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Unit 3 - Canada and the World's Forest Land Issues

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Course: Issues & Trends in Forestry [1cr] - AB Ed copy 1
Book: Unit 3 - Canada and the World's Forest Land Issues
Printed by: Guest user
Date: Thursday, 6 November 2025, 11:38 AM

Table of contents

Information


  • Unit 3, Canada and the World’s Forest Land Issues, is designed to take approximately 3 hours.
  • You will complete the following tasks and assignments in this unit:
    • Read all Unit 3 content and all associated videos, publications, etc.
    • Complete 3.1 Quiz with a mark of 50% or higher


Learning Objectives

After completing this unit, you will be able to:
  • describe different philosophies in forest management.
  • describe the goals of different forest interest groups and develop a plan to meet the goals of numerous stakeholders.
  • defend a position on a global forest related global supported by your research.
  • develop a personal plan for contributing to forest health.

Introduction


Image Source: Pixabay
Think about how important the forest is to you and your community.

It is just as important to others in Canada and throughout the world.

Forests provide not only shelter and food to people and animals, but they also keep our world healthy.

Climate change and deforestation are a concern for everyone.

Canada is a leader of forest management and plays a key role in fighting the impact of climate change by sharing research and expertise around the world.

Image Source: Pixabay

In Unit 3, we will look at some of the issues affecting forests in both Canada and the world.

Land Use

According to the United Nations, a forest is defined as:

  • Land spanning more than 0.5 ha
  • Tree canopy covering more than 10% of the total land area
  • Trees growing to a height of more than 5 metres

Unlike many countries throughout the world, Canada is not only big in size but rich in resources. 40% of Canada is covered in forests; that’s 10 ha of forest land per person—more than 17 times the world average!

Click image to enlarge.
Courtesy of Natural Resources Canada, https://www.nrcan.gc.ca.


Click image to enlarge.
Courtesy of Earth Forum, Huston Museum of Natural Science
In general, countries with higher populations and less land have a greater impact on forests. Canada has about 10% of the world’s forests, many of which are found in remote sparsely populated areas and are not under the same pressures to be cleared for agriculture or urban development as forests in other countries.

The world can be separated into distinct ecoregions. Ecoregions are geographical regions that have specific ecological characteristics. The three main forest ecoregions are boreal, temperate, and tropical.

Click each collapsible row to view more information.


Image Source: Unsplash
  • Also called by Russian term Taiga
  • Makes up about one-third of the world's forests
  • Found in latitudes ranging from 50° to 70°N
  • Mostly found in Alaska, Canada, Russia, and Scandinavia
  • Supply about 45% of global softwood production

Land use: timber production, other industrial and developmental activities, such as mining and road building. In general deforestation is declining due to improvements in management practices.

Image Source: Pixabay
  • Makes up about 25% of the world’s forests
  • Mostly found between latitudes 50–55°N. Can mix with the boreal forests at the northern edge and tropical forests on the southern edge.
  • Found in east and west North America, western Europe, northeast China, Japan, eastern Korea, southeast Australia, New Zealand, on the west coast of Chile, on the east coast of Argentina, and in Southern Africa

Land use: Historically, exploited for timber and charcoal, and cleared for agriculture and development. Has been restored to about half its original size before the agricultural and industrial revolution. Temperate rainforests in some countries are still declining in size, while others are becoming larger.

Image Source: Pixabay
  • Covers about 31% of the world's surface
  • Found between the Tropic of Cancer at 23.5° N and the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.5°S

Land use: Current forest loss is mainly due to expanding agriculture, and is a global concern.


Types of Tropical Forest


  • Tropical rainforest
    • Is always green because of large-year round rainfall–at least 2000 mm
    • Mostly in South America, Central Africa, and Southeast Asia
  • Semi-evergreen forests
    • At least 2000 mm of rainfall per year
    • Long dry season and intense wet season
    • Amazon basin and Congo basin
  • Tropical dry forests
    • Deciduous trees that are green during rainy season and lose leaves during dry season
    • Farther away from equator than rainforests
  • Tropical savannas
    • Have long dry seasons
    • Grasslands with scattered trees
    • Frequent fires prevent the establishment of a tree-dominate dry forest
    • Mostly found in Africa
  • Montane tropical forests and tropical cloud forests
    • At elevations above 3000 meters
    • Precipitation in the form of mist and fog from clouds

Land use varies from country to country depending on historical and current forestry management practices and laws. In addition to the direct effects of timber production, other industrial and developmental activities, such as mining and road building, also impact forests around the world.

