What research areas related to climate adaptation in forestry do you feel need more focus?

Forestry
1

Hi everyone,

Forests are facing increasing stress from rising temperatures, wildfires, pests, and extreme weather, making climate adaptation research more critical than ever. I’m curious to hear from you about where the research gaps are in this field and what areas need more focus.

For more context, you can explore the Forestry section of Chapter 7 of the National Issues Report.

Key Areas that May Need More Attention:

  • Fire-adapted forest management - What new strategies can improve practices like prescribed burns and thinning to reduce wildfire risks effectively?
  • Assisted migration & genetic diversity - How can we develop and implement promising approaches to planting climate-resilient tree species while maintaining genetic diversity?
  • Forest carbon sequestration - How can we ensure forests continue to play their vital role in storing carbon effectively, especially under shifting climatic conditions?
  • Pest & disease management - What adaptive measures are needed to control invasive pests and diseases exacerbated by climate change, such as the mountain pine beetle?
  • Water management in forests - With changing precipitation patterns, what innovative strategies can help maintain healthy forest hydrology and ecosystem function?
  • Monitoring & modeling - How can AI, remote sensing, and climate models be leveraged to improve long-term adaptation planning and decision-making in forestry?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on:

  • What research areas do you think need more focus?
  • Are there emerging strategies or research gaps that should be prioritized for the future of sustainable forest management?

Looking forward to a great discussion!

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I love the areas you have highlighted. I think if we integrate traditional knowledge, consider socio-economic factors, and utilize modern technology, we have an opportunity to build more resilient and sustainable forest management practices in Canada. Here are a few thoughts on where research could go next and what might be missing from the conversation:

Indigenous Knowledge & Stewardship – There’s a lot we can learn from Indigenous land management practices, especially when it comes to fire management, ecosystem balance, and long-term sustainability.

For instance, in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, Indigenous communities have been at the forefront of sustainable forest management. Through stewardship agreements, they blend traditional ecological knowledge with modern practices to maintain biodiversity and support local economies

Social & Economic Impacts – We talk a lot about forest health, but what about the people who depend on these forests? How do things like assisted migration, new management practices, or policy shifts impact local communities and industries?

The Haida Nation on Haida Gwaii in British Columbia has taken significant steps to bring forest management under local control. Concerns about the rate and methods of timber harvesting led to initiatives focused on building alliances between the Haida and local non-Indigenous communities, resulting in a land use plan guided by an ecosystem-based management framework.

Better Data & Monitoring – With AI, remote sensing, and big data, we have more tools than ever to track how forests are responding to climate change. But how do we make sure all this info is accessible and actually used in decision-making? More open data sharing and long-term monitoring strategies could really help.

The Indigenous Forestry Initiative (IFI) in Canada supports Indigenous-led activities in the forest sector, including the gathering, developing, using, and protecting Indigenous knowledge and science. This initiative enhances forest stewardship through improved data collection and monitoring, integrating traditional knowledge with scientific methods.

Policy & Incentives – How do we encourage sustainable practices at scale? Whether it’s through carbon credits, better regulations, or incentives for private landowners, figuring out what works (and what doesn’t) could help drive real change.

Public Engagement – Forest adaptation isn’t just a conversation for scientists and policymakers. Getting the public involved—whether through citizen science projects or education—could help build awareness and support for stronger action.

Thoughts?

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Hi Animesh,

Thank you for the thought-provoking post. I can attempt to answer some of the key areas you mentioned as well as some other additions. For now, here as some areas that need more attention to improve forest management in my opinion:

  • Utilizing Technology

In terms of improving common practices such as prescribed burning for forest management, remote sensing helps in analyzing the impacts of prescribed burning and provides opportunities to further develop research in this area. Remote sensing evaluates the effectiveness of prescribed fire for wildfire risk reduction, and helps in understanding spatiotemporal patterns of prescribed fire. (reference: https://www.publish.csiro.au/WF/pdf/WF23130)

  • Improving Reforestation practices and how we view it

Implementing approaches to planting climate-resilient trees and more carbon sinks, is an area of forestry management that needs more attention. I think there really needs to be careful planning moving forward. Planting more trees might be helpful in sequestering carbon dioxide, but they can also just as easily become the cause for more carbon dioxide release after wildfires or pest outbreak, thus adding to the greenhouse effect. That is why reforestation FOR the specific region and its needs are vital. There is no unified way of managing forests because forests vary from biome to biome, and the climate is different from region to region. I remember my undergrad professor used to reiterate that we must reforest for the region as per what it needs not, for the sake of saying we planted more trees to combat climate change.

