NOVA SCOTIA REPORT
by Andrew Fedora

The program administrator described in the last issue of Canadian Silviculture for the Association for Sustainable Forestry (ASF) is receiving fewer applications for the uneven-aged management (Category 7) funding than what they hoped for. To put things into perspective, the province earmarked $443,000 specifically for Category 7. After the first few months of promotion, the ASF only received applications for roughly half of the funding. It is unclear how many of the sites will meet criteria and receive funding. Comparatively, funding allocated for intensive even-aged forest management (spray, plant, PCT, etc.) is typically spoken for on the first day applications are accepted. In 2005/2006, the ASF received applications for over $700,000; nearly double the budget. 

There is much speculation over the obvious disproportion of silviculture treatments in Nova Scotia; insufficient funding assistance, inadequate forest stand composition and a poor understanding of silviculture options are possible contributing factors to the imbalance. To date there has been no real in-depth analysis, only speculation and opinion (informed and otherwise). We are all hoping the ASF’s one-year education program and funding assistance will shed some light on this. For more information regarding the Category 7 program, visit www.asforestry.com or contact the Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners (FNSWO) at info@fnswo.ca.

In the same vein of alternative silviculture in Nova Scotia, FNSWO has been taking a close look at riparian silviculture. Past and present land use practices have seriously degraded many riparian areas in Nova Scotia. It is clear that without intervention, Nova Scotia endangers the future health and sustainability of its riparian forests.

Intensive activities in riparian areas can lead to serious losses of habitat and water quality. Natural drainage is interrupted as riparian soils become compacted, sedimentation rates increase, solar radiation increases, and stream channels are altered. Removal of riparian vegetation and woody debris impedes riparian areas’ ability to retain water, filter pollutants and sediment, and also compromises the habitat of many terrestrial and aquatic species. 

While the overall goal of silviculture is to improve the health of a forest, most silviculture practices in Nova Scotia revolve around fibre production to support the forest industry. Riparian silviculture utilizes many of the practices used to promote fibre production, but the objective and motivation is different. The emphasis of riparian silviculture is on a diverse range of long-term environmental benefits such as water quality, habitat, and ecological diversity. Industrial silviculture may also generate some of these benefits, but they are often a positive by-product and not the focus. 

Attributes of riparian forests most needed to affect restoration are large diameter trees, dead and dying trees, snags, trees with large live crowns, abundant coarse woody debris, multistoried and multi-species canopies, and increased diversity and cover of understory species (Sedell et al. 1997; Tappeiner et al. 1997). These characteristics can be maintained, improved, or created by using silviculture techniques.
A reasonable amount of information pertaining to riparian silviculture exists. Most of it is hard to find and is often not in the context of Nova Scotia’s Acadian forest type. The FNSWO has completed a substantial amount of research on riparian silviculture, but more work is required to determine which methods and practices are appropriate for Nova Scotia. FNSWO is currently examining new information, combining it with what we know, and seeking partnerships to develop riparian silviculture best management practices for Nova Scotia. Riparian silviculture has the potential to address a wide array of environmental concerns, generate employment, preserve natural heritage, and improve the overall health of Nova Scotia’s forests. 

Andrew Fedora is a forest technologist and the Executive Director of FNSWO. If you would like to learn more about riparian silviculture in Nova Scotia or have information to contribute, contact the FNSWO at info@fnswo.ca or at 902-639-2041.