Identifying and preserving old-growth attributes in mixed forest stands dominated by yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) in the context of ecosystem management in Québec

The conservation of old-growth elements in managed forest is an important aim of the ecosystem management in Quebec. This work focus on their representation in yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea) stands of the mixed forest domain. We studied two experimental sites, one dominated by yellow birch and the other by balsam fir, where was estimated the effect of different forest treatments on oldgrowth characteristics. Our method shows the possibility to represent them with a small number of parameters, mainly dendrometric. Continuous cover treatments seems to be the most interesting systems for the conservation of these elements. However, our study raised the lack of information concerning old-growth stands in mixed forest. Yet, these data are essential for a relevant application of the ecosystem management. For this reason, further researches on this subject are necessary.