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Inter-disciplinary Forest Ecosystem Research (InFER)
InFER Attracts Collaborators
From Germany And Finland
by
Dr. E. Doyle Wells
NRCan-CFS-Atlantic Forestry Centre
Corner Brook, Newfoundland
Inter-disciplinary Forest Ecosystem Research (InFER) was established
in 1993 to determine the effects of clear cutting and prescribed
burning. InFER research emphasizes the effects of harvesting and
silvicultural operations on forest ecosystem processes and biodiversity
in boreal forest ecosystems of balsam fir and black spruce.
Research sites at Horseshoe Brook (left) and Glide Lake (right)
in Newfoundland.
FOCUS OF RESEARCH
The Glide Lake site was burned and planted with black spruce in
August of 1993. The Horseshoe Brook site was burned on August 23,
1998. then planted in the Spring of 1999. InFER research initiatives
include the following:
- Growth, Biomass, & Nutrient Uptake
- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Spectral Reflectance / Nutrient Relations
- Gas Exchange & Water Relations
- Soil Respiration
- Soil Nitrogen Mineralization
- Soil Nutrient Losses (Leachates)
- Soil Fauna (Insects, Mites, Spiders)
- Small Mammals
- Mycorrhizae
PARTNERSHIPS
1. Atlantic
Traditional partnerships and cooperation between NRCan-Canadian
Forest Service, The Newfoundland Forest Service (Department of Forestry
and Agrifoods), and Corner Brook Pulp and Paper facilitated burning
and planting of the sites.
Burning at Horseshoe Brook by the Newfoundland Forest Service,
Department of Forestry & Agrifoods.
2. Universities
Partnerships with Memorial University of Newfoundland, Nippissing
University, the University of Calgary, and the University of Northern
British Columbia provided opportunities for both summer and graduate
students at Glide Lake.
Rina Nichols, MSc student, Memorial University, weighs a meadow
vole captured in a live trap on burned sites at Glide Lake. Small
mammal research was completed and an MSc thesis delivered in 1996.
InFER...
3. International
Canada´s Bilateral Agreements with Finland and Germany have
provided an excellent basis for InFER. For example, in 1996, Dr.
Doyle Wells, research scientist, CFS-Atlantic (Corner Brook),
travelled to Sweden, Finland, and Germany to develop research partnerships.
The trip was sponsored (and 2/3 funded) by the Going Global, Science
& Technology with European Partners (STEP) Program of the Department
of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and supported (and 1/3
funded) by the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Processes S&T Networks
of NRCan-CFS.
Finland
Mr. Ilkka Vanha-Majamaa, Research Scientist, Finnish Forest Research
Institute, Vantaa, Finland, Dr. Harri Vasander, Professor of Plant
Ecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, and Dr. Wells,
initiated research in 1998 to determine effects of clear cutting
and prescribed burning on ground vegetation at both Glide Lake,
Newfoundland, and Vilppula, Finland.
 Dr.
Harri Vasander, and Ms. Tuija Ahonen, MSc. student, University of
Helsinki, collect ground vegetation from Glide Lake for biomass
and nutrient determinations. Ms. Ahonen worked at Vilppula in June
and early July then spent 4 weeks with CFS-Corner Brook working
on the Glide Lake site.
Germany
Dr. Franz Makeschin, Head of Faculty of Forestry, Geography and
Hydrology, Technische Universität Dresden, Tharandt, Germany,
and Dr. Wells are participating in a collaborative research project
to assess impacts of clear cutting and prescribed burning on soil
carbon and nitrogen dynamics.
Dr.Franz Makeschin , and Thomas Scheuner, MSc. student, Technische
Universität Dresden, discuss methodology for sampling organic
matter on burned sites. Mr. Scheuner stayed in Corner Brook for
the next 4 months to complete his field research at the Horseshoe
Brook site.
Dr. Uwe Tretter, Professor of Physical Geography, Universität
Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany, recently visited Newfoundland to
study gap dynamics in balsam fir stands. During his visit, Dr. Tretter
discussed possible collaboration with InFER, and visited previously
burned sites with Dr. Wells and Dr. Makeschin, as well as being
present at the burning at Horseshoe Brook.
 Ms.
Katja Oemichen (left) and Ms. Anja Schneider (right), forestry students
from the Technische Universität Dresden, Germany, assist Mr.
Paul Carter, ecophysiologist, CFS-Atlantic, (Corner Brook) with
pH measurements of soil solutions from Glide Lake. Both students
are assisting with InFER research in Newfoundland for 4 weeks as
a prerequisite for their undergraduate degree.
DELIVERABLES
InFER fosters strong collaboration among partners as well as providing
opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate research. The
inter-disciplinary nature of InFER promotes sharing of resources
and an increased understanding of ecosystem functions and processes
that are essential for the development of sound forest ecosystem
practices and, ultimately, forest ecosystem sustainability. Primary
deliverables include:
- Enhanced knowledge of productivity and nutrient cycling processes;
- Increased understanding of carbon budgets;
- Guidelines to practise sustainable forest ecosystem management;
- Stronger research capacity to address boreal ecosystems.
For more information, contact Dr. Doyle Wells at (709) 637-4927,
or dwells@nrcan.gc.ca
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