Evaluating the ecological and forestry impacts of even-aged vs uneven-aged management in a temperate deciduous forest

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The temperate deciduous forests provide numerous socio-economic benefits to Canadians. This biome, where the majority of Canadians lives, is being subjected to several anthropogenic disturbances. In addition to being greatly fragmented by roads, agriculture and human habitations, it is being harvested for its high value sugar maple, yellow birch, red oak, eastern white pine, etc. Two types of harvesting approaches, even- and uneven-aged silviculture, have been used in this biome over the last century, although the uneven-aged approach has been preferred in the last 15 years. However, no systematic study has been done to investigate what are the main ecological and forestry impacts of each approach and to determine what could be a better approach to help this biome be more resistant and resilient and better adapted to the many threats induced by global change. The Kenauk forest provides an unique opportunity to investigate the impacts of both silvicultural approaches since both have been used over the whole forest in the last 40 years. In this study, we will evaluate the effects of even-aged (clearcutting in alternate strips) vs uneven-aged (single tree cutting of between 20 to 35% of the cover) silviculture done since the 80's on a) above- and below-ground terrestrial and vernal pool biodiversity, b) hydrology of vernal pools, c) forest dynamic and productivity, and d) the resistance, resilience and adaptability potential to global change threats. We will also develop and test novel biodiversity and productivity monitoring tools aimed for by forest managers. State-of-the-art stand and landscape simulation models will be used to propose a set of silvicultural practices to implement at both the stand and landscape scales to mitigate the increasing environmental threats due to global change factors. To achieve these objectives, a multi-disciplinary team of scientists will conduct field research and use simulation modeling.