Renewal Processes


Image Source: FreeImages
When forest trees are lost temporarily, due to natural disturbances like fire, or after harvesting, they are still considered forests because the trees will grow back. Deforestation occurs when forests are lost due to urban, agricultural, or industrial development such as roads, mining, and/or dams. Afforestation is when forests are renewed through planting and/or seeding on land that has not been a forest for a long time. For example, an agricultural area may become a new forest.

In Unit 1 we learned that, historically, Canada, like most countries of the world, did not manage or conserve its forests.


Today, Canada is working hard to protect its natural resources and make sure there are forests for future generations to enjoy and use. It has laws in place that ensure logging companies replant trees and take care of the forests. Canada is considered a world leader in forest management and the renewal process. Canada shares its sustainable forests management policies, knowledge, and technologies with other countries throughout the world who wish to develop their own plans.

Unfortunately, many countries, especially tropical third world countries, have difficulty establishing forest renewal processes. In these countries, deforestation makes room for agriculture or grazing, which provides families with the income they need. In fact, the four products most responsible for tropical deforestation are beef, soy, palm oil, and wood products.

For these families, there are alternatives to forest deforestation, but they take time, support and education. Things not easily accessed or provided in a third-world country.





 


Courtesy of American Association for the Advancement of Science, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aau3445.

 


In the above image, red and yellow represent deforestation occurring because of economic demand and agriculture. Note which areas of the world these colours are most found in.


Forest Facts

Palm oil is found in half of all supermarket products. It is added to both food and personal products, like lipsticks and shampoo. To grow palm oil trees, the native forest is destroyed. The global palm oil market was valued at $65.73 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $92.84 billion in 2021.
Image Source: Creative Commons

Age Class Distribution Management

A forest’s age is calculated by the number of trees in each age class in a specific area, called a stand. As most forests have trees of different ages, the age of the stand is determined based on the age of the dominant trees. Forests in many areas of Canada have become younger over time because of harvesting and natural disturbances such as fire, insects, and wind damage. Some forests have grown older because of fire suppression.

As different tree species live longer and grow at different rates, what is considered a mature forest differs from species to species. An uneven-aged stand is a group of trees that differ significantly in ages.

Image Source: FreeImages
In addition to age, forests are also unmanaged and managed. Managed forests have been harvested, replanted and will be harvested again. Historically, and still today in many countries, managed forests have less biodiversity because usually one species of tree is planted—limiting the diversity of plants and animals that will also live in it. In Canada, a leader in forest management, timber industries replant based on the dominant species harvested. In some stands, more than one species is replanted. The silvics of the replanted species are considered. Silvics refers to the study of silviculture and what will grow best under the given conditions. A managed boreal forest is usually harvested every 70 to 100 years.

Unmanaged, or primary forests have not been harvested. As these trees grow bigger and biomass increases, the forests become more complex and biodiverse. For example, there may be more coarse woody debris, snags and fallen trees; more diversity in tree size, plant, and animal species. A forest is at its “peak” when it is the most biodiverse. Sometimes, an old-growth forest is the most biodiverse it will ever be. Other old-growth forests are made up of pyroclimactic tree species. For example, lodgepole pine are Alberta’s old-growth species. In an old-growth lodgepole pine forest there is little variance in age, and fire (or harvesting) will remove the stand entirely. As First Nations people were well aware, old-growth forests may have had more diversity, but they held little to no big game. Old-growth forests vary in age depending on the primary species; they are usually over 120 years old.
Image Source: PxHere


Click each collapsible row to view more information.


Courtesy of Natural Resources Canada, https://www.nrcan.gc.ca.


Click image to enlarge.
Prior to colonization, the First Nations peoples had little impact on the forests because of small population sizes and cultural beliefs. Eastern Canada went through a heavy period of deforestation in the 18th and 19th centuries because of the large number of settlers who cleared the land settlement, agricultural use, ship building, and resources. Today, Canada is working hard to protect and manage its mature forests. In general, Canada’s broadleaf and mixed wood forests tend to be younger—and the oldest forests are almost entirely coniferous boreal forests—which make up 77% of Canada’s forests. With over half of Canada’s forests having a stand age of over 80 years, we can see that much of Canada’s boreal forests have kept their structural integrity and biodiversity. Canada's oldest forests are located in wetter areas where the climate prevents forest fires. Some of these trees are over 1500 years old.


