Source:
nrcan.gc.ca
Source: enbridgepipedreams.org
Historical Ecological Status
The North American boreal forests from 1971-1989 experienced severe temperature fluctuations. For example, the mean average January temperatures in Fairbanks, Alaska, ranged from -35°C to -7°C. However, the more oceanic locations did not experience such dramatic temperature ranges. In Alaska, the vegetation patterns mirrored those of Scandinavia and Russia because of the relationship between forest fires, permafrost, and the coastal oceanic influences. The soil moisture of these forests typically determined what the vegetation patterns would be: they could be classified as wet, mesic, and dry. For example, the dry soil moisture in parts of Canada because of the frozen ground and dry, harsh winds would cause major water loss in trees, which is especially harmful while their roots are frozen. Historically speaking, although this ecosystem battled some of the toughest weather conditions, it thrived through the 1980’s according to “Environmental Factors and Ecological Processes in Boreal Forests” by Gordan B. Bonan and Herman H. Shugart.
Source: borealforestfacts.com
Human Impact
Although most of the boreal forest area in North America is
left unpopulated and unindustrialized, it is threatened by constant resource
extraction in the area. Many of the locals depend on forestry and mining for economic
stability. On a small scale, this wouldn’t be a big deal; however, clear
cutting makes up for 90% of the logging in this area. Oil extraction in Alaska
remains a controversial topic because of the necessary deforestation in order
to drill for the product (Marietta.edu). The construction of dams in the area
also creates pollution, flooding, and acid rain issues in the environment.
Should these patterns continue, expect to see increasing air and water
pollution, which threatens the biodiversity of the forests as well as local
citizens (borealforest.org). Majority of the negative impacts on the boreal
forests are caused by the mass consumption of the United States
(nrdc.org).
Future Prospects
In the current Boreal Forest ecosystem, plant and animal
species thrive. Because of the lush sanctuaries and fertile surroundings, there
is a lot of potential for life and a highly functioning life cycle in this
biome. In terms of plants, many are found in this ecosystem, but coniferous
trees are heavily dominant. This is mostly due to their extreme ability to
adapt to the cold climate, as they retain their needles through winter, which
can resist cold conditions and minimize water loss. Broadleaf plants are also
vastly found throughout the Boreal Forest biome. They lose their leaves as
colder conditions start to come and do not start to regrow until the danger of
frost has left. Other commonly seen plant species in this ecosystem are firs,
pines, spruces, hemlocks, larches, mosses, and lichens. All of these produce
important nutrients for animals that usually come in the form of pinecones or
moss. The animal life in the area are all very adapted to the cold weather as
well. Of the carnivores, there are vast numbers of bobcats, Siberian tigers,
and lynxes. Elk, insects, porcupines, and hares are among the herbivores that
vacate the area.
Economies of countries across the world continue to keep
paper and wood products in high demand, and the global demand is still rising.
Because of the high quality and wood fiber of the trees of the Boreal Forest,
it will continue to be essential for forest products and industrial wood.
Clear-cutting is a real threat to this ecosystem, and will continue to be in
the future. As stated earlier, it makes up for 90% of the logging in this area.
The Canadian government has plenty of laws and restrictions regarding
forestation, but they aren’t well enforced. Therefore, it can be expected that
big portions of the Boreal Forest will be removed and endemic species of the
area will become more and more endangered. The animals and plants that are
listed above will be heavily impacted if that clear cutting continues. In the
Alaskan portion of the Boreal Forest, there are similar problems. There has
been a lot of debatable removals of trees and nature for the purpose of oil
extraction. This will undoubtedly continue into the future because of the
worldwide oil shortage, and will negatively affect this ecosystem. With trees
gone, wildlife cannot eat, their habitats are destroyed, plants like the ones
listed above are wiped out, and the biome shrinks.
Improvements
If there are improvements to be made on a large scale in the
Boreal Forest of North America, it has to come from the Canadian government.
