According to research, wildfires are not only harmful to the environment, but also necessary to protect endangered tree species such as red and white pines.
“Over the past few centuries, we have observed a significant decline in Quebec’s white and red pine forests due to a climate cooling phenomenon called the Little Ice Age, which was then exacerbated by intensive deforestation following colonization, as well as a change in the dynamics of forest fires, resulting from systematic firefighting by prevention authorities,” explained Mélanie Gilles-Nicoletti, Mitacs intern and doctoral student in forest ecology at the University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT).
“Our research suggests that red and white pines have gradually adapted to surface fires and their seedlings thrive in the physical conditions following a fire,” she said.
Red pine is heavier, denser and stronger, making it ideal for flooring, siding, roofing and truck pallets. White pine is softer and is often used to make pulp, furniture, boxes, matches, and boats.
The research team’s work is based on field studies conducted in regions of Quebec and Ontario where wildfires have occurred, including Opémican National Park and La Mauricie National Park in Quebec, and Finlayson Point Provincial Park in Ontario.
“Our research clearly shows that prescribed or intentional burning at the right intensity appears to be a more effective method of promoting the regeneration of red and white pine species,” explained Sylvain Gagnon, a master’s student in forest ecology at UQAT.
“Sometimes we can play with fire. I hope that the more we know about the role of fire in ideal growing conditions, the more red and white pines we will have in Quebec’s forests in the next decade,” he added.