The Maritimes, Quebec, and Ontario old growth forests are made up of red spruce, while eastern hemlock, eastern white pine, eastern white cedar, yellow birch and sugar maple trees.
Image Source: Pixabay



Iconic old growth forests of British Columbia are made up of the Douglas fir, Sitka spruce, and western red cedar.
Image Source: Pixabay

To learn more about Canada’s Always Changing Boreal Forest, view this PDF.

We already know that in the past, forests were a resource, and not much thought was put into their management. Research and historical data show that population and technology growth increases deforestation. For example, 2000 years ago, forests covered about 80% of Europe. Today, with the exception of Russia, they cover about 35%. These forests were first harvested for building and heating materials, and then were unable to grow back because of agriculture and urban development. The demand increased as lumber was needed for ship building during the age of exploration, foundries, and smelters in the early Industrial Revolution. Thus, in Europe, there are very few old forests remaining. This trend can be seen throughout the world, both historically and in modern times.
Click image to enlarge.
Forest cover was reduced substantially in Europe to meet demands of population growth.
Image Source: Creative Commons


Forest Facts

Forestry evolved as the science and practice of managing forests and trees grew. By the 18th century, the deforestation of Europe was viewed as a crisis. The teaching of forestry as an applied science spread through universities in France and Germany. Systematic reforestation programmes were started in both countries.


There is concern that more demand for forest products will increase logging activities in mature forests in Canada and around the world. From the perspective of timber production, older forests are less productive than young forests because growth rates slow as trees age and timber volumes decline as trees decay. Many old-growth forests are now in protected areas and are tourist attractions.


Ancient beech forest in Germany’s Jasmund National Park — A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some trees are over 700 years old.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Impact of Climate Changes on Forests

Climate change is impacting forests in Canada and throughout the world. These impacts are called climate-induced changes and can include changes to natural disturbances, or change to the forests themselves.

Click each collapsible row to view more information.

Warmer temperatures enable native pests and diseases to go unchecked and non-native pests and diseases to become established. Even species and diseases native to Canada may move into a region that used to be inhospitable because of climate, while original species may not be able to survive in the new climatic conditions.

Canada’s iconic animal, the beaver, has been migrating north because of warmer temperatures and scientists are unsure if this move is positive or negative.

On one hand, beavers in the Arctic are not only causing problems for hunters and fishermen, they are also using the available forests to build dams, which flood and melt the permafrost, and erodes previously permanently frozen soil. The permafrost also releases methane and other gases that in turn speed up global warming too.
Click image to enlarge.
After decades of little change in this tract of the Alaskan tundra, as seen from the 1950 to 1985 satellite images, changes in water levels are now visible after the initial dam was built in 2002. This caused permafrost to thaw and pits and depressions to form. By 2012, the dams were well established, converting the area surrounding the stream into a wetland.
Image Source: Public Domain

On the other hand, beavers are considered a key ecosystem species. They create and maintain wetlands in forested areas. In some regions they have even been reintroduced after overhunting in hopes of re-establishing ecosystems. As beaver move north they may pave the way for other species like moose, which eat the willows that grow around beaver ponds; or waterfowl that live in the ponds.


Forest Facts

The largest beaver dam in the world is about 850 meters long, can be seen from space, and is found in Wood Buffalo National Park, 190 kilometres northeast of Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Forest Facts

Beavers are an invasive species in other parts of the world. In South America, the Canadian Beaver is destroying forests at a rapid rate.

A needle forest with storm damages.
Image Source: Unsplash
Hemlock woolly adelgid is an invasive insect moving into Canada that can be be spread through wind.

Weather is not only expected to change from region to region but to become more erratic as the earth warms up. An increase in storms is also expected, including microbursts and high-wind storms such as tornadoes and hurricanes. In forests, these high-wind storms can break apart and even uproot trees. Microbursts are localized areas of sinking air that can cause a lot of damage. Damage to a forest area may weaken the resistance of native species to invasive alien species (IAS). High-wind storms also cause forest damage and help spread invasive species such as insects and fungus.


Image Source: Pixabay
Some regions may become dryer while others will receive more precipitation, possibly extreme precipitation and flooding. A Swedesh climate change model shows that Sweden may experience more snowfall in the future, leading to increased flooding in the spring as the snow melts. These changes may cause the current established species in regions to become stressed and more susceptible to insects and diseases.

