Grant: Alliance Grants

Old-growth boreal forests are crucial for biodiversity, providing key habitats such as cavity trees and dead wood. At the same time, these forests face significant pressures from human activities, notably forest management. In Canada, the extent and connectivity of old-growth boreal forests have been declining since the industrial revolution, mainly due to the predominant use of clear-cutting as a harvesting method within an even-aged management strategy. This research project therefore aims to identify silvicultural systems and management strategies that can balance timber harvesting with the maintenance of key old-growth habitats in boreal landscapes. It is conducted in collaboration with the Ministère des Ressources Naturelles et des Forêts du Québec, which oversees the management of public forests, and Sustainable Forestry Initiative, a leading forest certification organization in Canada. The innovative aspect of our project lies in the combination of: 1) experimental long-term ecological and silvicultural monitoring schemes, unrivalled in Canada in terms of duration and scope; 2) cutting-edge tree- and landscape-scale simulation models adapted to Quebec; 3) advanced remote sensing and comprehensive historical data provided by the province of Quebec; and 4) the use of both established and new biological indicators, such as arthropod communities and tree-related microhabitats. This project will thus have concrete, positive benefits both for the partners and for Canada. It will contribute significantly to the development of evidence-based policies, certification standards and regulations that balance economic activities with the conservation of key habitats in old-growth boreal forests.