The 2023 wildfire season in Québec: an overview of extreme conditions, impacts, lessons learned and considerations for the future

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 22, 2024

Abstract The 2023 wildfire season in Québec set records due to extreme warm and dry conditions, burning 4.5 million hectares indicating persistent escalating impacts associated with climate change. study reviews the unusual weather conditions that led fires, discussing their extensive on forest sector, fire management, boreal caribou habitats, particularly profound effects First Nation communities. wildfires significant declines productivity timber supply, overwhelming management resources, necessitating widespread evacuations. territories were dramatically altered, facing severe air quality issues disruptions. While modest across province, broader ecological, economical, social repercussions considerable. To mitigate future seasons, suggests changes practices increase resilience resistance, adapting industrial structures new supplies, enhancing suppression risk strategies. It calls for a comprehensive, unified approach incorporates lessons from accounts ongoing underscores urgent need detailed planning proactive measures reduce growing risks of changing climate.

Language: Английский

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Impacts of umbrella species management on non‐target species

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 61(6), P. 1411 - 1425

Published: April 17, 2024

Abstract Restoration of anthropogenically altered habitats has often focused on management for umbrella species—vulnerable species whose conservation is thought to benefit co‐occurring species. Woody plant encroachment a form habitat alteration occurring in grasslands and shrublands around the globe, driven by anthropogenic shifts disturbance regimes. Conifer pervasive threat historically widespread sagebrush communities, as trees outcompete can negatively affect sagebrush‐obligate animal Degradation loss communities western North America have been associated with drastic declines wildlife populations. The imperilled Greater Sage‐Grouse assumed be an community, so restoration, including removal encroaching conifers, commonly targeted towards sage‐grouse. How this action affects demography other than sage‐grouse largely unknown. We quantified demographic effects landscape‐level restoration through conifer assemblage sagebrush‐obligate, shrubland generalist woodland‐associated songbirds. compared songbird density reproduction between adjacent restored uncut conifer‐encroached plots southwest Montana. found monitored nests record nest fate number offspring produced. benefits areas. Sage Thrashers colonized Brewer's Sparrow was 39% higher success 63% treatments, resulting 119% fledgling production Vesper Sparrows, generalist, 308% 660% Another White‐crowned Sparrow, experienced 55% lower 37% Two species, Chipping Sparrows Dark‐eyed Juncos, were nearly extirpated following removal. A third woodland associate, Green‐tailed Towhee, 57% 69% non‐removal Synthesis applications . Our study demonstrates while highlighting that may sensitive. Umbrella similar associations, but analyses all impacted are essential effective conservation.

Language: Английский

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Climate‐informed forecasts reveal dramatic local habitat shifts and population uncertainty for northern boreal caribou

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 33(3)

Published: Feb. 8, 2023

Most research on boreal populations of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) has been conducted in areas high anthropogenic disturbance. However, a large portion the species' range overlaps relatively pristine primarily affected by natural disturbances, such as wildfire. Climate-driven habitat change is key concern for conservation boreal-dependent species, where management decisions have yet to consider knowledge from multiple ecological domains integrated into cohesive and spatially explicit forecast species-specific demography. We used novel forecasting framework provide climate-sensitive projections demography five monitoring within Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada, over 90 years. Importantly, we quantify uncertainty around forecasted mean values. Our results suggest suitability may increase central southwest regions NWT's Taiga Plains ecozone but decrease southern northwestern driven conversion coniferous deciduous forests. do not project that population growth rates will despite changes suitability. emphasize importance efforts protect restore northern climate while highlighting expected spatial variations are important considerations local people who rely them. An ability reproduce previous work, critical thought when incorporating sources uncertainty, be refine forecasts, derive decisions, improve efficacy species at risk.

Language: Английский

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Grassland intactness outcompetes species as a more efficient surrogate in conservation design

Conservation Science and Practice, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5(12)

Published: Nov. 6, 2023

Abstract Mapped representations of species−habitat relationships often underlie approaches to prioritize area‐based conservation strategies meet goals for biodiversity. Generally a single surrogate species is used inform design, with the assumption that actions an appropriately selected will confer benefits broader community organisms. Emerging frameworks across western North America are now relying on derived measures intactness from remotely sensed vegetation data, wholly independent data. Understanding efficacy species‐agnostic planning critical step ensuring robustness emerging designs. We developed approach quantify ‘strength surrogacy’, by applying prioritization algorithms previously models, and measuring their coverage provided wildlife community. this inference test relative surrogacy among suite models targeting in endangered grasslands Northern Sagebrush Steppe, where careful can help stem loss private grazing lands cultivation. In test, we also simpler intact rangelands without data targeting, along measure combined migration representative key areas connectivity. Our vastly outperformed any model as conservation, followed migration, highlighting target large rangeland cores restoration efforts.

