Adopting to climate change in northern Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan forestry companies were less enthusiastic about this winter's uncommonly mild weather than the rest of us--and for good reason. Up to 50 per cent of their winter logging occurs on wetlands that are inaccessible unless the ground is frozen. This year, warm weather left the ground too soft for logging equipment to operate in many areas of the boreal forest where cutting had been scheduled.

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This is an example of the operational impacts forest companies are beginning to cope with due to climate change, which is much more pronounced in northern latitudes. And it is not just the forest industry that is affected. Mining exploration in the North was also disrupted this year since seismic crews were unable to move equipment across streams and wet areas that are normally frozen.

Other outcomes of climate change expected for the North include more precipitation in winter and spring, resulting in higher runoff and more frequent floods, adding to the operational problems faced by northern industries.

Climate change is also expected to affect forest ecosystems. Warmer winters and drier summers will result in more forest fires and increased damage from insect pests that migrate from warmer areas. Climate change may also alter the productivity of forests. It is likely that tree growth will decline on marginal soils and it may be that forests will actually disappear in some drier areas.

Climate change is not all bad news, however. On the positive side, tree growth is expected to accelerate in moist areas with good soils, aided by the fertilizing effect of carbon dioxide.

Forest companies are now assessing the information available on climate change, negative and positive, and adjusting their long-term planning. Saskatchewan requires forest companies to submit 20-year forest management plans, which are proving to be useful tools for managing information on climate change and addressing anticipated impacts.

Much media coverage on climate change deals with prevention strategies. Adaptation strategies are also critical. With problems like logging on unfrozen ground, solutions like building more all-weather roads may not be affordable or ecologically sound. In many cases, however, cost-effective, environmentally friendly adaptation strategies can be found.

Considering the large areas of forest involved, it may be too costly to treat problems like major pest outbreaks with pesticides or to fight every forest fire that breaks out. With insect pests, the best approach is simply to maintain healthy forests. Since older trees are usually targets for pests, they can be harvested and restocked with the species best suited to local site conditions. It helps to break the continuity of contiguous forests by increasing species diversity. Often good management practices also help to increase forest productivity.

One strategy that helps reduce forest fire damage is the "Fire Smart" approach developed by the Canadian Forest Service. Thinning is used to reduce the flammability of forests on the outskirts of communities. Areas treated this way will not burn as intensely, making it easier to protect communities when fires occur.

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Other northern industries that will be impacted by climate change include tourism and hunting. Tourism is one of the most important industries in the North. Change to northern ecosystems, lakes and rivers could require major adaptations for the industry. It is likely that the habitat for moose, caribou and deer will shift, requiring adaptations by aboriginal hunters and outfitters alike.

While we confront the knowns and unknowns of a changing climate, dealing with issues such as the accelerated global demand for natural resources will also make planning a profoundly complex task for northern industries in the decades to come.

Mark Johnston is a Senior Research Scientist--Ecosystems, Environment and Forestry Division at the Saskatchewan Research Council.