| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
A Five Stage Framework was developed to guide ecological restoration from strategic through to operational planning. The framework takes a ď“science-first and peopleĒ”, holistic landscape/watershed approach that starts with the potential values to restore, and includes ecological and investment risk assessments. The five stages are: 1. Risk Assessment and General Locationóto determine the high priority ecological values and landscapes/watersheds to focus attention to. 2. Locate Ecological Values Important to Peopleóto maximize the overlap of the high ecological values and general locations identified in Stage 1 with the values and specific locations of importance to people. 3. Assess Investmentsóto determine the costs and benefits, investment risks (e.g., known techniques, security of investments) and alternatives to achieve the desired outcomes. 4. Operations and Budget Planningóto align, co-ordinate, link with and develop and capitalize on synergies with other partners, programs, budgets and activities. 5. Adaptive Management and Policy Adjustmentóto ensure explicit continuous improvement adaptations and performance indicators are documented and incorporated within a pre-determined planning cycle. Ecological issues are best addressed with preventative approaches. Restoration is a relatively new and integrative science, with not fully tested or known techniques; hence a science-first continuous improvement framework that incorporates adaptive management is key. Mountain pine beetle (MPB) infestations are extensively altering landscapes and watersheds in the BC interior, bringing significant uncertainties and implications for a variety of ecological values, and the people that they benefit. MPB impacts are cumulative to other human impacts (forest harvesting and other activities) and climate-change effects. In the Northern Interior Region (Omenica and Skeena MOE Regions), MPB-related impacts to ecological values were identified where restoration activities may be warranted: Domestic water sources (watershed hydrology) óPotential restoration includes planting pine stands that will not be salvage harvested, as well as preventative approaches related to salvage harvesting. Fish habitat and aquatic values (watershed hydrology)óImpacts related to potential increased peak flows, temperature increases, and large woody debris pulses and deficits over time. Planting unsalvaged pine stands is the primary response, in addition to preventative approaches related to salvage harvesting. Access - Restore non-status roads (includes culvert replacement), and manage current access impacts through coordinated access management. Riparian and other sensitive habitatsóissues related to increased cattle access through loss of natural range barriers. Preventative approaches will be most effective and will require coordination with range managers. Where impacts exist or are imminent, fencing prior to a restoration treatment is an approach. Caribou winter rangeóparticularly lichen supply and barriers to movement caused by downed pine. Restoration potential is uncertain and monitoring and research is required. Old growth forests across the landscapesórestoration can occur in spatially-located Old Growth Management Areas (OGMAs) that contain affected pine, i.e. thinning to speed up development of old forest characteristics. To ensure appropriate old growth forests are retained and/or treated, identify OGMAs where they are not spatially located, then assess restoration opportunities. Preventative approaches through best management practices are the most effective way to ensure old growth structure is maintained on the landscape. Mule deer winter rangeóassess the extent of pine within these ranges. Likely restoration actions include planting Douglas-fir where ecologically appropriate. Habitatóinvasive plants may be spread through MPB-related increased access for cattle and humans. An ongoing high priority restoration issue is removal of Marsh Plume Thistle. Identify and assess high priority areas and opportunities for effective treatment. This list provides a recommended Regional Science and Strategic Planning Committee with a starting point for the development annually updated five year Regional Strategic Restoration Plans, using the Five Stage Framework. |
