BAKER RANGE UNIT
ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION
MANAGEMENT PLAN
prepared for:
THE GRAZING ENHANCEMENT FUND
BAKER RANGE PERMITTEES
by:
T.J. Ross, P.Ag.1
1 Ross Range and Reclamation Services
P.O. Box 283, Cranbrook, B.C., V1C 4H8
Executive Summary
The purpose of this document is to develop a strategic plan for the Baker Range Unit which implements the Kootenay Boundary Land Use Plan (KBLUP) guidelines for the restoration of dry, low elevation open forests and grasslands. Objectives, treatments, scheduling and monitoring are recommendations only; final stand level objectives will be defined at the prescription level.
Baker Range Unit lies east of the city of Cranbrook and is divided into 4 pastures; South Dry Lick, North Dry Lick, Lost and Baker. The range unit is approximately 2700 hectares, 2000 of which lie within the NDT4. Topography is defined primarily by morainal action, although glacio-fluvial and glacio-lacustrine deposits are also found, particularly in the lower elevations. Overlying loess deposits are common. There are numerous rock outcrops in the range unit. Elevation ranges between 840 and 1218 meters. The unit is located primarily within the Interior Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone, although the Ponderosa Pine zone is represented in the lower portion. Western larch, trembling aspen, lodgepole pine and white spruce are also present.
Most open range communities are described by 2 distinct grassland types. The bluebunch wheatgrass/needle-and-thread/prairie junegrass type is found on the driest, lowest sites. Most of this grassland type has been seeded to dryland domestic species such as crested wheatgrass, smooth bromegrass and alfalfa. In the open forest mesic sites are found on ridgetops and on southeast to southwest aspect slopes. They are dominated by rough fescue and Richardson’s needlegrass. Idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass, Douglas sedge, prairie junegrass, western needlegrass and Kentucky bluegrass are also found.
Domestic seedings are found in North Dry Lick and South Dry Lick pastures. Domestic grass species were found throughout the range unit, including the BC Hydro right-of-way. Crested wheatgrass was the most common domestic grass on the seedings. Slender wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, orchardgrass and smooth bromegrass were also found.
Open forest types exhibit a similar range of herbaceous and shrub vegetation to the open range type. Herbaceous vegetation in the open forest is dominated by the Richardson’s needlegrass/rough fescue/pinegrass type. On closed forest sites, a pinegrass/bearded wheatgrass/blue wildrye type is most prevalent. Redtop is found in moist micro-sites.
Pasture sage, stoneseed, lomatium, fleabanes, pussytoes, hairy goldaster, western yarrow, small-flowered penstemon, leafy aster and balsamroot are characteristic forbs. Domestic species include alfalfa and white sweetclover. Weedy forbs such as common mullein, bull thistle, diffuse knapweed, Dalmation toadflax and houndstongue were noted on the BC Hydro right-of-way and on the shoulders of the access roads.
Bitterbrush is present on all drier sites and those open forest sites with coarse textured soils. Other common shrubs are snowberry, juniper, saskatoon, rose and low Oregongrape. The presence of bitterbrush is likely the most important indicator in distinguishing open forest types.
Forest cover is 0-10% on OR sites and is primarily composed of ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir; western larch and trembling aspen are found occasionally. Forest ingrowth and encroachment is primarily confined to moist micro-sites and the margins of open range stratum. Forest cover is generally 11% to 40% in open forest stratum and is primarily composed of Douglas-fir although ponderosa pine, western larch and trembling aspen are common. Forest cover between layers varies among sites. The overstory cover may be as high as 30%, while the understory may be as high as 40% canopy cover. The understory is comprised almost entirely of Douglas-fir on some sites while others contain combinations of the above species. The regeneration layer provided up to 50% cover in some stratum. Douglas-fir appears to be the most common ingrowth/encroachment species, although ponderosa pine can be important on drier sites.
Treatment areas were prioritized based on: 1) the composition of the herbaceous and shrub layer; 2) the canopy cover of the regeneration layer; 3) whether overstory and understory removal are required; 4) site factors such as slope or aspect; 5) Site Index and 6) integration with livestock and wildlife management plans. Ecosystem restoration and monitoring should be conducted in a 20 year program. During the next 15 years, monitoring will determine the success of the initial treatment pass in meeting project objectives.
Partial-cutting is the main treatment for opening the forest canopy. Nearly complete removal of the juvenile layer should be considered. Open forest units rely on natural landscape features to shape stand characteristics rather than imposing equi-distant tree spacing. Distribution in these stratum emphasizes clumps of forest cover with voids.
Open range sites may be burned as is. Establishment of permanent fire-guards and open canopy forests will adapt the forest to the use of maintenance burns. A post-fire slash may be required in some stratum to promote access to forage and remove danger trees. Post-treatment management should maintain forest cover within proposed tree stocking ranges.