When we think of precipitation, we usually think of rain, but a recent study shows that snow is just as important. The study of sugar maples, which grow in Southern Ontario and Quebec, showed that less snow allows frost to penetrate further into the soil and damage roots. These damaged roots do not take up as much nutrients so the tree does not grow as well. The insects among the dead roots become less abundant and diverse. Overall, the trees do not grow as well, and the forest becomes less biodiverse.


A world climate change model shows the changes that regions may expect from season to season. In the images below, the darker orange indicates less precipitation than historically measured and the darker purple indicates more precipitation than historically measured. Although some areas may experience more precipitation, it is important to remember with rising temperatures there is also more evaporation which increases drought.
Click image to enlarge.
Image Source: CarbonBrief.org

In Canada and countries with similar climates, winter temperatures not only keep pests and disease in check, they are also important in maintaining the general health of trees and tree reproduction. Phenology is the timing of biological events, and for some species is greatly impacted by temperature. In the fall when the temperatures start to drop, trees start a process called frost hardening, which is like hibernation. The tree cells harden and become glasslike as they shrink, become dehydrated, and increase in sugar concentration. This helps prevent freezing and damage to living cells. With climate change, we see an increase in unseasonably warm temperatures, followed by a return to seasonally cold winter temperatures. In these circumstances, the trees start to lose their cold hardiness. When the cold returns, the sap that had started to run because of the warmer temperatures, freezes, resulting in damage.


Forest Facts

If the water in the sap of a tree expands too much, a tree’s limbs, or the tree itself, can explode because of the amount of pressure put on the bark from expanding water.

Image Source: Pixabay


Climate change can impact all forest phenology events. The phenology events of budburst, flowering, fruiting, and autumn leaf-fall may also be impacted. Budburst is another phenology event that is determined by climatic cues. As temperatures warm-up, cells in the tree release a hormone that tells the tree to start growing.


Forest Facts

When a tree loses its leaves in the fall, the leaves for the next spring are already formed. Tiny leaves, stems, and sometimes flowers are located in packages called buds. Buds are made of tough scales that form a waterproof case. Bud bursting occurs in spring when sap rises from the roots to the branches; the scales fall off the buds; and the tree’s leaves, stems, and flowers unfurl and grow. During the summer, the tree begins to develop new buds for the following year.

Image Source: Unsplash



Image Source: Pixabay
The change in climate is also impacting growing and harvesting quantity and length of seasons. This, in turn, greatly impacts those dependent on forests throughout the world. For example, in Canada, logging is shut down when forest-fire risks are high in the summer. In the winter, forestry operations that depend on frozen ground and waterways for logging and hauling could have shortened seasons or be shut down because of earlier thawing.

In other countries, forests where people harvest fruits and nuts may have lower or increased yields, or earlier or later harvesting seasons, depending on the impact of the climate-induced changes. These changes have great economic and social impacts.

Image Source: FreeImages
We already noted that tree species may become unable to survive in the regions they are currently found because the area may become inhospitable. However, other trees may be able to grow in these areas. Rises in winter temperatures may expand the potential range of less frost-hardy species, and hotter summer temperatures may expand the potential range of more drought-hardy species.

Learn about Canada's Forests and options available for forest managers to adapt to climate change from Sustainable Forest Management video.

The Impact Forests Have on Climate Change

Climate change negatively impacts forests, but forests can help fight climate change. One of the ways they fight climate change is by providing shade. Shade helps the soil retain moisture. In cities, the shade provided by trees reduces energy consumption when it is hot by reducing cooling costs and emissions. The UN and many governments and organizations around the world are encouraging and supporting programs that plant trees and educate people on the importance of having a mosaic landscape of agroforestry plantations, crop fields and woodlots, as well as green spaces in urban centers.

High-rise house with trees, shrubs and hedges in the City of Milan, Italy is an example of an effort to create green spaces in urban centers.
Image Source: Unsplash

Forest Ecosystems

A forest ecosystem is all the plants, animals and micro-organisms in an area that function together with all of the non-living physical factors. Forest ecosystems play an important role in regulating the earth’s fresh water cycle, carbon cycle, and climate systems, as well as providing habitats for wildlife. Small changes in an ecosystem can impact everything else within it. As already noted, forest ecosystems can be greatly impacted by the natural occurring events such as insect outbreaks but are also impacted by climate change, which may bring with it more frequent or intense wildfires, outbreaks of insects and pathogens, and extreme events such as high winds, floods, or drought.