  • Using Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)

Nature-based solutions are a great way of utilizing features of the environment to target climate change or general socio-environmental issues. To protect forests from increased precipitation, restoring neighbouring wetlands can lead to greater water retention. In case of flooding which could impact vegetation nearby, utilize beaver dams to minimize water flow and act as a natural blockade. For a coastal zone in the tropics, planting mangrove forests acts as a flood mitigation tool and provides nutrients to the water which aquatic species feed on. These are just a few examples of what’s out there, but NBS is definitely a great tool for managing forests and needs more traction!

Another important factor to consider in this conversation is collaboration in forest management. There needs to be dialogue between scientists/ researchers, and decision makers to encourage awareness-building, and informed action.

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Thanks, Animesh, for bringing this up. The recent wildfires in Tantallon and Shelburne in 2023 were a wake-up call that Nova Scotia is more vulnerable to wildfire than many people realize. As our fire seasons get hotter and drier, we need stronger enforcement, better public education, and a more proactive approach to fire-resilient forest management.

Addressing Illegal Burning & Strengthening Enforcement

Human-caused fires account for 97% of wildfires in Nova Scotia, yet illegal burning enforcement remains weak. While seasonal burn bans exist, fines need to increase to deter reckless behavior, and public reporting mechanisms must be clearer. Targeted public awareness campaigns during high-risk fire seasons should reinforce safe burning practices, highlight penalties, and encourage reporting.

Expanding Fire-Resilient Forest Management

Nova Scotia could explore broader use of prescribed burns to reduce fuel loads in controlled conditions. Successful burns have been conducted in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Further research is needed to determine their role in fire prevention strategies.

Firebreaks—cleared or strategically managed areas that slow fire spread—should be integrated into forest management plans, particularly near communities. The natural mix of hardwood and softwood trees in the Acadian Forest provides some fire resistance, but deliberate thinning and fuel reduction efforts can improve protection.

FireSmart Education & Community Preparedness

The rapid spread of the Tantallon and Shelburne fires in 2023 underscored the need for greater public awareness, particularly in rural and wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas. FireSmart provides practical steps to reduce wildfire risks, such as clearing flammable vegetation within 10 meters of buildings, storing firewood away from homes, and using fire-resistant roofing and siding materials.

Nova Scotia should expand seasonal wildfire communication campaigns through social media, radio, and community workshops, ensuring rural landowners understand best practices. Municipalities should integrate wildfire risk reduction into land-use planning, such as requiring buffer zones between forests and residential areas.

Expanding Wildfire Fighting Capacity & Resources

While prevention is key, Nova Scotia’s wildfire response needs investment. The province relies on seasonal wildland firefighters, yet climate change is extending fire seasons, making year-round staffing more critical. Funding should increase for full-time firefighter positions, improved training, and rapid response teams.

Nova Scotia is acquiring four new Airbus H125 helicopters for wildfire response (Global News, 2024), but additional investments in aerial water bombers and modern equipment will be necessary as wildfire risks continue to rise.

The Path Forward

Nova Scotia needs a coordinated wildfire adaptation strategy that strengthens enforcement, education, fire-resilient forestry, and response capacity. Strengthening illegal burning fines, integrating prescribed burns and firebreaks, expanding FireSmart awareness, and increasing funding for firefighters will help reduce risks and protect communities.

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Hi Animesh,

From my experiencing adding case studies to the Map of Adaptation Actions, I would say those working in the forestry sector are looking for more examples of how to scale up adaptation initiatives and also how to move from research/theory to application on the ground.

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