Shawnigan Lake Fertilization and Thinning Experiment (EP 1258)

Introduction

The Shawnigan Lake Fertilization and Thinning Experiment, was initiated in 1970 by the Canadian Forest Service to study the mechanisms of response to thinning and fertilization. The study is now cooperatively managed.

Treatments

The study is composed of two components: a) the main experiment, and b) subsidiary studies. The main experiment established in 1971 to 1972 (36 plots) investigated the effects of thinning and fertilization, and consisted of three levels of thinning and five levels of fertilization, including controls. The subsidiary studies include (1) a study established in 1972 to 1973 (14 plots) to investigate the effects of higher doses of nitrogen (N), and to compare the effects of ammonium nitrate and urea as nitrogen sources, on stand growth (SUB1), (2) a study established in 1983 (2 plots) to investigate the effects of thinning on water use and soil water (SUB2), and a study established in 1987 (8 plots) to investigate the additional growth response of thinned stands to fertilization with P and S along with N (SUB3).

Status

Active.

Publications

For a comprehensive list of publications related to the Shawnigan Lake Fertilization and Thinning Experiment visit the Canadian Forest Service Publications Website

• Omule, A.Y. A.K. Mitchell, and W.L. Wagner. 2011. Fertilization and thinning effects on a Douglas-fir ecosystem at Shawnigan Lake: 32-year growth response. Nat. Resources Can., Can. For. Serv., Pac. For. Cent., Victoria, B.C. Inf. Rep. FI-X-005.
• Brix, H. 1993. Fertilization and thinning effects on a Douglas-fir ecosystem at Shawnigan Lake: a synthesis of project results. For. Can. and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C.FRDA Rep. 196.