Following treatment, increased forage production can be expected, although this is determined by the degree of forest canopy removal and the pre-treatment composition of the understory. Future timber supply of sawlogs, post and rail material, and pulpwood is an important benefit. Low site indices exhibited by most polygons indicate that optimal timber production is likely best obtained by stocking accordingly.
Ungulate winter/spring range is an important objective of this plan. Most of the anticipated benefits to livestock production are also applicable to wild ungulates. Other wildlife species dependent on grasslands and open forests are also expected to benefit.
An operationally feasible and cost-effective monitoring program should accompany this ecosystem restoration program. Monitoring operations should be confined to forested types with dry and mesic moisture regimes.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary...... ii
Table of Contents...... iv
List of Tables...... v
List of Figures...... v
List of Appendices...... v
1.0 Introduction...... 1
1.1 Background...... 1
1.2 Objectives...... 2
1.3 Guiding Principles...... 2
2.0 Site Description...... 5
2.1 Landforms and Soils...... 5
2.2 Vegetation...... 7
2.3 Wildlife...... 7
2.4 Special Management Concerns...... 8
3.0 Methods...... 8
4.0 Results...... 8
4.1 Elevation, Slope and Aspect...... 8
4.2 Landforms and Soils...... 9
4.3 Vegetation...... 9
4.3.1 Open Range...... 9
4.3.2 Open Forest...... 10
4.4 Wildlife...... 11
4.5 Stratum Descriptions...... 11
5.0 Future Survey and Treatment Recommendations...... 17
5.1 Survey Recommendations...... 17
5.2 Treatment Recommendations...... 17
5.3 Treatment Scheduling...... 20
5.4 Anticipated Benefits...... 20
5.5 Monitoring Recommendations...... 24
6.0 Literature Cited...... 25
7.0 Appendices...... 27
List of Tables
Table 1. Kootenay/Boundary Fire-Maintained Ecosystem Restoration
Components and Targets...... 3
Table 2. Kootenay/Boundary Fire-Maintained Ecosystem (NDT4)
Management Guidelines...... 4
Table 3. Priority Areas and Recommended Treatments for the Baker
Range Unit...... 23
Table 4. Long-term Treatment Scheduling for the Baker Range Unit...... 27
List of Figures
Figure 1. Soils Map of Baker Range Unit ...... 6
List of Appendices
Appendix 1. Plant Species...... 35
Appendix 2. Stratum and Plant Communities at Baker Range Unit in
in December, 1998...... 39
Appendix 3. 1:20,000 Map of Baker Stratum
1.0 Introduction
The purpose of this document is to develop a strategic plan for the Baker Range Unit which implements the Kootenay Boundary Land Use Plan (KBLUP) guidelines for the restoration of dry, low elevation open forests and grasslands. The KBLUP proposes periodic entries of prescribed burning, thinning and partial cutting to maintain open forest conditions and rangeland values. The Implementation Strategy assigns responsibility for implementation of plans on shrublands, open grasslands and open forest to range tenure holders, user groups and funding agencies, in cooperation with the Ministries of Forests, Environment, and Agriculture and Food. This ecosystem management plan was initiated at the request of the Baker range permittee through funding from the Grazing Enhancement Fund. Objectives, treatments, scheduling and monitoring are recommendations only; final stand level objectives will be defined at the prescription level.
1.1 Background
Interior Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine forests are defined by the Forest Practices Code Biodiversity Guidebook as “characterized by frequent stand-maintaining fires” (NDT 4).
The historic fire return interval is estimated to be 4 to 50 years in the Ponderosa Pine and Interior Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zones (BC Ministry of Forests/BC Environment 1995). However, with the advent of wildfire suppression this interval has been extended so that it has been >60 years since the last major fires. These factors are exacerbated by:
1. topographic variability which has resulted in diverse forest structure,
2. Christmas tree harvest techniques leading to high-density Douglas-fir stands,
3. forest ingrowth and encroachment which cause forest openings and grasslands to decrease in size resulting in over-grazing on the remaining areas,
4. past forest harvesting did not emphasize stand-tending - resulting in the dominance of young to mid-age Douglas-fir,
5. over-stocked, under-age forests are susceptible to disease and insect infestations,
6. accumulation of woody debris which heightens the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
Forage production and forage quality has declined in over-stocked open forest types. Low light-tolerant species such as pinegrass predominate over species such as rough fescue which require higher levels of available light. This has the effect of decreasing the carrying capacity of the range unit.
