Receding forests and expanding grasslands

Boreal forests occur in the cooler, moister climates of the Prairie Provinces. Further south, where the climate is warmer and drier, these forests are replaced by aspen parkland and open grassland. In a warmer climate, these ecoclimatic zones may shift northward. Much of the southern forest that supports our timber industry may come under stress or even be eliminated.

This could change to this! (Hogg and Hurdle, 1995)

Potential impacts on forests

• decrease in tree growth rate and timber production in southern forests
• decrease in survival rate of tree seedlings
• elimination of some southern forests, replacement by parkland and grassland
• increase in growth rate in northern forests or wet sites
• increase in forest fires
• increase in insects such as spruce budworm and forest tent caterpillar

Catapillars infesting cherry tree at Indian Head, Saskatchewan Community Forest. (Carrie MacPherson, PFRA)

Where there's smoke there's fire

Forest fire (CCRS, CCRS, Paul Maczek, SERM)

Forest fires and smoke plumes detected by satellite on August 11, 1998 across Canada.

Forest fire hot spots (red) and smoke (yellow) detected over northern Alberta and Saskatchewan by satellite on August 11, 1998.

Did you know?
Most forest fires in Canada are caused by lightning strikes. Warmer and drier weather conditions accompanying climate change may promote more forest fires in the Prairie Provinces.

References

Hogg, E.H. and Hurdle, P.A., 1995: The aspen parkland in western Canada: a dry-climate analogue for the future boreal forest?; Water, Air and Soil Pollution, v. 82, p. 391 - 400.