Should Canada be doing more to curb fire and insect outbreaks?

Insect and fire damage both dramatically alter the forested landscape, reduce active growth, and affect ecological process such as nutrient cycling and water systems. read more

For insect outbreaks, I would say our governments and authorities are putting up a commendable resistance. Public awareness of the risk of moving firewood around is fairly high. It also seems as though there are well implemented action plans for tackling persistent pests such as emerald ash borer. read more

Canada should be doing more to curb fire and insect outbreaks. It is because this two disturbances influence the greenhouse gases balance in the managed forest in Canada. Canada has more than 7% of the world forest, which also indicates the consequences brought by burning trees and insect outbreak have great impacts to our environment. read more

Learn more about the effects of wildfire in the forest. Insects reduce aging trees and make the forest more productive. Insects are important in the life cycle of boreal forests. Large insect outbreaks that occur regularly help to renew the forests. Insects release nutrients stored within trees. read more