An experiment to convert pure coniferous stands to mixed 

 stands by hardwood underplanting continued, with plant- 

 ings of poplar and red oak. 



SOUTH-CENTRAL FOREST UNIT 



Sugar maple growth data were obtained to develop growth 

 prediction techniques for stands which have been modified 

 by logging or other treatment. From the results, it is intended 

 to formulate guidelines for marking and cutting to achieve 

 increased growth of high-quality timber without impairing 

 wildlife, recreation and aesthetic values. 



Approximately 100 acres of the Swan Lake Research Forest 

 were examined and marked for improvement cutting to test 

 the guidelines. 



Several groups of foresters and forestry technicians from 

 District Timber Units and industry participated in free grad- 

 ing and timber marking exercises at Swan Lake. 



CENTRAL FOREST UNIT 



Work consists of field and laboratory studies of nutrition 

 and growth, and the productivity ecology of spruce, as well 

 as species and racial variation in the spruce genus. Included 

 are some limited studies of tree nutrition in relation to forest 

 disturbance. 



A method has been developed to induce accelerated 

 growth rate and enforced dormancy, involving varying day 

 length and artificial low temperature regimes, in order to 

 investigate taxonomical, physiological and genetical rela- 

 tionships within and between spruce species. The method 

 has been verified by successfully producing more than 

 70,000 spruce seedlings in a twelve-month period which 

 are equivalent to three-year-old nursery grown stock. 



NORTHERN FOREST UNIT 



The purpose of the Unit is to carry out experimental work 

 and investigations that will contribute to the effective silvi- 

 cultural management of the forests of northern Ontario. 



A detailed review was initiated of the accumulated re- 

 generation information provided from the long-term investi- 

 gation of the effects of harvesting in the spruce-fir forest. 

 Material is being assessed for its convertibility for use in a 

 simulation model for predicting to maturity the status of 

 young balsam fir stands. 



The first examination, of 500 assessment quadrats on the 

 balsam fir seed tree control study, revealed the effectiveness 

 of the control measures as well as the poor seed crop for the 

 previous year. 



Balsam fir seed germination tests supported earlier results 



indicating unpredictability and generally very poor germina- 

 tion success. 



Work on poplar was re-activated to study and evolve 

 proper silvicultural management techniques for the ex- 

 tremely large and increasingly important native poplar 

 resources. 



An exploratory stem quality survey on young aspen 

 suckers, which proliferate following mechanical harvesting 

 in the spruce-fir forest, was completed. 



WILDLIFE SECTION 



Although the broad objectives of the wildlife research pro- 

 gram remain essentially the same, there will be an increasing 

 emphasis on the studies of ecosystems to meet a more 

 comprehensive environmental responsibility. 



BIG GAME UNIT 



Dr. A. Bubenik, a specialist in ungulate behaviour and nutri- 

 tion, joined the staff. 



A study of productivity and hunting morality of deer 

 continued for the eighteenth consecutive year in the 

 Canonto study area in Tweed District. From this it is antici- 

 pated that techniques will be developed for reliable indices 

 to population levels and the several factors which may affect 

 them. An extensive browse survey was conducted over the 

 entire area to measure long-term changes in winter food 

 supply. 



A three-year study was initiated on a 200-square-mile area 

 near Loring (Parry Sound District) to document changes in 

 winter distribution of deer in and around a major yarding 

 complex in an effort to determine causative factors. 



A moose habitat study was conducted in Sioux Lookout 

 District to relate seasonal variations in the utilization of 

 portions of the range by moose to food quality and quantity. 



A socio-economic study was conducted to test the hypo- 

 thesis that the relative importance of potentially attractive 

 features in an area is determined by the social background 

 of the individual hunter, and the importance of each is 

 modified by consideration of time and cost. 



An inventory of the moose and caribou in the Round Lake 

 Indian Band Area was estimated by sample counts. The pur- 

 pose was to evaluate the ability of the ungulate herds to 

 provide a source of meat for the local residents, and to 

 assess the feasibility of encouraging a hunter-based tourist 

 trade. This is reported in an Indian development study in 



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