18. Biodiversity of Canadian Forests, with
Particular Reference to the West Coast Forests
Timothy J.B. Boyle
One of the issues that may have the greatest impact on forestry practices
and the forests of the future is the conservation of biodiversity. There is
considerable unease in the modern forestry community about the concept
of biodiversity, and the consequences of its loss or of the actions required
for its conservation. The weight of public opinion is firmly in favor of
conserving biodiversity, as is demonstrated by recent events in the Pacific
Northwest of the United States concerning the preservation of the
northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis), and its coverage in scientific
(e.g. , Heilman, 1990) and popular publications (e.g. , Findley , 1990;
Watts, 1991). Recent public opinion polls in Canada have also indicated
support for the conservation of biodiversity over strictly commercial uses.
The forests of Canada's west coast are of great importance to its overall
economy. British Columbia, which contains 38% of Canada's productive,
nonreserved timber volume, contributed $6.1 billion to the Canadian
economy in 1989, and in the same year accounted for 44% of the value of
forest product exports and almost half of the forest sector balance of
trade in forest products (Forestry Canada, 1990). Beyond pure economics,
Canada's west coast forests differ in a number of important respects from
those in the rest of the country. Productivity of the coastal rain forests is
many times greater than boreal and temperate forests in the rest of
the country. This is due to the equability of the climate and the stable
floristic history of the region, which has allowed close adaptation to the
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Particular Reference to the West Coast Forests
Timothy J.B. Boyle
One of the issues that may have the greatest impact on forestry practices
and the forests of the future is the conservation of biodiversity. There is
considerable unease in the modern forestry community about the concept
of biodiversity, and the consequences of its loss or of the actions required
for its conservation. The weight of public opinion is firmly in favor of
conserving biodiversity, as is demonstrated by recent events in the Pacific
Northwest of the United States concerning the preservation of the
northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis), and its coverage in scientific
(e.g. , Heilman, 1990) and popular publications (e.g. , Findley , 1990;
Watts, 1991). Recent public opinion polls in Canada have also indicated
support for the conservation of biodiversity over strictly commercial uses.
The forests of Canada's west coast are of great importance to its overall
economy. British Columbia, which contains 38% of Canada's productive,
nonreserved timber volume, contributed $6.1 billion to the Canadian
economy in 1989, and in the same year accounted for 44% of the value of
forest product exports and almost half of the forest sector balance of
trade in forest products (Forestry Canada, 1990). Beyond pure economics,
Canada's west coast forests differ in a number of important respects from
those in the rest of the country. Productivity of the coastal rain forests is
many times greater than boreal and temperate forests in the rest of
the country. This is due to the equability of the climate and the stable
floristic history of the region, which has allowed close adaptation to the
353