Like all other species, humans exploit their surrounding for all the multiplicity of resources they not only require for sustenance but that which they also need for survival (Bernhardt, n.d.). In the recent years, however, the rate at which humans exploit and consume these resources has surpassed those of the other species. Several reasons account for this trend. First, recent advancements in technology have enabled man to affect vast areas of the world’s natural biological and non-biological space like never before. Secondly, the skyrocketing human population has progressively played a significant role in determining the record extent to which man has modified the earth’s biosphere over the years. Currently, at over six billion, the effect of even the everyday little activities of man per an individual on the surface of the earth have had a significant impact on land resource base over the years. If the activities of each individual were multiplied by the total the total population of the earth, approximately six billion fold, this effect will be compounded (Bernhardt, n.d.). Lastly, there is the effect of human consumption habits in which richer and well off nations and individuals consume more resources and correspondingly generate more wastes than the less well-off and poorer states or persons do. When the above factors work together, their cumulative effects have a profound negative impact on the available resources of the earth.
As with several other countries, Canada due to the above factors faces a number of environmental issues related in one way or the other to the consumption of its natural resources. One such resource is the Canadian Forests where both the environmental and regulatory issues pose significant consequences for the local economies and communities. However, recognizing the importance of preserving its forest cover, the government of Canada and other players in the forestry and forest-related sectors have taken significant steps in conservation initiatives as indicated by the creation of the Canadian Forestry Association (CFA) in the early parts of the 20th Century. From the heights of our environmentalism societies in the yester years to our present-day eco-conscious society, the Canadian Forestry Industry has made tremendous developments in its forest management initiatives (The Royal Canadian Geographical Society [RCGS], 2010).
The forest space in Canada covers almost half of the terrestrial landscape in the country (402 million hectares (ha) (The Canadian Association of Forest Owners [CAFO], 2012). This figure represents the third largest area of forest cover in the world behind Russia (882 million ha) and Brazil (563 million ha) (CAFO, 2012). The Canadian National Forestry Database declares that the forests in Canada consists of around 310 million ha of ‘forest cover’ and about 92 million ha of other 'wooded lands’ as at 2012 (CAFO, 2012) (Fig.1). Here, CAFO defines a forest as an area covered with a dense continuous strand of trees while a ‘wooded land’ is an area geographically located in the remote northern parts of Canada at high points of elevations and with scattered trees. Together, the 'forests' and the 'wooded lands' combine to form one of the most valuable resources crucial to the economy, natural heritage, and wilderness of Canada (Canada's National Forest Inventory (NFI), n.d.).
In Canada, more than half of the ‘forest cover’ is classified as commercially forested space with the potential of producing merchantable trees for a reasonable length of time. One such forest is the Boreal forests (Fig.2). Together with other forest stands, the boreal forests are also home to 10% of the world’s forest and home to over two-thirds of the country’s wild flora and fauna. These forests enrich the lives of Canadians in numerous ways such as offering places of sanctuary and recreation for people. They also act as natural filters of environmental pollutants and serve as natural sink pools of atmospheric Carbon dioxide (Carbon sequestration) (RCGS, 2010). The forests also provide clean air and plays a significant role in moderating and regulating the climate at both local and global scales. Culturally, the forests are fundamental resources critical in shaping, influencing, and supporting the socio-cultural and spiritual values of the Aborigines (RCGS), 2010).
Ecologically, the trees are also valuable in not only balancing the Earth’s supply and exchange of CO2, but they also act as vital links between the components of the planetary biosphere by inter-linking the mediums of the atmosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere. Concerning biological life forms, the Canadian forests house an immense diversity of species and genetics, significantly capable of adapting, surviving, and changing the overall environmental conditions for the betterment of all Canadians. These enormous pools of diversity also offer tremendous sources of herbs and other medicinal ingredients paramount in driving the country’s medical and pharmacological industries.
Image as retrieved from (The Nature Conservancy, 2016)
Economically, the forest sector employs thousands of people while attracting billions of dollars in annual revenue. For example, according to the 25th Annual Report on Canadian Forests, over 195,000 Canadians were employed in the forest sector putting into account those in spin-off jobs in sectors such as food, construction, retail, and transportation (Table 1).
