Products and Services

A

Index

Aboriginal rights: Rights that some Aboriginal peoples of Canada hold as a result of their ancestors' long-standing use and occupancy of the land. The rights of certain Aboriginal peoples to hunt, trap and fish on ancestral lands are examples of Aboriginal rights. Aboriginal rights will vary from group to group depending on the customs, practices and traditions that have formed part of their distinctive cultures. Droit des Autochtones

Index

Aboriginal title: A legal term that recognizes the interest of Aboriginals in the land. It is based on their long-standing use and occupancy of the land as descendants of the original inhabitants of Canada. Titre ancestral

Index

Adaptive Management Area (AMA): Stands or forest types that require similar management practices and are grouped as one unit for the purposes of silviculture management. Aire de gestion adaptée

Index

Afforestation: The establishment of a tree crop on an area from which it has always or very long been absent. Where such establishment fails and is repeated, the latter may properly be termed "reafforestation." See also Reforestation. Reboisement ; Boisement

Index

Age class: A distinct group of trees or portion of growing stock recognized on the basis of age. Classe d'âge

Index

Agroforestry: A collective name for land-use systems and practices in which trees and shrubs are deliberately integrated with non-woody crops and/or animals on the same land area for ecological and economic purposes. Agroforesterie

Index

Allowable Annual Cut or Annual Allowable Cut (AAC): The amount of timber that is permitted to be cut annually from a particular area. AAC is used as the basis for regulating harvest levels to ensure a sustainable supply of timber. (Note: Both terms have been used) Possibilité annuelle de coupe (PAC)

Index

Anthropogenic emission: Emission caused by human activities (e.g., burning fossil fuels or setting fires to clear forest land for agricultural purposes). Émission anthropique

Index

Anthropogenic removal: Removal resulting from human activities (e.g., planting trees). Réduction anthropique

Index

Arboreal: Relating to the cultivation of trees. Arboricole

Index

Arboretum: A botanical tree garden where trees are maintained for display purposes. Arboretum

Index

Area regenerating: Includes areas that have been harvested recently (less than 10 years ago), and areas depleted by such natural disturbances as fire, insects and disease. Superficie en régénération

Index

Index

Biodiversity (biological diversity): Refers to the variety of life on 3 different levels: the variety of ecosystems (ecosystem diversity), the variety of species (species diversity) and the variety within species (genetic diversity). Biodiversité (diversité biologique)

Index

Bioassay: A technique for determining the effectiveness of a substance by measuring its effects on animals, tissues or organisms and comparing them to the effects of a standard preparation. Bioessai

Index

Biomass: The dry weight of all organic material, living or dead, above or below the soil surface. Biomasse

Index

Biosphere: That part of the earth and atmosphere capable of supporting living organisms. Biosphère

Index

Biotechnology: Development of products by a biological process. Production may be carried out by using intact organisms (e.g., yeasts and bacteria) or by using natural substances (e.g., enzymes) from organisms. Biotechnologie

Index

Boreal forest: One of 3 main forest zones in the world (see also tropical forest, temperate forest); it is located in northern regions and is characterized by the predominance of conifers. Forêt boréale

Index

Buffer: A strip of land where disturbances are not allowed, or are closely monitored, to preserve aesthetic and other qualities adjacent to roads, trails, waterways, and recreation sites. Zone tampon

Index

Index

Dendrology: The study of trees; tree identification. Dendrologie (forestière)

Index

Desertification: The transformation of once-productive arid and semi-arid areas into deserts through prolonged drought or continued mismanagement of land and water resources. Désertification

Index

Index

Ecolabeling: A two-step process used to determine when a product can display a special seal or mark signifying that it is less harmful to the environment than most other similar products. The two-steps are: establishment of criteria, and certification that a product meets the criteria. Écoétiquetage

Index

Ecological land classification: A process of delineating and classifying ecologically distinctive areas based on geologic, landform, soil, vegetative, climatic, wildlife, water and human factors. This holistic approach to land classification can be applied incrementally, from site-specific ecosystems to very broad ecosystems. This system provides for seven levels of generalization; ecozones, ecoprovinces, ecoregions, ecodistricts, ecosections, ecosites and ecoelements. Classification écologique des terres

Index

Ecoregion: A part of an ecozone characterized by distinctive regional ecological factors, including climate, physical geography, vegetation, soil, water, fauna and land use. Écorégion

Index

Ecosystem: A dynamic system of plants, animals, and other organisms, together with the non-living components of the environment, functioning as an interdependent unit. Écosystème

