Microclimate studies in Mountain pine beetle--damaged silvicultural systems on the Chilcotin Plateau : the Itcha-Ilgachuz Project (1997-2013)

Summary: The Itcha-Ilgachuz research project on the Chilcotin Plateau in central Britsh Columbia was established in 1994 to test whether silvicultural systems based on partial cutting with extended cutting cycles would reduce the effects of forest harvesting on forage lichens. In our study, the continuum of changing microclimate conditions during the 16-year period since the openings were created in the partial cut blocks is examined within the context of human-made and natural disturbances. The objectives of this study were to: 1) compare the key environmental variables between blocks (elevational effect) and treatments (clearcut and irregular group shelterwood with whole-tree harvesting partial cut), and between microsites within partial cut openings (north and south edges and centre); and 2) examine temporal changes occurring to environmental variables in the context of the changing biological environment.