Identify Priorities in Your Community: Additional Information on Forests
The following page contains a broad array of information about forests collected during Phase One (2008-2009) of CBT's Communities Adapting to Climate Change Initiative. Some of the material included herein can be found in the final reports or guidebooks, but some cannot. This webpage is not a formal factsheet; it contains fragments of information and bits of knowledge that we hope will be useful to you.
Impact of Climate Change on Forests
Future Forests Ecosystems, Province of BC. PCIC has recently completed a project funded by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range's Forest Science Program. The project, which focused on directed research into the impact of climate change on spruce and Douglas fir forests in British Columbia, was divided into three components:
Climatic suitability of spruce and Douglas fir forests: Bioclimatic envelope models were used with historical climate data and species distribution data of spruce and Douglas fir forests to define the current distribution. Global Climate Model (GCM) projections were then used to determine the future distribution of areas with climatic conditions suitable for spruce and Douglas fir forests. Results indicate that climatic suitability for both species will decrease in southern interior valleys and increase at higher elevations and latitudes over the next century, with a more substantial decrease for spruce.
Risk of occurrence of outbreaks of relevant forest pests: Bioclimatic envelope models were also developed for western spruce budworm, which attacks Douglas fir trees, and spruce bark beetle, which attacks spruce trees. Historical climate data from the locations of past outbreaks were used in conjunction with GCM projections to assess changes in the risk of outbreaks expected by the end of the 21st century. This analysis revealed that western spruce budworm outbreaks have historically occurred more frequently in the driest, warmest portions of the range of Douglas fir,while spruce bark beetle outbreaks have generally occurred in relatively wet and warm areas within the distribution of spruce forests. Risk of outbreaks of both species is projected to decrease in southern and central interior valleys, and increase in northwestern British Columbia during the 21st century.
Impact of climate change on forest health in economic terms: The tree suitability and pest risk results were used in a bio‐economic model to assess the potential economic impact of climate change. The model was applied to the Okanagan timber supply area and the entire province as a proof‐of‐concept. Further development would require inclusion of additional species and an accounting of the costs associated with assisted migration (planting of species outside of historical ranges because of climate change) and possible changes to locations of harvest. Preliminary results indicate that the economic impact of climate change, with adaptation through assisted migration, is a modest improvement or no change, depending on climate scenario, for the province overall. However, there is a negative economic impact for the Okanagan in all cases.
- Complete results are available at http://www.PacificClimate.org/resources/climateimpacts/forests.
PCIC staff directly involved included T.Q. Murdock, A. Flower, D. Bronaugh and research associates A. Montenegro, A. Mehlenbacher, and K. Campbell. Many researchers and stakeholders provided advice and contributions, particularly D. Spittlehouse, S. Taylor, R. Hebda, R. Alfaro, V. Nealis and K. Van Kooten.
A New Report on Climate Change and Canada's Forests
The Sustainable Forest Management Network (SFMN) and Natural Resources Canada / Canadian Forest Service have released a new report entitled Climate Change and Canada’s Forests: From Impacts to Adaptation. This new report is based on the prior work of the forestry authors of the recently released Canadian national assessment (From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in a Changing Climate 2007 – 2007 report). It summarizes the present state of knowledge of current and future impacts of climate change and its implications for forest management. According to the SFMN, the report “draws on a combination of scientific and technical expertise to provide an in-depth assessment of current and future biophysical impacts, regional vulnerabilities, forest sector impacts and implications for adaptation.” Click here for full report (4 MB)
Simon Fraser University's Adaption to Climate Change Team recently compiled climate-related predictions for B.C.'s forests which provides guidance for future impacts in this area:
- An increase of 1°C will shift ecosystem zones 300m in elevation upwards and 150km northwards; a 2–5°Cincrease translates to a 600–1500m rise in elevation and a shift 300–750km northwards.
- This shift is estimated to occur at a rate of 40km per decade, while some components of ecosystemsare capable of shifting only six km per decade.
- Forested ecosystems will change significantly in BC towards drier forest types in the south and warmer,moister forest types in the north.
- These changes may result in increased disease outbreaks, wild fires, drought stress, and loss of ecological function.
- Such climate changes will result in regional shifts of vegetation types across the landscape. The largestimpacts will be in forested ecosystems.
- Most of the trees now standing will endure the changes in climate predicted for the next 70 years, andeven changing the species planted following harvest will have a very limited effect on adapting foreststo climate change.
(Reference:http://www.sfu.ca/act/documents/ACT_Biodiversity_Summary_Recommendations_final.pdf)
During the planning process, Elkford consulted many experts in the field of forestry. Here are a few nuggets of information:
Q: Elkford has extensive pine beetle kill within and surrounding the District which is creating a higher risk of wildfires. Elkford is currently conducting a fuel reduction (thinning) program within its boundaries. Do you have any resources or information on the process for Elkford to manage or help with the management of Pine Beetle infested forests adjacent to the municipal boundary (on crown land).What sort of relationship can Elkford forge with the Ministry of Forest and Range?