Index

Ecosystem integrity: The quality of a natural unmanaged or managed ecosystem in which the natural ecological processes sustain the function, composition and structure of the system. Intégrité de l'écosystème

Index

Ecotourism: A type of tourism that focuses on nature-related experiences (e.g., whale watching). Écotourisme

Index

Ecozone: An area of the Earth's surface that is representative of a broad-scale ecological unit characterized by particular abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) factors. Écozone

Index

Edge habitat: A loosely defined type of habitat that occurs at the boundary between two different habitat types. Typically, edge habitats share characteristics with both adjacent habitat types and have particular transitional characteristics that are important to wildlife. Habitat de lisière

Index

Emissions: Waste substances released into the air or water. Émissions

Index

Endangered species: Species that are threatened with imminent extinction; includes species whose numbers or habitats have been reduced to critical levels. Espèce en danger de disparition

Index

Engineered wood products: A composite wood product made from glued fibre, lumber and/or veneer to meet specific design criteria. Produit du bois de haute technologie

Index

Environmental assessment: A process designed to contribute pertinent environmental information to the decision-making process of forest management and other resource projects and programs. Évaluation environnementale

Index

Even-aged forest: A forest stand or type in which relatively small age differences (10–20 years) exist between individual trees. Équienne; Forêt équienne

Index

Extirpated species/extirpation: Refers to the local extinction of a species that is no longer found in a locality or country, but exists elsewhere in the world. Espèce extirpée/extirpation; Espèce disparue/disparition

Index

Index

Fauna: A general term for all forms of animal life characteristic of a region, period or special environment. Faune

Index

Featured-species management: A type of wildlife management that does not attempt to manage for all species, but selects a few species of particular concern or interest (e.g., big game species or endangered species) and aims management programs at them. With respect to habitat, it is generally assumed that providing habitat for these species provides habitat for other species as well. Gestion axée sur les espèces

Index

Feller-Buncher: A self-propelled machine used to fell trees by shearing them off near the ground using a hydraulic apparatus. Some models also strip limbs and bunch the logs for later pickup. Abatteuse-groupeuse

Index

Flora: A general term for all forms of plant life characteristic of a region, period or special environment. Flore

Index

Forest: A complex community of plants and animals in which trees are the most conspicuous members. A mixed forest includes both coniferous and deciduous trees.

Index

Forest canopy: The more or less continuous cover of branches and foliage formed collectively by the crowns of adjacent trees. See also Canopy. Couvert forestier

Index

Forest land: Land primarily intended for growing, or currently supporting, forest. It includes land not now forested (e.g., clearcut lands and northern lands that are forested but not intended for any commercial forestry use) and plantations. Terres forestières

Index

Forest plantation / Plantation forestry / Plantation forestForest stands established by planting and/or seeding in the process of afforestation or reforestation which are either of introduced species (all planted stands) or intensively managed stands of indigenous species, which meet all the following criteria: one or two species at plantation, even age class, regular spacing. Plantation forestière / Foresterie de plantation / Forêts de plantation

Index

Forestry practices: Any activity that is carried out on forest land to facilitate the use of forest resources, including, but not limited to, timber harvesting, road construction, silviculture, grazing, recreation, pest control and wildfire suppression.

Index

Forest regions classification: A process of delineating large geographic areas according to landform and climate, associated with broad variations in overall forest composition. Classification des régions forestières

Index

Forest type: A group of forest areas or stands whose similar composition (species, age, height, and density) differentiates it from other such groups. Type forestier

Index

Fossil fuels: Oil, gas, coal and other fuels that were formed under the Earth's surface from the fossilized remains of plants and tiny animals that lived millions of years ago. Combustible fossile

Index

Forwarder: A self-propelled machine, usually self-loading, that transports trees or logs by carrying them completely off the ground.Porteur

Index

Fuelwood: Trees used for the production of firewood logs or other wood fuel. Bois de chauffage

Index

Index

Geographic Information System (GIS): An organized collection of computer hardware, software and geographic data designed for capturing, storing, updating, manipulating, analyzing and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information. Systèmes d'information géographique (SIG)

Index

Global warming: The rise in temperature of the Earth's atmosphere due to the greenhouse effect (the retention of the sun's energy by the atmosphere due to the build-up of CO₂ and other gases that are the bi-product of industrial activities). Réchauffement planétaire

Index

Global Positioning System (GPS): A system of satellites and receiving devices used to compute positions on the Earth. Système de positionnement global (GPS)

Index

Grapple: A clamp mounted on the end of the skidding boom, consisting of a downward-turned clamp that is opened to pick up the stems or logs and then closed to lift and deposit them further away. Grappin

