This document provides a field guide on woody materials and their use for sustainability. It was authored by Matthew Pyper of the University of Alberta Department of Renewable Resources and Tim Vinge of Alberta's Sustainable Resource Development. The guide discusses using woody debris for mycorrhizal benefits, appropriate mulching levels, best management practices of 60-100 cubic meters per hectare of woody

1. Woody materials field guide:
from science to sustainability
Matthew Pyper1, Tim Vinge2
1 Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta
2 Sustainable Resource Development, Government of Alberta
Knowledge Exchange Program- ‘Grow Your Knowledge Grow Your Impact’

3. Da’man
Oil Inc.
Jagger

4. Da’man
Oil Inc.
Jagger

5. Elements of
noise - flickr
35 years old

6. The process
Talktoscience.wordpress.com

7. Should we use wood mulch?
• Lacks ability to form microsites

8. Should we use wood mulch?
• High levels can be a problem
– Frozen ground persists longer
– Cooler, moister ground
– Delayed seedling emergence
– Reduced seedling health

9. Should we use wood mulch?
• In some cases it may be
advisable

10. 0 cm

11. 1 cm

12. 3 cm

13. 5 cm

14. 7 cm

15. 9 cm

16. Why use whole logs?

17. Why use whole logs?
• Source of mycorrhizae
• Little nutrient benefit in
short term

18. How much should we use?
Harmon et al. (1986)
Ter-Mikaelian et al. (2008)
BC Chief Forester
Lee et al. (1997)
0 50 100 150 200
Woody Debris Volume (m3/ha)

19. 25 m3/ha

20. 100 m3/ha

21. 200 m3/ha

22. Best Management Practices
• 60-100m3/ha
upland, 30-
50m3/ha
lowland
• Eliminate piles
• If mulching-
3-4 cm max
Intact is Variability in size
best and length is key

23. Moving Forward
• What to do?
– Keep all woody materials (i.e. stop burning)
– Use mulching only when you have a specific end
goal in mind
• What to avoid?
– Piles of wood, heavy mulching, neat and tidy
• What is coming over the horizon?
– Adaptive management- continually improving
based on lesson learned

24. Monitoring and Continual
Improvement is key

25. Next Steps

26. Matthew Pyper
Knowledge Exchange Officer
Department of Renewable Resources- University of Alberta
Email: mpyper@ualberta.ca
Phone: 780-492-6001