MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY OF NEWFOUNDLAND

Seeing The Forest for the Bees: Pollinator and Plant Diversity Across a Chronosequence of Harvest in Managed Boreal Forests in Newfoundland

Why this Project Matters

It’s important to consider different aspects of ecosystem services and sustainable forest management when addressing forest resilience. With support from SFI, the Memorial University of Newfoundland launched a collaborative research project on the traditional Mi’kmaq territory of the Qalipu First Nation, near Corner Brook, Newfoundland. The project aims to study pollinator and plant diversity through a 35-year view of the managed boreal forest, progressing ecological understanding and cultural appreciation of Traditional Knowledge.

How the Project Supports the Recognition and Respect of Indigenous Rights and Traditional Knowledge

The project aims to advance ecological understanding and foster cultural appreciation of key plant species important to Indigenous communities, referred to as culturally significant species, to support future monitoring in a changing climate. Project findings will inform forest management strategies while also contributing to conversations between science, policy, and business communities on biodiversity, sustainability, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Qalipu First Nation elders and representatives are involved in the mentorship and supervision of the students recruited for the project and included as a project liaison for knowledge about regional plants and holistic perspectives on the forest landscape.

How the Project Supports the Contribution of Sustainable Forest Practices for At-Risk Species

The project employs a combination of field surveys, flight intercept traps, time-lapse cameras, and data loggers to capture a comprehensive snapshot of plants and associated pollinators across a series of managed forests. Memorial University of Newfoundland and partners use ecology, entomology, botany, and Traditional Knowledge to further our ecological understanding of Newfoundland’s boreal forest and beyond.

SFI’s Contribution

SFI is providing financial support for the project over three years. Additional support includes active participation in study design and implementation, in-kind support, and access for researchers to SFI-certified forests. SFI together with grassroots organizations like the SFI Standard Implementation Committees help translate and disseminate these findings into best practices for the sustainable management of North American forests.

How the Project Helps Forest Managers

The project’s findings will enhance existing sustainable forest management strategies at the intersection of biodiversity, sustainability, and the preservation of cultural heritage. This information will also be used for the continuous improvement of the SFI Forest Management Standard.

Partners

This partnership includes Howl Experience staff, forestry professionals, and SFI and PLT Canada staff.

• SFI
• Memorial University of Newfoundland
• Qalipu First Nation First Nation
• Corner Brook Pulp and Paper (SFI-certified)
• The Provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Natural Resources Canada – Canadian Forest Service

Related Information

SFI Blog – Seeing the Forest for the Bees

About The Memorial University of Newfoundland

Perched on Canada’s North Atlantic coast, Memorial University is a destination for discovery. A beacon for the 21st-century explorer, Newfoundland and Labrador’s university is a unique learning community founded in 1925 as a living memorial to those who lost their lives in the First World War — “that in freedom of learning their cause and sacrifice might not be forgotten.” Today nearly 18,000 students from nearly 120 countries come together to discover. From the classics to advanced technology, the comprehensive university offers certificate, diploma, undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate programs across six campuses, numerous locations and online. A global network of more than 100,000 accomplished alumni throughout the world strengthens Memorial University’s capacity and reputation for leadership in world-class research, teaching and public engagement. To take a closer look, visit www.mun.ca.