Information as retrieved from (Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), 2016)
The economic importance of the forest industry further manifests in its monetary contribution of $19.8 billion (1.25%) to the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country in 2015 (The Government of Canada, 2016). Globally, such a contribution also means that the country has the biggest forest product trade-balance (of about 19.3 billion Canadian Dollars) in a global commercial context (The Government of Canada, 2016) (Fig.3).
Data as retrieved from (The Government of Canada, 2016)
While the role of forestry in the Canadian socio-cultural, environmental, and economic wellbeing is clear, several factors threaten this intricate balance between nature and the citizens. The main issues in this regard include forest depletion due to natural causes (infestations and wildfire) and human activities (deforestation, illegal logging, urban sprawl, encroachment, and land conversion). Other issues include lackluster monitoring, conservation, and ineffective management of trees for sustainable commercial exploitation (Stanton & Bourchier, 2015). However, one critical factor affecting forests in Canada is unsustainable harvesting of this natural growing resource (The Government of Canada, 2016). The uncontrolled harvesting of trees has led to the destruction of the forest habitat initially created by the trees with a notable impact shown by the reduction of the first biological diversity. This effect is compounded when the method employed in harvesting the trees involves ‘clear cutting’ in which the entire strands of standing forests are entirely cut down at the same time (Fig.4) (Bernhardt, n.d.). Other ecological impacts associated with clear-cutting include extensive erosion and loss of the nutrient-rich topsoil in the affected area, frequent flooding, and stronger winds that lead to drier conditions. On extreme cases, complete harvesting of forest resources on these lands leads to long-term effects on local hydrological regimes, soil conservation efforts and correspondingly adverse impact on climate (The Government of Canada, 2016).
Image as retrieved from (Bernhardt, n.d.)
Fortunately, Canada recognizes that a healthy environment and a sustainable utilization of forest resources is a crucial area of priority for the people as well as the government. Now as the world faces severe economic crises and an imminent environmental collapse simultaneously, conservation and management of the forests in Canada are just as a survival necessity as it is a moral obligation to the people to their future generations. However, there is a consensus that efficient conservation and proper management of these forested landscapes can only result from a comprehensive accounting for both the needs of the people of Canada and the needs of nature (The Government of Canada, 2016).
The commitment to sustainable management of forests ensures that the forest base remains viable and healthy enough to meet the needs of the current and future generations. In Canada, the effective laws and legislative provisions of the forest management and planning process support this realization. Independent third-party sustainable forest certification processes (such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification) that receive wide backing from a comprehensive local and national science-based approach to decision-making further support the various available forests management initiatives in the country (The Nature Conservancy, 2016). For example, in pursuit of efficient forest management practices in the country, ownership of the forested landscape in Canada is devolved and split among various entities, even though the government publicly holds the majority of the forests (CCFM, 2016). The remaining portion (around 6%) is in the hands of private entities in various forms such as isolated woodlots and private farms (CAFO, 2012).
The participatory nature of decision-making is essential as it provides a proper means of striking an appropriate balance between the various competing needs and interests for forest resources and benefits. The resultant laws and policy regulations serve to protect and conserve the wild flora and fauna and identify and demarcate new areas for protection while respecting and upholding the spirit of the Aboriginal Rights and Treaties. The laws also set the benchmarks and minimum requirements for forest harvesting and regeneration practices as well as cups on the illegal cutting of the trees (Canadian Council of Forest Ministers [CCFM], 2016). With the growing concerns over the need for proper management of forests, each jurisdictional province in the country also actively participates in the day-to-day management of forested areas according to the policy provisions of the British North American Act of 1867 (Stanton & Bourchier, 2015). Under their management portfolio, these jurisdictionally independent territories have increasingly initiated radical changes to Canadian forest management. Country-wide, these arms of government have initiated new approaches to forest conservation that have led the country expand its protected areas under forests, enact tougher environmental regulations, and invest in forest renewal and protection initiatives (The Government of Canada, 2016).
