Value and resilience of SFI forests for eastern forest birds in a changing climate

Most of the managed forests in Eastern Canada are certified for sustainability by independent agencies, notably the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Part of the definition of sustainability is the maintenance of biodiversity over the long term. This project will evaluate one aspect of biodiversity, the abundance and distribution of species of forest birds. We will create statistical models that explain how the abundance of individual species varies over time and space in relation to habitat (e.g. the tree-species that are present in the managed forest and their ages), climatic conditions, and disturbances (e.g. fire, insects like spruce budworm, and harvesting itself). With these models, we can map out the predicted abundances of each species and calculate how much of their regional populations are located within certified forests. We will also use these models to look into the future. Specifically, we will evaluate the contributions of certified forests under future conditions, by linking the models to predictions of future forest conditions, the long term patterns created by forest harvesting, and climate change to the end of the 21st century.

Faculty Supervisor:

Steve Cumming;Junior A. Tremblay

Student:

Partner:

Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Manufacturing

University:

Université Laval

Program: