How CCR is Navigating Climate Change with Ground Ripping in Chilcotin Douglas-Fir Forests

Williams Lake, B.C. – In response to the evolving climate patterns threatening Chilcotin Douglas-fir forests, innovative silvicultural methods are essential. Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR), a local Indigenous-owned and operated company, has been working to combat the significant shifts in climate, characterized by hotter and drier summers, necessitating a re-evaluation of forest management strategies to ensure the long-term health of the ecosystems. For this, CCR utilizes ground ripping, a transformative technique that has emerged as a critical tool in cultivating resilience amidst increasingly drier and hotter summers.

According to Daniel Persson, forestry superintendent with CCR, “The Chilcotin region is witnessing shifts in climate, marked by hotter and drier summers. CCR has recognized this reality, which is pivotal in redefining our forest management strategies to ensure the longevity of ecosystems.”

Through this ground-ripping technique, CCR works towards optimal site preparation. By breaking up compacted soil layers, it acts as a shield against the intensified impacts of wildfires and promotes adaptability to changing environmental conditions.

Photos: Ground ripping of a burnt site from 2017 to help reduce tree mortality when rehabilitating that site. Photo credit: CCR.

The top 3 notable benefits of this technique are:

1.   Alleviating soil compaction – Wildfires leave a lasting impact on the landscape, compacting soil and impeding vital processes. Ground ripping serves as a remedy, addressing soil compaction to enhance water infiltration and drainage—a critical factor in mitigating the adverse effects of drier climates.

2.   Shade and root development – In the face of the changing climate, facilitating good cover from heat waves are crucial in the first years of tree establishment. The loosening of soils also helps root development for the success of Douglas-fir regeneration. Ground ripping becomes the conduit for creating shade and loosening soil, allowing protection from heat and root systems to better navigate the soil and re-establish it.

3.   Optimizing Soil bed Preparation Amid Climate Variability – Beyond immediate soil benefits, ground ripping enhances soil bed preparation, a cornerstone in the regeneration process. This practice becomes increasingly essential due to the uncertainties of climatic conditions, requiring careful attention to creating conditions suitable for successful seedling growth.

“Ground ripping sets the foundation, but success hinges on adaptive management of our forests,” explained Persson. “Variables such as moisture availability, post-planting care, and species adaptability also need to be continually monitored and adjusted to align with the evolving climate dynamics of the Chilcotin region.”

To learn more about the various practices and techniques CCR is adopting to rehabilitate the forests in the Chilcotin region, visit our website at www.centralcr.ca and follow us on our social media channels.