Unit A Section 3 Introduction Monitoring Ecosystem Change
Completion requirements
Section 3: Careful study allows us to monitor ecosystem change.
Unit A: Section 3 – Introduction
Figure A.S.1.1 – Canada’s boreal forest is the largest undisturbed forest on Earth.
Figure A.S.1.2 – Canada’s boreal forest is home to many species of plants and wildlife.
Canada’s Boreal Forest
The boreal forest in its current form emerged 10 000 years ago when the last ice age retreated. Since then, the forest has been through many cycles of natural death. It has endured fires, insect outbreaks, and disease. About every 100 years or so, fire spreads through any given section of the forest. After each destruction, the boreal forest regenerates.
We might think that destruction could have only a negative effect on an ecosystem. Research on the boreal forest shows that is not true. Natural disturbances have positive effects. For example, blueberries and huckleberries thrive in areas opened by fire. They benefit from increased sunlight and nutrient-rich ash in the soil. The berries produced are food for a wide variety of forest animals. Budworm outbreaks have positive effects, too. The plentiful worms provide warblers with an all-you-can-eat buffet.
The boreal forest in its current form emerged 10 000 years ago when the last ice age retreated. Since then, the forest has been through many cycles of natural death. It has endured fires, insect outbreaks, and disease. About every 100 years or so, fire spreads through any given section of the forest. After each destruction, the boreal forest regenerates.
We might think that destruction could have only a negative effect on an ecosystem. Research on the boreal forest shows that is not true. Natural disturbances have positive effects. For example, blueberries and huckleberries thrive in areas opened by fire. They benefit from increased sunlight and nutrient-rich ash in the soil. The berries produced are food for a wide variety of forest animals. Budworm outbreaks have positive effects, too. The plentiful worms provide warblers with an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Figure A.S.1.3 – Fire rages through part of the boreal forest.
To understand and monitor the boreal forest is important. Ecologists are learning that natural cycles of destruction benefit the forest. Instead of intervening, sometimes letting nature proceed is better. Forest fire fighters still fight fires that are
close to human settlements. However, fire is now used to renew parts of the boreal forest.
Monitoring human effects on ecosystems is critically important. Not all disturbances have positive effects. Disturbances caused by human activities can cause long-term damage. Logging in Canada’s boreal forest has been shown to harm the ecosystem. Logging roads disrupt natural migration routes of large game animals. The removal of trees leads to erosion and the loss of soil nutrients. Large tracts of forest in northern Alberta have been harvested by clear-cutting. Clear-cutting, where all vegetation is removed, is very destructive. The entire boreal ecosystem is affected by this method.
Monitoring human effects on ecosystems is critically important. Not all disturbances have positive effects. Disturbances caused by human activities can cause long-term damage. Logging in Canada’s boreal forest has been shown to harm the ecosystem. Logging roads disrupt natural migration routes of large game animals. The removal of trees leads to erosion and the loss of soil nutrients. Large tracts of forest in northern Alberta have been harvested by clear-cutting. Clear-cutting, where all vegetation is removed, is very destructive. The entire boreal ecosystem is affected by this method.
Figure A.S.1.4 – An aerial view of the ecological damage caused by logging.
Figure A.S.1.5 – A large tract of the boreal forest has been clear-cut.
Words to Think About:
Check out the word cloud below. It pictures the important words that you are going to learn in this section. Watch for these words, and combinations of these words, as you read. When you see them highlighted, you can click on them to learn more about
what the word means.
You can also visit the course glossary and read definitions for all of these words.
Lessons in This Section
Lesson A7: Ecosystem Research
Key Question – Why are ecosystems monitored, and how is it done?
Lesson A8: Ecosystem Invaders
Key Question – How do invasive species affect ecosystems?
Lesson A9: Survival in Ecosystems
Key Question – What strategies do animals use to survive?
Lesson A10: Ecosystem Destruction and Renewal
Key Question – How do ecosystems recover from damage and destruction?
