Event Title
Bowron River Watershed: a landscape level assessment of post-beetle change in stream riparian function
Description
In 1975, a spruce bark beetle infestation spread throughout the Bowron River watershed. The province of British Columbia initiated accelerated harvesting in an attempt to control the spread of the beetle, reduce the fire hazard and salvage all merchantable timber. The similarities between that outbreak and the current mountain pine beetle infestation allows for a unique learning experience. Ministry of Forests Research (2007) used the Routine Riparian Effectiveness Evaluation, designed in 2004 by the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, to assess the current condition of streams and riparian areas in seventy streams within the watershed. Results from these findings were used to identify best management practices that protect stream and riparian functions in mountain pine beetle infested areas. Information collected from streams and riparian areas within the Bowron, combined with research in other watersheds, will be used to develop a model that predicts a site's sensitivity to impact.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
8-3-2008 8:00 AM
Subject - LCSH
Bark beetles--Control--British Columbia--Bowron River Watershed; Riparian areas--British Columbia--Bowron River Watershed--Management; Rivers--British Columbia--Bowron River Watershed--Management;
End Date
8-3-2008 5:00 PM
Session
Ecological Analysis and Restoration
Genre/Form
abstracts (summaries)
Type
event
Geographic Coverage
Bowron River Watershed (B.C.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Keywords
Bowron, beetles, streams, riparian, condition
Bowron River Watershed: a landscape level assessment of post-beetle change in stream riparian function
In 1975, a spruce bark beetle infestation spread throughout the Bowron River watershed. The province of British Columbia initiated accelerated harvesting in an attempt to control the spread of the beetle, reduce the fire hazard and salvage all merchantable timber. The similarities between that outbreak and the current mountain pine beetle infestation allows for a unique learning experience. Ministry of Forests Research (2007) used the Routine Riparian Effectiveness Evaluation, designed in 2004 by the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, to assess the current condition of streams and riparian areas in seventy streams within the watershed. Results from these findings were used to identify best management practices that protect stream and riparian functions in mountain pine beetle infested areas. Information collected from streams and riparian areas within the Bowron, combined with research in other watersheds, will be used to develop a model that predicts a site's sensitivity to impact.