The "Oil Sands Leadership Initiative" uses data to project how a forest is going to change grow and develop in the future.
Click on the PLAY icon to below to watch their video "Landscape Ecological Assessment and Planning."
Information Systems
Information systems have many applications in the area of forest research. For example, Geographical Information Systems assemble information about landscapes, soil, and vegetation into maps and databases, which can then be used by forest researchers. For another example, if a certain forest pest is to be studied, researchers must have accurate information regarding its spread. Similarly, if forest managers are to preserve habitat for a certain animal, they must have accurate information related to where this animal lives.
Information systems are also used to monitor forest conditions. The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System is an example. Daily weather data is collected from across Canada and used to produce fire weather maps that indicate the level of fire danger in different parts of the country.