|
Claybelt Knowledge Synthesis Project The Great Claybelt is actually the remnant of a post glacial lake that is characterized by glaciolacustrine clay deposits, lowlands with poor drainage, flat topography, accumulated organic matter, and black spruce as the dominant tree species. It is part of the boreal forest region, covering a large area from Northeastern Ontario through Northwestern Quebec. The Claybelt is very unique in terms of its ecosystem characteristics, with high sensitivity to disturbance, thus requiring specialized study and consideration for effective and sustainable forest management planning. The Lake Abitibi Model Forest is completely located in the Great Claybelt. Given this intrinsic importance, the Claybelt Synthesis Project attempted to collate and organize detailed background information, and to provide a general indication and direction for the establishment of best management practices on the Claybelt forest. Its ultimate goal has been the attainment of state of the art claybelt ecosystem knowledge that can be applied in forestry operations, and that will contribute to the achievement of sustainable forest management. The Claybelt Synthesis Project included components that examined landscape-level research with respect to natural disturbance, forest dynamics, and biological diversity, as well as stand-level research that examined ecological processes and stand growth and development. The project also looked at the impacts of specific forestry practices on claybelt ecosystems. The project originally set out to deliver on the following commitments: Knowledge Synthesis Publication Although the final publication was delayed into January 2004, the Knowledge Synthesis Publication has already been hailed as a major achievement and milestone for the Lake Abitibi Model Forest. The document consolidates over 680 references of relevant claybelt forestry research and management experience from a number of claybelt organizations, drawing upon published literature, non-published reports, and expert opinion. Many experienced writers and editors have been involved in bringing the publication to its full potential. In the spirit of adaptive management, the Knowledge Synthesis Publication identifies needs for management and presents some directions for researchers, forest managers, and policy-makers to consider as they advance the science and practice of sustainable forest management. The content also includes a detailed description of the claybelt forest, its flora, fauna, ecosystem dynamics, natural and human disturbance patterns and history, present human activities, and forest productivity. The process of synthesizing claybelt knowledge and applying that knowledge to forest management will be ongoing. It will be supported by spatial and strategic modeling, enhanced capture and processing of data, economic analyses, and refined policies and guidelines. Above all, it will be a learning process, fuelled by the expertise and experience of people with an abiding interesting the northern boreal forest of Ontario and Quebec. The Lake Abitibi Model Forest will be a catalyst in this process. The Knowledge Synthesis Publication is a solid contribution that will generate discussion and catalyze initiatives to advance the operational development of claybelt ecosystem knowledge. It is available in both English and French. This Lake Abitibi Model Forest publication was made possible by the dedication and commitment of expertise generously provided by Abitibi-Consolidated Company of Canada, Tembec Industries Inc., Canadian Forest Service, Ministère des Ressources naturelles du Québec, NSERC-UQAT-UQAM Industrial Chair in Sustainable Forest Management, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Université du Québec à Montréal, Hearst Forest Management Inc., Nexfor-Norbord, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Groupe de recherché en écologie forestière interuniversitaire Claybelt Field Course and Field Tour The Claybelt Course and Field Tour, which took place in September 2001 was tremendously successful with close to 50 participants from both Ontario and Quebec. It was designed specifically for forest managers and planners working in the Northern Claybelt, however many scientists and researchers also attended, making presentations at various stops and facilitating discussion. The tour highlighted examples of forest management practices that emulate natural disturbances, and examined how claybelt ecosites influence forest management practices. The tour was a major knowledge transfer exercise of research results from projects carried out in the claybelt region. Possibly the most valuable part of the event was the promotion of information, knowledge exchange and discussion at each site between forest managers and practitioners, and scientists and researchers working on the claybelt in both Ontario and Quebec. The boundary between the two provinces was truly eliminated through this field tour. The Claybelt Site Catalogue contains comprehensive attribute information in the form of bilingual project fact sheets that discuss different site treatments that have taken place on the Claybelt. These fact sheets are maintained in a Site Catalogue Binder for the Northern Claybelt Forest in Ontario and Quebec. Over time, as more projects are initiated, they will be added to the binder. The intent of the Catalogue is to help forest managers and practitioners to find alternative silvicultural techniques being used on the claybelt, and at the same time provide enough site and contact information so that the forester or technician can visit the site personally, or contact and communicate with people directly involved in activities that have occurred or are occurring on the site. The Catalogue includes graphics, maps, photos and statistical information that help users to better understand specific activities during actual field visits, particularly with respect to individual project history, equipment used to do different trials or operations, ecological information and references. The Catalogue is written in plain language, and identifies sites representative of different claybelt management options. The Claybelt Knowledge Synthesis Project was a comprehensive and large scale project during Phase II of the Lake Abitibi Model Forest. As the final deliverable, the Synthesis Publication, which will be ready in early 2004 will be a landmark achievement, providing an additional powerful resource to Claybelt forest managers. Partners for the project included the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, the Canadian Forest Service, the Université du Quebec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, the Lac Duparquet Teaching and Research Forest, and the Interuniversity Forest Ecology and Research Group.
|