Forest Health

Managing Exotic Invasive Species in Ontario’s Hardwood Forests: How landowners and woodlot managers can protect their forest ecosystems

Author
Lisa Derickx, Invasive Species Research Institute, Algoma University
Issue
Summer 2013

Exotic invasive species (EIS) are plants, insects or pathogens that, either intentionally or not, have been introduced to a new habitat where they have the ability to cause harm to the environment, the economy and/or society.  A variety of EIS are detrimental to the hardwood forests of Ontario. For example, invasive plants can alter forest integrity through rapid population expansion. They can out-compete many native species and cause shifts in species abundances, thereby altering the forest ecosystem.

Silvicultural operations for the endangered whitebark pine

Author
Michael Murray and Jodie Krakowski
Issue
Winter 2013

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), well-known for its value to western North American high-mountain wildlife, commonly thrives in harvested forests.  As the producer of the largest tree seeds in the spruce-fir zone, whitebark pine supports more than two dozen species of foraging mammals and birds, including grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) and Clark’s nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana).  The tree maintains waterflows into the dry summers by shading late-lying snow.  At the highest elevations, their wind and ice battered frames

Toward sustainable biomass harvesting: the fungal perspective

Author
Tim Philpott
Issue
Summer 2012

Globally, concern over rising carbon emissions is driving intensive woody biomass harvesting for use as feedstock in the bioenergy sector. The rationale behind this trend is simple: using wood residue as a fuel source can provide energy products while dramatically reducing carbon emissions, potentially mitigating the effects of climate change.

Forest Health

Author
Laura Machial, Staffan Lindgren and Brian Aukema
Issue
Summer 2011
Synopsis

Warren Root Collar Weevil: A threat to reforested stands in
British Columbia after the mountain pine beetle outbreak?
With the recent expansion of the outbreak of mountain pine beetle over
the Rocky Mountains into the jack pine of north western Alberta, research
eyes have been focused on the potential for eastward progression of the
beetle through the boreal forest to the east coast. Meanwhile, salvage
harvesting and replanting activities have begun in the central interior
of British Columbia, where the outbreak has largely run its course. In
young, regenerating cutblocks, however, there has been an increase in
damage and mortality caused by Warren root collar weevil,

Forest Health

Author
Patricia Macklin & Doug Macaulay, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Issue
Spring 2011
Synopsis

Prior to European settlement, the Beaverlodge Watershed in northwestern Alberta was wooded and scattered with wetlands. With settlement, the watershed was modified for agricultural use.Where farm lands weren't managed to maintain riparian health, there has been general degredation of water quality due to the increase of sediments, nutrients and other chemicals in the water.

Restoring Fish Habitat One Tree at a Time

Prior to European settlement, the Beaverlodge Watershed in northwestern Alberta was wooded and scattered with wetlands. With settlement, the watershed was modified for agricultural use.Where farm lands weren't managed to maintain riparian health, there has been general degredation of water quality due to the increase of sediments, nutrients and other chemicals in the water. The Beaverlodge River, a tributary of the Peace River, was an important spawning ground of the Arctic Grayling, a cool-water sportfish.

Forest Health

Author
Jacques Larouche
Synopsis

In April the first provincial symposium on exotic forest pests was held in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. More than 80 participants from a variety of sectors took part in the discussions about exotic forest pests and the growing concern over their spread.

 Taking Action to Protect Our Forests and Markets

In April the first provincial symposium on exotic forest pests was held in Trois-Rivières, Quebec. More than 80 participants from a variety of sectors took part in the discussions about exotic forest pests and the growing concern over their spread.

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