Studies/Études : Increasing The Resilience of BC’s Rural Communities to Natural Disturbances and Climate Change

Source: BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management.
"Rural forest-based communities are especially vulnerable to changes in natural disturbance regimes influenced by climate change because their economic, social, and cultural aspects of life are closely linked to the local environment and climate."

"In this article, we discuss the impacts of wildfires on communities as an example of how natural disturbances impact humans. The impacts to humans of wildfire is indicative of the type of effects that other natural disturbances such as widespread insect infestation, landslides, floods, drought, storms, avalanches, permafrost melt, forest diseases, erosion, and gradual ecosystem change can have on communities. First Nations communities may be significantly and uniquely impacted by natural disturbances and climate change due to their remote location, strong connection, and heavy reliance on the environment for subsistence and in preserving their culture and their unique and often vulnerable economic situation."

Krishnaswamy, A., Simmons, E., & Joseph, L. 2012. Increasing the resilience of British Columbia’s rural communities to natural disturbances and climate change. BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management 13(1):1–15.

WWW: www.jem.forrex.org