Language: Английский

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Differential responses of woodland caribou to fire and forestry across boreal and montane ecosystems—a literature review

Forestry An International Journal of Forest Research, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 7, 2024

Abstract Ecosystem-based management (EBM) is a landscape-level and planning process that common across North America. A primary tenet of EBM the area intensity anthropogenic disturbance should mimic historical natural focal ecosystem. Biodiversity persist, at least coarse scale, where disturbance, such as forest harvesting, matches disturbance. However, failing some species, particularly those are dependent on old forest. Across many areas Canada, woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) declining because direct indirect effects habitat loss fragmentation. This even though often follows principles EBM. We conducted qualitative comparison responses to wildfire considering broad range responses, including selection distribution, forage, movement patterns, population dynamics. found while harvesting both influence caribou, negative generally greater following harvesting. For example, result in habitat, but more likely shift, abandon or contract their response harvest. The literature also suggested stronger harvest when compared wildfire. difference could be residual structure associated with well extensive resource roads necessary for forestry operations. Although there sound theoretical support EBM, practice, implemented, may not effective maintaining ultimately populations caribou.

Language: Английский

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Climate-sensitive forecasts of marked short-term and long-term changes in the distributions or abundances of Northwestern boreal landbirds

Climate Change Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7, P. 100079 - 100079

Published: Dec. 14, 2023

Climate change presents a major threat to biodiversity globally. Northern ecosystems, such as Canada's boreal forest, are predicted experience particularly severe climate-induced changes. These changes may reduce the carrying capacity and habitat suitability of forest for many wildlife species. Boreal birds susceptible both direct indirect effects climate change, several studies have northward shifts in species distributions temperatures become warmer. We forecasted spatially-explicit densities 72 landbird using integrated projections dynamics model Taiga Plains ecozone Northwest Territories (NT), Canada, over 2011–2091 horizon. 1) identified "winner," "loser," "bellringer" short (2031) long-term (2091) forecasts, 2) mapped range density under three contrasting Global Circulation Models (GCMs), 3) quantify differences predictions across latitudinal gradient. Species that showed moderate increase or decrease their abundance were considered "winners" "losers," respectively. marked – doubling halving all GCMs, termed "bellringers". From 2011–2031, only 2/72 (2.8%) winners, 3/72 (4.2%) losers. 2011–2091, more was change: 26/72 (36.1%) 10/72 (13.9%) Four bellringers: Gray-cheeked Thrush, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox American Tree Sparrow. Overall, projected strongly oriented along southeast-to-northwest axis. Shifts north south evenly distributed among GCMs. Our results suggest future climate-mitigated distribution population declines landbirds will require targeted conservation actions. They also highlight importance NT potential refugium boreal-breeding Canada.

Language: Английский

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Ecological and Public Advantages of a Dual Flagship Strategy: Giant Panda and Snow Leopard

Diversity, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 16(2), P. 76 - 76

Published: Jan. 25, 2024

Flagship species’ conservation strategies hold significant prominence in biodiversity preservation. The giant panda, a globally recognized species, has drawn attention to its benefits and constraints as flagship species. This study aimed assess the potential of dual strategy using both panda snow leopard, compared an approach solely panda. We identified number beneficiary species based on their habitat overlap with leopard Sichuan Gansu, China. Subsequently, we examined public preferences for these two flagships influencing factors through questionnaire surveys within outside covered habitats more amplified existing protection those already benefiting from efforts. was commonly perceived “Adorable”, “Innocent”, “Rare”, while perceptions leaned towards “Mighty”, “Mysterious”, “Rare”. Though is widely favored, survey indicates notable preference leopards among proportion respondents. offers expanded wildlife coverage broader range Moreover, combined appeal each possessing unique charm symbolism, holds garner societal interest support. may serve reference policy decisions Giant Panda National Park other similar protected areas, optimizing management outreach initiatives strategies. It also benefit centered

Language: Английский

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Beyond guides, protocols and acronyms: Adoption of good modelling practices depends on challenging academia's status quo in ecology

Ecological Modelling, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 496, P. 110829 - 110829

Published: Aug. 17, 2024

Language: Английский

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