Lecture 3A Flashcards
Forest Dynamics, Growth, and Yield (Part 1) (49 cards)
What is forest structure?
It refers to the amount, composition, and distribution of the forest growing stock.
How can forest structure be viewed?
It may be viewed in terms of its stratification.
What are the types of stratification in forest structure?
Vertical stratification and horizontal stratification.
What is stand stocking?
A qualitative indicator of the distribution of trees in the stand.
What does stand stocking measures compare
existing stand with a desired stand based on the objective(s) of the management
existing stand with a desired stand based on the objective(s) of the management are compared in?
stand stocking measures
What is stand density?
A quantitative indicator of the distribution of trees in the stand.
What does Stand density measures provide?
a more useful information in estimating growth and yield (no. of trees/ha, vol of trees/ha, basal area/ha, spacing)
What is forest growth?
Refers to the rate of change in the diameter, height, or volume of trees.
What is forest dynamics?
The study of temporal changes in forest structure, composition, and function.
What influences forest dynamics?
Tree growth and disturbances,
Resource availability,
Environmental conditions.
What are fundamental drivers of forest development?
Light, water, and nutrients.
Why is studying forest dynamics important?
- Helps predict how forests will respond to environmental changes
- Guides forest management strategies.
What are forests as dynamic systems composed of?
Interdependent elements such as soil, trees, vegetation, microorganisms, and fauna.
What governs forests as dynamic systems?
Specific rules and relationships like:
- soil structure and nutrient cycling
- Canopy structure affecting sunlight penetration
- Species composition influencing biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
What characterizes forests as open systems?
- Constant exchange of energy, matter, and biological components with the environment.
- Climate influence on tree growth and stress responses
- Human activities altering nutrient dynamics and carbon storage
What factors influence forest structure?
Species composition
Growth rates
Historical disturbances.
What is canopy layering?
Provides different light zones including emergent, canopy, understory, and ground layers.
Provides different light zones including emergent, canopy, understory, and ground layers.
canopy layering
How are forests shaped by history?
Some species develop resilience to frequent disturbances
Altered regeneration patterns occur.
What are closed feedback loops in forests?
Self-organizing mechanisms that maintain stability and productivity.
What is positive feedback in forest ecosystems?
Accelerated growth under optimal conditions.
What is negative feedback in forest ecosystems?
Growth limitation due to resource scarcity or stress factors.
How are forests hierarchically organized?
Structures and processes can be investigated at different temporal and spatial scales.