Reading and Materials for This Section
Science in Action 7
Reading: Pages 50–63
Materials Lists for Unit:
Connections
Figure A.S.1.6 – Tom Thomson, "The Jack Pine" (1917)
Figure A.S.1.7 – Emily Carr, "Odds and Ends" (1939)
Figure A.S.1.8 – James MacDonald, "The Solemn Land" (1921)
Figure A.S.1.9 – The boreal forest is often composed of rough, tree covered land.
Figure A.S.1.10 – Traditions of many First Nations are tied closely to the land.
Connections: First Nations
>> Difficult Choices In Fort Chipewyan
The boreal forest is entrenched deeply in Canada’s identity. The Group of Seven Canadian painters are famous for their paintings of the vast boreal landscape, which capture the beauty of the boreal forest. Click this link [http://www.group-of-seven.org] and then click the “Slideshow” button to see their paintings.
The boreal forest represents Canada’s natural beauty. It represents vast economic opportunities. High-quality wood products come from the forest. In Alberta, rich oil sands lie just beneath the forest floor. Perhaps no one understands the forest better than Canadian First Nations.
About 80% of First Nations people in Canada live in the boreal forest region. For as long as 20 000 years, they have made their homes in and around the forest. Aboriginal people consider the boreal forest critical to their cultural identity. For many centuries, Aboriginal communities relied on the forest for their livelihoods. They are Canada’s first foresters. They live close to the land. They have great experience and knowledge about sustainable forest use.
>> Difficult Choices In Fort Chipewyan
The boreal forest is entrenched deeply in Canada’s identity. The Group of Seven Canadian painters are famous for their paintings of the vast boreal landscape, which capture the beauty of the boreal forest. Click this link [http://www.group-of-seven.org] and then click the “Slideshow” button to see their paintings.
The boreal forest represents Canada’s natural beauty. It represents vast economic opportunities. High-quality wood products come from the forest. In Alberta, rich oil sands lie just beneath the forest floor. Perhaps no one understands the forest better than Canadian First Nations.
About 80% of First Nations people in Canada live in the boreal forest region. For as long as 20 000 years, they have made their homes in and around the forest. Aboriginal people consider the boreal forest critical to their cultural identity. For many centuries, Aboriginal communities relied on the forest for their livelihoods. They are Canada’s first foresters. They live close to the land. They have great experience and knowledge about sustainable forest use.
Fort Chipewyan
is 300 kilometres north of Fort McMurray. It is accessible only by boat or ice road. Most people who live there are MĂ©tis or members of the Athabasca Chipewyan and Mikisew Cree First Nations. Elders in Fort Chipewyan remember when the boreal forest met
every need. It provided food, shelter, clothing, and even entertainment. In the past, days were spent fishing, hunting, and moose hide tanning. Adults ran dog teams and set snares. They dried fish and meat. They produced beautiful beadwork. Children
swam in Lake Athabasca. They slid down snowy hills in winter. People here had no electrical conveniences. However, life to them was pleasant and fulfilling.
Now, the people of Fort Chipewyan are conflicted. Fort Chipewyan is a bustling town. Work in the nearby oil sands industry is plentiful. However, the land the people rely on is being developed. The First Nations people are making difficult choices. Taking a well-paid job in the oilsands industry is one option. Fighting development to preserve deep-rooted culture and tradition is another. Many people who live there worry about the effects of industry on the forest ecosystem.
Now, the people of Fort Chipewyan are conflicted. Fort Chipewyan is a bustling town. Work in the nearby oil sands industry is plentiful. However, the land the people rely on is being developed. The First Nations people are making difficult choices. Taking a well-paid job in the oilsands industry is one option. Fighting development to preserve deep-rooted culture and tradition is another. Many people who live there worry about the effects of industry on the forest ecosystem.
Figure A.S.1.11 – First Nations people have lived in the boreal forest for hundreds of generations.
Figure A.S.1.12 – The boreal forest has been a source of food, shelter, clothing, and goods.
Figure A.S.1.13 – Modern changes threaten both the boreal forest and traditional ways of life.