A coffee with Christian Messier | A vaccine against forest fires

Christian Messier is convinced that he has the right solution. He made it a battle horse, rallying the various Canadian stakeholders in forest management to his cause, one after the other.

What is it about ? The equivalent of a vaccine for our forests. A vaccine that would strengthen our forests against fires and other upheavals caused by climate change.

More specifically, he is convinced that we must diversify the species of trees planted in our boreal forest and focus on those that are more resistant to fires, new insects and the high winds brought by climate change. In short, a vaccine for the forest.

The man I met is a world authority on forest ecology. Professor and researcher for 32 years at the University of Quebec (Outaouais and Montreal), in particular, Christian Messier has devoted his career to fundamental and applied research.

His work has earned him a plethora of local and international recognition, including the Marie-Victorin Prize, in 2023, one of the ten categories of the Prix du Québec.

Forest fires, for those who have forgotten the smell and smog that invaded Montreal and New York, ravaged 4.3 million hectares of forest last summer, the equivalent of 10% of Quebec’s forest cover. . That’s more than the previous 20 years combined^⁠1.

According to Christian Messier, the conifers found in Northern Quebec, particularly spruce trees and their resins, are more flammable. We must therefore diversify our forests to make them more resilient.

Hardwood trees, among others, are more resilient to fires. Certain conifers could also do the trick, such as red pines, whose bark is thicker and more resistant.

And generally speaking, species biodiversity is crucial for the health and productivity of ecosystems. Christian Messier was the first to confirm these benefits of diversity at the scale of the forest biome, 12 years ago, in research that delighted ecological researchers around the world.

In short, a diverse forest is stronger, more productive and better adapted to climate risks. “It’s like a retirement fund that diversifies its investments to reduce risk,” he explains to me.

To ensure we hit the mark, Christian Messier launched pan-Canadian research to verify the concrete effects of a change in commercial practices on the ground, with funding of 7.5 million.

Currently, the regulations are made to encourage producers to plant in commercial zones the same two categories of trees that are demanded by the market, mainly spruces (for 2 x 4 studs) and pines. No more.

His battle for diversity is shared by the Chief Forester of Quebec, Louis Pelletier^⁠2, but also by industry – which funds its research – and by the federal government. Only the relevant ministries of the provincial governments are hesitant, and in particular that of Quebec.

Christian Messier therefore proposes, in a way, an “assisted migration of species”. This diversification will even be part of a suggestion in the committee’s report on adaptation to climate change, he tells me, a report which will be submitted to Prime Minister François Legault in the coming weeks.

The report will make the recommendation, but will specify that diversification will be done while respecting the natural composition of the forest.

Yes, but will these new species manage to take root in our northern climate?

“The climate has warmed so much that it is now possible. Some tell me they have had success planting white oaks or sugar maples in Abitibi, which was not possible before. »

Nature itself will not be able to quickly replace the forest cover, he says. For example, maple stands, with the dispersal of their seeds, move 1 kilometer every 50 years. However, the climate is going 500 times faster, he says.

Yes, but doesn’t this human intervention risk disrupting ecosystems?

This is the fear of opponents, hence the importance of research. But ultimately, “the most important thing is to protect the forests”, where 85% of biodiversity lives.

Yes, but won’t this change cause the industry to lose volume of marketable wood in the coming years? Absolutely, but the industry is ready to adapt, to find outlets for the new forest, maintains Mr. Messier.

And after all, does the industry have a choice, knowing the enormous losses caused by fires?

Finally, a financial argument risks tipping the scales. According to Christian Messier, the federal government is willing to finance the reforestation of commercial areas decimated by the fires from the fund for the 2 billion tree project. One of the conditions requested by the federal government in Quebec: that we diversify plantations to make our forests more resilient.

“I struggle with this every day,” he told me.

The stakes are high. Reforestation of key areas of the ravaged boreal forest would cost some $600 million, six times more than the usual annual bill^⁠3.

Christian Messier fights for our forests. Hopefully its vaccine will help them, in the long term, like those who beat the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Read the SOPFEU season report

2. Check out the Chief Forester’s thoughts

3. Read the article “Patching up our burned forest”