The Plan is expected to be completed by Summer 1999. Improving Estimates of Carbon Fluxes from Fire in Canadian Forests Forest fires have a major influence on the carbon budget of Canada's forest. However, the published Canadian fire record prior to the 1970s is incomplete, throwing into question the validity of current carbon budget estimates. It is also critical that we establish solid linkages between climate and fire activity that can be used to project future Canadian forest disturbance regimes as climate changes. This knowledge is important both from a standpoint of understanding the terrestrial carbon budget and also permitting informed adaptation of forest management policy.
River flows into the Arctic Ocean are believed to have a critical role in driving the climate.
A critical part of MAGS focuses on a 14 month-long observational effort during 1998 and 1999. The outcome will be enhanced observations of key processes and a consistent dataset. Funding will be used to augment gaps in the 14 month measurement program. The Panel will identify the potential environmental, health, and social impacts of global climate change in Canada as fully as possible at this time. In addition, the Panel will develop recommendations for appropriate integration of scientific data and information in climate change mitigation strategies in anticipation of alternative plausible climate change scenarios.