Subalpine forests are found at the edge of treeline, either towards the tops of mountains or in the far north. The treeline may be abrupt or it may be gradual. Subalpine ecosystems in the temperate regions experience distinct growing seasons including an extended period of snow cover. These ecosystems grow slower and less is known about them than those in the valley bottoms. The enormous challenge that we face in the 21st century as conservation biologists is to prudently balance economic and ecological sustainability in these ecosystems.
All life is dependent upon it.
We have initiated base-line studies in both urban and rural locations in Canada that are examining the integrity of water quality and life that surrounds and lives within fresh water. The major challenge that we face is how to expedite the processing of scientifically validated information so that the front line resource managers and policy makers may best utilize it. In January of 2001 the tireless work by our field and laboratory scientists at Global Forest significantly contributed to the westslope cutthroat trout being blue listed by the provincial British Columbian government. The Blue List includes any indigenous species or subspecies considered to be vulnerable in British Columbia and particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events. Parks, green spaces and urban forests are of tremendous aesthetic, recreational, spiritual and habitat value for both urban dwellers and numerous fish and wildlife species that depend upon them.