Canadian Forestry Issues Facing Forestry in Canada

FORESTS AND THE ECONOMY Canadian forests represent 1/10th of the world’s forested area, including 1/5th of the world’s temperate rainforests and more than 1/3rd of the world’s boreal forests. Canadian forest industry generates approx. $74 billion in sales contributes $34 billion toward the trade surplus employs an estimated 353,000 Canadians (1 in 16 jobs, both direct and indirect) contributes approx. $29 billion to the GDP

Methods of Harvesting Forests Clear-cutting Shelterwood Cutting Selective cutting

Methods of Harvesting Forests Shelterwood Cutting Involves clear-cutting only part of an old growth forest Small groups of seed bearing trees are left so the area will regenerate Shelterwood method is often used in forests that have grown and aged evenly

Methods of Harvesting Forests Clear Cutting Loggers remove every tree and leave a barren landscape. When replanted, the new forest grows uniformly in species and size

Methods of Harvesting Forests Selective Cutting Only mature trees of the desired size, type or quality Another shot of the same stand in an area that has been finished--except for picking up a few logs. The stand is about 65 years old.

Forestry Issues Too few trees replanted Same species of tree replanted (softwood) Soil erosion Water pollution (mercury poisoning) Air pollution (acid rain) Aerial spraying Forest fires Destruction of wildlife habitat

Resource Management environmental policy is a socially-constructed issue movement toward a global model that embraces “sustainable development” for establishing positive relationships between economic development and environmental stewardship NGO’s respond to society’s mistrust of industry (toxins, radiation, unsustainable development) modernization needs to interpret pollution reduction as a means of enhancing economic competitiveness, not requiring expensive installation and maintenance resource management needs to include elements of traditional indigenous subsistence cultures within the framework of impact assessment

Six Principles of Ecological Modernization cleaner, less resource intensive technology strict government regulations (first-mover advantage, “green” innovation) integrated pollution management anticipatory planning practices (precautions regarding health and enviro. hazards) all public and private entities share a concern for environmental quality with respect to all activities broad organizational network for decision making, constructive relationships among stakeholders