In the face of climate change, we need to manage our forests in a way that enhances their resilience to the many pressures and stresses they will be facing -- from changing seasons, shifting water and fire patterns, to opportunistic outbreaks of pests. Government and academic researchers agree: when recently asked by the B.C. Chief Forester what the best management approach would be, they overwhelmingly emphasized "ecosystem resilience" as a priority for forest management in a time of climate change.

What does this mean, and why is it important? In general terms, it means ensuring our management practices leave forests with the best opportunity to adapt to changing circumstances.  Healthy, diverse forests will change species mixes gradually over time and will have a better chance of fighting or reducing the impact of new infestations and even fire. Wildlife habitat may shift northward, but with large swathes of mature forest available, and a network of smaller, interconnected sanctuaries to assist migration, most animals can adapt as well.

Managing for ecosystem resilience is also good for increasing the carbon storage capacity of forests, and generally decreasing the carbon emissions from logging.  It means more protection reserves, which allow forests to adapt through large, interconnected areas of intact forest. It allows species to migrate as necessary along these corridors as well. Also, since intact forests have 25-50% more carbon storage capacity than managed forests, this helps in our fight against climate change!