Ontario's forestry research partnership: Progress and next steps

Abstract

This paper provides a synthesis of a 2-phase approach used by the Canadian Ecology Centre - Forestry Research Partnership (CEC-FRP) to implement adaptive management on 6 forest management units in northeastern Ontario. It also provides a summary of a self evaluation of the partnership using a set of attributes deemed necessary to successfully implement adaptive management (i.e., leadership; alignment with organizational goals; commitment, will, and capacity to act; and formal and explicit documentation). We conclude that the adoption of the 2-phase approach, rather than direct implementation of adaptive management, provided the partners with the means to identify and address critical uncertainties related to intensifying forest management on Crown lands in Ontario, focus research and transfer activities, develop and test new landscape- and stand-level models, and adjust forest management policies and practices.