 Control Plot at establishment October 14, 2005 and Control Plot Field Notes Survival Check June 16, 2006.


Control Plot Established in Unit 2 (7 Staked Lines) Photograph October 14, 2005 POC = NE corner Unit 2 boundary; bearing 200 degrees for 49 meters to Control Plot

Appendix 1 FS 844 Control Plot at establishment October 14, 2005 and Control Plot Field Notes Survival Check June 16, 2006.


Control Plot Field Cards Survival Check June 16, 2006

Appendix 2 Treatment Unit 1 and 2 individual 3.99 m circular Survival Plot data complied from June 16, 2006 Survival Check field notes.


Treatment Unit 1 3.99 m Circular Survival Plots Species in Plot 1 Dead Poor Fair Fair/Good Good Excellent Total Douglas maple 1 1 Cottonwood 6 6 Salix 1 3 3 7

Total: 1 9 3 1 14 Species in Plot 2 Dead Poor Fair Fair/Good Good Excellent Total Douglas maple 2 1 3 Sitka alder 1 1 1 2 5 Salix 1 2 3 6

Total: 1 1 4 2 6 14 Treatment Unit 2 3.99 m Circular Survival Plots Species in Plot 1 Dead Poor Fair Fair/Good Good Excellent Total Trembling aspen 3 3 6 Salix 2 3 5

Total: 3 5 3 11 Note: At the time of initial plot establishment one stem was misidentified as Trembling aspen (yellow stem misidentified as no foliage was present); this code has been corrected to Salix species. Species in Plot 2 Dead Poor Fair Fair/Good Good Excellent Total Douglas maple 2 1 3 Red osier dogwood 2 3 5 Cottonwood 1 1 Trembling aspen 1 1 Salix 1 1

Total: 1 2 7 1 11 Note: At the time of initial plot establishment two stems were misidentified as red osier dogwood (red stem misidentified as no foliage was present); this code has been corrected to Douglas maple. Species in Plot 3 Dead Poor Fair Fair/Good Good Excellent Total Douglas maple 1 1 2 Sitka alder 2 1 3 Trembling aspen 2 1 3 Rose 1 1 Salix 1 1 1 3

Total: 3 4 4 1 12 Note: Code “R” corrected to “Ro” for Rose species. Species in Plot 4 Dead Poor Fair Fair/Good Good Excellent Total Wolf willow 1 3 4 Trembling aspen 2 2 Salix 1 1 3 5

Total: 1 2 1 1 6 11

Appendix 3 Treatment Unit 1 FS 707 Circular Survival Plot establishment October 15, 2005, Field Notes Survival Check June 16, 2006.


Treatment Unit 1 Survival Survey 3.99m Circular Plots established October 15, 2005

Treatment Unit 1 Field Cards Survival Check June 16, 2006



Treatment Unit 2 Survival Survey 3.99 m Circular Plots established October 15, 2005





June 16, 2006 Survival Assessment FS 707 Plot Card (* see notes, four codes corrected)

Appendix 5 Treatment Unit 2 photographs Plot 1 to Plot 4; circular Survival Plots at establishment October 15, 2005.


Treatment Unit 2 Plot 1. Circular Survival Plot Photograph October 15, 2005


Appendix 5 Treatment Unit 2 photographs Plot 1 to Plot 4; circular Survival Plots at establishment October 15, 2005.



Treatment Unit 2 Plot 4. Circular Survival Plot Photograph October 15, 2005 Note: Due to camera problems, a plot reference photograph for Treatment Unit 1 Plot 1 is not available; a poorer quality reference photograph is available for Treatment Unit 1 Plot 2.

Appendix 6 Survival Check June 16, 2006 photographs depicting “good” stock condition.


Salix – good condition Douglas maple – good condition

Red osier dogwood – good condition Sitka alder – good condition

Appendix 6 Survival Check June 16, 2006 photographs depicting “good” stock condition.


Wolf willow – good condition Rose – good condition

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Forest Management Surveys - British Columbia · Forest Management Surveys ... The survival survey data indicates poor stock performance for Trembling aspen, ... the field assessment