Using fast-growing plantations to promote ecosystem protection in Canada

Résumé 0

Canada has a vast forest resource of enormous economic importance, with forest product exports valuing US$22.5 billion in 2002. Some 200 million cubic metres of wood are harvested every year in Canada, generating numerous economic offshoots in the various regions of the country, including almost 300 000 direct jobs, even without counting recreational and tourism activities. Yet in many parts of the country the allowable cut has already been reached and serious wood shortages are predicted within 25 years, despite the annual reforestation operations carried out in all provinces. The situation is critical since there is growing pressure from society to increase protected areas; to modify forestry practices to protect biodiversity; and to maintain more old-growth forests within forests managed for wood production. In addition, there is a prospect that future climate change could increase the frequency of fire and insect outbreaks, further reducing the quantity of wood fibre available for harvesting. This article proposes the adoption of a type of zoning principle to help deal with these new challenges and achieve sustainable management of Canadian forests. The approach would be to set aside different areas of forest for full protection and varying levels of management intensity for productive purposes.