Search

Industrial forestry in Canada commonly occurs on the traditional territory of Aboriginal people, and forestry companies often take actions to gain acceptance and approval of communities. Over the last two decades, the concept of 'social licence to operate' (SLO) has been increasingly used as a way of framing these actions in relation to regulatory licences and approval processes. Although Aboriginal views of forestry have been extensively researched, few attempts have been made to link this research to the developing concept of SLO. This article seeks to address this gap, using existing models to identify five groups of path elements that contribute to obtaining and maintaining SLO: socio-economic infrastructure, biophysical infrastructure, engagement processes, relationship building and recognition of rights. Previous research on five common forms of collaborative arrangement - impact benefit agreements, co-management, consultation processes, tenures and economic partnerships - is then reviewed to consider how these contribute to obtaining and maintain SLO. Canadian experiences demonstrate the potential benefits of direct negotiations and the advantages of combining arrangements, but also highlight the difficulty of addressing Aboriginal rights within an SLO framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a model that maps the net present value (NPV) associated with planting black spruce ( Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.) and white pine ( Pinus strobus L.) seed sources across a study area centred on Ontario, Canada. The model accounts for climate change through the use of universal response functions, which (in principle) predict the growth of any seed source under any climatic conditions. We demonstrated the use of the model for two locations in northern Ontario; both species exhibited significant variation in NPV across the study area and significant gains associated with climate-smart seed movements. For example, the NPV associated with potential white pine seed sources varied by more than $1500·ha−1 for a planting site at North Bay, Ontario. We also compared the NPV maps with climate similarity maps to examine the degree to which simple climate matching can act as a proxy for the detailed genecology relationships contained in the universal response functions. Overall, the climate similarity maps were well-correlated with the NPV maps; however, there was poor agreement regarding white pine seed deployment from North Bay, for which the two approaches identified opposite seed transfer directions. We propose that this situation can arise when species show strong adaptation to a central climatic optimum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Forestry Chronicle is the property of Canadian Institute of Forestry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Over the last 25 years, greater understanding of natural dynamics in the boreal forest has led to the integration of forest ecosystem management principles into forest policy of several Canadian provinces and, in turn, to greater interest in developing silvicultural treatments that are grounded in natural stand-level dynamics – often referred to as natural disturbance-based silviculture. As a result, alternative silvicultural practices including variants of partial cutting are increasingly being applied in the boreal forest as an approach to balancing economic and ecological management objectives. While the numerous benefits of partial cutting reported in the literature are acknowledged, the objective of this paper is to provide an overview of factors or constraints that potentially limit the application of these practices in boreal Canada in the context of forest ecosystem management and natural disturbance-based silviculture. Among constraining factors, numerous studies have reported elevated mortality rates of residual stems following partial cutting, initial growth stagnation of residual trees, problems related to recruitment of desirable species and, on certain flat or lowland sites, risks of long-term decline in site and stand productivity. A number of operational challenges to partial cutting in the boreal forest are also presented and several avenues of research are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article focuses on the celebration of the National Forest Week by the Canadian Institute of Forestry which aim to raise public awareness towards the forests in Canada and restore the people's relationship with nature. Topics discussed include the impact of urbanization on forestry culture, the role of forestry in the economy, history, and culture of the country, and the book "Last Child in the Woods," by Richard Louv.

