| One-third of the region of Montérégie—bordered to the north by the waters of the St. Lawrence river and to the south by the United States—is covered by mixed forest. Here the white and red pines, spruce, and balsam fir of northern forests mingle with the wild cherry, sugar maple, birch, and aspen of temperate regions. The Québec forest, which covers almost two-thirds of the province, contributes to the prosperity of Canada, which is the world’s biggest producer of newsprint, second biggest of wood pulp, and third biggest of lumber. Canada’s forests have diminished significantly as a result of long overexploitation, insect parasites, and damage by acid rain. Since 1992, the country has been trying to practice sustainable forestry in an effort to satisfy environmental, economic, social, and cultural demands. More than 123 million acres (50 million ha), or 12 percent, of Canada’s forests are protected.
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