Mount Lehman Hayfield to Forest Restoration

Abstract

Abandoned farmland is a “silent driver of biodiversity change” globally and has been identified as in need of ecological restoration (Pearce, 2023). This report outlines our efforts to restore the ecological functions of a local agriculturally disturbed land tract. The 2-acre site is critically important for species habitat and connectivity to adjacent forested areas along the Fraser (Stó꞉lō) River valley in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. The site was previously utilized as a hazelnut orchard following initial clearcut disturbance, and has since been planted with clover and non-native hay grasses for livestock forage. More recently, the adjacent area around the field’s perimeter has supported a Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) Christmas tree farm. A lumber mill, on the north side of the river from the property hosts a large volume of floating logs which exemplifies the high rate of regional deforestation. As seen in the Terrestrial Ecosystem Map (TEM) data, the impacts of disturbance
increase the presence of foreign species which impede the early and late successional stages of a native plant ecosystem.
Our project’s primary goal is to influence the hayfield’s early succession towards a native mixed coniferous deciduous forest and increase awareness of native ecosystems and restoration strategies. The farmland has shown signs of early succession over the past few years of not being hayed. Multiple large shoots (>2m) of Red alder (Alnus rubra) and Big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) exist along the eastern boundary nearest the riverside ravine native forest. More of the same species are naturally emerging at an adjacent property, which has been vacant for multiple years during a major house renovation.