Types of Forests in Canada:
Chapter 25: Forestry Resources and Their Uses
*Softwood is 66% of Canada’s forests and
contains fir, pine, and spruce.
* Hardwood is 12% of Canada’s forests and
contains poplar, maple, and birch.
- The other 22% is mixed forests.
*Commercial forests contain trees that, if
harvested properly, can be profitable and are
found in warmer, wetter areas where trees grow
quickly.
*Non-commercial forests are not likely to be
harvested. North of commercial forests, half of
Canada’s forests are accessible by road.
Types of Logging Operations:
*Clear-cutting is the fastest and cheapest
logging method. Every tree is removed, leaving
landscape behind and creating easier future
logging.
*Shelterwood logging involves clear-cutting part
of a forest. Seed-bearing trees are left so their
seeds can regenerate the logged area.
*Selective cutting is less disruptive to the forest
environment, but very costly. It involves
harvesting only mature trees of the desired type,
size, and quality.
Facts:
Types of Commercial Forest Regions in Canada:
*The Boreal forest region is the largest region, is mostly
softwood which is used for house construction and paper
production, and has small, slow growing season, long
winter, and low precipitation.
*The Taiga forest region contains coniferous, deciduous,
and stunted trees, thin soils, and some permafrost. It has
cool temperatures, and short growing season. Some parts
are logged for pulp and papermaking.
*The West coast forest region is the most productive and
highest forest in Canada. Wood is used for lumber, and
small logs are used for pulp and paper. There is abundant
relief rainfall, average temperatures, long growing season,
and coniferous trees.
*The Mixed forest region has long growing season, and
abundant rainfall. Fir and spruce grow in the north, and
coniferous and deciduous grow in the south. Conifers are
used for pulp and paper while hardwoods are used for
lumber.
The Two Most Important Products of Canada’s Forests:
*Pulp and paper is found in every province except PEI, but is
mainly in Quebec, Ontario, and BC. Canada is the second largest
producer of it, and the largest and first exporter.
*Lumber has BC as the leading plywood producer (far behind is
Quebec) because of its tall, knot-free, easily unrolled (“peeled”)
logs.
* Forests provide essential, renewable resources.
* During spring runoff, trees hold water in the soil to
prevent floods.
Environmental Threats:
* Forests provide habitat for animals.
* Acid rainfall is a serious problem for forests.
* Forests are important hunting and trapping
* Pests and disease are negatively affecting forests. Many
grounds.
types of insects cause millions of dollars worth of damage
* Forests are important recreational areas.
to forests every year.
* Fire is a normal part of the life cycle of forest
* Canadian forests are at risk from “imported” insect
ecosystems.
pests.
* New, healthy trees regenerate quickly in the burnt
forest; therefore, sometimes fires are purposely
started in a “controlled burn”. Issues Facing the Forest (Forest Fires):
* On average, 9,500 fires burn 3 million hectares of Canada’s forests each year.
* 48% of all forest fires in Canada are caused by lightening.
* 52% of all forest fires caused by people usually occurs near settled areas.