Science, Technology, Energy and Mines
Forests
Canada’s boreal forest is one of the largest remaining intact forests in the world, making up a total of 1.4 billion acres. The soils and peatlands of the boreal forest help to buffer against the effects of climate change by acting as a large storehouse for carbon. As a result, it is critical that we pay special attention to the proper management of this resource.
Our boreal forest, which is particularly sensitive to climate, constitutes 67 per cent of Manitoba's forested land and is the main source for the province’s forest industry. It is likely that climate change will affect both the composition and distribution of the forest. Some tree species will adapt better than others, leading to changes in wildlife habitat.
Our best available science suggests the southern portion of the boreal forest may decline and disappear in future centuries, while the northern edge may not be able to extend into the existing tundra ecosystem due to the poor soils in this region.
These changes could significantly impact northern peoples and tourism operations that rely on hunting and fishing. The timber industry will be particularly affected as yields are reduced, susceptibility to pests and disease increases and forest fires become more frequent due to drought.
Managing Our Forests to Enhance Carbon Storage Opportunities exist, however, to adapt to and benefit from these changes. For example, with careful planning, forests could be managed as carbon sinks. Under the Kyoto Protocol and the Bonn Agreement, Canada is entitled to earn emissions reduction "credits" towards our Kyoto target for our management of forests and agricultural soils. The Manitoba forestry sector could therefore benefit in a way that would also be consistent with sustainable forestry practices. Manitoba has developed forest renewal rules that are among the strongest in the country. We have also implemented a new approach to calculating how much forest can be sustainably harvested by modeling forest growth based on actual local forest studies. This approach improves our ability to determine the impact of proposed harvesting on the environment, including wildlife habitats and biodiversity. |
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Manitoba's Boreal Forest and the East Side
Ninety per cent of the east side of Lake Winnipeg falls within the boreal shield ecosystem. The area is home to 36,000 people – 96% of whom are First Nation. The area is unique because it is a part of our province that is a largely inaccessible and undeveloped landscape adjacent to fully developed areas. At the same time, it is also an area that is particularly threatened by the impacts of climate change. By 2050, it is predicted that much of the southern and northern parts of the boreal forest could be lost. Winter ice roads already have shorter seasons that could negatively impact transportation safety as well as the cost of getting critical supplies to communities. Action must be taken today to protect this important and valuable area of our province.
Some communities have put forward a proposal to have their traditional territories, along with the Atikaki Wilderness Park and land on the Ontario side of the border, nominated for a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Manitoba government supports this effort and has brought together First Nations governments and the governments of Ontario and Canada to further this work.
A land planning initiative that is part of a new accord with First Nation communities and the Province of Manitoba is also proposed that will combine traditional and western scientific knowledge to inform future decision making. This program is also intended to provide local job and training opportunities for future community based resource management.
Please visit Manitoba Conservation, Forestry Branch for more information.
Additional Resources:
Government of Manitoba, Next Steps: Priorities for Sustaining Manitoba's Forests; March 5, 2002
Manitoba Green and Growing
