Paper Firm Studies Biodiversity In Managed Forests

A new study by UPM will usebird species as indicators of biodiversity in managed forests.

A new study by UPM will use bird species as indicators of biodiversity in managed forests.

The study is expected to contribute to the further development of best forestry practices for the Acadian forest of New Brunswick and Canadian Boreal forests.

UPM, which is a major producer of magazine paper, is staging the study in conjunction with Time, the world's largest magazine publisher.

David Refkin, director of sustainable development at Time, said: "We share a commitment to sustainable development in forest management and operations." UPM has instituted a global biodiversity programme for the development of best practices in the company's forest operations, as well as monitoring systems to follow progress.

The company added that the programme fits well with the new joint biodiversity study in Canada.

The study will utilise publicly-owned land and some owned by UPM in New Brunswick.

In both cases, the forest land is managed and operated by UPM.

The study team aims to develop a methodology which would become a model for future biodiversity studies in other Canadian forests.

The findings will contribute to national and international discussions on biodiversity research, forest certification, policy development and forest legislation, added UPM.

The state of biodiversity in a forest area can be an indicator of the sustainability of forest management practices and certain species can be used as biodiversity indicators.

Bernard Robichaud, chief forester for UPM in Canada, commented: "UPM is pleased to be partnering with Time on this significant study.

The University of Moncton is responsible for the research project and the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources will represent the forest land owner.

Bird Studies Canada and Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC), two non-governmental organisations, will act as partners and offer their expertise during the whole process." And Dr Marc-Andre Villard, who holds the Canada research chair in landscape conservation at the University of Moncton, added: "The project is unique in that it combines extensive bird surveys and intensive monitoring of the nests of several bird species." According to UPM, several songbird and woodpecker species will be evaluated as bio-indicators and their reproductive performance will be monitored in treated and control areas.

Dr Villard continued: "The aim is to measure bird responses to different forest management treatments to help develop harvest plans and logging methods compatible with the conservation of healthy populations.

Presence and successful reproduction of these species in post-harvest stands or landscapes would indicate a good potential for ecological resilience." John Foley, director of land conservation for the Atlantic region of NCC, explained: "As Canada's leader in habitat conservation, the Nature Conservancy of Canada is in the business of protecting biodiversity in New Brunswick and across Canada.

We support this study because it will further develop best forestry practices for some of New Brunswick's, and the country's, most important forest areas." Scott Makepeace, wildlife biologist for the New Brunswick department of natural resources, said: "Supporting applied research is an important component of the adaptive management approach used for public lands.

This study will also provide basic data and information that can be used during the development and refinement of strategic goals and objectives for public land." The study's first results are expected in two to three years.

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