Forests are carbon-dense ecosystems storing twice as much carbon than is found in the atmosphere. As such, Natural Climate Solutions such as tree restoration has been identified as an effective and affordable capture carbon strategy. Many governments around the world are promoting tree restoration, and specifically the Canadian Government has pledged to plant 2 billion trees as a key strategy for meeting Canada’s climate targets. However, much of the available land for tree planting is required for agricultural use and urban development, which may result in future land-use conflicts reducing the long-term viability of the carbon store. In contrast, tree restoration on industrially degraded landscapes may have long-term viability due to its unsuitability for other human uses, but it is unclear if carbon sequestration rates will be comparable to that observed on non-industrially impacted land. I will discuss results of restoration treatments established over the past 40 years in Sudbury, Ontario, which was one of the world’s most degraded landscapes.

Please note the new room number. 

The Natural Resources & Environmental Studies Institute (NRESi) at UNBC hosts a weekly lecture series at the Prince George campus. Anyone from the university or wider community with interest in the topic area is welcome to attend. Go to http://www.unbc.ca/nres-institute/colloquium-webcasts to view the presentation remotely.

Past NRESi colloquium presentations and special lectures can be viewed on our video archive, available here.

Please Note: NRESi colloquium presentations this semester will be available to attend both in-person as well as online. However, those wishing to attend in-person must wear a mask as per Provincial Health Officer (PHO) orders and University policy. Thank you for your understanding.