Conservation of Temperate and Boreal forest

Actions are taken in order to conserve Temperate and Boreal forests. Bodies and governments recognize the importance of these biomes as ecosystem services and for the conservation for future generations to experience.

The ForestryCommission manages the temperate forests in the UK whereby they manage the forests by replacing the harvested trees and promoting regeneration of some areas. The forests are protected from diseases and pests and restore degraded land. Species and habitats are protected as well as promoting awareness and sustainable recreational activities. In addition to this, the provide grants to encourage tree planting (Forestry Commission).

 

National Trust charity organisation in the UK, among others they protect temperate forests. Adding to this, the development of the UK National Ecosystem Assessment also raised awareness of the importance of forests and other ecosystems. This was done in synergy of governments, NGOs, academics and private institutions (UK NEA).

Logging is one of the primary threat to all forest biomes. Boreal forest trees have a slow regrowth rate and thus careful management is needed. Adding to this, vast areas of forest are flooded for the storing of water for hydroelectric power (Figure 1; marietta; Ontario Nature). Another threat is mining where forested area is cleared for mining practices (Ontario Nature). The major threat to this biome is the exploration for fuel resources. Across the boreal forest belt it is thought to be having large sources of petroleum products and high demand for these resources is pushing development for exploitation. This will have detrimental effects for the biome due to the slow regrowth and possible impacts of fuel spills (marietta).

Figure 1: Hydroelectric Project, Quebec (marietta)

To eliminate or reduce some of the impacts of threats as for the other forest biomes there have been developments by groups of people for the conservation and protection of Boreal forests. The PEW Charitable Trust is campaigning for the international boreal conservation working with other bodies such as national and international organisations. The ‘Canadian Boreal Forest Conservation Framework’ by the CanadianBoreal initiative (CBI) look to maintain the biome’s health, respect the First Nations right in addition to protecting nature and cultural values. Other organisations such as CPAWS create protected areas in Canada.

These only include some of the bodies and governments that fight for the protection and conservation of these areas.