Download Criterion 4: Monitoring Forest Contributions to Global Ecological

Criterion 4: Monitoring Forest Contributions to Global Ecological Cycles
Forests directly interact with the atmosphere and biosphere by absorbing nutrients and releasing byproducts. Expected changes related to climate change and global warming will have a significant impact
on Ontario’s ecosystems, and us and our communities. The Monitoring of forest contributions to global
ecological cycles is assessed in criterion 4 by utilizing information from three elements and ten associated
indicators.
Over the reporting period, a number of initiatives have been implemented to contribute to the Ontario
government's commitment to reduce the rate of global warming and the impacts of climate change. MNR
has sponsored, co-sponsored, or participated in many research projects designed to provide a better
understanding of the impacts of climate change on the health of Ontario’s ecosystems, communities, and
people.
One positive outcome during the 2011 SOFR period is that researchers continue to improve their
understanding and estimates of forest carbon. Given today’s management practices, utilization of
allowable harvests, and no changes in climate estimates show that Ontario’s managed forests could
increase their stored carbon by two percent by 2100, to 4.38 billion tonnes. Carbon stored in wood
products originating from Ontario forests during 2010-2100 will increase stored forest carbon by an
additional 288 million tonnes. Investigators are working to understand how climate change scenarios and
expected increases in utilization of allowable forest harvests (energy markets) will affect forest carbon
estimates.
Tools and techniques are being developed and implemented to help reduce the impacts of climate
change. These fall into two categories. Mitigation techniques either directly reduce carbon dioxide
emissions to the atmosphere, or compensate for emissions by removing carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere. Forests convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into tree biomass that is 50% carbon. Adaptation
techniques acknowledge climate change is already impacting ecosystems and that change may reach levels
that will need active forest management actions to redress the consequences.
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Afforestation is a mitigation technique that can help reduce the impacts of climate change. The
government of Ontario, partnering with Trees Ontario, is carrying out the 50 Million Tree planting
program. The 50 million trees scheduled for planting by 2020 are expected remove 6.6 million tonnes of
carbon dioxide from our atmosphere by 2050.
The rate of deforestation is of concern in Ontario forests especially in areas in southern Ontario where
conversion of productive forested land into agricultural or urban areas is common. Forest harvesting is not
deforestation since harvested areas are regenerated. The construction of forest access roads results in
some deforestation unless the roads are rehabilitated when no longer needed.
The rate of deforestation in northern Ontario decreased over the reporting period due to less road
construction. The introduction of the 50 Million Tree Program resulted in increased afforestation,
particularly in southern Ontario, by providing incentives for private landowners to return their land to forest
use.
The forest industry was able to increase the use of biomass energy in the production of forest products and
initiate new projects designed to convert forest biomass to biodiesel fuel. Ontario’s pulp and paper and
the Canadian wood products sector have made significant substitutions of fossil fuels with wood wastes
since 1990 and continue to do so. These fossil fuel substitutions along with equipment and process
improvements resulted in reduced greenhouse gas emissions over the reporting period for both the pulp
and paper sector and wood products manufacturing.
The cumulative effects of acid rain continued to negatively impact Ontario forests (i.e., in relation to
monitoring environmental sulphur). More research and monitoring are needed to fully understand the
impacts of acid rain on SFM.
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