Man-Made Forests and Elk in Coastal British Columbia

The potential for integrated management of timber and elk in coastal forests is discussed. The basic habitat requirements of elk for food, security cover, thermal cover, and snow interception cover are presented and the influences of various common forestry practices on these requirements are examined. Clearcutting, slash burning, planting, non-commercial thinning, commercial thinning, species conversion, weeding, and fertilizing all strongly influence the ability of forests to satisfy elk requirements. In most instances, the impacts of these activities are neither all together good nor bad, and a team approach between forest and wildlife managers needs to be taken when planning forestry activities. A brief overview of the effects of elk on regenerating forests is presented and a potential solution is offered to the problem of browsing damage through the provision of alterative forage. Elk and wood production are compatible in the man-made forest if both forest and wildlife managers are willing to accept realistic compromises to achieve the goals of integrated management.