Canada ranks third in the world for the loss of its intact forests — that is, forests where harvesting activities have never taken place.

Prior to the Industrial Revolution, intact boreal forests were dominated by forests that had not burned for centuries. They are called “old-growth forests.” But just because they’re old doesn’t mean they’re dying or in decline. On the contrary, they are very dynamic and resilient.

In the latest article in La Conversation Canada’s boreal forest series, Maxence Martin and Nicole Fenton, researchers in forest ecology at Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), explain why we must leave old forests alone and recommend harvesting young forests instead. “Cutting in intact forests leads to a degradation of the landscape through the loss of old-growth forests. Old forests offer very different habitats and ecological services than young, managed forests.”

Many forest animals, for example, choose to live in dead wood, which is very abundant in old forests. The conservation of old forests and the production of wood are not incompatible objectives — awareness is therefore necessary.

Also today:

• Canada’s housing crisis demands better buildings — here are the changes that could improve apartment and condo life
• As governments shirk their responsibilities, non-profits are more important than ever
• Food for thought: How your mindset can make healthy food more alluring on social media
• It’s time to leave the Paleo Diet in the past: Recent studies have failed to support its claims

All the best,