Impact of Climate Change on Forestry in British Columbia - Term Paper Example

Impact of Climate Change on Forestry in British Columbia Introduction Climate change is the change in the usual weather patterns of a place in a permanent manner other than what is usually experienced in the normal patterns of change in weather and this happens regardless of the causes. Climate change puts pressures on our environments making the need for the sustainability of the natural resources such as forests a priority (Williamson, Northern Forestry Centre (Canada) and Sustainable Forest Management Network, 2009). These changes associated with climate change have greatly affected the forest cover in Canada especially the heavily forested region of the British Columbia y depleting them. There is therefore need to find out the potential impacts of climate change on the forests in these areas and if possible make recommendations on how to control the effects. Possible Impacts of Climate Change on British Columbia's Forest Resources The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change argues that the changes in the climate of the earth will continue to occur mostly caused by activities of human beings that release greenhouse gases to the atmosphere (British Columbia and Barber, 2006). These greenhouse gases (GHGs) are mainly produced because of the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, the cutting of forests and vegetative cover and intense agricultural activities. The release of greenhouse gases that are in the atmosphere usually depend on the level of economic growth, the technological development and how a region relates to other areas whereby in this research work, our point of reference is British Columbia in Canada. The climate of the world has been changing consistently over a period of time and this is evident with the rise in global temperature by a figure averaging between 2˚ to 4˚ C (British Columbia and Barber, 2006). The rise in temperature due to effects of climate change will also be accompanied by changes in the intensity of rainfall in most regions while the rate of warming will be faster and dynamic that may bring adverse effects to animal and plant life at certain regions especially the forests of British Columbia (Laroque and Smith, 2003). It is important to note that changes in climate usually has effects on the biological and ecological processes as well as well as affecting phenology of species, uptake of water and causing disturbances on trees such as insect pests, diseases and drought amongst others (Dale, Joyce, McNulty & Neilson, 2000). There is therefore the rightful concern on what are the potential impact of climate change in the forest sector especially in British Columbia and the need to adapt with the growing effects of climate change. The province of British Columbia is especially of much importance as it is the most affected by the climate change due to its forests, which are more sensitive to the changes in climate and experience longer cycles of growth (Dale, Joyce, McNulty & Neilson, 2000). Due to the effects associated with climate change, British Columbia is likely to experience a change in the temperature and intensity of rainfall as compared to the average felt globally (British Columbia and Barber, 2006). It is thought that the temperature will be higher in the northern parts of British Columbia as compared to the southern parts and higher during the winter as compared to the summer while the coasts will be least at the coastal regions. Therefore, if Canada cannot reduce the emissions of the greenhouse gases and the warming continues, the forests of British Columbia are likely to be depleted faster within a considerably shorter time. British Columbia which is both coastal and mountainous and has the most productive and assorted manner of forest cover and ranges and produces most of the timber products in Canada experiences effects associated with climate change which affects its temperature and precipitation (British Columbia and Barber, 2006). Over time, it has experienced challenges in its forests due to effects in the changes in climate as witnessed by the reducing forest cover, increased losses due to damages caused by insect pests and diseases as well as the rising frequency and intensity of drought that affect the forest cover (Dale, Joyce, McNulty & Neilson, 2000). The province has also experienced the change in the productivity of its forests as well as its composition and structure that calls for the concerned authorities to make efforts to work towards reducing human activities that are likely to cause climate change. The reduced changes in precipitation in terms of rainfall and snow fall and the temperatures due to effects associated with climate change will cause intermittent dryness and wetness of both the northern and the southern parts of British Columbia (Dale, Joyce, McNulty & Neilson, 2000). The changes in the climate are likely to cause significant socio-economic and biological impacts with major implications for the management of forest resources and ranges within British Columbia (Flannigan et al., 2006). This could come in the form of changes in the growth rate of the species within the forests or increased competition from other species that may be more suited to the changes in the climate. Other potential impacts on the forests found in British Columbia may include the increased occurrence and severity of forest fires (Flannigan et al., 2006) caused by the warming hence the drying as well as increased disturbances of the trees by diseases and insects. The climate change may cause certain ranges of tree species to move towards the north and upward in elevation while new assemblages of species may come up over time and geographical space. In addition, certain species may find it difficult to move into areas that are deemed to have suitable climate, as they will be unable to move, have slow rates of migration or lack habitat and suitable substrate. Due to the effects associated with climate change, there will be extreme weather and climate that will be evident through increase in the frequency as well as intensity of rainfall and warming (Dale, Joyce, McNulty & Neilson, 2000). For instance, the length, frequency and the intensity of droughts will likely have serious consequences on the forests especially in British Columbia as this area has inadequate moisture. The increased precipitation and storms accompanied by wind may also lead to increased flooding and flooding that is likely to affect the forest in British Columbia about how it survives sustainably. Climate change affects the behavior and the existence of certain insects and diseases that are important in the change and renewal of insects