Forest Research Priorities in Canada, 1990: An Overview for the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers Prepared by the Forestry Research Advisory Council of Canada In Cooperation with the Forestry Research Advisory Committees in The Provinces & Territories Ottawa, July, 1990

Abstract

In 1987 the Forestry Research Advisory Council of Canada (FRACC) proposed an annual Canada-wide survey of research priorities and emerging issues to be presented to the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM). This was accepted as a way to improve research dialogue, coordination and application. The provincial and territorial forestry research advisory committees contributed to the first overview presented to CCFM in October 1989 and published in the December 1989 Forestry Chronicle. This second report is based on material provided by the provincial and territorial advisory groups in early 1990.Forestry research is often long term but priorities do evolve. Twenty three research topics are new in this report. Several were identified as emerging concerns last year. Many of the new items fall under a new heading "FOREST POLICY AND ECONOMICS" or under "ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS" and highlight the need for socioeconomic studies, predictive models, resource and land use decision methods and concern about climate change. This evolving emphasis reflects the increasing attention forest managers in industry and government are giving to public attitudes on resource and environmental matters. These attitudes are being more forcefully articulated as the sustainable development ethic gains wider acceptance. At the same time, the more traditional concerns of forest managers about protecting, harvesting and regenerating the forest are still prominent in research priorities.Policy and economics matters needing research attention are:• Predictive supply/demand models for timber & non timber values;• Broad socio-economic studies on the implications of new policies;• Economics of private woodlands;• Methods for land use decisions;• Novel tenure and timber sales arrangements.Integrated forest resource management requires research on:• Managing for all values, wildlife, recreation, timber etc.;• Ecosystem functioning;• Decision criteria and information systems.Environmental research priorities include:• The effects of forest management and harvesting on the forest ecosystem;• The forest effects of atmospheric pollution and climate change;• The fate of pesticides applied to the forest;• The reforestation of contaminated sites;• The implications of pesticide residues on planting stock.Forest pest priorities for research are:• Alternatives to chemical control methods;• Improved risk assessment and management methods;• Work on specific pests such as the spruce budworm;• Pests of nurseries and young stands;• Damage appraisal methods;• Spray technology and drift prevention.The many forest fires of 1989 give priority to research on:• Wildfire prediction, detection and control;• Improving and applying integrated fire management systems;• Fire ecology.In silviculture, forest regeneration and tending are high priority with research particularly needed on:• Improving planting stock quality;• Control of competing vegetation;• Tree improvement;• Seed and seed orchard management;• Regenerating hybrid poplars and aspens;• Cost reduction and increased effectiveness;• Improved growth and yield information and site data;• The culture of high quality hardwoods in eastern Canada.Forest products research needs include:• Underutilized hardwoods;• The quality of wood harvested from second growth forests;• Improving the manufacture of pulp, paper and solid wood products;• Devising new higher value products.The major emerging issues likely to affect future priorities centre around:• The increasing public involvement in resource management;• The growing prominence of the sustainable development ethic;• Canada's weak commitment to research and development;• Recycling and its impact on both forest management and products;• The growing commitment to integrated forest resource management.There is also concern that popular environmental matters may skew research priorities away from less glamorous but important topics.The importance of Forest Resource Development Agreements in furthering forestry research is universally recognized as is the importance of their continuation.Research advisory structures are in place in most jurisdictions although in one or two locations progress has not been rapid. Present research programs are considered scientifically and technically sound for the most part. Lack of funding continues to be a matter of serious concern.