Historically, foresters focused on managing timber resources. Jack Ward Thomas (1999) argued that the foresters’ roles has now changed from managing timber to responsibility for managing ecosystems. In fact, Thomas (1999) goes further to suggest this new direction for foresters is evolutionary and cannot be stopped, no more than preventing ocean tides from occurring. An expanded management focus has meant new and innovative management concepts necessitated by managing ecosystems at various temporal and spatial scales where uncertainty in knowledge is high. Adaptive management is deemed an appropriate strategy for managing these ecosystems where understanding is limited (Ontario Forest Policy Panel 1993, Baskerville 1985, Holling 1978). Within this environment, the Newfoundland Forest Service must structure a new research agenda.

Model forest, Adaptatation, Canada