Index

Greenhouse effect: The warming of the Earth's atmosphere caused by increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other gases in the air, which trap the sun's heat within the atmosphere. Effet de serre

Index

Greenhouse gases: Those gases, such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, tropospheric ozone, nitrous oxide, and methane, that are transparent to solar radiation but opaque to longwave radiation. Their action is similar to that of glass in a greenhouse. See also greenhouse effect. Gaz à effet de serre

Index

Greenhouse gas sinks: Any process, activity or mechanism that removes greenhouse gases or their precursors from the atmosphere. The principal natural mechanism is photosynthesis. Puits de gaz à effet de serre

Index

Greenhouse gas source: Any process or activity (e.g., forest fires or conversion of forest land to agricul-tural or urban uses) that releases green-house gases or precursors of those gases into the atmosphere. As trees and forest products decompose or burn, they release carbon in the form of carbon dioxide. Source de gaz à effet de serre

Index

Group-selection method: A method of regenerating uneven-aged stands in which trees are removed in small groups. Jardinage par groupes

Index

Green tree cut: Harvesting that retains live trees of a specific species and size on the area to be cut to achieve a site-specific objective. Coupe avec réserves

Index

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): A measure of national income-the amount paid to Canadians in terms of salaries, wages, profits and taxes. Produit intérieur brut (PIB)

Index

Guild management: A method of management by which species are assembled into groups based on similarities in their habitat requirements. One species is selected to indicate the group; conserving the habitat of that particular species ensures the conservation of other members of the guild. Gestion par association

Index

Index

Hardwood(s), Broad, Leaved trees: (That lose their leaves in autumn) Also refers to the wood produced by these trees. Hardwoods belong to the botanical division Angiospermae (now Magnoliophyta) and are the dominant type of tree in the deciduous forest. Feuillus

Index

Heritage forests: Proposed name for the highly protected sites within Canada’s forest land. These sites, designated by federal and provincial agencies, are classified according to the World Conservation Union categories and are protected by legislation from commercial harvesting. Forêts patrimoniales

Index

Home-range size: An individual species' requirement for space. Both the size of an organism and its lifestyle determine its space requirements. Domaine vital

Index

Index

Integrated resource management: A holistic approach to resource management that entails the management of 2 or more resources (e.g., water, soil, timber, pasture, wildlife, and recreation) and that integrates the values of the community into the design of policies or projects to use and sustain these resources in perpetuity. Gestion intégrée des ressources

Index

Inventory (forest): A survey of a forest area to determine such data as area, condition, timber, volume and species for a specific purpose, such as planning, purchasing, evaluating, managing or harvesting. Inventaire (forestier)

Index

Index

Lichen: An algae and a fungus growing in symbiotic association on solid surfaces such as rocks or tree bark. Lichen

Index

Light framing lumber: Lumber that is 5 to 10 cm thick and 5 to 10 cm wide. It is used in a large variety of general construction applications. Bois à charpente légère

Index

Index

Microorganisms: Microscopic one- or multi-celled organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, yeasts, algae, fungi and protozoans. Microorganismes

Index

Mixedwoods: Trees belonging to either of the botanical groups Gymnospermae or Angiospermae that are substantially intermingled in stands. Peuplement mixte

Index

Model forest: A forest or designated area including forests and woodland for which an integrated management plan is created and implemented to achieve multiple objectives on a sustainable basis. Forêt modèle

Index

Multiple forest use: > A system of resource use where the forest resources in a given land unit serve more than one user. Utilisation intégrée de la forêt

Index

Index

Non-commercial tree species: > A tree species for which there is currently no market. Espèce d'arbre non commerciale ; Essence forestière non commercial

Index

Non-tariff barrier: An economic, political, administrative or legal impediment to trade other than a duty, tax or import quota. Barrières non tarifaires

Index

Non-timber forest products: Any commodity obtained from the forest that does not necessitate harvesting trees. Produit forestier non ligneux

Index

Non-timber resource value: A value within the forest other than timber that includes, but is not limited to, biological diversity, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, water quality and quantity, recreation and tourism, cultural and heritage values, and wilderness and aesthetic values. Valeurs non ligneuses

Index

Index

Open forests: Proposed name for the natural forests commonly found in northern Canada. These forests are a mixture of wetlands and small trees, occasionally interspersed with highly productive forests. Forêts claires

Index

Oriented strand board (OSB): Panels made from narrow strands of fibre oriented lengthwise and crosswise in layers, with a resin binder. Depending on the resin used, OSB can be suitable for interior or exterior applications. Panneau de particules orientées

