Secondary stand structure and its timber supply implications for mountain pine beetle attacked forests on the Nechako Plateau of British Columbia.

Post-mountain pine beetle epidemic, secondary stand structure measured in 1370 mature leading pine plots in the central interior of British Columbia indicate significant levels of advanced regeneration (AR) in most Biogeoclimatic (BEC) subzones. Future growth of AR was predicted using SORTIE ND and VDYP7 natural stand growth and yield models with inputs such as species composition, diameter distribution, site index (BHA50), basal area and quadratic mean diameter. The SELES (STSM) spatially explicit landscape event simulation model forecasts timber supply incorporating AR focusing on alleviating predicted mid-term (15 to 60 year) fall-down. SELES forecasts incorporating AR using VDYP7 results in a 6% increase in mean mid-term harvest level for the Prince George Timber Supply Area. If SORTIE ND is used, mid-term forecast is increased by 23%. Additional scenarios show benefits to mid-term timber supply when stands with well developed AR are reserved for harvest until after the initial salvage period. --P.ii.The original print copy of this thesis may be available here: http://wizard.unbc.ca/record=b167713