Applied Science
Scientific research is undertaking in British Columbia in order to adapt the provincial natural resource sector to a changing climate, reduce carbon emissions and increase carbon sinks.
Government research programs deliver critical, science-based information to operational decision-makers, policy-makers and practitioners.
Research Topics
In B.C., scientific research into climate change is conducted under the provincial initiatives listed below.
Research includes projects funded under the Future Forest Ecosystems Scientific Council (FFESC) between 2008 and 2012.
Ongoing Research
- Determining the vulnerability of ecosystems to resource development and climate change
- Building adaptive capacity by providing flexible tools and comprehensive information to support management and decision-making
- Measuring and managing our carbon footprint
FFESC Projects
- Climate Change Adaptation Planning for Northwest Skeena Communities
- Adaptation Potential for Ecosystems & Forest Management in Southeastern B.C.
- Vulnerability of Canada's Tree Species to Climate Change & Management Options for Adaptation
- West Kootenay Resilience & Climate Change
- Report #1: Final Summary: Vulnerability, Resilience and Climate Change: Adaptation Potential for Ecosystems and Their Management in the West Kootenay Summary Report (pdf)
- Report #2: Assessment and Decision-making for Climate Change: An Overview of Four Approaches Assess Four Approaches (pdf)
- Report #3: Climate change projections for the West Kootenays (pdf)
- Report #4: Climate Change and Area Burned: Projections for the West Kootenays (pdf)
- Report #5: Ecosystem and Tree Species Bioclimate Envelope Modeling for the West Kootenays (pdf) (5MB)
- Report #6: Climate Change and Forest Health: Impacts to West Kootenay Ecosystems (pdf)
- Report #7: An Ecosystem Vulnerability and Resilience Assessment for West Kootenay Ecosystems (pdf)
- Report #8: Achieving Climate Change Adaptation in West Kootenay Forest Management - Barriers & Opportunities (pdf)
- Report #9: Moving Towards Adaptation Strategies in Forest Management – a Starting Place for the West Kootenays (pdf)
- Report #10: Project Consultations and Outreach (pdf)
- Report #11: West Kootenays Climate Vulnerability and Resilience Lessons Learned (pdf)
- A Multi-Scale Trans-Disciplinary Vulnerability Assessment
- Validating Impacts, Exploring Vulnerabilities & Developing Robust Adaptive Strategies Under the Kamloops Future Forest Strategy (PDF)
- A Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for British Columbia's Managed Forests
- Executive Summary (PDF)
- Overview of Impacts
- Vulnerability Assessment Case Studies
- Appendices
Articles & Reports
Ongoing Research
- Informing management practices to reduce the risk of significant predicted disturbances
- Natural resource development hazards (water and geomorphology)
- Building adaptive capacity by providing flexible tools and comprehensive information to support management and decision-making
FFESC Projects
- Predicting Forest Insect Disturbance Under Climate Change (PDF)
- Risk Analysis & Decision Support Tool
- Reducing Vulnerabilities & Promoting Resilience of B.C.’s Natural & Human Systems Through Adaptation of Post-Disturbance Land Management Options
Articles & Reports
- The carbon balance of two lodgepole pine stands recovering from mountain pine beetle attack in B.C.
- The Carbon Conundrum: Fire and Fuel Management in Fire-prone Forests
- Evapotranspiration and canopy characteristics of two lodgepole pine stands following mountain pine beetle attack
- Impact of mountain pine beetle on the net ecosystem production of lodgepole pine stands in B.C.
Economics & Community
Ongoing Research
- Supporting non-timber and non-forest values in natural resource management systems within a changing climate
- Measuring and managing our carbon footprint
FFESC Projects
- Integrating FFEI Scientific Predictions into Community Planning & Governance (PDF)
- Climate Change Adaptation Research for Forest & Rangeland Ecosystems: Resiliency Implications at the Landscape Level
Articles & Reports
Water & Aquatic Ecosystems
Ongoing Research
- Maintaining water quality and quantity
- Maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems
FFESC Projects
Ongoing Research
- Fostering ecosystem resilience and adaptive capacity through management
- Building adaptive capacity by providing flexible tools and comprehensive information to support management and decision-making
FFESC Projects
- Soil & Ecological Baseline Data: Improvement & Delivery (DOCX)
- Climate Change Vulnerability of Old-Growth Forests in B.C.’s Inland Temperate Rainforest (PDF)
- Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management in a Changing Climate (PDF)
- Projecting Future Distributions of Ecosystem Climate Niches: Uncertainties & Management Applications (PDF)
- Climate Change Monitoring Strategy
Articles & Reports
Ongoing Research
- Developing and improving existing resource models to better estimate timber supply and range productivity and to support integrated decision-making
- Developing innovative and improved management practices that enhance timber supply and range productivity while reducing risks and maintaining site productivity
FFESC Projects
- Climate Change Adaptation: Potential Contributions of Red Alder in Coastal B.C.
- Managing for the Ecological & Socioeconomic Effects of Climate Change on B.C. Rangelands
- Uncertainty in Adaptation to Climate Change in Forest Management (PDF)
- Regeneration Vulnerability Assessment for Dominant Tree Species in the Central Interior of B.C. (PDF)
Articles & Reports
Ongoing Research
- Building adaptive capacity by providing flexible tools and comprehensive information to support management and decision-making
FFESC Projects
Articles & Reports
- Climate patterns, trends, and projections for the Omineca, Skeena, and Northeast Natural Resource Regions, B.C.
- ClimateWNA: high-resolution spatial climate data for western North America
- Corroboration of BEC climate zonation by spatially modelled climate data
- Enhancing provincial climate monitoring: the Forest Ecosystem Research Network and the Climate Related Monitoring Program
Past Initiatives
Future Forest Ecosystems Scientific Council, 2008–2012
In 2008, the Government of British Columbia established the Future Forest Ecosystems Scientific Council (FFESC) to guide research in support of the objectives of the FFEI.
The FFESC wrapped up its research program in 2012. The completed research is now helping to inform the B.C. Government’s action plan for adapting forest and range management policies and practices to climate change.