within the British Columbia (Carroll et al, 2003; Riel et al., 2011). Climate change plays a role in dictating the duration and intensity in which there is an outbreak of insects and the duration they subsist as well as the geographical range in which they occur and this may affect the forest cover of a place. The outbreak of these insects and diseases over a period of time due to effects associated with climate change is likely to have a negative impact on the trees that host them that it may be difficult to control their spread when the climate has changed (Carroll et al, 2003). Such insects that may have serious impact on the forest cover include the mountain pine beetle and the spruce bark beetle amongst other pest insects which when coupled with exotic diseases will destroy the trees (Riel et al., 2011). The changes in climate will lead in increased forest fire activity as the warming and drying may cause fires to start as has been witnessed in British Columbia (Flannigan and Canadian Forest Service, 2011). This has got the potential to reduce the level of forest covers in these regions which in turn affect other facets of sustainable development. Such include reduced rainfall and reduction of the industrial activity that majorly relies on the forestry and logging to sustain the region economically. The coming together of the insects, diseases and wildfire risks can lead to disturbance interactions that put stress to trees that leaves them vulnerable to attack by pests and diseases. These may be complex and difficult interactions that may not be easy to predict but have significant effects on the forest resources and ranges; therefore, stakeholders concerned in British Columbia must work towards mitigation of the effects of climate change. Climate change also affects the productivity of the forests in British Columbia as it has a direct role in determining the factors required for photosynthesis to take place such as the temperature, the amount of moisture in the soil and the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (Flannigan et al., 2006). When these factors change due to the effects of climate change, the productivity of these forests in British Columbia is likely to decrease which ultimately affects the activities of human beings in the affected areas. Further, the fact that genotypes of particular tree species are usually adapted to particular regions means that any slight change in climate may lead to the destruction or the perishing of that genotype or species which will their productivity and population. The changes in climate in British Columbia may lead to the change in the composition, distribution and structure of the forest ecosystems contrary to how they are currently composed (Dale, Joyce, McNulty & Neilson, 2000). These changes usually occur continuously and over a period of time due to different factors which include physiological effects and development of alien conditions which will affect how plants compete for natural resources within a certain area. The climatic changes may also lead to changes on how individual species adapt or acclimatize in a certain area and this is likely to lead to a reduction of the forest cover in these areas. Recommendations The changes in climate have had serious effects to the forest cover of British Columbia and this requires responses to the consequences that have led to the destruction of the forests. The management of forests in this particular area requires that the government of this particular province identify the ecological principles important in managing and mitigation of the effects of climate change to British Columbia forests (British Columbia and Barber, 2006). The province of British Columbia should assess how vulnerable the forests are to the effects of climate change as well as increase the resources that are aimed at reducing the impacts on the forest and how they can be made to adapt (Williamson, Northern Forestry Centre (Canada) and Sustainable Forest Management Network, 2009). It is important that the policies touching on forests, their planning and management are enhanced to increase the capacity of citizens to conserve the environment and mitigate the effects of climate change (Laroque and Smith, 2003). It is also important to incorporate principles aimed at managing risks and how to make forests adapt in the management of forests and improve the capacity for the sharing of relevant but important information within the forest sector of British Columbia (Williamson, Northern Forestry Centre (Canada) and Sustainable Forest Management Network, 2009). Conclusion Climate change affects forests in British Columbia with the most visible effects being changes in how frequent, the intensity, severity or the geographical region that it is affected. The management of forests within British Columbia is usually more challenging as the diseases and the pest insects that affect the forests lead to the destruction of the forests that form the backbone and socio-economic well-being of this region. As already shown, the climate change causes forest fires, droughts, storms, prevalence of damaging insects as well as disease attacks of the forest cover. There is also marked change in the composition of species of foods, their productivity and distribution of the age-class of trees as the changes in climate affect the cycle of growth of trees. All these changes and effects affect the forest cover and the ranges of the province of British Columbia and calls for the proper prediction and handling of the climate change and its effects. This call for early action to reduce the vulnerability of climate change while making the forests adapts to reduce the impacts of climate change that they may be experiencing now. This calls for all stakeholders to be aware of climate change and its adverse effects, identify, and incorporate strategies for adapting to the phenomenon and policies aimed at planning and managing the forests. References British Columbia., Barber, B., & British Columbia. (2006). Preparing for climate change: Adapting to impacts on British Columbia's forest and range resources. Victoria, B.C.: Ministry of Forests and Range. Carroll, A.L, Taylor, S.W, Regniere, J., & Safranyik, L. (2003). Effect of climate change on range expansion by the mountain pine beetle in British Columbia. Hosted by Utah State University Libraries. Dale, V. H., Joyce, L. A., McNulty, S., & Neilson, R. P. (November 01, 2000). The interplay between climate change, forests, and disturbances. Science of the Total Environment, 262, 3, 201-204. Flannigan, M., Amiro, B., Logan, K., Stocks, B., & Wotton, B. (January 01, 2006). Forest Fires and Climate Change in the 21st Century. 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