Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2026 - REM 471 D100

Forest Ecosystems and Management (4)

Class Number: 2962

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 7, 2026: Wed, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 9 – Dec 7, 2026: Fri, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of REM 100, or GEOG 100 or 111, or EVSC 100 or BISC 102; and 45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Forests are critical components of the earth system and provide diverse ecological, economic, social, and cultural services. They are also a source of conflict regarding their conservation and use. Students will begin by examining the ecological characteristics of forest ecosystems and disturbances pertinent to North America. This knowledge will then be applied to evaluate tools of forest management for a variety of goals and objectives. The final section of the course will examine challenges and opportunities in the management of British Columbia’s forested ecosystems, including Indigenous Protected Conservation Areas, carbon accounting, and wildfire management. This course will involve lectures, group work, assignments, and possible field trips.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The education goals for this course include:

  • Developing an understanding of the structure and dynamics of forest ecosystems
  • Understand interactions between forest ecosystems and climate, hydrological, and biogeochemical systems
  • Applying ecological knowledge to determine constraints and opportunities in forest management
  • Understanding the role of disturbance in forest ecosystem management
  • Critically evaluating socio-ecological impacts and the future of forest management in BC

Grading

  • Assignments 50%
  • Quizzes 50%

NOTES:

Course outline including reading list and grade distribution is subject to change. Final course syllabus will be distributed by instructor in the first week of class.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Students may benefit from using a laptop in classes and tutorials. The SFU library has free, 4-hr loans of laptops: https://www.lib.sfu.ca/borrow/borrowmaterials/laptops-equipment/borrow-laptop

The campus-wide demand for library laptops is high and the library often runs out quickly. If you need to use the library laptops, you should show-up early at the library check-out desk.

REQUIRED READING:

A number of online (electronic) readings will be made available on CANVAS throughout the term:

Forest Management:

  • Price, K., Holt, R. F., & Daust, D. (2021). Conflicting portrayals of remaining old growth: the British Columbia case. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 51(5), 742-752
  • Beese, W. J., Dunsworth, B. G., Zielke, K., & Bancroft, B. (2003). Maintaining attributes of old-growth forests in coastal BC through variable retention. The Forestry Chronicle, 79(3), 570-578.
  • Hoffman, K.M., Lertzman, K.P., Starzomski, B.M., (2017). Ecological legacies of anthropogenic burning in a British Columbia coastal temperate rain forest. Journal of Biogeography 44, 2903-2915. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13096
  • Moore, R.D., Wondzell, S.M., (2005). Physical Hydrology and the Effects of Forest Harvesting in the Pacific Northwest: A Review. JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association 41, 763-784. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-1688.2005.tb03770.x
  • Portmann, R., Beyerle, U., Davin, E., Fischer, E.M., De Hertog, S., Schemm, S., 2022. Global forestation and deforestation affect remote climate via adjusted atmosphere and ocean circulation. Nat Commun 13, 5569. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-33279-9

Ecosystem Disturbance:
  • Parisien, M. A., Barber, Q. E., Bourbonnais, M. L., Daniels, L. D., Flannigan, M. D., Gray, R. W., & Whitman, E. (2023). Abrupt, climate-induced increase in wildfires in British Columbia since the mid-2000s. Communications Earth & Environment, 4(1), 309.
  • Copes‐Gerbitz, K., Daniels, L. D., & Hagerman, S. M. (2023). The contribution of Indigenous stewardship to an historical mixed‐severity fire regime in British Columbia, Canada. Ecological Applications, 33(1), e2736.
  • Romualdi, D. C., Wilkinson, S. L., & James, P. M. A. (2023). On the limited consensus of mountain pine beetle impacts on wildfire. Landscape Ecology, 38(9), 2159-2178.
  • Daniels, L.D., Dickson-Hoyle, S., Baron, J.N., Copes-Gerbitz, K., Flannigan, M.D., Castellanos-Acuna, D., Hoffman, K.M., Bourbonnais, M., Wilkinson, S.L., Roeser, D. and Harvey, J.E., 2024. The 2023 wildfires in British Columbia, Canada: impacts, drivers, and transformations to coexist with wildfire. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 55, pp.1-18.
  • IPCC. (2022). Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Working Group II Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report. Chapter 2: Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecosystems and their Services, Sections 2.3–2.5 (Hazards and Exposure; Observed Impacts; Projected Risks). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009325844.020

Forest Policy and Governance:
  • Sutherland, I. J., Copes-Gerbitz, K., Parrott, L., & Rhemtulla, J. M. (2023). Dynamics in the landscape ecology of institutions: Lags, legacies, and feedbacks drive path-dependency of forest landscapes in British Columbia, Canada 1858–2020. Landscape Ecology, 38(12), 4325-4341.
  • Dickson-Hoyle, S., Copes-Gerbitz, K., Hagerman, S. M., & Daniels, L. D. (2023). Community Forests advance local wildfire governance and proactive management in British Columbia, Canada. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 54(3), 290-304.
  • Devisscher, T., Spies, J., & Griess, V. C. (2021). Time for change: Learning from community forests to enhance the resilience of multi-value forestry in British Columbia, Canada. Land use Policy, 103, 105317.
  • IPCC. (2022). Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Working Group II Contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report. Chapter 2: Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecosystems and their Services, Section 2.6 (Adaptation, Limits and Opportunities). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009325844.020

RECOMMENDED READING:

Textbook: There is no requirement to purchase a textbook for this class. However, supplementary readings for the first few weeks will be from:

  • Young, R. A., & Giese, R. L. (Eds.). (2002). Introduction to forest ecosystem science and management. John Wiley & Sons. Available from the SFU bookstore, or PDF online.

Additional Resources and Context (not required reading)
  • Pojar, J., & MacKinnon, A. (Eds.). (2004). Plants of Coastal British Columbia: Including Washington, Oregon & Alaska (Rev. ed.). Lone Pine
  • Meidinger D, Pojar J. (1991). Ecosystems of British Columbia. (D. Meidinger & J. Pojar, Eds.), Special Report Series 6. Victoria, BC: Research Branch BC Ministry of forests. Retrieved from h ttps://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/srs/srs06.htm

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.