Effects of conventional harvesting have been under study 

 for several years. The accumulated data on all study areas 

 were analysed to determine the changes in species com- 

 position after logging or fire. 



The effects of modified harvesting, in which spruce is 

 favoured by scarification, show a substantial increase in 

 spruce, but the balsam fir still predominates. 



Data from seven areas are being analysed to test pre- 

 liminary conclusions and to establish prediction relation- 

 ships based on growth, competition, mortality and in- 

 growth. 



Studies to control balsam fir, by close utilization, pur- 

 poseful destruction and use of synthetic auxins to inhibit 

 flowering, are being carried out. 



CENTRAL ONTARIO 



The following program is being carried out in this unit. 



A study of the ecology, productivity, nutrient cycling, 

 growth and nutrition, sites, specific gravity, regeneration 

 and ground-flora relationships of red spruce, with com- 

 parative measurements on white and black spruce for eco- 

 system models of these species. 



A study of the performance and efficiency with respect 

 to growth and nutrition, the genetics and taxonomical re- 

 lationships, including species and racial variation, within 

 the spruce genus. 



To investigate the taxonomical, physiological and gene- 

 tical relationships within and between spruce species, a 

 large number of other provenances, species and hybrids 

 are being grown by the tubeling method. An accelerated 

 growth rate and enforced dormancy, varying day-length and 

 artificial low-temperature regimes enable the production of 

 two-year seedlings within a single calendar year. 



SOUTH-CENTRAL ONTARIO 



This unit deals with the silvics, silviculture and management 

 of the tolerant hardood forest. Of major importance is 

 the need to establish for Algonquin Provincial Park a fair 

 and sensible balance between competing land-use interests. 



An experiment was established to study the differences 

 in growth and quality which develop under different stock- 

 ing levels in sugar maple and associated species. 



It is also intended to demonstrate that felling of large or 

 defective trees can be accomplished with minimal damage 

 to residual trees, and that a viable logging operation can be 

 conducted with light mechanical equipment and without 

 removing all of the merchantable material. 



A study is being conducted to determine the volume and 

 value of different grades of yellow birch and sugar maple 

 trees for various diameters. 



SOUTHEASTERN ONTARIO 



The principle project of this unit has been prescribed burn- 

 ing in tolerant hardwood stands to study its effects and 

 determine its role in hardwood management. 



It is now known that one or two burns, followed by cut- 

 ting, will create excellent conditions for yellow birch re- 

 generation. 



Studies are being conducted in the regeneration prob- 

 lems of basswood, a valuable component of the tolerant 

 hardwood forest. Propogation studies, including seed 

 quality and germination, are included. 



Various methods of establishing forest cover on shallow 

 soils have been under investigation. One technique is the 

 use of water-saturated peat wedges planted in augur-drilled 

 holes. 



SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO 

 Two principal projects are being carried out to develop 

 practical techniques for the selection, mass production, 

 establishment and culture of fast growing, veneer-quality 

 phenotypes of the commercially important hardwood 

 species in agricultural Ontario. 



A study on the chemical thinning and release by basal 

 treatments on some common hardwood species was com- 

 pleted. 



The use of the tubed seedling technique for production 

 of hardwoods was investigated, and indications are that 

 tubeling stock suitable for field planting can be grown from 

 seed in one year. 



WILDLIFE SECTION 



Wildlife research has been directed toward the gathering 

 of knowledge about the characteristics of economically 

 important birds and mammals and toward finding means by 

 which these could be of greater value to the trapper, hunter, 

 naturalist and the general public. 



Research projects have been developed around most of 

 the major species of wildlife in Ontario. Staff recruitment 

 and development has aimed for the provision of specialists 

 to study these species. No attempt to organize the program 

 on a regional basis has been made. 



The Wildlife Research Station provided living accom- 

 modation and research facilities for Research Branch per- 

 sonnel, and staff and graduate students from the University 

 of Toronto, McMaster University, University of Guelph, 

 Queen's University and the School of Hygiene and Tropical 

 Medicine, University of London (England). 



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