To return to a more open forest canopy structure where fire can again be the primary maintenance force requires a combination of treatments:
· partial-cutting of the over-story and understory
· thinning, spacing and pruning
· clean-up burns and
· periodic maintenance burns
1.2 Objectives
The objectives of this ecosystem restoration plan are to:
1. Promote a higher proportion of open range and open forest within the NDT4,
2. Identify, based on slope, aspect, elevation, soils, landform and herbaceous vegetation, areas within the range unit where forest ingrowth and encroachment has resulted in the loss of open forest and open range,
3. Emphasize recovery of bunchgrasses and desirable shrubs,
4. Enhance wildlife habitat,
5. Improve livestock distribution and range condition,
6. Generate timber products,
7. Favour production of large-diameter ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and western larch,
8. Identify Old Growth sites and improve the visual aesthetics of the forest,
9. Reduce the risk of disease and insect infestations and catastrophic wildfire.
1.3 Guiding Principles
The following principles were used to define sites and schedule treatments:
a) The Kootenay/Boundary Fire-Maintained Ecosystem Restoration Components and Targets (Table 1) and the KBLUP Fire-Maintained Ecosystem (NDT4) Management Guidelines (Table 2) provide definitions for areas to be managed under each of the 4 ecosystem component types,
b) Slope, aspect, elevation, soil and landform conditions will dictate the distribution of these ecosystem component types, rather than imposing a pre-set distribution.
The target levels for each component will be considered for the NDT4 within the entire Cranbrook Forest District,
c) Current levels of crown closure would be the maximum allowable over time,
d) Stand tending activities and timber harvest will be used to capture existing volume and to avoid wasting under-size material,
e) Prescribed fire will be introduced in these ecosystems to maintain desired crown closure, control regeneration levels, invigorate grasses and shrubs, and to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire,
f) Range and timber tenure holders will be consulted during the development of the strategy.
Table 1. Kootenay/Boundary Fire-Maintained Ecosystem Restoration Components and Targets (based on 340,000 ha. NDT4).
Ecosystem Component / IntendedCharacteristics / % of
Maximum
Timber
Benefits / % of
Maximum
Forage
Benefits / Current
Distribution
of Crown
NDT (1992) / Initial Target Ha
%
(range) / Final
Target Ha
%
(range)
Shrublands / Non-productive
forest, wetlands
and brush / 0 / 100 / 18,000
5% / 18,000
5% / 18,000
5%
Open Range / Open grassland, forb and shrub
managed by natural processes / 10
(0-20) / 90
(80-100) / 34,000
10% / 51,000
15%
(12-18%) / 78,000
23%
(20-26%)
Open
Forest / Lands with
significant
range and timber values / 50
(40-60) / 50
(40-60) / 288,000
85%
mostly
overstocked / 131,000
39%
(34-44%) / 105,000
31%
(26-36%)
Managed
Forest / Lands providing
range values for 10-20 years during timber regeneration.
Ungulate security and
snow interception / 90
(80-100) / 10
(0-20) / 288,000
85%
mostly
overstocked / 140,000
41%
(36-46%) / 140,000
41%
(36-46%)
Source: KBLUP Implementation Strategy, June, 1997.
Table 2. Kootenay/Boundary Fire-Maintained Ecosystem Management Guidelines.
Ecosystem Component / ManagementSystem / Target
Stocking
(sph) / Minimum
Stocking
(sph) / Maximum
Stocking
(sph) / Free-
Growing
Window / Crown
Closure
Shrublands / Inventory
Periodic burns / n/a / n/a / n/a / n/a / n/a
Open Range / Harvest
Burn
Thin
Enhance existing or potential bunchgrass sites / 20 of the
largest 1/3
of existing
diameter range / 0 / 75 / 2-5 years / 10%
max.
Open
Forest / Burn
Thin
Partial-cutting
Maintain open
forest conditions and
rangeland values / 250
(50 of the
largest 1/3
of existing
diameter range plus
200 well-spaced) / 76
(30 of the
largest 1/3
of existing
diameter range plus
46 well-spaced) / 400 / 2-5 years / 40%
max.
Managed
Forest / Rotational harvest
Clear-cut
Light overstory
shelterwood
Manage for
timber, 20 years
interim range / 1000 / 400-700 / 5,000 / 12-20 years / 80%
max.
Source: KBLUP Implementation Strategy, June, 1997.
Note: selected material only included here.
2.0 Site Description
Baker Range Unit lies east of the city of Cranbrook. It is bounded by Highway #3 to the north, private land to the west and east and by the 1218 m. (4000’) contour to the south. The BC Hydro right-of-way bisects the unit. The unit is divided into 4 pastures; South Dry Lick, North Dry Lick, Lost and Baker. The range unit is approximately 2700 hectares, 2000 of which lie within the NDT4. There is 1 range permittee. Timber harvest is administered by the Small Business Enterprise Program. No significant resource extraction activities occur in the range unit.
2.1 Landforms and Soils
Baker Range Unit lies within the Rocky Mountain Trench physiographic region (Holland 1976). Topography is defined primarily by morainal action, although glacio-fluvial and glacio-lacustrine deposits are also found, particularly in the lower elevations Overlying loess deposits are common (Lacelle 1990). There are numerous rock outcrops in the range unit. Elevation ranges between 840 and 1218 meters.