Nova Scotia makes first steps toward ‘ecological forestry’ triad model

In the summer of 2017, the provincial government in Nova Scotia appointed Professor William Lahey, a former deputy environment minister and current president of the University of King’s College, to lead a long-sought review of forestry practices in the Bluenose Province.

Lahey released his report — containing 163 conclusions, 45 recommendations, and involving seven advisors with professional scientific backgrounds in forestry and wildlife ecology — in September 2018. The report offers a blueprint for a new approach to forestry policy that aims to balance long term environmental, social and economic objectives, with protecting ecosystems and biodiversity as its overarching goals.

Lahey calls this new approach ‘ecological forestry.’ In short, the new model would reduce clearcutting in Nova Scotia by more than half, create greater demand for timber from private woodlots, and result in better forest conservation practices, while still yielding a similar volume of timber across the province as it does today.

Prof. Lahey currently serves as the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of King’s College. (Micheal Lee)

Lahey was at the University of New Brunswick earlier this winter to outline the details of his independent review. His presentation was streamed live and access to his slides can be found here.

Here, we dig into Lahey’s recommendations and what a full endorsement of ‘ecological forestry’ could mean in Nova Scotia.

The Triad Model

Lahey’s main conclusions urged that the extent to which forests are clear cut should be consistent with the stand type itself, defining stands by their ‘natural disturbance regime.’

Natural disturbances are events in environmental conditions that produce a significant change in an ecosystem that are not directly caused by humans. The spruce-budworm outbreak is an example of this. In some areas the effects are large due to heavy spruce populations, whereas areas that have less spruce tree species take less damage.

Forests that see only individual or small patches of trees naturally disturbed at a time were labelled multi-aged, whereas forests naturally affected wholly and at frequent intervals were labelled even-aged. Using these definitions Lahey proposed clear cutting to be used only in even-aged forests and be coined “plantation” forests to serve as high-production areas. This is the first leg of his ‘triad’.

Sapling emerges in a clear-cut area of Central NB (Nick Hawkins for Conservation Council of New Brunswick)

Lahey reminds us that there are different ways of clearcutting. In an example he describes two clear-cut options, one where all trees (which are similarly aged) are harvested in a single operation and one where two cuts are made – the two-aged variant. The two-aged variant’s first cut would take less than half the trees (balsam fir and red spruce) and none of the smaller component (white pine). Fifteen years later the second cut would include 90 per cent of the remaining trees and again none the smaller component (which in harvest terms is still considered a clear cut).

The practice would allow increased seed and shade hence greater regeneration and allow a more natural multi-aged stand, which is encouraged. He states there should be an awareness of the sustainable types of clearcutting instead of not caring about the distinction between the two methods and finding all kinds of clearcutting equally problematic.

The second leg is proposed to be protected from all forestry (a continuation of current protection efforts). Lahey also stresses the increase of the near 13 per cent of Nova Scotia’s protected areas to become 17 per cent, which follows Canada’s 2020 commitment.

The third leg is the large, awkward middle grounds that should be managed appropriately by a combination of production and ecological objectives. “In this branch of the triad, forest management is expected to be dominated by practices that perpetuate multi-aged forest conditions”. Practices would include only some clearcutting based on applicable disturbance patterns and practices that have a lower ecological impact than clearcutting – such as partial or irregular shelterwood harvesting. This is the one branch that has not been identified or managed as such in Nova Scotia.

Win-win: reduced clearcutting, similar timber yield

He encourages that each leg should also be considerably improved within their niches. In that, the plantation zones use high yield-producing methods, the protected zones get taken care of to the highest quality, and research be put into more sustainable silvicultural methods for those stands in the matrix, or third leg of the triad.

He estimates the triad model under Crown land can bring down clear cutting to 25 per cent from the current 65 per cent while still producing relatively high yields of timber. Lahey assertively states the government should fully implement the triad model on Crown land soon. He notes that private woodlots are not ready for the triad approach yet and that the model’s benefits should be demonstrated on Crown land first.

Aerial of Musquash Estuary Marine Protected Area. (CCNB)

Increased demand of timber for private woodlots

Roughly one third of Nova Scotia’s forests are Crown land, the rest are private.

With less harvesting to occur on Crown land, Lahey says increased demand for wood from  private land would be inevitable. Already 90 per cent of said land is harvested by clear cutting, which would likely go up due to demand.

Lahey and his expert advisors address the dilemma, stating the increased protected areas of the Crown land despite more private clear cutting in the short term, would be better in ecological terms than the current situation.

Lands and Forestry Minister Iain Rankin delivering his government response to the Lahey independent review on the provinces forestry practices. (CBC)

Nova Scotia’s provincial government responded to the independent review in December, highlighting the initial steps it will take. Officials said the review “represent[s] a significant change in the way Nova Scotia’s forest will be managed and will require modelling for habitat and wood supply”. It was stated revisions to its Forest Management Guide that put more emphasis on ecological values will begin production immediately and “will have the effect of further reductions in clearcutting on Crown land.” The revisions are expected to take approximately one year to complete.

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