While ordinary citizens can do a lot in numbers, this biome is generally not
inhabited by many, and is most affected by corporations. This means that the
government, or the cooperation of provincial governments, will have the most
influence and effect. There are many things that can be done to improve this
region, but it starts with conservation. This biome can function very highly by
itself as it has proven over its existence, but it needs to be allowed to. To
do that, the government should more strictly enforce the laws, quotas, and
restrictions that they have previously set. The promotion of sustainable forest
management needs to continue to be good as well. 94% of this biome that is
situated in Canada is public owned. Finally, the government should classify
more areas as protected and increase nature reserves in order to protect the
forest areas from clear cutting and other forms of logging that hurt the
ecosystem. And, of course, it is always smart to make people more aware of the
issues that surround them. Schools across Canada and in Alaska, as well as
advertising in local communities, can make students and people aware of how
important the environment is. The current status of the Boreal Forest in North
America is rather good, with 80% of the Canadian Boreal Forest unaltered by
roads. However, protection of the environment is extremely important and there
can be improvements to help sustain this important ecosystem.
Data
As seen above, trees in Canada are depleting. Although not
at an extremely quick rate or at a consistently decreasing rate, Canada’s
forests are continuing to get cut each year. Also, a study was done in 2013 by
Forest Watch, a global forest monitoring network, which stated that 8% (104
million acres) of the world’s virgin forests were degraded between 2000 and
2013. Of that, 21.4% of that degradation occurred in Canada. More than a fifth
of the trees in virgin forests cut in the last thirteen years were in Canada.
The study said that, “the interior of British Columbia has seen widespread
forest loss, as have parts of northern Ontario and northern Quebec.” This biome
does face a serious threat.
"About Global Forest Watch:
History." Global Forest Watch. 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.globalforestwatch.org/about/gfw>.
Bonan, Gordon, and Herman Shugart.
"Environmental Factors and Ecological Processes in Boreal Forests." JSTOR.
UCLA, 1 Jan. 1989. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.jstor.org/stable/2097082?seq=21>.
"Boreal Forest." The Atlas of Canada.
The Atlas OF Canada, 27 Apr. 2009. Web. 28 Nov.
2014.
<http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/learningresources/theme_modules/borealforest/
index.html/>.
"Boreal Forest Life." United
States Fish and Wildlife Service. Web. 1 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.fws.gov/birds/documents/unspoiledfinal>.
"Canada's
Boreal Forest - Introduction." Sustainable Forest Management in Canada.
Canadian Council of Forest Ministers, 2012.
Web. 28 Nov. 2014.< http://www.sfmcanada.org/english/bp_overview.asp>.
“Canada Forest Information and Data.” Mongabay.com. 1 Jan. 2006. Web. 1 Dec.
2014.
<http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/2000/Canada.htm>.
"Clearcutting." Clearcutting.
Nova Scotia Public Lands Coalition, Ecology Action Centre,
2006. Web. 28 Nov. 2014.< http://www.publicland.ca/issues/clearcutting.html>.
Hall, Forrest, Daniel Botkin, Donald
Strebel, Kerry Woods, and Scott Goetz. "Large-Scale Patterns of Forest
Succession as Determined by Remote Sensing." JSTOR. UCLA, 1 Jan.
1991. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. <http://www.jstor.org/stable/2937203?seq=6>.
"North American Boreal
Forest." Fragmented Forests. Web. 28 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.fragmentedforests.org/forest-facts/north-american-boreal-forest/>.
Sawchuk, Wayne. "Protect North
America's Boreal Forest." ForestEthics. 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 1 Dec.
2014. <http://www.forestethics.org/boreal-forest>.
Stewart, Harry. "Canada The World
Leader In Deforestation, Study Finds." The Huffington Post. 5 Sept.
2014. Web. 1 Dec. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/09/05/canada-deforestation-worst-in-world_n_5773142.html>.
"The Canadian Boreal Forest: A
Global Treasure Under Threat." National Resources Defense Council.
Web. 1 Dec. 2014. <http://www.nrdc.org/land/forests/fboreal.asp>.
"The Taiga or Boreal Forest." Marietta
Biology. 14 Oct. 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 2014.
<http://www.marietta.edu/~biol/biomes/boreal.htm>.
Wells, Jeffrey. "Boreal Forest
Threats and Conservation Status." UC Press. 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 28
Nov. 2014. <http://www.ucpress.edu/content/chapters/11986.ch01.pdf>.
Picture Citations
http://www.fragmentedforests.org/wp-content/gallery/north-american-boreal
forest_1/north_american_boreal_01.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Clearcutting-Oregon.jpg
http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/95805/_dsc3889-800-88.jpg
http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/95805/_dsc3889-800-88.jpg
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