Index

Overmature: Tree or stand that has passed the age of maturity where the rate of growth has diminished and the trees are weakened. Suranné

Index

Overstorey: The upper canopy of a forest, typically formed by the branches and leaves of trees. Étage dominant

Index

Ozone layer: > A form of oxygen (O₃) formed naturally in the upper atmosphere by a photochemical reaction with solar ultraviolet radiation and a major agent in the formation of smog. Couche d'ozone

Index

Index

Partial cutting: Tree removal other than clearcutting, i.e., taking only part of a stand. Coupe partielle

Index

Pathogen: A microscopic organism or virus directly capable of causing disease. Pathogéne

Index

Pathology (forest): The study of disease. Pathologie

Index

Pest: An organism capable of causing material damage. Forest pests include insects, tree diseases, and noxious fungi. Ravageur

Index

Phenolic (phenolic compound): A highly complex organic compound that exists in every plant in various mixes, ratios and concentrations. Phenols include, for example, many plant pigments. Dérivé/composés phénoliques

Index

Pheromone: A chemical substance released by animals, including insects, that influences the behaviour or development of other individuals of the same species, e.g., sexual attractants. Phéromones

Index

Photosynthesis: Formation of carbohydrates in the chlorophyll-containing tissues of plants exposed to light. Photosynthèse

Index

Plantation: A stand of trees that has been grown through direct seeding or by planting seedlings. Plantation

Index

Population: A group of organisms of the same species inhabiting a particular geographical area at a particular time. Population

Index

Pre-commercial thinning: Cutting in an immature crop or stand to improve crop spacing and to accelerate the diameter increment of favoured trees, and/or improve the average form of the trees that remain. Does not yield trees of commercial value.

Index

Protected area: An area protected by legislation, regulation, or land-use policy to control the level of human occupancy or activities. Categories of protected areas include protected landscapes, national parks, multiple-use management areas, and nature (wildlife) reserves. Aire protégée

Index

Protection forests: Proposed name for forests protected from harvesting by policy. These forests usually protect sensitive sites, such as watersheds and steep slopes. Forêts de protection

Index

Protocol: A legally binding sub-agreement of a framework convention or treaty. Protocole

Index

Provenance: The geographical area or place of origin of a collection of genetic material (generally in the form of seed, pollen or cuttings) for which the process of natural selection has resulted in some common or shared population characteristics. Provenance

Index

Pulp: Wood chips that have been ground mechanically into fibers and are used for the production of inexpensive paper, such as newsprint, or that have been chemically treated to remove the lignin and are used to manufacture higher quality papers. Pâte

Index

Index

Regeneration: The continuous renewal of a forest stand. Natural regeneration occurs gradually with seeds from adjacent stands or with seeds brought in by wind, birds, or animals. Artificial regeneration involves direct seeding or planting. Régénération

Index

Research and development (R&D;): Set of activities directed toward improving and innovating products and processes from a technological point of view and not from a commercial point of view. Encompasses basic research, applied research and development. Recherche-développement (R-D)

Index

Retention harvesting: A silvicultural system designed to retain individual trees or groups of trees to maintain structural diversity over the area of the cutblock. Coupe à rétantion variable

Index

Riparian forest: At a large scale, it is the band of forest that has a significant influence on a stream ecosystem or is significantly affected by the stream. At a smaller scale, it is the forest at the immediate water's edge, where some specialized plants and animals form a distinct community. Forêt ripicole

Index

Riparian zone / Buffer zone / Buffer strip: A strip of land maintained along a stream, lake, road, recreation site or different vegetative zone to mitigate the impacts of actions on adjacent lands, to enhance aesthetic values, or as a best management practice. Zone riveraine / Zone (bande) tampon

Index

Rotation: The planned number of years between the formation or regeneration of a crop or stand and its final cutting at a specified stage or maturity. Révolution

Index

Roundwood: Round sections of tree stems with or without bark, such as logs and bolts. Bois rond

Index

Rutting: The resulting depressions in the soil due to the repeated passage of a logging machine’s wheels at the same place. Orniérage

Index

Index

Science and technology/S&T; (forest): Systematic activities that are closely concerned with the generation, advancement, dissemination and application of scientific and technical knowledge in all fields of science and technology, including such activities as research and development (R&D;), scientific and technical education and training, and scientific and technological services. Sciences et technologie (S-T)

Index

Second growth forest: A forest that has developed (naturally or artificially) following the removal of the original virgin forest. Forêt de seconde venue

Index

Seed banks: Storage facilities where seedlots (or bags of seed) are stored. Banques de semences

