Morice Land and Resource Management Plan

Location Analysis

As mentioned earlier, it is necessary to determine the product, business size and scale and target market for entering the botanical sector. Thirty-six plant species have been identified as having medicinal or nutraceutical value that grow in the area defined as the Morice LRMP. Although there is a diverse range of understory plants with nutraceutical and medicinal applications growing in the Morice LRMP, there are few that currently show market potential when they are evaluated by the criteria of abundance, eases of access, vulnerability, and uniqueness (See Appendix #1). There may be more plants commonly thought of as weeds, which may also present some opportunity such as dandelions, chickweed, St. John’s Wort and red clover and burdock, which are not listed in Appendix #1. Species such as Arnica and Valerian, which have popular applications, are not present in the Morice LRMP.

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  Willow species
  

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  Prickly Rose
  
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  Paper Birch
  
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  Devil’s Club
  
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  Bedstraw
  
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  Western red cedar
  
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  Horsetail
  
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  Subalpine fir
  
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  Trebling aspen
  
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  Spruce
  
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  Balsam Popular
  

The potential use of botanicals growing within the Morice LRMP is listed briefly in Appendix #2. Both First Nation’s traditional use and North American folklore and clinical trials would produce an exhaustive list of applications for many of the plants and it is important to seek either First Nations expertise or a trained clinical herbalist to assist in product development.

Bedstraw is more common in lower elevation areas (SBSdk) in the valleys on circum mesic sites. It can be found in cutblocks and mature forest but will be most abundant in mixed wood or meadow/deciduous forests. Plants are generally sporadically dispersed. These areas are generally reasonably accessible by road and closer to population centres.

Found in moist areas, especially seepage sites on toe slopes or in gullies under a tree canopy. It is not really found in the SBSdk and is mainly in the SBSmc2. There are extensive areas of club on the northeast side of Babine Lake (accessible by road but a long way from any community). Devil’s Club can occur in continuous patches. Otherwise most areas that would have devil’s club would be an hour or more drive plus walking to appropriate sites.

Highbush cranberry can be found under a canopy and in cutblocks though generally, not highly concentrated. The species is most abundant in moist relatively rich sites. No specific geographic location – i.e., widespread distribution if site conditions are right.

Horsetail

Horsetail is most abundant on moist to wet rich sites and along the margins of lakes or swamps/bogs. Found in concentrated patches. Horsetail is common throughout the TSA.

T
Dwarf Blueberry

Birch is not abundant in the District and is generally found in mixed stands at lower elevations, particularly along river valleys. It is probably most abundant on private lands. Birch will be relatively accessible compared to other species but not abundant.

Paper Birch

Prickly Rose

Rose is wide spread occurring on moderately dry to dry sites. It is often concentrated in small pockets in clearcuts but is sparsely distributed in a mature forest. There are likely to be many areas with good access along major roads with some prickly rose.

Raspberry benefits from disturbance and there are examples of cutblocks with higher concentrations of raspberry but pockets will not be extensive. Best site conditions are mesic and moist areas that have been disturbed and do not suffer from high levels of overstory shade. Generally occurs in areas with good access.

Raspberry


Saskatoon

A
Saskatoon Berries

Spruce is widespread throughout the TSA and easily accessed.

Subalpine-fir is widespread throughout the TSA, but is rarely found at lower elevations (SBSdk). It is not as accessible as spruce but still easily accessed.

Thimbleberry can be found in low concentrations in an understory position at medium and low elevations, which are generally quite accessible. Fruit production is very poor unless overstory shade is low. It is sometimes found in higher concentrations in cutblocks on sites which are richer and moister than average. It is also found in higher concentrations along roadsides that run through richer, moister sites. Fruit production is generally low.

Trembling aspen is widespread at lower elevations near population centers. The highest concentrations occur on private land and it is more prevalent in logged areas than unlogged. On crown land, access to aspen is relatively easy but not as good as on private land.

Willow occurs on moist sites throughout the TSA. It often occurs in small concentrated pockets along draws and depressions or along streams. It can also be dispersed. On moist sites that have been disturbed, levels will often increase. Likely the best candidate areas will be on lower, more productive slopes that have been partially logged or burned 15 or more years ago.

W
Western Redcedar