Tools

These tools are useful for adapting natural resource management so that British Columbia forests and other resources can remain resilient to climate change, variability and other stressors.

Climate Change Tools - Comprehensive List

This Excel sheet provides a list of known climate change adaptation tools that are relevant for use by BC natural resources professionals, government staff and First Nations. The list is a work in progress and will be updated as new information becomes available. To request an amendment, please use the contact information provided in the spreadsheet.

• Climate Adaptation Tools Inventory (XLSX)

Adaptation Pathways

Breaking adaptation actions into a sequence of stages can help to manage uncertainty and provide confidence to start putting plans into action. Adaptation pathways make it easier to communicate how decisions can be structured and ordered because many actions can be visually mapped through diagrams.

Fish & Wildlife

Climate Change Vulnerability of B.C.'s Fish & Wildlife Species – First Approximation provides an approach for assessing vulnerability, including a database and ratings for 130 species:

• Climate Change Vulnerability Executive Summary (PDF)
• Climate Change Vulnerability Final Report (PDF)
• Preamble to 2017 Update (PDF)
• Fish & Wildlife Vulnerability Assessment Database (XLSX)

Forest Health

Stand establishment decision aids (SEDA) are extension notes that synthesize the latest information on silvicultural tools and practice.

SEDAs can be searched in the Journal of Ecosystems and Management.

Forest health risk maps showing incidence of pests were developed using spatial data collected from the RESULTS (Reporting Silviculture Updates & Land status Tracking System) database:

• Mapped Incidence of Pests from RESULTS
• Regional SEDA Maps of Pest Distribution

Impact & Vulnerability Assessments

Climate change assessments can assist in identifying risks and opportunities. Impact and vulnerability assessments:

• Increase our understanding and knowledge of current and future vulnerabilities
• Evaluate impacts across multiple scales (social, economic, ecological)
• Help forest communities prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change

The following guide can help resource managers in B.C. understand different types of assessments as a step toward integrating climate change into business processes:

• Climate Change Assessment Guide (PDF)

Management & Decision-making

Decision support tools are essential for making forest and resource management decisions for climate change adaptation.

This table outlines a suite of potential management options that can be considered when planning and undertaking forest management activities:

• Potential Management Options to Enhance Forest Resilience (PDF)

Species & Provenance

The Tree Species Selection Tool aims to inform tree species selection decision-making in the context of a changing climate:

• Tree Species Selection Tool

Population response functions can predict growth potential for any seed source planted at any planting site:

• Growth Response of Lodgepole Pine to Climate

The risk of frost and drought-related mortality can be assessed for any species with a known drought tolerance:

• Stand Level Frost Hazard Assessment Tool (XLSX)
• Stand Level Drought Risk Assessment Tool (XLSX)

Species Monitoring Reports summarize key information on tree species in each Timber Supply Area, to help manage and monitor tree species diversity:

• Species Monitoring Reports

Interim measures for range and population expansion of western larch expanded seed planning zone boundaries:

• Assisted Range & Population Expansion of Western Larch (PDF)
• Amendment to Western Larch Range Expansion (PDF)

Modelling & Analysis

Climate and ecosystem modelling enables B.C. natural resource managers to anticipate impacts and adapt their plans and practices.

• See climate modelling & analysis tools

Other Tools

Several tools have been produced through the Future Forest Ecosystems Scientific Council:

• See climate change applied science projects