In Alberta, the department of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) manages forests and forest resources. The government encourages the forest industry to implement forest management practices to minimize negative impacts on the surrounding environment. These practices include; monitoring protocols and using indicators to evaluate the impact of forest disturbances on soil, watersheds, and wildlife habitats. In addition to these best practices, the ESRD has implemented rules for timber harvesting throughout the Province. These rules reduce negative impacts from access roads and harvesting activities. Additionally, ESRD has implemented a MPB Management Strategy for Alberta to address infestations in forests across Alberta [1]. Strategies include improved planning and management strategies for forest harvesting.
Overall, to manage impacts on the environment and watersheds, the forestry industry in Alberta must use holistic management practices that recognize their impact on integrated ecosystems. By implementing this strategy, the forestry industry can address economic growth and demand while meeting appropriate environmental and social standards.
Natural Resources Canada defines sustainable forest management as a way of using and caring for forests so as to maintain their environmental, social and economic values and benefits over time.
In Alberta, timber is a valuable resource and the forestry industry is centred on harvesting trees for timber. But forests and their trees deliver extremely valuable water quality services, including slowing down water flows during rain events. Tree roots also hold soil in place, protecting soil from the crumbling and eroding effects of wind and rain.
Because forests perform valuable water quality functions, logging activities can result in negative water quality impacts. Sustainable forest management is therefore, in part, about minimizing negative impacts on water quality through the appropriate harvesting and planting of trees (forest resources).
During a rain event, areas that have been harvested for timber usually experience higher runoff volumes traveling downstream at a faster rate. The result: higher flows in creeks and rivers and an increased potential for erosion.
Clear-cut logging and using heavy equipment to harvest trees can disturb the topsoil and undergrowth of a forest, resulting in sediment flowing into streams. Exposed soil can also release natural chemicals, nutrients and metals (e.g., mercury), which can contaminate water.
Removing trees, especially from a riparian area or wetland, may impair that area’s ability to hold sediment in place, and can capture and remove some sediment and contaminants already in the water. When these functions are impaired, water quality decreases.
Like the agriculture sector, the forestry sector uses Best Management Practices (BMPs) that are designed to reduce negative water quality impacts.
Reducing the damage to the soil, regenerating the forest quickly, and not harvesting on slopes or near water bodies are all good forest management practices.
Some of the most important forest management BMPs include selection of access road locations to reduce potential for erosion and soil disturbance, implementing a well-designed road drainage system that reduces erosion and sediment delivery to streams, installation and maintenance of silt screens or fences, and conducting selective harvesting.
Share this Post:
We provide Canadian educational resources on water practices to promote conservation and sustainability. Our team crafts current and relevant content, while encouraging feedback and engagement.
The Canada WaterPortal is a registered charity, #807121876RR0001
We recognize and respect the sovereignty of the Indigenous Peoples and communities on whose land our work takes place.
© 2025 All Rights Reserved.