16 record(s) found.

A multi-century perspective on forest disturbance dynamics in south central British Columbia

The principal goal of this research is to describe the interrelationships between forest structure, climatic variability and disturbance dynamics along ecological gradients in the "dry-belt region" of south central British Columbia. These relationships will be assessed through retrospective analyses of annual radial incremental growth, forest insect and disease surveys (FIDS), and stand histories. By evaluating the geographic and climatic context of the observed relationships, this project will assess the potential impacts of projected climate change on disturbance processes and species distributions.

Project Status: In Progress

A Synopsis of Known and Potential Diseases and Parasites of Plants Associated with Climate Change

Few studies have been completed on the impacts of parasites and diseases on the health and well-being of plants and animals in a changing climate. The objective of this study is to provide an overview of known and potential diseases and parasites, the species of plants that they affect, and known control and management tools and techniques. The project will collate existing data and expert opinion in order to meet the objective.

Project Status: In Progress

Climate Change Impacts on Productivity and Health of Aspen Forests in the Western Canadian Interior

Trembling aspen is important for wildlife, recreation and the forest industry in western Canada. Researchers analysed tree rings from 72 aspen stands across the Prairie Provinces to determine how climate variation, insects and other factors have affected aspen growth and health. They found that insect defoliation and drought were the most important factors driving year to year variation in aspen productivity. This research will help in understanding the response of aspen forests to future climate change.

Project Status: Complete

Further Research Information: Link available

Full Report Location: Link available

Enhanced Indicators of Climate Change Impacts on Forest Hydrology

This study developed indicators to demonstrate the sensitivity of the forest water balance to climate variability. This will assist the forestry sector in evaluating land use adaptation strategies, especially in regions where persistent water deficits may develop in the next century.

Project Status: Complete

Projecting Canadian Forest Fire Impacts in a Changing Climate: Laying the Foundation for the Development of Sound Adaptation Strategies

This project examined the relationship between fire activity and climate in Canada over the past 50 years, and evaluated how an increase in the number and severity of fires would affect forest communities, timber supply, and carbon budgets. Researchers used high-resolution regional climate models to generate scenarios of future forest fire danger. They found that the seasonal fire severity rating would increase in much of Canada under the projected impacts of climate changes.

Project Status: Complete

Further Research Information: Link available

Using Winter Climatic Data to Estimate Spring Crown Dieback in Yellow Birch: a Case Study to Project the Extent and Locations of Pas and Future Birch Decline

Researchers used winter climatic data to investigate the impact of winter thaws and late spring frosts on yellow birch, a tree common to Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic region. Researchers found a strong temporal and spatial relationship between extended winter thaws and spring crown diebacks and decline. These thaws have increased over the last 30 years. Future climate changes are expected to result in even more frequent and prolonged winter thaws, and therefore a potential worsening of birch dieback and decline.

Project Status: Complete

Further Research Information: Link available

Variability of spruce budworm outbreak dynamics in the Boreal Plains region of Canada

Nationally, insects and disease reduce annual forest productivity by 25%. Spruce budworm outbreaks alone account for one fourth of these losses. Further, analyses of historical spruce budworm outbreak data suggest that intensity of outbreaks will increase and the resulting damage to forest coupled with climate change will shift the southern margin of the boreal forest northward two degrees of latitude. This project will: (1) develop regional spruce budworm outbreak chronologies for the Boreal Plains region of Canada extending back to 1800; (2) assess the association between outbreak onset, duration and collapse with identifiable climatic events in the record to evaluate the influence of climate on budworm dynamics and; (3) prepare outbreak vulnerability maps of the Boreal Plains region to identify areas where adaptation strategies seem most warranted.

Project Status: In Progress

Susceptibility of Canadian Forests to a changing fire regime: defining and costing sound fire management adaptation strategies

This study will address the susceptibility of Canada's forests to a changing fire regime as a result of climate change. Knowing the location and the level of susceptibility of Canadian forests to fire will greatly aid in the development of adaptation strategies. An altered fire regime could have important consequences for fire management agencies and for silvicultural practices that are being developed to emulate natural disturbances. In this study, researchers will determine the impact of a changing climate on the level of fire activity in Canadian forests, estimate the economic effect and impact of the altered fire activity on fire management agencies and develop a range of adaptation strategies that balance economic costs and environmental impacts for fire management agencies to address the altered fire activity.

