Abstracts - Posters

Reforestation Strategies for Adapting British Columbia’s Managed Forests to Climate Change: Policy Barriers and Opportunities

Brian Barber
British Columbia Forest Service
brian.barber@gems4.gov.bc.ca

Forests cover much of British Columbia’s landscape and are the source of numerous important resources. The damage or loss of these resources due to climate change would have serious environmental and socio-economic consequences for the Province. Forest managers will not be able to mitigate all the potential impacts over such an extensive landbase. However, some measures may be taken in regenerating harvested areas to reduce the risks, and to take advantage of some the benefits, of climate change in the Province’s managed forests.

Using formative evaluation research methods, this study will identify suitable reforestation strategies for adapting BC’s managed forests to anticipated climate change. Such strategies may include modifications to seed transfer, species selection, planting densities, and site treatments. Barriers and opportunities for implementing these strategies within the Province’s existing forest policy framework will subsequently be examined, with a view to recommending changes necessary to facilitate adaptation. Informing this research will be a review of policy decision-making in consideration of scientific uncertainty, ecosystem complexity and sustainability.

2005-04-06