Forest Research Priorities in Canada, 1993: An Overview for the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers

Abstract

The Forestry Research Advisory Council of Canada in cooperation with provincial and territorial forest research advisory committees has prepared this fifth annual review of forest research priorities for the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers.The top five priorities from each committee were scored from 5 points for highest priority down to 1 point for lowest. The resulting 11 research topics in descending order of priority are:1. Integrated forest landscape management systems and decision support.2. Inventory, growth and yield, ecological site classification.3. Ecosystem functioning, soil and biodiversity conservation.4. Pest and weed management and alternatives to chemicals.5. Ecological effects of natural and human-caused disturbances.6. Lower-cost silviculture and harvesting, natural regeneration.7. Forest fire management and control.8. Socio-economic knowledge and resolution of resource use conflicts.9. Mixedwood management.10. Incentives for private investment.11. Planting stock quality and tree improvement.Eight issues likely to affect future research priorities were identified by more than one respondent, as follows:1. Global trade, competition, and world public opinion.2. Concern and input about sustainable forestry and the environment.3. Public participation.4. New policies on forestry, tenure, sales, and forest protection.5. Lack of long-term research funding, communication, and coordination.6. Shortage of fiber, long-term viability of the industry.7. Land claims and forestry on aboriginal lands.8. Increasing need for information at all levels.Other concerns include climate change, government debt, population growth and shifts, and protected and old-growth forests.Discussion of these priorities and issues at a meeting of FRACC and representatives from the provincial and territorial committees produced some general conclusions, as outlined below.To resolve resource use conflicts and to manage forests sustainably for all benefits, managers need better information that only research can provide. The goal is management systems that produce a blend of outputs from the forest and maintain the diversity and mosaic structure of naturalforest ecosystems. This kind of forestry will meet the desires of most Canadians and go far to restore public confidence in forest management.In short, research must provide additional knowledge to enable forest managers to:• Sustain the diversity and resilience of the forest ecosystems.• Improve forest health and resistance to pests.• Increase forest productivity for all values.• Reduce forest management and fire protection costs.• Access all available knowledge and data in making decisions.• Determine the socio-economic value of Canadian forests.• Improve profits and competitiveness in the forest industry.Many feel that forestry research in Canada is quite well focused on these questions, but more effort is required to ensure sufficient long-term funding and to improve local application of research results.The usefulness of this annual survey of research priorities was reviewed. It was concluded that the annual meeting of FRACC with representatives of provincial and territorial research advisory committees and the annual presentation to CCFM are very useful. However, a survey of priorities every year is, in the light of experience, unnecessary. A biennial review of priorities is recommended, with presentation to CCFM and subsequent publication. In the alternate years, a workshop of FRACC and provincial and territorial committee representatives is suggested, which would examine a major research topic in depth and present the results and conclusions to CCFM. A report could be published if appropriate.