The future of boreal forests is greatly affected by mining, logging, oil and gas, and hydroelectric development. Many areas of the boreal forest are under threat by destructive logging practices. Logging can cause degradation of wildlife habitats and loss of old growth forests. Likewise, mining can cause pollution and fragmentation of the forests which can have long-lasting negative impacts on biodiversity. Oil and gas developments in boreal forests can also disturb species living in the area which depend on resources available in the forest.
Industrial influence is contributing to habitat loss for wildlife populations across Canada, as well as adding to climate change. Climate change doesn't only affect humans. It affects all the wildlife in the area leading to threats of extinction for many species in the area. As hotter and drier summers increase evaporation, they will also increase the risk of forest fires across most of Canada, and increase the severity of those fires. These fires could lead to serious economic loss and are expected to become more frequent. Globally, boreal forests store more carbon than all of the world's temperate and tropical forests combined. By keeping this carbon stored in the ground and out of the atmosphere, we can prevent climate change from worsening. Even though more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere might support tree growth, the negative impacts of climate change are expected to far outweigh any benefits.
Unless government and private forest managers come together and develop effective strategies to work out these issues, the future of boreal forests will be in critical condition. Because of the many things that boreal forests provide including bountiful biodiversity, vital carbon storage, and the planet’s largest expanse of wetlands, lakes, and rivers, protecting them is essential.
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