Forestry Flashcards
(36 cards)
What is maximum sustainable yield?
The greatest amount of something which can be harvested sustainably.
What is transpiration?
Plants loss of water - mainly through the stomata
What is the importance of timber from forests?
Used for construction materials, furniture, tools etc.
What is the importance of fuel from forests?
Used for firewood or fuelwood (particularly for LEDCS)
What is the importance of forests for food?
Provides fruit, nuts, leaves etc. as well as space for agriculture and crops such as coffee or bananas to be grown.
What is the importance of fibres from forests?
Paper can be made from cellulose fibres. Cotton can also be produced.
What is the importance of forests for medicines?
Poppies = codine
Yew tree = taxol
Cinchona tree = quinine
What are the 7 life support services given by forests?
Atmospheric regulation
Habitat and wildlife refuge
Regulation of water cycle
Climate regulation
Soil conservation
Shelter and microclimate
Recreation and amenity use
How do forests regulate the atmosphere?
Regulates oxygen by releasing oxygen through photosynthesis as well as aerobic organisms.
Regulates carbon dioxide through carbon sequestration and takes CO2 from the atmosphere.
How do forests provide habitats and wildlife refuge?
Provides habitats for a number of animals through a variety of abiotic factors - this increases the biodiversity of the forest.
How do forests regulate the water cycle?
Increased transpiration rates so there is more precipitation.
Also trees act as interception from rain etc. so evaporation is increased but infiltration is decreased.
How do forests regulate the microclimate?
Lower wind velocity
Higher humidity levels
How do forests regulate global climate?
Lowers the albedo so there is a increased rate of absorption and more heat storage.
Sunlight which is absorbed during the day is radiated at night so temps are regulated.
How do forests help with soil conservation?
Root binding and interception reduces soil erosion.
Dead vegetation help with the fertility of the soil and humus or DOM binds the soil together.
How do forests provide shelter and impact the microclimate?
The canopy creates a wider range of conditions which change the microclimate will also mean that different species can benefit from the new conditions.
How do forests benefit recreation?
Ecotourism and can be used for activities such as walking, cycling etc.
What are the main characteristics of traditional forest management?
Range of tree species.
Trees allowed to reach maturity.
Coppicing and pollarding used.
What are the abiotic differences between natural forests and plantations?
Plantations have thicker canopies which means there is less light than in natural forests.
Natural forests have more humidity and more soil moisture as well as increased wind velocity.
What are the biotic differences between natural forests and plantations?
Natural has more ground vegetation and more species diversity.
Plantations have a higher density of trees and more non indigenous trees.
What factors will influence the choice of species for forest plantations?
Growth rates.
Resistance to pests.
Ability to grow in certain soils.
Ability to survive climate conditions.
Demand for particular products.
How does the growth of non-indigenous species increase productivity?
The species may be better adapted to environmental conditions.
How does the growth of non-indigenous species impact biodiversity?
The trees grown would be be less likely to support indigenous species with food pollination etc. which means there would be less biodiversity.
How do monocultures increase productivity?
Means that management if the species would be easier as activities such as planting or felling would be able to be carried out over large areas at the same time.
How do monocultures impact biodiversity?
Monocultures would mean that not all needs of species will be met so biodiversity will be reduced.
