Forests

The forests of the North Pacific Region span the full
range of northern forest types from the western slopes of
British Columbia, through the great Cordilleran Plateau,
to the foothills and plains on the eastern side of the Rocky
Mountains. To the north, the forests extend through
sub-Arctic areas finally to disappear in the barren lands

of the lower Mackenzie Valley and in northern Yukon
Territory.

The “wet belt” of the Pacific slope of British Columbia
is known as the world’s greatest coniferous region. The
Cordilleran plateau is characterized, according to climatic
conditions, by both “wet belt” and “dry belt” forests.
To the east of the Rocky Mountains, the North Pacific
forests merge into the great forest belt that stretches from
coast to coast across the northern part of Canada.

To illustrate the range and diversification of the present
cover a map of formations over the North Pacific Region,
adapted from the work of W. E. D. Halliday, “A Forest
Classification for Canada”, is appended to this chapter.

In the North Pacific Region, characterized by vast
distances and wide variations in topography, climate, and
productivity, over wide areas little more than generalization
is possible, particularly since more than half the region is
virtually unexplored. It can, however, be said that its
forest resources comprise, presently and potentially, one

of the great timber reserves of the North American
Continent.

Tt should not be assumed that forest values are expressed
entirely in yield and species. “The comparatively sparse
growth in a remote interior valley may one day transcend
in utility timber reserves in more accessible and productive
coastal valleys. The forests of the valley of the Yukon,
however thin and sparse, made possible the great mining
Operations on the Klondike and other Yukon rivers. A
15-inch log on the shore of Great Slave Lake may, in place
utility, be worth many times its footage in a locality of
forest plenty.

The far northern forests, meagre as their yield may be
in certain areas, are vital to the future economy of north-
Western Canada. They should be more closely appraised,
their conservation planned, and their safety ensured so far
as lies within the power of the State.

Estimates of timber reserves over the more heavily
timbered and accessible coastal and interior sections are
specific. For the more remote areas, notably the extreme

- north of British Columbia, the results of a forest inventory
based on ground examination coupled with air photography
have furnished more accurate estimates than had been
available previously. A fair conception of the reserves

“Over a large part of northern Alberta has been developed
but for the Mackenzie Valley and Yukon any figures

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presented are the result of spot surveys, made in conjunction
with air reconnaissance, covering only what are regarded
as the most promising sections of the area.

A recapitulation of the estimates (Table V) indicates
that there are about 98,000,000,000 board feet of merchant-
able timber in the North Pacific Region, of which about
31,000,000,000 feet are at present accessible and which, with
labour and markets available, could be logged economically.

Although there would be some advantage in discussing
these northwestern forests by physiographic regions, a
good deal of the factual material available has been reported
by the divisions or districts that have been set up for
purposes of administration.

The main divisions are:

Prince Rupert District of British Columbia, which
comprises the coastal area of the North Pacific Region,
including Queen Charlotte Islands, and the portion of the
Central Plateau generally tributary to the rivers of the

north coastal area, principal of which are the Skeena and
the Nass.

Fort George District of British Colwmbia, comprising
the section of the Central Plateau and the west slope of
the Rockies regarded as tributary to the upper Fraser and
Peace Rivers.

The Northern Forest District of British Columbia,
comprising the areas tributary to the upper Liard and
Stikine Rivers and southern tributaries of the Yukon.
This district is sub-divided into regions designated as
Regions A, B, C, and: D.

Yukon Territory, represented by an area drained by the
Yukon River and tributaries, and part of the upper Liard
Valley.

Northern Alberta, comprising the lower valley of the
Peace and tributary streams. This includes the Peace
River agricultural area and the northern Alberta foothills.

Mackenzie District, comprising areas tributary to the
Slave and Mackenzie Rivers, and the lower Liard River.

Prince Rupert District

About 45 per cent of the total merchantable timber
and about 67 per cent of the accessible merchantable
timber of the entire North Pacific Region can be found
within the forest district designated by the Province of
British Columbia as the Prince Rupert district. This
district includes, within the North Pacific Region limits,
the coastal section from Bella Coola to the Portland Canal
inclusive, the upper valleys of the Skeena and Nass Rivers,
the Bulkley Valley, the Francois Lake section and the
upper Nechako Valley. The Queen Charlotte Islands
also are included in this district.

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