6.3.2 (d) management of an ecosystem Flashcards
why is sustainability needed?
growing human population means that environmental resources have to be exploited to maintain human development
what is a sustainable resource?
a renewable resource that is being economically exploited but will never run out
what are the aims of sustainability?
to preserve the environment
ensure resources are available for future generations
allow humans in all societies to live comfortably
reasons for sustainable timber production
maintaining the forest’s biodiversity
sustaining the global demands of wood
keep the economic viability of timber production
what is coppicing?
tree trunk is cut close to the ground and the new shoots are grown and matured
these new shoots are cut and more shoots are planted
benefits of coppicing
means that new trees dont need to be planted
what is rotational coppicing?
woodland is divided into sections and only trees in a certain section are cut
this process is continued until you reach the trees which were fist coppiced and the cycle begins again
how does rotational coppicing maintain biodiversity?
trees can never grow enough to block out the light hence succession cannot occur and so more species are able to survive
what is pollarding?
same as coppicing but the trunk is cut higher up to prevent deer and other animals from eating the shoots
what do timber companies do to ensure large-scale production of timber is sustainable?
selective cutting
replace trees that have been cut down by newer trees
plant trees away from each other to reduce competition
manage pests and pathogens
allow for land to belong to indigenous people
what is selective cutting?
only removing the larger trees
why is it important to replace cut down trees?
to ensure the water cycle and mineral cycles are maintained
why is it important to place new trees away from each other?
reduces competition for light which means trees can grow more
why is large-scale timber production detrimental for the ecosystem?
removal of trees impacts the nitrogen and carbon cycle which thus impacts the rest of the ecosystem
soil becomes less nutrient rich
why has the population of fish decreased?
overfishing
