Beginning in 2015, a network of permanent forest sample plots (PSPs) were activated within the Lower Foothills Natural Subregion in Alberta. The goal was to monitor stands that had been impacted by mountain pine beetle (MPB). Plots were re-measured startng in 2020, with the goal of assessing stand dynamics. In this project, the PSP design is expanded to include terrestrial and aerial remote sensing, to complete an enhanced forest monitoring network. Goals in this project include assessing stand response, assessing the ability of growth models to forecast dynamics, and testing and developing new remote sensing technologies.

Funding provided by FRIAA via the Mountain Pine Beetle Rehabilitation Program.

This project is related to the larger MPB PSP Enhanced Forest Monitoring project, and involves a small network of 14 permanent sample plots installed in the Upper Foothills Natural Sub-Region.

Funding provided by FRIAA via the Mountain Pine Beetle Ecology Program

Funding provided by FRIAA via the FRIP program and sponsored by the forest industry members of the Forest Growth Organization of Wesern Canada.

Funding provided by FRIAA via the FRIP program and sponsored by the forest industry members of the Forest Growth Organization of Wesern Canada.

Glyphosate is a non-selective herbicide approved for use in Alberta for the control of vegetation necessary to meet reforestation objectives. There are concerns about the persistence of glyphosate residues in plants, and what this might mean when plant parts (leaves, shoots, berries) might be consumed. In this project, the residual herbicide abundance trend with time will be investigated in operationally treated stands, and compared among plants of interest.

Funding provided by FRIAA via the FRIP program and sponsored by West Fraser Mills Ltd.