As the science of forest management, silviculture research and harvesting methods and techniques evolve, so too will Alberta's sustainable harvest levels. Many societal, biological and economic variables and expectations must be considered in determining sustainable harvest levels. Often these variables and expectations are ill-defined or difficult to quantify. Therefore, reasonable assumptions must be made in the absence of perfect information. As new and better information is obtained, or, as societal demands change, harvest levels will be reviewed and revised if necessary, to ensure the integrity and sustainability of Alberta's forests are not compromised.
Forests continue to be one of Alberta's most valuable resources providing many benefits.
This immensely valuable resource is not only vulnerable to such natural forces as wildfire, insects and diseases but is under increasing demand for its use. The need to conserve the forest land base for recreation, wildlife and watershed values, while making the best use of its timber and other resources, requires responsible forest management. A major challenge affecting timber supply involves the demands by both consumptive and non consumptive sectors to access the same land base. Using a balanced approach of protection and integrated resource management helps to maintain the province's biological diversity while permitting sustainable development that provides continued benefits to Albertans now and in the future. The volume of timber determined to be available for harvest on a sustainable basis in Alberta is based on what the forest will grow rather than on the size of the existing industry.