In Canada, researchers work to set harvest rates that ensure long-term ecosystem sustainability. As a result, the country’s forests are able to support species diversity and resilience over large, complicated, ever-evolving ecosystems. This research is shared world-wide to help other countries understand the importance of maintaining forest ecosystems.

Sometimes people negatively impact forest ecosystems unintentionally by disturbing a species that lives within the forest, introducing an invasive species, or purposely preventing forest regrowth through agriculture and the grazing of animals.
An example of how one species can impact an ecosystem can be seen in the removal of and the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in the United States. Once the wolves were reintroduced, the forest ecosystem found balance again overtime.


Dr. William A. Powell discusses reviving the American forest with the American chestnut tree which was wiped out by a fungus introduced by humans.

Trees for Life Founder, Alan Watson-Featherstone explains what happened to, and why he hopes to restore, Scotland’s ancient Caledonian Forests.

Forest Ecological systems throughout the world have been disturbed because of overharvesting or the removal of one or more species. Continuing to manage forests in a way that will ensure resilience of forest ecosystems will be an ongoing challenge as climate change and other stressors continue to cause impacts.

Extensive and Intensive Forest Management

Both Intensive and Extensive Forest Management plans recognize forests as an important part of a country's past, present, and future. The management plans are developed by forest managers or technicians to make sure that forests are looked after. The difference between extensive and intensive management plans is the amount of work done to the forest on an ongoing basis.

Image Source: Pixabay

Extensive Forest Management (EFM) requires a plan that meets the legal requirements of protecting species and waterways during logging and harvesting in such a way as to encourage natural regeneration. Replanting within a set number of years is also required.

Intensive Forest Management (IFM) meets all the legal requirements found in Extensive Forest Management with additional silviculture and management techniques. Such techniques can include using genetically superior seedlings for artificial regeneration; silvicultural techniques such as scarification, cleaning, thinning, fertilizing, spacing and pruning. The goals with Intensive Forest Management is to get the highest, best quality yield possible in the shortest amount of time so that the area can be logged again sooner. Intensive Forest Management is more costly and may be more damaging to the environment, as herbicides and fertilizers are often used.


Extensive Forest Management

Intensive Forest Management
  • Forest land is divided into large management units.
  • Units are too large to be managed by foresters or forest technicians.
  • Forests are recognized as an important part of the country’s past, present, and future.
  • Forests are considered as property of public importance. Governments influence the management of forests through laws.
  • Logging companies pay for the reforestation to make sure there is timber in the future.
  • Management plans are created by professional foresters, approved by the government, and periodically revised.
  • Age class distribution of the forest area is planned and maintained through harvesting. Supervised by a forest manager or technician.
  • Replanting in logged areas is the responsibility of the logging company and is usually required within five years of logging. Supervised by a forest manager or technician.
  • Logging is supervised by a forest manager or technician.
  • Systematic and consistent recording of all forestry activities.
  • The size of established management units is much smaller than in extensive forest management.
  • A certain minimum number of professional foresters and forest technicians are employed to monitor and record growth and activities.
  • Logging is not separated from forestry. Harvesting is part of the silvicultural treatment.
  • The objectives of the management plan are to give:
    • The choice and acceptance of a silvicultural system.
    • The location of divisions and of the permanent road system.
    • The short term cutting plan for harvest cutting and intermediate cuttings.
    • The reforestation plan.
  • The stands must not only be established but also be tended with silvicultural and harvesting activities to ensure that each stand is resistant to wind, fire, insects, etc.


In general, Extensive Forest Management is practiced in Canada because there are large quantities of forests available that can be harvested at a lower cost than if Intensive Forest Management was used. As well, even with the new forest management technologies used in Intensive Management, Canada’s Mean Annual Increment (MAI) is very low. MAI is the volume of wood growing on one hectare of forest during one year—or the growth rate in one year.

To stay competitive on the world market, Canada needs to keep costs down when producing lumber. Tropical countries, where trees grow faster, have MAI’s ranging from 15–25 m3/ha, compared to Canada’s average MAI of 1.7m3/ha. Since trees in the tropics grow faster, an area can be harvested more often, giving these countries a competitive advantage. Studies show that it is possible to double an area’s MAI in Canada using Intensive Forest Management techniques on high quality land. MAIs grow substantially when Intensive Forest Management techniques are used in tropical areas. It has been argued that if Intensive Forest Management techniques were taught and encouraged in tropical areas, deforestation and illegal logging would be minimized.

