Ecology and Wildlife Research

Ecological research provides the Ministry of Forests with information to guide the management of forest resources and sustain natural ecosystem processes. This requires an understanding of the biological foundation for forest management, at both the stand and landscape levels.

Ecology research is carried out in a number of areas, including:

• Ecosystem classification, which provides a framework for the management of timber, forage and a variety of other forest values. Research in this field provides valuable information about forest productivity, wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

• Ecosystem mapping assists in landscape-unit planning and improves estimates of site productivity for tree growth. 

• Old growth and rare and endangered species research has been undertaken to help address important management and conservation issues.

• Stand and landscape-level biodiversity research addresses a variety of topics, including stand dynamics, natural disturbance patterns, wildlife habitat, rare ecosystems and soil ecology. This information is important for maintain biodiversity at both small and large scales, to formulate stand-level silviculture prescriptions and to assist landscape-level planning.

• Wildlife habitat researchers provides information and advice to operations staff on silvicultural systems, wildlife-tree retention, post-harvesting prescriptions and other management Practices to maintain wildlife habitat and biodiversity.

• Range management and forage supply and allocation are important responsibilities of the ministry. Research has looked at restoration of fire-maintained ecosystems, management of grazing in riparian zones and minimization of livestock-wildlife conflicts and water quality issues associated with range Practices.