Mechanical Site Preparation

Definition

The process of preparing a suitable number of microsites (i.e. mineral soil exposure, brush redistribution, and vegetation control) by mechanical means for the purpose of slash, duff or grass reduction for a prescribed stocking and survival of the planted seedlings, or the modification of a site to enhance the establishment and survival of natural regeneration, or a combination of these objectives.

Eligibility Criteria

• An appropriate pre-harvest covertype (see General Standards)
• The site in its pre-treatment condition does not contain a suitable number of micro-sites to allow full stocking as prescribed or the seedlings would be subjected to sufficient stress to cause unacceptable mortality

Guidelines and Assessment Procedure

The creation of sufficient micro-sites to allow the planting of at least 90% of the prescribed density. The minimum micro-site area would normally be 0.10 m². The micro site can be of any shape; however, it must be capable of receiving a planted seedling and/or seed such that there is a minimum clearance of 15 cm to the nearest undisturbed ground cover. Unless otherwise prescribed, the micro-site consists of bare mineral soil.