A procedure for evaluating land disturbances at the site level in forested karst areas of British Columbia, Canada

Land disturbances in karst can result in considerable adverse ecological impacts if the nature and characteristics of karst systems and processes are not considered. This is particularly the case for the well-developed and forested karst of coastal British Columbia (BC). Industrial forestry activities in the region typically comprise of building logging roads, harvest openings (or cut blocks) and post-harvest silviculture treatments. In conjunction with the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, an evaluation procedure has been developed to assess whether current forestry practices are adequately protecting and maintaining karst surface and subsurface system elements at the site-level. The basic approach is to assess the environmental status of surface karst feature samples using seven core disturbance indicator questions related to: a) tree removal, b) windthrow, c) introduced materials, d) forest floor/soil/bedrock disturbance, e) burning, f) shade alteration, and g) changes in lower plant community. From these indicators it is then possible to report on the disturbances observed at the surface karst features within the sample area. A series of questions are then asked with respect to forest practices and management, with the aim of continual improvement. Additional information can also be collected on retention areas that surround surface karst features, the broader karst landscape, and cave infiltration areas. The evaluation procedure has been complied into a digital field checklist for use in the field with an Apple iPad, allowing for ease of data collection, storage and transfer. This procedure could potentially be modified to collect disturbance data for other land use development or resource activities that occur on karst.