Provincial rules require spraying of fire-resistant aspen trees to make way for valuable conifers

Bethany Lindsay · CBC News · Posted: Nov 17, 2018 8:00 AM PT | Last Updated: November 17

2018-11-17

CBC News

Keywords: Wildfire Protection, Forest Management Policy, Herbicide Controversy, Climate Change Impacts, Sustainable Practices, Ecological Damage, Forestry Regulation, Natural Defenses

"The result is reduced plant diversity, leading to monocropped forests that are vulnerable to more frequent and destructive wildfires and beetle infestations," Weaver said.

The article highlights the controversial use of glyphosate in British Columbia (B.C.) to suppress broadleaf trees, such as aspen, in favor of more commercially viable conifer species. This practice, which is part of the province's forest management strategy, reduces a natural defense against wildfires, as broadleaf trees are less susceptible to fire and can act as fuel breaks. Despite recognizing the wildfire protection they offer, B.C. regulations limit broadleaf presence in regenerating forest blocks, leading to extensive herbicide use. Over the past three years, 42,531 hectares of B.C. forest have been treated with glyphosate. Critics argue that this policy exacerbates the risk of severe wildfires, especially in the context of climate change, and call for a ban on glyphosate in forests, advocating for management practices that promote fire-resistant broadleaf trees. While the province has made some adjustments in certain regions, there is ongoing pressure to halt glyphosate use entirely.

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Tags: Forest Management, Glyphosate, Broadleaf Trees, Aspen, Wildfire Defense, Environmental Controversy, British Columbia, Herbicide Use, Conifer Species, Climate Change, Wildfire Risk