Case studies

Assessing the Implications of Climate Change Scenarios for Long Term Planning

Ecosystem management issues primarily related to landscape-level forest age class management and the probability for major disturbance are already a concern in the Park. The findings of this investigation into possible climate change induced impacts on forest ecosystem and disturbance regimes re-enforce the primacy of these issues. Some of the most important implications for long term ecosystem management planning in the Park are:

• The long term ecosystem subzone representation goals should be re-visited in light of predicted changes in boundaries;
• Host species management should take on an even greater focus if a reduction in the probability of major MPB outbreaks is to be reduced; and
• The probability of major wildfire should be assessed more rigorously in concert with overall fire management planning in the Yellowhead corridor (located within the Prescription Zone).
  

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