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A conceptual model for forest naturalness assessment and application in Quebec's boreal forest

Sylvie Côté, Louis Bélanger, Robert Beauregard, Évelyne Thiffault et Manuele Margni

Article de revue (2019)

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Abstract

Research Highlights: To inform eco-designers in green building conception, we propose a conceptual model for the assessment of the impact of using wood on the quality of ecosystems. Background and Objectives: The proposed model allows the assessment of the quality of ecosystems at the landscape level based on the condition of the forest and the proportion of different practices to characterize precisely the forest management strategy. The evaluation provides a numerical index, which corresponds to a suitable format to inform decision-making support tools, such as life cycle analysis. Materials and Methods: Based on the concept of naturalness, the methodology considers five naturalness characteristics (landscape context, forest composition, structure, dead wood, and regeneration process) and relies on forest inventory maps and data. An area within the boreal black spruce-feathermoss ecological domain of Quebec (Canada) was used as a case study for the development of the methodology, designed to be easily exportable. Results: In 2012, the test area had a near-natural class (naturalness index NI = 0.717). Simulation of different management strategies over 70 years shows that, considering 17.9% of strict protected areas, the naturalness index would have lost one to two classes of naturalness (out of five classes), depending on the strategy applied for the regeneration (0.206 ≤ ∆NI ≤ 0.413). Without the preservation of the protected areas, the management strategies would have further reduced the naturalness (0.274 ≤ ∆NI ≤ 0.492). Apart from exotic species plantation, the most sensitive variables are the percentage of area in irregular, old, and closed forests at time zero and the percentage of area in closed forests, late successional species groups, and modified wetlands after 70 years. Conclusions: Despite the necessity of further model and parameter validation, the use of the index makes it possible to combine the effects of different forestry management strategies and practices into one alteration gradient.

Mots clés

naturalness; forest management intensity; land use intensity; quality of ecosystems; boreal forest

Sujet(s): 1300 Génie forestier > 1301 Aménagement forestier
2900 Mathématiques pures > 2900 Mathématiques pures
2950 Mathématiques appliquées > 2950 Mathématiques appliquées
Département: Département de mathématiques et de génie industriel
Centre de recherche: CIRAIG - Centre international de référence sur le cycle de vie des produits, procédés et services
Organismes subventionnaires: CRSNG/NSERC, Cecobois, Canadian Wood Council, Desjardins, GIGA, Hydro-Québec, Pomerleau
Numéro de subvention: CRD-462197-13
URL de PolyPublie: https://publications.polymtl.ca/4832/
Titre de la revue: Forests (vol. 10, no 4)
Maison d'édition: MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/f10040325
URL officielle: https://doi.org/10.3390/f10040325
Date du dépôt: 15 juil. 2021 11:29
Dernière modification: 13 mai 2023 18:45
Citer en APA 7: Côté, S., Bélanger, L., Beauregard, R., Thiffault, É., & Margni, M. (2019). A conceptual model for forest naturalness assessment and application in Quebec's boreal forest. Forests, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/f10040325

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