Forest Resources and Their Uses By: Jessica, Kiera and Matthew

Forest Regions in Canada

Forest Regions in Canada Boreal Forest Region Largest forest region of the five Mainly composed of coniferous softwood trees Trees grow slow because of low precipitation and long cold winters Pulp and paper production is prominent because of small trees

Forest Regions in Canada Taiga Forest Region Trees are not tall because of many factors including cold temperatures and permafrost Types of trees include coniferous (e.g. Black spruce) and deciduous (e.g. Poplar) Small parts of the forest are logged for paper and pulp making

Forest Regions in Canada West Coast forest region Most productive and highest forest in Canada Coniferous trees grow on the western side of the mountains Lots of precipitation, long growing season and moderate temperatures Because of large trees the logs are most often used for cedar shingles, plywood and lumber

Forest Regions in Canada Montane Forest Region Second highest trees in Canada Not as much precipitation and as long of a growing season as the west coast forest region Small coniferous trees like various spruce and ponderosa pine Lumber, pulp and paper are all made from the logs in this region

Forest Regions in Canada Mixed Forest Region Large variety of trees grow here including coniferous trees like white pine and hardy deciduous trees like oak Trees are harvested for lumber, pulp and paper Here there are warmer temperatures, abundant precipitation and a longer growing season

Producing Pulp and Paper in Canada Canada is the second largest pulp and paper producer in the world after the United States and the largest exporter in the world. Canada produces so much pulp and paper because many logs from trees in Quebec, Ontario and Central Canada are too small to used for lumber purposes.

Lumber in British Columbia British Columbia is the leading lumber and plywood producer in Canada because its forests have many tall and knot-free trees. These trees are useful in things like construction and easily unrolled to make thin layers for plywood.

Types of Logging Operations Clear Cutting: Fast and cheap Every tree is cut down and nothing is left behind Areas are usually replanted which makes it easy to log in the future once the trees reach maturity If trees are not replanted the land may become damaged (exposed soil erosion)

Types of Logging Operations Shelterwood Logging: This method only clearcuts certain sections of a forest Seed bearing trees are left behind so that the seeds can replenish the logged area

Types of Logging Operations Selective Cutting: Certain trees are selected for desired qualities including size, quality or type This way the forest environment is less disturbed More expensive due to the care and time required to cut down the trees

Sawmills in Canada Sawmills tend to be smaller than pulp and paper mills. They are specialized to take advantage of the characteristics of the trees in the particular area and focus on a particular market. The number of sawmills in Canada is decreasing because because new, efficient sawmills are being built. These mills have better ways of processing smaller logs and using all parts of the wood whereas the older sawmills were designed to cut large chunks of wood.

New Sawmill Old Sawmill

Effects of Acid Rain in Canada Acid rain causes trees to die and the depletion of soil This is caused by emissions from factories nearby It mostly occurs in Eastern Canada Some coniferous trees in the southern boreal forest are affected by acid rain as well

Forest Insects and Pests Like acid rain, insects and pests affect the health of Canadian forests greatly This is because the trees are damaged by the pests Diseases are also spread by pests For these reasons forest companies spend a great deal of money and time to control these pests (e.g. “For example the pine bark beetle causes so much damage to british columbian forests that their government must pay millions of dollars each year to repair the damage that the beetles have done)

Forest Fires Forest fires can be beneficial because they kill all of the dead trees and let new healthy trees grow in their place. They also allow certain types seed to grow. Forest fires caused by lightning are left to burn out because they are often in remote places far from people. Forest fires caused by people are more likely put out by firefighters because these forests are usually near settled areas, easy to access and are considered valuable.

Sustained Yield Forest Management Sustained Yield Forest Management is one of the goals that Canada tries to achieve when we manage the forests. To achieve this goal, we must make sure that for every tree that is logged there are measures taken to help another tree grow and to lower the costs. If Sustained Yield Forest Management is not reached we would experience a decrease is jobs and valuable income from exports. (e.g. “For example, if we were to attain sustained yield management in a forest it would be a lot easier for a new forest to regrow but if we did not do this it would hurt the local environment and the government's funds.)

Forestry Facts Canada has 10 percent of the world's forests and about 30 percent of the world’s boreal forests. Canada ships over $30 million worth of lumber products each year.