RESEARCH BRANCH 



'""pHE Research Branch is given the responsibility to assess the research needs of 

 ■"■ the Department, to secure co-operation with existing research agencies, and 

 to develop research of its own. Assessment is accomplished largely by conferences 

 with other Branches of the Department, and co-operation is obtained mainly 

 through meetings and correspondence with other existing research agencies. The 

 Research Branch has developed programmes in the fields of Forestry, Fisheries, 

 Wildlife and Mechanical research with the main objective of providing information 

 for the operating Branches to meet their current needs, as well as to give the infor- 

 mation necessary to remedy deficiences of the past and to provide possible require- 

 ments in the future. An outline of Research Branch programmes follows: 



FORESTRY SECTION. Silviculture — studies of forest culture, growth and 

 reproduction of the important tree species and associated vegetation. Research 

 includes studies of logging effects upon forest stands; cultural herbicides and con- 

 trolled fires, seeding and planting. Site Research — evaluation of soil features, 

 climate and nutrients to determine best use, and rate of productivity. Tree Breed- 

 ing — selection and breeding of forest tree strains of superior quality and resistance 

 to disease. Nursery and Planting Practices — to assist in solution of nursery prob- 

 lems and the planting and care of plantations. Miscellaneous — Forest Mensuration 

 (growth and yield), Wood Quality, Forest Economics, and Computer Studies. 



FISHERIES SECTION. Studies to determine rates of reproduction, growth 

 and mortality of commercial and game fish, and relation of these to environmental 

 conditions. Great Lakes — Research Branch responsible for general research on 

 Lakes Huron, Erie and Ontario; Fisheries Research Board of Canada for Lake 

 Superior, as well as sea lamprey control experiment. Game Fish — Research units 

 established for study of lake trout, speckled trout, smallmouth bass and walleye. 

 Selective Breeding — to obtain brook trout-lake trout hybrid which can survive in 

 presence of sea lampreys. Miscellaneous — Lake Productivity unit to classify pro- 

 ductive capacity on basis of chemical fertility, Parasites — to identify and assess 

 effects, Limnology (Lake study) unit to study physical and chemical characteristics 

 of Great Lakes. 



WILDLIFE SECTION. Collects basic information and develops techniques 

 to assist management. Big Game — white-tailed deer, moose, woodland caribou. 

 Predators — timber wolves. Upland Game and Waterfowl — small game animals, 

 such as pheasants and rabbits. Wildlife Diseases and Parasites — identification, fre- 

 quency, distribution and effects. Furbearers — habits, behaviour and environment 

 affecting numbers of such animals as beaver and marten. 



MECHANICAL SECTION. Develops, improves, and tests equipment and 

 instruments to meet special needs of Research Branch and other Branches of 

 Department. 



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