A: From Mark Fercho, Integrated Sustainability Planning Leader
- To manage the crown land in the city we worked with the province on a community forest licence, and have been managing the crown land since. The licence provides for (same as all CFA’s) an 85% break on stumpage, and our management plan is specific to fire fuel reduction, so the work we do on crown land achieves that first, with other objectives of course.
- To deal with other land owners, including the province, outside or inside the boundaries, it takes having the wildfire plan in place then communicating individually to those folks on the risks and need to conduct work. Sometimes they do it without asking, sometimes it takes some political pressure on the larger owners (which takes you having a lot of homework completed before hand). The legal “forcing” someone to do something we have only used when they had created a hazard beyond what nature created by just killing the trees (such as cutting and leaving or having piles) using the fire department authority. We have not legally required anyone to treat anything that was an increased fire hazard naturally.
- The work we do is included in programs such as NRCAN, UBCM, Service Canada, and the new B.C. JOP for the majority of funding, but also find funds and support from companies, the province, utilities, government agencies with land, etc, to do the work. The number one building block is a solid fire fuel management plan to work from.
- Our website that lists the programs, including past helping residents with the beetle kill is posted on our city website, just click on the beetle icon, or follow this link: http://www.city.pg.bc.ca/rec_culture/parks/urbanforestry/ The page is a bit dated and needs update, but the programs that may help are listed at the bottom.
- We do have a relationship built with MoF through years of working together, but they have an agenda that drives their workplan, we communicate to help them understand our needs, in this area as well as other issues, such as access, smoke, etc. MoF is aware of community needs for fire fuel reduction. Mike Dittaro is the new superintendent of fuel management, and might be a person to talk to at MoF if you have specific concerns and you don’t have a local relationship or contact.
Q: Many residents do not want fuel modification work done on or near their property (they don’t want to see clear cuts!). Any ideas on easing people’s concerns regarding fuel reduction/ thinning?
A: From Lauren Phillips, Prince George Wildfire
- Unfortunately you’ve hit on the very issues that we’re all dealing with; individual’s resistance to change and resistance to operations near their homes, and the challenges that climate change wreaks on our planning. I have no silver bullets at this point, but I can pass along what we’re endeavoring to do.
- Due to the mixed species and ages of many of our MPB-infested stands, we’ve been able to conduct specialized operations that leave a high percentage of retention of advance regen and of other species, whenever possible. (At times we’ve modified the original fuel reduction prescriptions to reflect other values such as visual quality, recreation, etc). So we’ve been able to demonstrate that we’re not clear cutting (except in a couple spots that were 100% infected Pl). This comes at extremely high costs, however; the specialized fallers and tiny equipment required to have a small footprint and to leave as many stems as possible are several times more costly than a typical clear cutting operation (but of course we’ve been able to recoup most of our costs through UBCM and NRCAN funding). Communication with nearby residents is key, as you’ve already identified. Our initial planning process for the entire City was made available to the public, and naturally the website is important, even though it is out of date at the moment. Then, whenever starting a new site, we have our contractors knock on doors and distribute pamphlets to the nearby property owners, explaining what we’re doing and why. It also provides them my phone number, to give them ample opportunity to comment or complain.
- I suggest an open house or two at the beginning of your planning to educate the public, and to listen to their specific concerns.
Q: Are there any guidebooks and/or best practices for remediation of fuel modified forests taking into account: future climatic conditions (changing biogeoclimatic zones), MPB and fire resistance?
A: From Lauren Phillips, Prince George Wildfire
- As for species selection for planting with climate change in mind, I’m afraid we’re all feeling our way through the dark here. I’m not aware of any guidebooks yet, but I know that a huge amount of research is being conducted around the province to examine this very issue. My approach is to replant a variety of species, both deciduous and coniferous, with the odd southern species thrown in as a bit of an experiment (more larch, Douglas fir, and we’re thinking about some Scandinavian species as well). Sticking with local species but using providences of lower elevation or latitude is another approach to consider. If you uncover any information or guidance going forward, please pass it along! Meanwhile, I suggest that you write quite a bit of flexibility into your planning documents, so that you can take advantage of new information as it comes out. We also built in stocking standards that are very different from the provincial standards, which were approved in our planning document by the Province.
Forest Resources
http://www.fs.fed.us/ccrc U.S. Forest Service, Climate Change Resource Center
http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/research/climate-change/index.shtml Pacific Northwest Research Station for Climate Change
www.sfu.ca/act/.../ACT_Biodiversity_Summary_Recommendations_final.pdf: SFU ACT paragraph on B.C. forests
For more information on useful resources pertaining to forests, see the Resources section of Kimberley's Case Study or the Resources section of Elkford's Case Study.