Combining thinning and diverse plantings to adapt to climate-change-induced timber supply shortage in British Columbia

Abstract

Forestry is an important component of Canada’s economy with British Columbia (BC) contributing almost half to the national roundwood production. Yet, the country’s timber supply and forest economy are threatened by climate change, with increased frequency and severity of natural disturbances and changes in forest productivity. Mountain pine beetle ( Dendroctonus ponderosae) outbreaks are endemic in BC, but the latest climate change-driven outbreak has resulted in a cumulative loss of over half of all merchantable pine, leading to a mid-term timber supply shortage. In this study, we investigate the potential of commercial thinning and alternative planting regimes based on species diversification and assisted species migration to mitigate the anticipated decrease in timber supply in BC. We simulated the long-term effects of these management options in a case study area in interior BC, using a toolbox that combines management- and research-oriented data and models. We found that combining commercial thinning and species diversification has the best potential to mitigate future timber supply shortages in BC. We discuss the limits of this toolbox approach and identify research needs and recommendations for future studies aiming at modelling cumulative effects of management, climate change, and natural disturbances on timber supply.