Amélie Trottier-Picard

Maîtrise
Harvesting of forest biomass for establishment of plantations
University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Amos

Director: Annie DesRochers
Codirector: Evelyne Thiffault

RESEARCH PROJECT

In Quebec, intensive harvesting of forest biomass represents one of the most promising sources of bioenergy. However, removal of logging residues could affect soil productivity as well as stand establishment and growth depending on site edaphic conditions and physiological characteristics of the regenerating species. How much can we harvest without negatively affecting forest productivity? Which sites are the most sensitive? Which species are the most vulnerable? What are the effects on soil nutrients? The goal of the project is to work towards the development of guidelines for the quantity of logging residues that can be harvested depending on species and site, without affecting soil fertility and growth potential of plantations. Following harvesting, three species were planted in each of four sites across the province of Quebec. Species ranged from the fast-growing hybrid poplar to the more conservative black spruce, and sites represented a gradient of climatic and edaphic conditions. Each species was exposed to eight treatments contrasting the influence of the removal of logging residues on microclimate, vegetative competition, and soil nutrients. The corresponding physiological responses of planted trees regarding tree nutrition, water stress, and growth, is compared between species and sites.

STUDIES

• M.Sc. Biology, 2011- (ongoing), Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
• B.Sc. Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, major in Environmental Biology, 2007-2010, McGill University

PRESENTATIONS AND CONFERENCES

Scientific article

1. Trottier-Picard, A., E. Thiffault, A. DesRochers, D. Paré, N. Thiffault, and C. Messier. Accepted. Amounts of logging residues affect planting microsites: a manipulative study across northern forest ecosystems. Forest Ecology and Management.

Scientific posters

1. Trottier-Picard, A., E. Thiffault, A. DesRochers, D. Paré, N. Thiffault, and C. Messier. 2012. Les résidus de coupe forestière peuvent-ils améliorer l’environnement immédiat de la régénération? ? Centre for Forest Research 2012 Annual Meeting. Rouyn-Noranda (Qc) Canada.
2. Trottier-Picard, A., A. DesRochers, D. Paré, E. Thiffault, C. Messier, N. Thiffault. 2011. Effect of intensive harvesting of slash on plantation establishment. ASA-CSSA-SSSA 2011 Annual Meeting – Fundamentals for Life: Soil, Crop & Environmental Sciences. San Antonio (TX) USA.
3. Trottier-Picard, A., A. DesRochers, D. Paré, E. Thiffault, C. Messier, N. Thiffault. 2011. Harvesting of forest biomass for establishment of plantations. International Symposium on dynamics and ecological services of deadwood in forest ecosystems. Rouyn-Noranda (Qc) Canada.

Scientific presentations

1. Trottier-Picard, A., E. Thiffault, A. DesRochers, D. Paré, N. Thiffault, and C. Messier. 2013. How can forest biomass harvesting affect the microenvironment, growth, and physiology of newly planted hybrid poplars in Quebec? Canadian Society of Plant Biologists - 2013 Annual Meeting. Québec (Qc) Canada.
2. Trottier-Picard, A., E. Thiffault, A. DesRochers, D. Paré, N. Thiffault, and C. Messier. 2013. Comment les résidus de coupe forestière peuvent-ils affecter la croissance d'une plantation? Centre for Forest Research - 2013 Annual Meeting. Montebello (Qc) Canada
3. Trottier-Picard, A., E. Thiffault, A. DesRochers, D. Paré, N. Thiffault, and C. Messier. 2012. Comment les résidus de coupe forestière peuvent-ils affecter la croissance d'une plantation? NSERC-UQAT-UQAM Industrial Chair in Sustainable Forest Management - 2012 Annual Meeting. Rouyn-Noranda (Qc) Canada.

SCHOLARSHIPS

• Canada Graduate Scholarships – Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement, NSERC, 2012
• Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship, NSERC, 2012
• International Training Scholarship, CEF-FQRNT, 2012
• Masters research scholarship, FQRNT, 2011-12
• Jean-Jacques Cossette scholarship from UQAT in forestry, 2011