At the local level, the Canadian provincial ministers further engage in making decisions geared towards protecting the parks, abating forest fires, and regulating the harvesting of forests under their jurisdiction (CCFM, 2016). Notable provincial ministries engaged in the management of forests include the Departments of forests found in Newfoundland, Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan among other Ministries (CCFM, 2016). According to CCFM, the above provinces further have exclusive powers to enact individual standards, legislations, and programs that ensure the development and proper management of forests in the country (The Government of Canada, 2016). These provincial laws in light of the national agenda for conserving and sustainably managing forest resources govern and cover various themes such as land use planning, public participation and licensing and allocation of harvesting rights. Even though the laws may differ from province to province, the outcome is the same – the desire for sustainable management of forests that takes into consideration the socio-economic and environmental values of the present generation and the interests of the generation to come.
In conclusion, the forest management policies in Canada center on the concept of sustainable utilization of forest resources. The drive to achieve a balance between the current forest demands and the ability of the forest to provide the benefits in the future underpins this concept. This underlying idea is the reason forest management and planning are the primary tools used to ensure that the forested landscapes of the country remain not only healthy but also remain vibrant and productive for the days to come. Even though the conceptual understanding of forest sustainability is dynamic and keeps on evolving, Canada has been successful in adapting its forests demands to the ability of its forests to meet those requirements. The key to this approach is the comprehensive forest management plan that requires that every forest user must, by law, receive approval from the relevant authorities to harvest resources from public forests. Today, thanks to forest sustainability policies and continued investment in innovative forest management and innovative green technologies, Canada stands as a recognized leader in sustainable forest management practices. Despite the tremendous efforts the country has put in forest management, Canada still faces increasing pressure from several sources to conserve, protect, and manage its native and virgin forested landscapes. Other than the commercial exploitation of the forests, other sources of forest depletion stem from non-commercial sources such as land clearance for agriculture, urban development, and natural phenomena such as fires, pests, and disease outbreaks (Natural Resources Canada [NRCan], 2016). While most of the natural-caused disasters are unavoidable, human-driven factors can be regulated. For instance, entities involved in the exploitation of the forest need to be more efficient in their efforts and economical to avoid excessive and wasteful felling of trees. Forest regrowth through afforestation programs should be encouraged as they ensure that the prompt replacement of forested lands for future use. Furthermore, there should be a continuous and rigorous monitoring and inspection of the health of the trees. This initiative is necessary for both the sustainability and conservation of forests as it can help detect potential pests and disease that can cause widespread loss of trees. The use of satellite imagery can be effective in this area and such other efforts as mapping changes in land use, monitoring deforestation through remote sensing techniques, reforestation, and commercial logging operations, and biophysical forest monitoring (wildlife habitat assessment) among others.
References
Bernhardt, T. (n.d.). Canadian Biodiversity: Conservation Issues: Human Activities and their Impacts. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from http://canadianbiodiversity.mcgill.ca/english/conservation/activities.htm
Canada's National Forest Inventory (NFI). (n.d.). Monitoring the Sustainability of Canada's Forests. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from https://nfi.nfis.org/canfi.php?lang=en&page=maps3
The Canadian Association of Forest Owners (CAFO). (2012). The Social and Economic Importance of Canada’s Privately Owned Forest Lands. Retrieved from http://www.cafo-acpf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/CAFO-Info-on-Canadas-Private-Forest-Lands-E1.pdf
Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM). (2016). Sustainable Forest Management Policies in Canada. Retrieved from http://www.sfmcanada.org/images/Publications/EN/Sustainable_Management_Policies_EN.pdf
The Government of Canada. (2016). Natural Resources Canada: Forests. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/home
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). (2016). The State of Canada's Forest: 25th Anniversary Edition. Retrieved from Natural Resources Canada website: http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/pubwarehouse/pdfs/36553.pdf
The Nature Conservancy. (2016). Sustainable Forestry in Canada’s Boreal Forest. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/canada/placesweprotect/sustainable-forestry-in-canadas-boreal-forest.xml
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (RCGS). (2010). Canada’s forest cover - Themes - The Boreal Deal. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/boreal/map/?path=english/themes/canada-forest-cover
Stanton, C. R., & Bourchier, R. J. (2015, February 6). Forestry. Retrieved March 20, 2016, from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/forestry/
