Formation académique

• Maîtrise en biologie, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, Qc, 2013 to Present
• Bachelor of Environmental Studies, University of Waterloo, 2005-2010

Projet de recherche : Évaluation de la réponse de croissance de l’épinette blanche (Picea glauca) à des intensités variables de coupes partielles dans des peuplements mixtes

Forest management practices have traditionally focused largely on sustainable timber yield and the economic gains associated with timber production. In many cases, harvesting practices such as clear-cutting and CPRS have converted complex, uneven aged (or complex structured) mixedwood stands into simpler, even aged stands. Moreover, because of differences between aspen and the shade-tolerant softwood species in terms of regeneration dynamics, sapling and tree growth, the softwood component in these stands is often in pre-commercial or small merchantable size classes when the aspen component arrives at a stage suitable for harvesting. Therefore there is clearly a silvicultural argument for applying partial cutting treatments in these types of stands. In the context of ecosystem management, the integration of natural stand dynamics into silvicultural practices is proposed as an important measure to maintaining vital ecosystem functions while meeting the timber requirements of the forestry industry. Partial cutting can be used to simulate natural succession dynamics by strategically removing trees from within a stand while maintaining some residual forest and subsequent ecosystem. Several studies have reported on the effects of partial cutting on tree regeneration but few have investigated the effects on growth and survival of residual trees. The purpose of my project is to quantitatively evaluate and compare radial and volume growth responses of residual white spruce trees in boreal mixedwood stands that have been subjected to various intensities of partial cutting. This study will also address the effects that social status (dominant, co-dominant, suppressed) and neighbouring tree environment have on growth responses in the various treatments.