Introduction
Since the beginning of
scientific activities in the area of the LDRTF in the ‘80s, a major part
of research has been aimed at understanding key processes acting in natural
ecosystems at landscape, stand and organism levels. Characterization of the
southern boreal forest under the natural disturbance regime has provided a
means of , among other things, evaluating the impact of modifications to this
regime caused by climatic changes and by human intervention at more local or
regional scales. Early work in forest ecological classification established
the relationships between physical site conditions, soils and the forest communities
found in the area. Several studies in forest dynamics, notably on fire history
and insect outbreaks and the natural disturbance regime, climate change and
the relationships between forest landscapes and bird populations are several
examples of research themes that extend far beyond the borders of the Lake
Duparquet Forest. At the stand scale, research into the dynamics and processes
acting on forest succession and productivity as well as silvicultural trials
on natural regeneration of jack pine and mixed-wood stands, plantation establishment
and impact studies of forest interventions on long-term soil productivity are
several examples of projects undertaken in the LDRTF. At the organism level,
work on selection and genetic improvement of conifer seedlings, research on
physiological responses of seedlings and understory vegetation to light levels
in natural stands and on aspen suckering are included among our activities.
A strong link between fundamental and applied research is something of a trademark for
the Lake Duparquet Forest. In effect, we are attempting to develop innovative silviculture
and management approaches, based on our understanding of natural ecosystem dynamics and
processes, that can be applied the larger area the boreal forest. Technical trials
therefore become the object of applied research in an effort to test hypotheses based at
least partially on basic knowledge. Approaches to intervening in the forest will be
adjusted as these experiences shed new light on our understanding of treatment
effect ; this is the essence of adaptive management. An important part of applied
research in the next ten years will be devoted to the developing new silvicultural
approaches adapted to forest ecosystem management. We are currently developing a five-year
research program. The LDRTF is part of the Forest Ecosystem Research Network of Sites
(FERNS) established in
1996 by the Forest Practices Network of the Canadian
Forest Service. The Lake Duparquet Forest is also a demonstration site for the
Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) in
Sustainable Forest Management, a national network of industrial, university and
government partners developing a strong scientific foundation for SFM.
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