The State of Conservation in North America’s Boreal Forest: Issues and Opportunities

Wells, Jeffrey V.; Dawson, Natalie G.; Culver, Nada; Reid, Frederic A.; Siegers, Shaunna Morgan

doi:10.3389/ffgc.2020.00090

Cited by 33 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…Rational utilization and protection of a species depends on understanding its distribution, differentiation, and factors influencing its genetic diversity, which is the basis of species' adaptation to changing environment (Solbrig, 1991). Particularly, for long-lived woody species, genetic diversity not only determines their ability to adapt to the environment but also forms the basis for maintaining long-term stability of forest ecosystems (Hamrick et al, 1992;Ony et al, 2020;Wells et al, 2020). With the increase in genetic diversity within species, their ability to adapt to environmental changes increases, whereas the decrease or disappearance of genetic diversity often results in low adaptability, reproduction, and disease resistance (Hamrick et al, 1992).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Diversity of Phyllanthus emblica From Two Different Climate Type Areas

Liu

Wan

et al. 2020

Front. Plant Sci.

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Phyllanthus emblica L. is a well-known medicinal and edible plant species. Various medicinal compounds in the fruit make it an important medicinal and promising economic material. The plant is widely distributed in Southwestern and Southern China. However, due to massive deforestation and land reclamation as well as deterioration of its natural habitat in recent years, the wild resources of this species have been sharply reduced, and it is rare to see large-scale wild P. emblica forests so far. In order to effectively protect and rationally utilize this species, we investigated the genetic diversity, genetic structure, and population dynamics of 260 individuals from 10 populations of P. emblica sampled from the dry climate area in Yunnan and wet climate area in Guangxi using 20 polymorphic EST-SSR markers. We found high genetic diversity at the species level (He = 0.796) and within populations (He = 0.792), but low genetic differentiation among populations (FST = 0.084). In addition, most genetic variation existed within populations (92.44%) compared with variation among the populations (7.56%). Meanwhile, the NJ tree, STRUCTURE, and hierarchical analysis suggested that the sampled individuals were clustered into two distinct genetic groups. In contrast, the genetic diversity of the dry climate group (He = 0.786, Na = 11.790, I = 1.962) was higher than that of the wet climate group (He = 0.673, Na = 9.060, I = 1.555), which might be attributed to the combined effects of altitude, precipitation, and geographic distance. Interestingly, only altitude and precipitation had significant pure effects on the genetic diversity, and the former was slightly stronger. In addition, DIYABC analysis suggested the effective population size of P. emblica might have contracted in the beginning of the Last Glacial Maximum. These genetic features provided vital information for the conservation and sustainable development of genetic resources of P. emblica, and they also provided new insights and guidelines for ecological restoration and economic development in dry-hot valleys of Yunnan and karst areas in Guangxi.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Diversity of Phyllanthus emblica From Two Different Climate Type Areas

Liu

Wan

et al. 2020

Front. Plant Sci.

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“…Intensifying agricultural production in these regions without damaging the boreal forests could improve chronic food insecurity and environmental sustainability (Godfray et al, 2010). Like the study area, the world's boreal regions are sparsely 1 Ruckstuhl et al (2008), Wells et al (2020), and others (Kuusela, 1992) describe the boreal ecosystem as the world's second largest biome, containing roughly one third of the world's forest cover. It is characterized by rich biodiversity, expansive roadless areas, and low intensity settlement peripheral from market centers.…”

Section: Study Region: Newfoundland and Labrador Canadamentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Many "born and bred" Newfoundlanders are reconciling their settler heritage with a newly discovered Mi'kmaq identity that had been assimilated by colonialism (Manning, 2018). populated with high biodiversity and natural resources, and Indigenous communities are reclaiming governance over their land and natural resources (Wells et al, 2020).…”

Section: Study Region: Newfoundland and Labrador Canadamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, without careful planning and deliberation, cycles similar to the North American cod and seafood fisheries and processing plants may extend to new agricultural enterprises, wherein nutritious, locally produced food is exported away from nearby communities, and corporate profits aren't reinvested into communities and local supply chains (Omohundro, 1994). Some Indigenous communities have shown interest and ownership in self-production to improve self-sufficiency and subsistence (Wells et al, 2020), though this may be difficult without supplemental household income (Arnaquq-Baril, 2016). Wilson et al (2020, p. 298) observe that ".…”

