Identifying the determinants of windthrow damage in wildlife tree patches in the Boreal White and Black Spruce biogeoclimatic zone of northeastern British Columbia

摘要: Leaving wildlife tree patches ( WTPs ) has become a common strategy employed to maintain biodiversity among managed forest ecosystems in British Columbia. High levels of wind damage have been observed many these reserves owing the increased loading after harvesting. The ensuing disrupts management plans and reduces value WTPs. objective this study was identify primary determinants windthrow boreal northeastern Columbia suggest strategies minimize wind-related damage. Line transects oriented parallel perpendicular prevailing dominant winds across 13 WTP were used quantify factors that may contribute incidence. occurrence corresponded with exposure edges high velocity winds; common, but lower-velocity resulted little Edaphic, site, forest-stand appeared influence on incidence as compared strong winds. suggests managers can reduce forests by: (1) creating are elliptically shaped long axis direction (2) reducing susceptible edges; (3) increasing size