Landscape and Stand Scale Structure and Dynamics, and Conservation Ranking of Skeena River Floodplain Forests

The document focuses on the importance of riparian forests for biodiversity and ecosystem function. The report highlights the Skeena River, which is the largest temperate river without major dams, and its mostly unmodified lower floodplain. However, logging activities in the 20th century have led to changes in the forest cover on the floodplain, with coniferous stands being replaced by deciduous-dominated forests. The floodplain ecosystems are classified into three types based on flooding dynamics and vegetation. The Sitka spruce-dominated high bench floodplain ecological community is now Red-listed due to developmental impacts, while the black cottonwood-dominated middle bench floodplain ecological community is Blue-listed. The report acknowledges the need to find a balance between conservation and commercial timber production while considering the area's fisheries, recreational, and other values. The project's objectives were to examine the structure and dynamics of floodplain ecosystems at both landscape and stand scales and to rank these ecosystems for conservation purposes, providing guidance for their management.