Canada Invests $5.9M to Modernize Forest Prediction Tools

Canadian scientists are getting powerful new tools to help forests thrive for generations, thanks to a $5.9 million investment in cutting-edge forest prediction technology.

The University of Alberta is leading an ambitious eight-year project to completely rebuild the computer models that forecast how trees and forest stands will grow and change over time. These digital forecasting tools are essential for every major decision foresters make, from calculating sustainable harvest levels to planning reforestation efforts.

Professor Robert Froese, who leads the project, explains that the current models were developed up to 20 years ago. Since then, forests have changed, technology has leaped forward, and what people need from forests has evolved far beyond just timber production.

The new models will use modern remote sensing technology to gather more accurate forest data while cutting operational costs. They'll predict how forests respond to everything from tree thinning and reforestation to genetic improvements and climate change.

Right now, Alberta's professional foresters rely on two main models called GYPSY and the Mixedwood Growth Model to make critical choices about forest management. While these have served well, they can't answer today's most pressing questions about multiple-age forest stands, partial harvests, or long-term climate impacts.

The upgraded system will help forest managers think beyond timber production alone. The new tools will forecast carbon storage potential, predict wildlife habitat quality, assess biodiversity impacts, and model how different forestry practices affect forests over the long haul.

The project is backed by Alberta's Forest Resource Improvement Association, Alberta Forestry and Parks, and Saskatchewan's Ministry of Environment. Nine major timber companies are supporting the research, recognizing that better predictions mean smarter, more sustainable forest management.

The Ripple Effect

This investment does more than upgrade software. The project will train a new generation of forest growth and yield specialists through graduate programs and postdoctoral positions, creating experts who'll work across government agencies, consulting firms, and the forest industry for decades.

Better forest models mean Western Canada's boreal and Rocky Mountain forests can be managed with unprecedented precision. Communities that depend on forestry jobs will benefit from more sustainable harvesting practices, while conservation efforts get the scientific backing they need to succeed.

The work happening in Alberta's Growth & Yield Lab today is building the foundation for forests that can adapt, thrive, and continue supporting both nature and people through the challenges ahead.

Science is giving Canada's forests a fighting chance to flourish.