|
Climate is a strong influence on forest and range lands in BC. It affects tree growth, productivity, and numerous resource values derived from these lands. Managing these resources in a changing climate poses tough challenges for forest and range managers.
The Ministry of Forests and Range is responding to climate change through a number of actions, including the Future Forest Ecosystem Initiative.
What’s New
- New Forests in a carbon-constrained world. This 12-page extension note from BC Ministry of Forests Research Program provides an overview of why carbon uptake and storage in forests are important, some management considerations, and a discussion on how climate change may affect the forest carbon balance.
- New Monitoring Forest and Rangeland Species and Ecological Processes to Anticipate and Respond to Climate Change in British Columbia – this report proposes 16 indicators relevant for assessing climate change effects on forest and rangeland ecosystems in BC. (FREP Report #20).
- New Ecological resilience and complexity: a theoretical framework for understanding and managing British Columbia's forest ecosystems in a changing climate – this Technical Report is one of a series of foundation papers for the British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range's Future Forest Ecosystems Initiative (FFEI). It explores how resilience theory can provide guidance for managing forests in a changing climate.
- New Adapting to Climate Change Newsletter #2 – features Ministry of Forests and Range ecologist Elizabeth Campbell discussing Ecological Resilience and Implications for Management and provides an update on Policy and Tools to Support Climate Change Adaptation
- New Vulnerability of Canada's Tree Species to Climate Change and Management Options for Adaptation. This report by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers identifies opportunities for incorporating climate change adaptation strategies into the management of Canada's tree species. It represents the first phase in a collaborative adaptation strategy for forests in a changing climate.
- New A Framework for Forest Management Offset Protocols. This document produced by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers identifies key issues and possible solutions in measuring the carbon storage effects of various forest management activities. Protocol writers can consider these issues and possible solutions as they develop their offset protocols within established forest management regimes. The document will also be useful for those intending to propose offset projects in accordance with forest management protocols
- BC Forest Offset Protocol. This protocol is now available for review. The comment period has been extended from July 10 to the end of July.
- Please send comments to Brian Raymer by July 31st.
- Questions & Answers.
- February 2009 – Adapting to Climate Change Newsletter. Contains news about the impacts of climate change on BC's forest and range ecosystems, and management approaches to enhance adaptation.
- Seminar Series: Climate Change and Forest Management: Join us on designated Thursdays at 11 AM Pacific time to hear about cutting edge science and modelling for climate change adaptation.
- August 2008 – Fall Amendments to Seed Transfer Standards. Proposerd changes to seed transfer limits will address forest health and productivity impacts of climate change.
- April 2008 – A Summary of Climate Change Effects on Watershed Hydrology. This Ministry of Forests and Range Extension Note 87 outlines recent and projected changes to hydrology, and implications for forest management. (4 pages)
- March 2008 – Climate change, impacts, and adaptation scenarios technical report. This report by Dr. D.L. Spittlehouse (2008) provides a summary of future possible climates for British Columbia, a brief review of possible impacts on forest and range resources, and options for and challenges to adapting to climate change.
- February 2008 – Premier’s Forestry Climate Action Meeting, Prince George, Feb 15, 2008. Presentations provided an opportunity for the forest sector to identify opportunities for greenhouse gas reduction and to articulate a climate action vision. (Note: All materials in this section are the work of external contributors, and the Ministry makes no claim regarding the contents therein).
- February 2008 – Climate Change Posters
- See the Publications and Links pages for earlier documents.
Preparing for Climate Change
In May 2006, the Ministry of Forests and Range released a report outlining the challenges, opportunities and actions the ministry, and others might take to prepare for the potential impacts of climate change.
More Information
|
