Canadian Forest Service Publications
The implementation of assisted migration in Canadian forests. 2011. Pedlar, J.H.;McKenney, D. W.; Beaulieu, J.; Colombo, S.J.; McLachlan, J.S.; O'Neill, G.A. The Forestry Chronicle 87:766-777.
Year: 2011
Issued by: Great Lakes Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 33121
Language: English
Availability: PDF (request by e-mail)
Abstract
We outline the major steps involved in implementing assisted migration (AM) and assess, in a general way, the capacity to carryout each step in Canadian forests. Our findings highlight the fact that capacity to implement AM differs between forest species; in particular, the existence of established provenance trials, seed transfer guidelines, seed procurement systems, and plantation establishment protocols makes AM considerably more feasible for most commercial tree species than for most species of conservation concern. We report on several AM efforts involving commercial tree species that are already underway in Canada and identify a number of initiatives that could be undertaken to help build AM capacity. This paper is not intended as an endorsement of the AM approach; however, we feel there is considerable value in discussing implementation issues at this point in the AM debate.