Project Status: In Progress

Natural Disturbances in Boreal Forests and Climate Change

Wildfire and spruce budworm outbreaks are widespread disturbances in the boreal forest. Researchers examined the interactions between these disturbances and assessed how projected climate change would affect these interactions. They concluded that warmer and drier conditions induced by climate change would cause wildfires to increase in stands defoliated by spruce budworm, as well as increase the frequency and intensity of spruce budworm outbreaks.

Project Status: Complete

Full Report Location: Link available

Quantifying the interaction of spruce budworm and wildfire disturbance regimes in central Canada´s boreal forests in response to climate variability and change

The most important natural disturbances in Canada's boreal forests are wildfire and outbreaks of spruce budworm. Little work has been done on fire-spruce budworm (SBW) interaction and how climate change may affect it. Researchers will do statistical analyses of Ontario's historical records to quantify the SBW-fire interaction and how climate has affected this interaction in the recent past.

Project Status: In Progress

Impact of an extreme climatic event on productivity and growth in sugar maple

The January 5-10, 1998 ice storm was one of the worst weather disasters in Canadian history. The frequency of such extreme events is likely to increase in the future with global climate change. This study will characterize the longer-term effects of this extreme environmental event and determine if treatments can be applied to alleviate these effects. The impact of an extreme climatic event (1998 ice storm) on sugar maple sap and syrup productivity, root starch reserves, wound healing, and diameter growth in commercial sugar maple bushes will be measured to help determine if they are affected by remedial lime and fertilizer treatments.

Project Status: Complete

Full Report Location: Link available

Mountain Pine Beetle outbreaks in western Canada: coupled influences of climate variability and stand development

Mountain pine beetle (MPB) outbreaks can produce significant economic and ecological impacts of extensive areas. The Canadian Forest Service has found that areas of favourable climatic conditions have expanded within western Canada since 1970, accompanied by increasing numbers of outbreaks within areas that had previously been climatically unfavourable. This project aims to build on existing knowledge by examining climate- and stand-related factors in more detail, and has three main objectives: (1) to develop and test a model of interannual variations in climatically favourable regions for MPB activity; (2) to relate recent changes in climatically favourable regions and MPB outbreaks to synoptic- and larger-scale phenomena; and (3) to adapt and calibrate an existing stand-level forest ecosystem model (FORECAST) to simulate the effects of projected future climate change on stand development and MPB habitat supply within individual forest stands.

Project Status: Complete

Full Report Location: Link available

An Assessment of the Vulnerability of the Boreal Forest

This study brought together the results of previous research on the impacts of climate change on the western Canadian boreal forest and forest industry. Researchers reviewed literature, assessed knowledge gaps, and provided an integrated picture of the overall sensitivity and vulnerability of selected eco-districts to varying precipitation levels.

Project Status: Complete

Full Report Location: Link available

Climate change implications in the boreal forest fringe and surrounding agricultural areas: options and recommendations for suitable forest establishment and maintenance

The fringe forest in Saskatchewan is potentially sensitive to climate change. Under a warmer and drier future climate, significant losses of forest cover may be anticipated due to increased severity of drought, in combination with fire, insects and other factors. This work will present silviculture and management options to adapt to potential changes in site suitability in the boreal forest fringe. This work will discuss the option of increasing the forest landbase with agricultural land conversion (agro-forestry).

Project Status: Complete

Full Report Location: Link available

Seed source selection and deployment to address adaptation to future climates for interior spruce in western Canada

Interior spruce is widely distributed as the dominant conifer species in western North America. Its growth, form, and health are dependent on each seed source being planted only in those climates where it is adapted. Forest productivity modeling projects potentially significant economic losses due to climate change unless changes are made to current seed deployment schemes. The purpose of this project is to ensure that western Canada's planted spruce forests are adapted to the future climate.

Project Status: Complete

Full Report Location: Link available

Transient simulations of climate change impacts on Canada´s forests 2000-2100: Vulnerability and implications for forestry and conservation

Canada's forests are of critical importance to our national heritage as well as to our economy. Globally our forests contribute to climatic stability, the water cycle and the sequestration of carbon. Climate change threatens these ecosystem services. In this study researchers will assess (1) the impacts of a range of plausible climate change scenarios on the distribution and composition of Canada's forests, and (2) the implications for forestry and conservation interests.

Project Status: Complete

Full Report Location: Link available