Forest Management in Canada

Forest Management

• Importance in Canada: A crucial topic, connecting to various class discussions.
• Forest Values: Addresses values of forest ecosystems, carbon cycling, and human interaction.
• Forest Definition: No single definition globally; approximately 800 definitions exist. A forest requires trees to be present and is dependent on the context of the land use. It can be a site with trees, or have no trees on it and still be considered as forest.
• FAO Definition: FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) defines a forest as land with over 0.5 hectares and 10% tree canopy cover. Land requires trees at least 5 meters tall.
• Reforestation: 34% of pledged reforestation land is aimed at natural regeneration.
• Deforestation: Removal of trees and conversion of the land for other uses. FAO defines deforestation as any removal exceeding 10% of trees that exist on a piece of land. Global deforestation peaked in the 1980s, but wood supply is set to increase until 2050.
• Forest Management Practices: Canada's extensive boreal forest, crucial in the country, sees 9% protected from logging. Logging occurs over 7100 km2 annually. Replanting occurs for 4200 km2, but isn't enough for full forest reproduction.
• Clearcutting: The most dominant method in Canada, economic, involving the removal of all trees. Impacts vary. Mimics natural disturbances, but careful regeneration practices focus on desirable trees.
• Regeneration: Strategies use suppression and selection of trees to encourage regrowth of desirable species.
• Shelterwood Cutting: Retains mature trees, allowing for the growth of younger trees.
• Selective Cutting: Harvesting mature and defective trees while maintaining a varied aged stand.
• Ecological Forestry: Emphasizes the ecological function of the forest alongside timber harvesting.

Ecosystem Story Maps

• Purpose: In-depth connection to one or two concepts within the document; comparisons between sites. Encourage third-person, formal writing.
• Picture Descriptions: Brief descriptions of vegetation, avoiding identification of specific species.
• Information Use: Reports help in identifying invasive species and other relevant ecological connections.
• Human Impacts: A final overview of human impacts within the ecosystem.

Natural Hazards

• Increased Disaster Activity: Significant increase in disaster incidents and damage over five decades, linked to changes in human settlement locations. Reactive approaches are shifting toward proactive resilience building.
• Post-Disaster Recovery: Political will significantly influences rebuilding and resilience measures.
• "Build Back Better" Strategies: Focus on economic rebuilding and incorporating resilience measures during recovery.

Case Study: 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami

• Causes: A major earthquake triggered a destructive tsunami.
• Magnitude and Impact: The 9.1-9.3 magnitude earthquake lasted 10 minutes, causing roughly 250,000 deaths, with Indonesia experiencing the worst effects.
• Tsunami Characteristics: Tsunamis can be predicted and the path followed, as the water receded before the wave arrived.
• Resilience and Planning: Original plans to reduce exposure through land-use planning by creating a 2km buffer zone. The presence of natural barriers, etc provide resilience for communities.

Tsunami Early Warning Systems (TEWS)

• System Development: Tsunami early warning systems were later established, and the systems are crucial because they contain and track tsunami pressure levels and give important information to track and warn citizens and communities.
• System Issues: The systems sometimes encounter safety issues due to various disruptions.
• Computer Simulation: Computer simulations help in evaluating risk and predicting potential tsunami impacts.

Relocation

• Community Needs: Relocation can be challenging due to loss of livelihoods and community structure; taking time and effort to rebuild community and livelihoods.
• Community Benefits: Relocation to safer areas can improve people's psychological well-being.
• Rebuilding Efforts: Time and effort are needed to establish new community livelihoods in the relocation areas.

Living with Natural Hazards

• Acceptance and Adaptation: Acceptance and adaptation to natural events is key for better safety standards. Planning philosophy prioritizes living with the environment by giving water space to flow.

This quiz explores the crucial importance of forest management in Canada, discussing the values of forest ecosystems, definitions of forests, and the implications of deforestation and reforestation. It also covers statistical insights into forest classification and global trends in tree cover.