Section: Study Region: Newfoundland and Labrador Canadamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Excessive precipitation makes planting tenuous. Rocky and sandy soils will impede future agricultural production in many areas, even if temperatures rise as expected from global climate change (Ruckstuhl et al, 2008;Wells et al, 2020). Home gardening and home food production for self-sufficiency is time consuming, and involves commitment that is colligated against twenty first century lifestyles (Omohundro, 1994;Arnaquq-Baril, 2016).…”

Section: Study Region: Newfoundland and Labrador Canadamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Boreal Agriculture Cannot Be Sustainable Without Food Sovereignty

Keske

2021

Front. Sustain. Food Syst.

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Food sovereignty encompasses the right of humans to have access to, and to produce, healthy and culturally appropriate food. Food sovereignty exists within the “social” pillar of sustainability and sustainable food production. Over time, and as a result of colonialism and neo-liberal food regimes, Indigenous food system patterns in boreal regions have been disrupted. Imports make local food production economically infeasible. The intersection of food sovereignty and international trade is understudied. Food insecurity cycles are likely to perpetuate without deliberate action and government intervention. Policies that facilitate local access, and ownership, of agriculture and food processing facilities may foster food sovereignty. Indigenous community governance, and agricultural practices, are critical to restoring environmental and social sustainability.

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Response of stream habitat and microbiomes to spruce budworm defoliation: New considerations for outbreak management

McCaig,

Kidd,

Smenderovac

et al. 2024

Ecological Applications

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Defoliation by eastern spruce budworm is one of the most important natural disturbances in Canadian boreal and hemi‐boreal forests with annual area affected surpassing that of fire and harvest combined, and its impacts are projected to increase in frequency, severity, and range under future climate scenarios. Deciding on an active management strategy to control outbreaks and minimize broader economic, ecological, and social impacts is becoming increasingly important. These strategies differ in the degree to which defoliation is suppressed, but little is known about the downstream consequences of defoliation and, thus, the implications of management. Given the disproportionate role of headwater streams and their microbiomes on net riverine productivity across forested landscapes, we investigated the effects of defoliation by spruce budworm on headwater stream habitat and microbiome structure and function to inform management decisions. We experimentally manipulated a gradient of defoliation among 12 watersheds during a spruce budworm outbreak in the Gaspésie Peninsula, Québec, Canada. From May through October of 2019–2021, stream habitat (flow rates, dissolved organic matter [DOM], water chemistry, and nutrients), algal biomass, and water temperatures were assessed. Bacterial and fungal biofilm communities were examined by incubating six leaf packs for five weeks (mid‐August to late September) in one stream reach per watershed. Microbiome community structure was determined using metabarcoding of 16S and ITS rRNA genes, and community functions were examined using extracellular enzyme assays, leaf litter decomposition rates, and taxonomic functional assignments. We found that cumulative defoliation was correlated with increased streamflow rates and temperatures, and more aromatic DOM (measured as specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm), but was not correlated to nutrient concentrations. Cumulative defoliation was also associated with altered microbial community composition, an increase in carbohydrate biosynthesis, and a reduction in aromatic compound degradation, suggesting that microbes are shifting to the preferential use of simple carbohydrates rather than more complex aromatic compounds. These results demonstrate that high levels of defoliation can affect headwater stream microbiomes to the point of altering stream ecosystem productivity and carbon cycling potential, highlighting the importance of incorporating broader ecological processes into spruce budworm management decisions.

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The State of Conservation in North America’s Boreal Forest: Issues and Opportunities

Cited by 33 publications

References 79 publications

Genetic Diversity of Phyllanthus emblica From Two Different Climate Type Areas

Genetic Diversity of Phyllanthus emblica From Two Different Climate Type Areas

Boreal Agriculture Cannot Be Sustainable Without Food Sovereignty

Response of stream habitat and microbiomes to spruce budworm defoliation: New considerations for outbreak management

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