SYMP 10-1 - Ecological silviculture in the boreal to sub-boreal forest domain

Boreal forests have supported Indigenous peoples for millennia and are currently valued by local communities, and society at large, for wildlife habitat, recreation, traditional foods and medicines, and aesthetic and spiritual values. In this presentation on ecological silviculture in the boreal to sub-boreal forest domain, we will provide an overview of key climate characteristics and disturbance regimes that shape boreal forest ecosystems. The successional dynamics of these forests reflect the life history strategies of the tree species and the natural disturbance regime. We will then discuss examples of how ecological silviculture is being applied, highlighting common themes such as the need for increasing the diversity in practices utilized and how this is related to ecological resilience in this domain. For example, in the recent past, clearcutting predominated as the method of managing boreal forests, as it was thought to be similar to fire by removing extensive areas of mature forest canopy. While severe disturbances (i.e., wildfire) kill the majority of mature trees, only the most intense fires fail to leave a variety of biological legacies behind after disturbance. One important theme of ecological silviculture in the boreal domain is employing practices that better emulate fire (as well as other disturbances) so that the complexity of managed forests is more similar to naturally disturbed forests. Finally, we will give examples of challenges in implementing ecological silviculture and discuss common and unique challenges associated with incorporating adaptation to climate change in the boreal.