'Much world attention has focussed on the loss and degradation of tropical forests over the past three decades, but now the boreal forest is poised to become the next Amazon,' said Bradshaw.

'Historically, fire and insects have driven the natural dynamics of boreal ecosystems,' said Warkentin.

'But with rising demand for resources, human disturbances caused by logging, mining and urban development have increased in these forests during recent years, with extensive forest loss for some regions and others facing heavy fragmentation and exploitation,' he added.

The findings have been published online in Trends in Ecology and Evolution.