Fish Forestry Interaction

Prince George S4 Stream Project
Cultus Lake Analytical Chemistry Support

Prince George Riparian Buffers Project

This project is a comprehensive, long-term study of natural riparian and stream functions and the effects of forestry on small streams in the Prince George Forest District. It will provide essential scientific information on the impacts of forestry activities on small fish-bearing and headwater streams and the importance of riparian buffers for protecting small-stream fish habitat. This project meets the needs of Habitat Management to assess the impacts of forestry on small fish-bearing streams and to guide habitat managers in applying best management practices to forestry planning along small streams and in headwater drainages. Streams are being studied for physical and thermal characteristics, stream productivity and organic matter dynamics, downstream export to fish-bearing waters, and fish distributions and growth parameters. The project is largely funded by the Provincial Forest Innovation Investment research fund.

Data from the project will improve our understanding of the natural ecological functioning of small streams and the impacts of forestry on downstream fish habitat in the central interior of BC. This knowledge is required by Habitat Management to guide them in managing the effects of forestry on fish habitat. There is currently no consensus on the importance of riparian protection in headwater streams for downstream fish habitat.

Five years of pre-harvest and post-harvest field data have been collected for three geographically distinct study sites in the sub-boreal forests of the BC central interior. The Bowron study site was harvested in the winter of 2002/03, the Chuchinka study site was harvested in the summer of 2003 and the Tagai study site was harvested in the spring/summer of 2004. Preliminary reports were made to Forest Innovation Investment documenting natural variability in stream functions and the preliminary harvesting impacts on stream and riparian functions. Severtal courses for forest industry and resource management professionals on the natural ecology and riparian management of small streams have been given in Prince George. In 2006/07, final reports and primary papers will be completed to provide scientific advice to resolve the issue of riparian management on small interior streams.

Cultus Lake Analytical Chemistry Support

Project Leader: Erland MacIsaac, SFU

This project provides research-grade analytical chemistry support for a variety of freshwater research projects including effects of forest harvesting on small-stream fish habitat, the productive capacity of sockeye nursery lakes, lake enrichment for sockeye salmon enhancement, effects of hydroelectric flow management on river productivity, oligotrophication effects of reduced salmon-derived nutrients and other habitat impacts. Specializes in low-level nutrient and other analyses not available from private sector labs. Analysis of water quality, nutrient chemistry, and biological samples is a requirement for any sockeye nursery lake targeted for fertilization and for projects assessing impacts on habitat productivity.

Analytical chemistry support for research and assessment projects conducted by SAFE Division staff & external partners. Data are provided to project leaders. Approximately 6-8 projects will require analytical support in 2006/07.