A silvicultural systems perspective on changing Canadian forestry practices

Canadian forestry practices are changing to meet evolving forest management objectives, and these changes are frequently accompanied by new terminology. We examine the interaction among changing objectives, changing practices, and terminology in three forest types across Canada. Altered silvicultural practices and systems can generally be described using traditional terminology, and applying new terminology may create confusion. The most notable developments in silvicultural practice involve timber harvests with greater levels of true retention, and new terminology is being applied mainly to designate changed harvest patterns. Timber harvesting is a crucial silvicultural practice, but does not by itself constitute a silvicultural system. It is necessary to more thoroughly define long-term stand-level management objectives, and to delineate complete silvicultural systems that address these objectives. This will require better knowledge of the long-term effects of forestry practices, particularly those resulting in structurally complex stands.