Abstract: The increasing commercial interest and advancing exploitation of new remote territories of the boreal forest require deeper knowledge of the productivity of these ecosystems. Canadian boreal forests are commonly assumed to be evenly aged, but recent studies show that frequent small-scale disturbances can lead to uneven-aged class distributions. However, how age distribution affects tree growth and stand productivity at high latitudes remains an unanswered question. Dynamics of tree growth in even- and uneven-aged stands at the limit of the closed black spruce (Picea mariana) forest in Quebec (Canada) were assessed on 18 plots with ages ranging from 77 to 340 years. Height, diameter and age of all trees were measured. Stem analysis was performed on the 10 dominant trees of each plot by measuring tree-ring widths on discs collected each meter from the stem, and the growth dynamics in height, diameter and volume were estimated according to tree age. Although growth followed a sigmoid pattern with similar shapes and asymptotes in even- and uneven-aged stands, trees in the latter showed curves more flattened and with increases delayed in time. Growth rates in even-aged plots were at least twice those of uneven-aged plots. The vigorous growth rates occurred earlier in trees of even-aged plots with a culmination of the mean annual increment in height, diameter and volume estimated at 40–80 years, 90–110 years earlier than in uneven-aged plots. Stand volume ranged between 30 and 238m3 ha−1 with 75% of stands showing values lower than 120m3 ha−1 and higher volumes occurring at greater dominant heights and stand densities. Results demonstrated the different growth dynamics of black spruce in single- and multi-cohort stands and suggested the need for information on the stand structure when estimating the effective or potential growth performance for forest management of this species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fire and harvesting are major forest renewal processes in the Canadian boreal forest. The eddy covariance method was used to compare ecosystem fluxes of carbon dioxide between harvested and burned boreal forest sites in Saskatchewan, Canada. The harvest chronosequence had sites harvested in 2002 (HJP02), 1994 (HJP94) and 1975 (HJP75), whereas the fire chronosequence sites were burned in 1998 (F98), 1989 (F89), 1977 (F77) and 1929 (OJP). All sites were dominated by jack pine prior to the disturbance. During 2004 and 2005, net ecosystem production showed an average carbon gain (gCm−2 year−1) at F89=84, HJP75=80, HJP94=14 and OJP=20. The other sites lost carbon (gCm−2 year−1) at HJP02=−139, F98=−20, and F77=−58. Gross ecosystem production (GEP), ecosystem respiration (R e) and evapotranspiration tended to be greater at the burned sites than the harvested sites. The F89 and F77 sites had the strongest response of GEP to photosynthetically active radiation, and the strongest response of R e to soil temperature at the 2-cm depth. HJP02 had the weakest responses, followed by HJP94. This apparent greater ecosystem activity at the burned sites is likely caused by local differences in soil moisture and nutrients, differences in vegetation development, and differences in the decomposition of coarse woody debris. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Forestry Chronicle is the property of Canadian Institute of Forestry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In forestry, the availability of high spatial resolution (<1 m/pixel) imagery from new earth observation satellites like Ikonos favours a shift in the image analysis paradigm from a pixel-based approach towards one dealing directly with the essential structuring element of such images: the individual tree crown (ITC). This paper gives an initial assessment of the effects of 1 m and 4 m/pixel spatial resolutions (panchromatic and multispectral bands, respectively) on the detection, delineation, and classification of the individual tree crowns seen in Ikonos images. Winter and summer Ikonos images of the Hudson plantation of the Petawawa Research Forest, Ontario, Canada were analyzed. The panchromatic images were resampled to 0.5 m/pixel and then smoothed using a 3 × 3 kernel mean filter. A valley-following algorithm and rule-based isolation module were applied to delineate the individual tree crowns. Local maxima within a moving 3 × 3 window (i.e., Tree Tops) were also extracted from the smoothed images for comparison. Crown delineation and detection results were summarised and compared with field tree counts. Overall, the ITC delineation and the local maxima approaches led to tree counts that were on average 15 percent off for both seasons. Visual inspection reveals delineation of clusters of two or three crowns as a common source of error. Crown-based species spectral signatures were generated for six classes representing conifer species, plus a hardwood class and a shrub class. After the ITC-based classification, classification accuracy was ascertained using separate test areas of known species. The overall accuracy was 59 percent. Important confusion exists between red and white spruces, and mature versus immature white pines, but post-classification regroupings into single spruce and white pine classes led to an overall accuracy of 67 percent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the role of forest industry sector and its relationship to the social and economic development of Aboriginal communities in Canada. It is said that the forest sector had provided employment for the Aboriginal community and considered to be the pathway to further development. Such relationship had change as time passed by. Result indicates that there is a sharp distinction on the social and economic status of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.

