Long-term Datasets

The Aleza Lake Research Forest maintains several long-term research sites and datasets. These datasets are available to faculty, student, and government researchers and instructors who require long-term data. Additional information can also be collected from the existing field sites. If you are interested in using the data or research sites, contact our staff.

Climate Monitoring

Two periods of data collection  are available: 1953 to 1980 at the former BC Forest Service Ranger Station just outside the northern ALRF boundary; and two climate stations installed in 1993 and monitored until the present, one at a clearcut site and one within a stand of old growth forest.  The maintenance of the climate station is funded by the ALRF Society and the BC Forest Science Program.

In recent years, we have partnered with Dr. Stephen Dery‘s UNBC’s Northern Hydrometeorology Group.  Dery’s group has been coordinating data collection and climate station maintenance. 

The following datasets are available: 

  • 2018-2021 on 15 minute intervals, has been published as part of a larger dataset:
    Jeremy Morris, Marco Hernández-Henríquez, & Stephen Déry. (2022). Cariboo Alpine Mesonet meteorological data, 2017-2021 [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6518969 
  • Several datasets are available for download from alrf.unbc.ca/datasets/climate/
    • 1993-2011 Hourly, from our main climate station.
    • 1993-2006 Daily, two sets, one from our climate station and the second nearby station in an old growth forest
    • 1953-1980 Monthly, from a historical climate station.

Partial Cut Experimental Plots

Over one hundred plots were established by the BC Forest Service between 1947 and 1961 to monitor the effects of various partial cutting prescriptions on spruce/sub alpine fir forests.

Growth and Yield Plots

These BC Forest Service plots were established between 1926 and 1934 have been continuously re-measured ever since  (most recently in 2012).

Progeny and Provenance Trials

Both these trials were established by BC Forest Service and are still maintained byt the Tree Improvement Branch. The progeny trial was established in 1972 and is a replicated trial with over 11,000 sample trees. The provenance trial was established in 1966   with over 1100 seedlings planted from 40 difference provenances to test the performance of white and Englemann spruce. For more information, contact Barry Jaquish (barry.jaquish@gems7.gov.bc.ca).

ALRF Species Trials

The Aleza Lake Research Forest Society has established several replicated trails and smaller demonstration sites to monitor the growth of various planted tree species at ALRF. These include western red cedar, larch, and Douglas fir.