Unit 2 - Alberta's Forest Land Issues
Age Class Management
You may be familiar with the census that Canada conducts every 5 years to collect information about the population, such as age, number of people, sex, race, education levels, etc.
A forest inventory is similar in that it gathers characteristics of trees for a specified and defined area. When discussing sustainable forest management, an inventory is the starting point and a valuable indicator of economic, ecological, and social
sustainability.
The inventory of a forested area is taken using a variety of methods, each one providing specific, different information. Some of the methods include: aerial photography, light detection and ranging imagery, ground level observation, post-harvest surveys, and current and past harvest results.
The inventory of a forested area is taken using a variety of methods, each one providing specific, different information. Some of the methods include: aerial photography, light detection and ranging imagery, ground level observation, post-harvest surveys, and current and past harvest results.
Image Source: Pixabay
We have learned that before forest companies can harvest an area, they must develop a Forest Management Plan, with a 200 year planning time frame; the 200 years represents two full cycles in what then become part of their Forest Management Agreement with the government of Alberta. This plan includes, among other things, a detailed account of how much and what kind of wood will be harvested. These plans are reviewed every 10 years and cost the companies millions of dollars, but it is all for the sake of sustainability.
Image Source: Pixabay
The first step in taking a forest inventory is to fly over the area and take pictures. The images from aerial photography are so accurate that individual trees, types, heights and health can all be identified.
The next step is for workers to physically go into the forested area and measure trees for accuracy.
With these two steps taken, an accurate inventory of the forest will include:
The next step is for workers to physically go into the forested area and measure trees for accuracy.
With these two steps taken, an accurate inventory of the forest will include:
- tree counts
- age
- size
- species
- health
Alberta's Forests
Alberta’s forests have been inventoried over the last 70 years and is useful information, not only for the present, but also to project how the forest will grow in the future. A healthy forest should consist of different species and ages. All of the forest inventory data is used by forest companies to determine how much of the forest can be harvested sustainably, and to ensure the forests are healthy.
Image Source: Alberta Forest Products Association
Visit the Work Wild website and use the Forest Issues and Management Interactive Map to learn more about the forest.
Forest Facts
An estimated 2000 year old alpine larch in Kananaskis, Alberta is the oldest recorded tree in Canada.
Image Source: Pixabay