Resource peripheries that are geographically remote from “core economies” are also peripheral to contemporary theorizing in economic geography, and requires higher profile within economic geography's research agenda. The restructuring qua remapping of resource peripheries is collectively shaped by institutional forces unleashed by post-Fordism and globalization that are fundamentally different from the restructuring of cores. As industrial regions, resource peripheries must negotiate the imperatives of flexibility and neoliberalism from vulnerable, dependent positions on geographic margins. For many resource peripheries, neoliberalism has been perversely associated with trade protectionism. As resource regions, the restructuring of resource peripheries has been further complicated by resource-cycle dynamics and radically new social attitudes toward the exploitation of resources that have helped spawn the politics of environmentalism and aboriginalism. Trade, environmental, and aboriginal politics have clashed around the world to contest vested industrial interests and remap resource peripheries in terms of their value systems. British Columbia's forest economy illustrates this contested remapping. For two decades, the powerful forces of neoliberalism, environmentalism, and aboriginalism have institutionalized a “war in the woods” of British Columbia that is sustained by shared criticism of provincial policy and disagreement over how remapping should proceed. The authority of the provincial government, which controls British Columbia's forests, has been undermined, but it remains vital to socially acceptable remapping. Meanwhile, the enduring war in the woods testifies that geography matters on the periphery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bioeconomy is expected to replace the current information economy and will depend heavily on the manufacturing and trade of bioproducts, which are all commodities generated by living organisms through the use of technology and biotechnology, as well as nontimber forest products. In Canada alone, markets for bioproducts are in excess of $100 billion annually. The bioeconomy should impact most of Canada's economic sectors: energy and transportation, food and agro-food, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, forestry, materials and manufacturing, waste management and a large variety of consumer goods. The bioeconomy holds promises to wean the Canadian economy from its dependence on fossil fuels as a primary source of energy as well as platform chemicals in materials and manufacturing, while meeting the Kyoto commitments on greenhouse gas reductions. Finally, the bioeconomy will reduce the environmental impact of economic growth by increasing the use of industrial and urban wastes and developing goods that are biodegradable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land-use change and forestry projects are considered a low-cost option for addressing climate change mitigation. In Canada, afforestation is targeted to sequester enough carbon to meet one-fifth of its international obligations, and at lower cost than emissions reduction. We examine economic aspects of the institutions and incentives needed to encourage landowners in Canada to adopt tree planting on a large scale. Based on data from a survey of landowners, the transaction costs of getting landowners to convert their land from agriculture to plantation forests appear to be a significant obstacle, possibly increasing the costs of afforestation projects beyond what conventional economic analysis suggests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest economists have had a checkered history in showing their relevance to foresters in Canada. At the same time, foresters have sometimes seemed to ignore social considerations, identified by economists, in practices and policies. Although communication seems to be improving, there are still a number of divisive issues and associated viewpoints that inhibit the use of economics in forestry. In this paper, I investigate four hypotheses that could explain why forest economists and foresters in Canada have had such a hard time communicating. Hypothesis #1 is that economic concepts are irrelevant to forestry. Hypothesis #2 is that foresters are actually brilliant, but "dark side," economists that have structured systems to protect forests from economic forces. Hypothesis #3 is that foresters are "enlightened" economists that are catering to real social preferences that most economists do not understand. Hypothesis #4 is that forest economics may be relevant but is difficult within the contexts that it is practised. Analysis shows that while all hypotheses have elements of truth, the higher numbered hypotheses tend to be more supportable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a current yearly output of $241 million per year nontimber forest products (NTFP) contribute significantly to the welfare of rural and First Nations communities in Canada. Maple sap products, wild mushrooms and wild fruits are the most important NTFP for consumption both in Canada and abroad. However, because of increased access to international markets by entrepreneurs along with a growing international demand for NTFP it may be possible to double or triple Canada's harvest of NTFP. Further development of this industry should be associated with adequate training of harvesters in terms of NTFP biology in order to maximize profits while achieving biological sustainability. As well, research should emphasize the domestication of specific NTFP to meet growing demand, increase revenues and promote biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Argues the need for major changes in the Canadian forest industry on both biological and economic grounds. Two major problems faced by the industry; Retention of sufficient portions of the natural forest; Shift in focus in high-quality wood supplies; Increased emphasis on the non-consumptive uses of the forest.

The article discusses the history of Canada's forest products industry and its role in shaping the country's future. Topics addressed include activities of the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), the timber trade's role in populating Ontario and Quebec, and its encouragement of the building of towns and villages as well as roads and railways. Also mentioned are the pulp and paper industry's contributions to employment, exports and the national economy.

The article discusses the Northern Ontario Sustainable Communities Partnership (NOSCP) which was started in late 2006 to address the troubles of the Northern Ontario forest industry. The organization is distributing a charter for endorsement by its constituent groups which outlines the responsibilities and rights of all concerned in terms of forest resource policy. Peggy Smith of Lakehead University and David Robinson of Laurentian University are quoted discussing the challenges facing the regional economy and the NOSCP's efforts to address them.

The article discusses the Foothills Model Forest in Alberta, Canada, focusing on the partnerships involving universities, industry and government which have been instrumental in its success. Research programs on wildlife such as fish and grizzly bears are mentioned, as are projects involving local students who learn how to use geographic information systems and global positioning systems. The programs are designed to encourage students to engage in critical thought about forest ecosystems and the economics of forestry.

The author discusses the forestry-related aspects of the economy of Northern Ontario, stressing his belief that it is in a disastrous state and needs to be pushed in a dramatically different direction. The prevalence of an unsustainable commodity-based approach is described as leading to closures and layoffs, while a move to a value-added model focused on design and exports is recommended.

The author discusses the forestry-related aspects of the economy of Northern Ontario, stressing his belief that it is in a disastrous state and needs to be pushed in a dramatically different direction. The prevalence of an unsustainable commodity-based approach is described as leading to closures and layoffs, while a move to a value-added model focused on design and exports is recommended.

The article reports on the discussions made by Avrim Lazar, president and chief executive officer of Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) concerning his visions for the forest industry of Canada. Lazar admits that year 2005 has been a difficult year for the forest products industry of Canada. He further elaborates that the industry should be ready to accept more challenges as it focuses on transforming its underlying fundamentals. The FPAC president continues that the government and forest industry should both invest to enable Canadian producers to improve their economies of scale and develop new revenue streams that will make them less vulnerable to the fluctuations in the forest products market.

Reports that Canada has led in the certification of forests in the year 2003. Reasons behind the increase in the number of certified forests worldwide; Efficacy of the forest certification programs in North America; Share of forest products originating from non-industrial private forestlands.

Reports on the economic agreement between the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs and British Columbia Forests Minister Michael de Jong in September 2003. Aim of creating economic opportunities for the northwestern First Nations and increase land-based certainty through forestry revenue sharing.