Index

Seed orchards: A plantation of trees (pre-selected on the basis of their superior genetic traits) that has been isolated from genetically inferior outside sources, and intensively managed to improve the genotype and produce abundant seed crops. Verger à graines

Index

Seed tree cutting: Leaving a scattered number of trees on a site to provide a portion of the seeds needed for regeneration. See also Seed-tree method. Mode de régénération par coupe rase avec semenciers

Index

Seed-tree method: A method of regenerating a forest stand that involves removing all of the trees from an area in a single cut, except for a small number of seed-bearing trees. The objective is to create an even-aged stand. See also Seed tree cutting. Mode de régénération par coupe rase avec semenciers

Index

Seeding felling: A method of regeneration involving the removal of trees in a mature stand (to open the canopy) with the exception of a small number of see trees. The objective is to produce an even-aged stand. Coupe d'ensemencement

Index

Selection cutting: Annual or periodic cutting of trees in a stand in which the trees vary markedly in age. The objective is to recover the yield and maintain an uneven-aged stand structure, while creating the conditions necessary for tree growth and seedling establishment. Differs from selective cutting, in which the most valuable trees are harvested without regard for the condition of the residual stand. Coupe de jardinage

Index

Shelterwood cutting: A method of harvesting that involves 2 cuts: the first cut leaves trees at intervals to provide the canopy and species required for natural regeneration; the second cut harvests the resulting new crop of trees (which are fairly even-aged). Coupes progressives

Index

Shelterwood systems: A method of harvesting that involves two cuts: the first cut leaves trees at intervals to provide the canopy and species required for natural regeneration; the second cut harvests the resulting new crop of trees (which are fairly even-aged). Mode de régénération par coupe progressives

Index

Shortwood harvesting: A harvesting method by which a tree is cut down, delimbed and cut into 1.3-, 2.6-, 3.2-, or 4.8-metre lengths before being transported to a mill. Exploitation en bois court

Index

Silviculture: The theory and practice of controlling the establishment, composition, growth, and quality of forest stands. Can include basic silviculture (e.g., planting and seeding) and intensive silviculture (e.g., site rehabilitation, spacing, and fertilization). Sylviculture

Index

Single tree selection: The selection of individual trees for harvesting. Coupe sélective par arbre

Index

Site index: An expression of forest site quality based on the height, at a specified age, of dominant and codominant trees in a stand. Indice (de qualité) Index

Skidder: ">A self-propelled logging machine with an articulated frame, used for hauling operations. Débardeur

Index

Index

Softwood(s): Cone-bearing trees with needles or scale-like leaves; also refers to the wood produced by these trees. Softwoods belong to the botanical division Gymnospermae (now Pinophyta) and are the predominant tree type in coniferous forests. Résineux (conifères)

Index

Snag: A dead, but standing tree from which the leaves and most of the branches have fallen. Chicot

Index

SPF (spruce-pine-fir): Canadian woods of similar characteristics that are grouped as one lumber type for production and marketing purposes. SPF species range in color from white to pale yellow. EPS (épinette-pin-sapin)

Index

Spruce budworm: An insect that damages spruce and fir trees. Eggs of the spruce budworm are laid on branches by an adult moth. Young budworms feed primarily on the new growth of the tree branch, but also eat older needles. Defoliation results, killing the tree. Tordeuse des bourgeons de l'épinette

Index

Stand: A community of trees possessing sufficient uniformity in composition, age, arrangement, or condition to be distin-guishable from the forest or other growth on adjoining areas, thus forming a silvicultural or management entity. Peuplement

Index

Stewardship (forest): Environmentally and socially responsible use, management and development of forest resources to maintain and enhance the value of the forest for present and future generations. IntendanceGérance

Index

Stocked forest: Land supporting tree growth. In this context, tree growth includes seedlings and saplings. Forêt regénérée

Index

Stumpage fee: The fee paid by an individual or company for the timber they harvest from public forests or privately owned forest land. Droits de coupe

Index

Succession: Changes in the species composition of an ecosystem over time, often in a predictable order. In forests, it refers to the sequence of one community of plants gradually replacing another. Succession

Index

Sustainable (forest) development: The development of forests to meet current needs without prejudice to their future productivity, ecological diversity or capacity for regeneration. Développement durable des forêts

Index

Sustainable forest management: Management that maintains and enhances the long-term health of forest ecosystems for the benefit of all living things while providing environmental, economic, social and cultural opportunities for present and future generations. Aménagement forstier durable

Index

Sustained-yield forestry: The yield of defined forest products of specific quality and in projected quantity that a forest can provide continuously at a given intensity of management. Foresterie à rendement soutenu

Index