DIVERSE 101 - DIVERSE

What is DIVERSE ?

DIVERSE is a Pan-Canadian research initiative dedicated to advancing forest management through an innovative approach emphasizing functional diversity and ecological connectivity. The project seeks to enhance forest resilience to global changes while fostering social acceptance and sustainable forest stewardship.

Why DIVERSE ?

In recent decades, human activities have profoundly impacted Earth’s ecosystems, leading to unexpected disturbances and mounting socio-economic pressures.

These challenges have weakened the resilience of forest ecosystems globally and their capacity to provide essential ecosystem services.

The Anthropocene era has led us to rethink traditional forestry practices and conservation strategies.

DIVERSE integrates innovative forest management approaches that emphasize ecological functionality and connectivity to navigate the growing uncertainties posed by accelerating and cumulative global changes.

Project goal

To harmonize forestry practices with the need to enhance the adaptation of Canadian forests to the stressors of global changes.

By integrating resilience-focused methods into industry and provincial policies, we seek to shift public perception of forestry from a destructive activity to a vital practice that reinforce forest resilience and adaptability.

This transformation will ensure that forests continue to provide essential ecosystem services, supporting a sustainable and resilient future.

Project value

The DIVERSE Project offers a significant opportunity to advance the resilience and adaptability of Canada’s forests in response to global changes, ensuring the continued provision of vital ecosystem services.

Specifically, The DIVERSE Project aims to:

Implement Innovative Strategies: Test novel approaches to enhance the adaptability and resilience of forests against global threats;
Improve Uncertainty Management: Develop better methods to navigate increasing social and environmental uncertainties;
Transform Public Perception: Redefine forestry as a key intervention for strengthening forest resilience and sustainability, shifting its image from exploitation to stewardship.

Project team

To achieve this, a group of 8 Master and 11 Doctoral students, 8 post-docs, and 5 research professionals will be distributed across seven universities (Université du Québec en Outaouais, University of Alberta, Université Laval, University of Toronto, Université TÉLUQ, University of British Columbia, and Dalhousie University) in Canada.

These students and personnel will conduct research under the supervision of a group of >50 researchers from Canada and the world (12 co-applicants and >40 collaborators).

The project will also maintain close partnerships with 24 project partners from Indigenous, industry, government and non-government organizations located across Canada.

Research and communication strategy

Research results and findings will aim to be published in the best scientific journals and made available to partners and the public through seminars, field visits, and short written, audio, and video reports.

The media will also be invited to report on the main findings of this research program. The program will be overseen by science and a steering committee composed of both partners and researchers.

The DIVERSE Project is being supported through contributions from partners, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and MITACS, totaling 7 444 500$.

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