Forest Loss - Gwaii Haanas

Forest loss is monitored annually in Gwaii Haanas with remote sensing, where forest loss is defined as a change from forest to non-forest state over a period of time. Forest loss in Gwaii Haanas is caused by 4 main mechanisms: mass wasting on steep slopes, extreme wind events, extreme rain events and forest fires. All these disturbance events can be influenced by climate change and invasive species (eg. deer). The location and extent of these events can also impact local ecological conditions. For example, the released debris from mass wasting can impact forest cover, riparian corridors, wetlands and in some cases cultural artifacts. Monitoring these landscape changes are critical for understanding landscape and community level changes to the forests of Gwaii Haanas.