Variable Retention Forestry Science Forum April 21-22, 2004

Abstract

As a result of criticism of past forest management in coastal British Columbia, there was a shift away from the traditional clearcutting system to the retention system. In April 2004, FORREX, in partnership with the Canadian Forest Service, the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, the Forest Engineering and Research Institute of Canada (FERIC), Weyerhaeuser Canada, Madrone Consulting, and Malaspina University–College, hosted a science forum on Variable Retention Forestry. The forum provided an opportunity to discuss the latest findings, issues, and challenges of retention practices. This paper summarizes the important messages from the forum, including the following:
• The importance of developing and implementing adaptive management monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• The use of variable retention (VR) as a tool that should be guided by goals and philosophies.
• Consideration of the costs of implementing VR.
• The importance of understanding disturbance patterns and their impact.
• The importance of an awareness of the possible effects on stand development of any insects and diseases.
• The importance of an awareness of local site and regional conditions when attempting to predict the outcomes of windthrow damage.
• Consideration of public perception of forest management practices.
Outstanding issues and questions are also summarized, and a list of resources outlining the latest research findings in the area of variable retention is provided. It is important to invest in monitoring and understanding the biological implications of VR practices while addressing the social issues around forestry on a public land base—the original rationale for the retention system.