How Old-Growth Forest Conservation Policies Support Caribou Recovery in British Columbia
Keywords:
policy review, old growth forest, british columbia, Economics of Conservation, caribou populationAbstract
This research examines the critical policy intersection between old-growth forest preservation and caribou conservation strategies in British Columbia. Caribou depend heavily on old-growth forests for lichen, their primary food source. In response, British Columbia has implemented policies aimed at protecting old-growth ecosystems, thereby indirectly safeguarding caribou habitats. While alternative methods such as predator control (e.g., wolf reduction) and maternal penning provide short-term conservation gains, long-term caribou recovery requires substantial protection of old-growth forests. However, expanding conservation efforts entails significant opportunity costs, particularly the loss of logging revenues that remain vital to the provincial economy. To explore these dynamics, this study applies a simple extinction model to evaluate the impact of different forest management scenarios on caribou population trajectories. Through a comprehensive review and critical analysis of current forest preservation policies, the study identifies key gaps and proposes strategic enhancements to strengthen conservation efforts. The findings emphasize that preserving old-growth forests not only supports caribou survival but also enhances British Columbia’s ecosystem services and long-term ecological resilience.
Keywords: caribou population, policy review, old-growth forest, British Columbia, economics of conservation
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