We already learned that many European forests were devastated by overharvesting in the 18th century. Many of these countries are working to rebuild forests using Intensive Forest Management. The most successful Intensive Forest Management example is found in Japan where Satoyama is practiced.

Satoyama is an important Japanese cultural forest conservation practice that works to harmoniously blend management of forest, rice fields, grassland, and water sources. This practice has ensured that Japan’s forests remain relatively stable even with a growing population.
Japan Hibiya Park Forest and Tokyo cityscape.
Image Source: Creative Commons

Sustainable Forest Management

Sustainable Forest Management combines Extensive and Intensive forest practices with the goal of maintaining, or increasing, forests’ size and productivity while continuing to harvest timber, fibre, or non-wood products. At the same time, the role of forests in the environment, society, and other industries is also considered. Forests should become healthier and larger when forests are well managed. To do this, forest harvesting must be done efficiently and with as little waste as possible. Sustainability requires decisions to be made not just for the present, but also for future generations.

The graph shows how Canada's wood supply has remained relatively stable between 1990 and 2009, only decreasing slightly since then.


Click image to enlarge.
Canadian Council of Forest Minsters (2019)
Image Source: National Forestry Database

 



Forest Facts

In 1713, Hans Carl von Carlowitz, a German accountant and mining administrator, was one of the first people to publish a book on the forestry industry. He is considered the Father of Sustained-Yield Forests. He wanted to make sure that there would be a steady supply of wood for the mining industry.
Image Source: Creative Commons

Canada is considered a leader in sustainable forestry. In Unit 1 we learned that the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers helped develop the Montreal Process in Geneva, Switzerland. The Montreal Process established criteria for the protection of the world’s temperate and boreal forests in non-European countries. In addition to Canada, member countries include Argentina, Australia, Chile, China, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, the United States, and Uruguay—combined, these countries have 60 percent of the world’s forests.

Carbon Cycling

We know forests provide homes for people and animals, provide jobs and support the economy, and help keep the world cooler by providing shade. Forests also fight climate change by removing carbon dioxide (C02), a greenhouse gas produced by fossil fuel emissions, from the atmosphere. This occurs because forests are part of the carbon cycle. Through photosynthesis trees use C02 to create wood, leaves or needles, and roots, and release oxygen.
Click image to enlarge.
With permission from the Canadian Institute of Forestry / Institut forestier du Canada.

Pros and Cons of Carbon Cycle


When a tree dies the C02 is slowly released back into the atmosphere as it decomposes. When trees are cut down, 40–60% of the carbon they contain remains in the forest. These roots, branches and leaves will decompose over time, slowly releasing C02. (Con) Logs transported to mills are converted into forest products such as lumber or paper to serve the needs of society, and some of the bark and leftover wood pieces are burned for energy. The C0 2 stays in the products and is not released into the atmosphere until the products are burned or decomposed in landfills. For example, the lumber that makes up a house, or the paper in a book, holds C02 until they are destroyed. (Pro) Products with shorter life-spans, like newspapers, are sent to the landfill and decompose much sooner, unless they are recycled. (Con) The overall result is that each year, more and more carbon is being stored in forest products. (Pro)

Disturbing the soil during harvesting can cause some release of carbon dioxide. (Con) Reducing the forest disturbance associated with harvesting, reducing road widths, and helping trees grow back sooner reduces the negative impact. The area that was harvested soon begins to store carbon again as young trees grow. (Pro)


Candian Forests Carbon Sink-Source Balance


Forests have the potential to be either carbon sinks (taking in more C02), or carbon sources (releasing more stored carbon than they capture). In Canada, the fluctuation in the sink–source carbon balance is closely connected to annual forest fires.

Canada is working to reduce the amount of forested lands cleared for other uses and create a sustainable supply of timber for industry use. The annual deforestation rate continues to decline. Forest scientists are working to improve harvesting techniques, preserve ecosystems, and grow trees more quickly. A program called CBM-CFS3 (Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector) has been created by Natural Resources, Canada’s Canadian Forest Service, and the Canadian Model Forest Network for forest managers and technicians to help measure the carbon implications of their forest management plan, enabling them to develop plans that will have the lowest environmental impact possible.

