May 14, 2007

TORONTO (CP) - Scientists from more than 50 countries are urging Canada to strengthen protection for boreal forest, the Globe and Mail reports.

The plea is contained in a letter signed by 1,500 scientists who note only 10 per cent of the forest is currently protected.

The scientists say Canada's large northern forest is the biggest carbon storehouse on Earth and vital to the planet's battle with climate change.

They say it is under threat from logging, mining and oil and gas operations.

One of the scientists, Terry Root of Stanford University, says Canada's boreal forest could provide plants and animals with a sanctuary to withstand climate change until humans reduce harmful emissions.

The letter points out forests absorb and store carbon dioxide.

Global warming concerns are based on predictions human emissions of gases such as carbon dioxide are trapping heat in the atmosphere.

The boreal forest, made up primarily of coniferous trees, stretches from Alaska to Newfoundland and from the tundra to lakes Superior and Huron.

"We are concerned that current conservation planning efforts are insufficient to sustain the ecological integrity of Canada's Borean region..." the letter states.

Award-winning University of Alberta biology professor David Schindler is among the leading scientists calling for change.