Reforesting After Insect Outbreaks in British Columbia, Canada

Bringing Back Forests Destroyed By Insects

How Do Pests and Diseases Cause Land Degradation?

Bark beetles are native to British Columbia and are part of a healthy ecosystem as they thin the forest of weak trees and provide food for birds.

However, due to the warming climate, they are able to reproduce faster than ever before. As drought increases, pine trees are unable to produce enough sap, their main defense against the beetles burrowing into their bark. This eventually kills the trees and has caused damage to 20 million hectares (50 million acres) of forests in British Columbia.

We work with First Nations and private landowners to restore their forests by planting a mix of species that may be adapted to future climates. In addition, we collaborate on a long-term plan to keep the forest as healthy as possible.

Some key causes of insect damage are:

• Monoculture farming: cultivating large areas with a single crop creates the ideal hunting ground for pests and diseases. Without mixed cropping's natural diversity, pests easily spread, leading to land degradation.
• Globalization and trade: an increased global movement of goods and people makes the spread of pests and diseases across borders a key concern. As pathogens are introduced to new regions, local ecosystems become overwhelmed.
• Climate change: Shifts in climate patterns lead ecosystems to face unpredictable fluctuations, jeopardizing their delicate balance and making them more susceptible to degradation caused by outbreaks.

Restoring Degraded Land After an Infestation: Land Life's Approach

Land Life has developed tailored strategies to rehabilitate land devastated by pests and diseases. Our approach combines scientific understanding with practical experience, focusing on rebuilding resilient ecosystems.

• Before the reforestation project
  We assess the site and surrounding area, including damage, its history, and climate conditions to monitor the land for improvement.
• During the planting
  Once the infested trees and plants are removed, we choose a diverse mix of resilient native tree species and apply new technology techniques to find out what areas are likely to succeed, what species thrive in which regions, and why.
• Aftercare and management
  Restoring degraded land from an infestation is all about focusing on the site selection and ongoing monitoring, such as through remote sensing, drones, GIS, and our Fastrack Model.