Wood energy is considered climate-neutral because it is a renewable energy resource, unlike fossil fuels. For this reason, a lot of research is now being completed to develop technologies that will maximize efficiency and minimize emissions when wood or wood-by products, such as pellets or biomaterial, are used as heating or fuel sources. In fact, since 1990, the pulp and paper industry in Canada has reduced emissions by about 65% by replacing fossil fuels used for mill processes with low net-carbon emissions energy generated by burning wood residues.
Click image to enlarge.
Courtesy of http://www.national.observer.com/

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) is a way to calculate and put financial value for the carbon stored in forests. In 2008, the United Nations launched the UN-REDD+ program, which offers incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon sustainable development with the support and expertise of developed countries like Canada.


Forest Facts

The UN-REDD+ supports 42 partner countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Funding of $59.3 million has been approved for national programs for 14of those countries—Bolivia, Cambodia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Indonesia, Nigeria, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia. The program has received the most funding support from Norway, Denmark, Spain, and Japan. In addition to financial support, Canada has contributed its expertise and research.

Courtesy of https://ourworldindata.org CC by 4.0


3.1 Assignment

Persuasive Paper

For this assignment, you are going to defend a position on a global issue regarding the consumptive use of forests, specifically on the Alberta logging industry’s dependence on the United States.

Follow the steps provided to complete the assignment.

  1. Read “Forest Economics”; it is one of five short readers available from Inside Education.
  2. Using the outline and rubric below, write a paper defending the statement: “Alberta’s economy depends too much on the United States.” Click the button to view the outline.


    Introduction
    • 2–3 sentences
    • Introduce your topic to the reader
    • Provide history or background on the topic
    • Describe your position and the issue.
    Paragraph 1
    • 3–4 sentences
    •  State the first point of your argument
    • Give your personal opinion about the point
    • Provide evidence/details that support your opinion about the point
    Paragraph 2
    • 3–4 sentences
    • State the second point of your argument
    • Give your personal opinion about the point
    • Provide evidence/details that support your opinion about the point
    Paragraph 3
    • 3–4 sentences
    • State the third point of your argument
    • Give your personal opinion about the point
    • Provide evidence/details that support your opinion about the point
    Conclusion
    • Restate your opinion
    • Summarize your three argument points
    • Suggest a plan of action


    Use examples from the discussion in the ‘Eye on America’ case study to defend your position.

    Additional Requirements:
    • Use size 12 font in Times New Roman or Arial style
    • Double spaced
    • at least one page in length
  3. Once you have completed your assignment, click on the button below to go to the submission page.

    Submission Page


Rubric

To learn the criteria for this assignment, view the Persuasive Rubric.

Category
 4
 3
 2
 1
Depth of Understanding
  • Content demonstrates an exceptional level of understanding of Alberta’s economic dependence on the United States.
  • Content demonstrates a proficient  level of understanding of Alberta’s dependence on the United States.
  • Content demonstrates a basic understanding of the topic.
  • Content does not demonstrate a limited  understanding of the topic.
Argument
  • Argument is persuasive and well supported.
  • Argument demonstrates insightful knowledge of the issues.
  • Argument is meaningful and well supported.
  • Argument demonstrates relevant knowledge of the issues.
  • Argument is plausible  and simplistically supported.
  • Argument demonstrates reasonable knowledge of the issues.
  • Argument is vague and/or poorly supported.
  • Argument demonstrates limited and/or inaccurate knowledge of the issues.
Structure and Organization
  • Ideas and details are arranged effectively.
  • Controlling idea is present, integrated, and sustained.
  • Conclusion is skillful.
  • Ideas and details are arranged appropriately.
  • Controlling idea is present, and sustained.
  • Conclusion is appropriate.
  • Ideas and details are arranged in a straightforward way.
  • Controlling idea is present, and generally sustained; coherence may falter.
  • Conclusion is functional.
  • Ideas and details are arranged ineffectively.
  • Controlling idea is not maintained.
  • Conclusion is not deliberate.
Mechanics
  • Demonstrates confident control of spelling and grammar.
  • Writes with an impressive lack of errors.
  • Demonstrates control of spelling and grammar.
  • Writes with minor errors.
  • Demonstrates basic control of spelling and grammar.
  • Writes with occasional errors, but communication remains clear.
  • Demonstrates faltering control of spelling and grammar.
  • Writes with a range of errors that blur clarity of communication.

3.1 Quiz

Canada and the World's Forest Land Issues

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3.1 Quiz