Our Land, Our Life - Indigenous Peoples Land Rights
 This fact sheet presents three case studies of challenges indigenous peoples of the boreal are currently facing. (2005)
Non-Timber Forest Products
Our Life, Medicine Path: Non-Timber Forest Products of the Boreal (2005)
Originally developed for distribution at the TRN Boreal Forest Garden at London's prestigous Chelsea Flower Show, this fact sheet provides an excellent overview of the role of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in sustainable forest management. It also takes a critical look at some of the most pressing issues surrounding the development and marketing of NTFPs and highlights the ethno-botanical properties of several boreal species.
Forest Fires
A Burning Issue: Fires in the North American Boreal (2004)
This fact sheet examines the controversial issue of natural disturbance pattern emulation, which capitalizes on the role of fires in forested ecosystems, arguing that clear-cut logging mimics the effects of fire. The fact sheet outlines some of the ecological benefits of fire and exposes the myth that clear-cutting is an effective emulator of natural processes.
Forest Fires in the Russian Taiga: Natural Disaster or Poor Management? (2004)
Catastrophic forest fires in Russia are a serious threat to both the unique biodiversity of boreal forests and the global carbon balance. In recent years, the Russian fire management policy has been unclear, ineffective and non-transparent. This fact sheet traces the impact of recent changes to the Russian system of fire suppression, arguing for a more transparent and participatory apporach to forest fire management.
Reindeer Herding
The Role of Old-Growth Forests in Sámi Reindeer Herding (2004)
This fact sheet provides an overview of how Sámi reindeer herding is negatively impacted by incursions into Northern Scandinavia's endandered old-growth forests. Specific attention is paid to the Inari region in Northern Finland, where Sámi reindeer herding cooperatives have been engaged in a conflict with Finnish government over the protection of their traditional land rights.
Additional information and links to other TRN publications about Sámi Reindeer Herding and Land Rights are found on our Sámi Land Rights page.
 Illegal Logging Fact Sheet
Illegal Logging in the Boreal (2003)
During recent years, the problems associated with illegal logging have been fully recognized and brought into focus via NGO discussions, international forest policy advocates and industry. The frequency of illegal logging throughout the world is on the rise and there is no evidence to indicate this trend will abate in the near future.
This fact sheet focuses broadly on the subject of illegal logging in the boreal forest. This includes analysis of the different types of illegal forestry activities, causes, complications, case studies in Finland and Russia and the possible avenues for addressing the problem.
Download the fact sheet below to read more and visit our Timber Extraction page for more information on logging in the boreal.
 Climate Change
Taiga in Exile: Climate Change and the Boreal (2003)
The effects of climate change as a result of global warming are already being felt around the world. Temperature changes are predicted to be most severe in northern latitudes.
Did you know…
Climate models predict temperature increases as much as 5 – 10°C in some areas of the Russian and Canadian Boreal forest over the next century.
A conservative temperature increase of +2°C over the next century would force trees to migrate around 1.5 – 5.5km a year further north or higher in altitude.
Forests are generally only able to migrate at a much slower rate of between 0.02 and 2km a year.
The predicted continuing rise in global temperatures will have a severe impact on the global climate and a devastating effect on the boreal forest eco-system.
Download the fact sheet below to read more or visit our climate change page.
Trends, Friends, and Enemies (2003) is a larger report (a compilation of many fact sheets) aims to give an complete overview of the boreal (Taiga) forest by addressing the composition and biodiversity levels as well as current threats, conservation trends and the status of Indigenous Peoples.
The first section of the report focuses on present obvious, and underlying threats; Indigenous Peoples' rights and self determination; and the emerging certification standards. The second section focuses entirely on boreal countries forest status. Included are reports on Alaska, the Baltic States, Canada, Finland, Norway, Russia, Scotland and Sweden. |
