SAF 1102 Flashcards
(140 cards)
1
Q
What is silviculture?
A
The art and science of raising trees/forest crops, till the parturition.
It serves as the backbone of forestry.
2
Q
How is silviculture related to other branches of forestry?
A
Silviculture is the hub of the wheel; all other branches of forestry are connected to it, including forest protection, management, economics, utilization, mensuration, and soils & ecology.
3
Q
What is the role of forest management?
A
Practical application of techniques and economics, involving setting goals, developing strategies, and monitoring forest resources.
4
Q
Define mensuration in forestry.
A
Branch of forestry that deals with the measurement, determination of dimension, form, volume, age, increments of trees.
5
Q
What is a silviculture system?
A
Method of removing old plants and planting new and beneficial trees in the forest.
6
Q
What does silvics study?
A
The life history and general characteristics of forest trees and crops with particular reference to environmental factors as the basis for practice of Silviculture.
7
Q
What is social forestry?
A
Forestry for the people, of the people, and by the people.
8
Q
What is agroforestry?
A
Growing of annual crops with perennials simultaneously.
9
Q
What are the objectives of silviculture?
A
Crop composition, control, production of high economic value crops, control of stand density, quality timber production, control on rotation period, man-made forests, management facilitation, and protection of site and intangible returns.
10
Q
What is afforestation?
A
Planting new forests in non-forested areas.
11
Q
What is deforestation?
A
Cutting down existing forests.
12
Q
What does degradation refer to in forestry?
A
Decline in the quality and health of forests due to damage or overuse.
13
Q
Define hardy species.
A
Organisms that can survive in harsh conditions like extreme temperatures, drought, or poor soils, requiring minimal care.
14
Q
What is regeneration in the context of forestry?
A
New growth that develops in a forest without falling; renewal of a forest crop by natural or artificial means.
15
Q
What is natural regeneration?
A
When new plant/tree species are formed by natural means, i.e., renewal of a forest crop by self-sown seed or by coppice or root suckers.
16
Q
What are the factors affecting seed production?
A
- Species
- Age
- Site
- Weather conditions
- Diseases
17
Q
What is dissemination in the context of seed propagation?
A
The dispersal of seeds from one place to another through various agents necessary for germination.
18
Q
List the different agencies for seed dissemination.
A
- Wind
- Water
- Animals
- Birds
- Gravity
19
Q
What is germination?
A
The process by which a seed sprouts and begins to grow into a plant.
20
Q
What is the germination capacity?
A
The percentage, by number of seed in a given sample that can actually germinate, irrespective of time.
21
Q
What influences the establishment of seedlings?
A
- Edaphic factors (soil)
- Climatic factors (precipitation, temperature)
- Development of roots
- Light and genetic factors
- Biotic factors
22
Q
What are the signs of seed maturity?
A
- Most fruits turn reddish-brown when ripe
- Pulp softens and skin wrinkles
- Hardening of seed
- Specific gravity less than 1 for conifers
23
Q
What is the ideal condition for seed storage?
A
Conditions that minimize respiration and transpiration without damaging the seed’s vitality.
24
Q
What does broad-cast sowing entail?
A
Planting seeds by scattering them over a large area, either by hand or mechanically.
25
What is grafting?
Technique in which tissues of plants are joined to continue their growth together.
26
What is coppicing?
Cutting a tree or plant near ground level to produce new shoots from the base.
27
What is grafting in plants?
Technique in which tissues of plants are joined to continue their growth together.
## Footnote
The upper part is called the scion and the lower part is the root stock.
28
When is grafting typically done in Kashmir?
In the dormant season, after December.
29
What is coppice?
Tree, plants, or seedlings of a species when cut near the ground level, produce coppice shoots.
30
Define coppice crop.
When regeneration obtained by coppice forms a crop.
31
What is a coppice forest?
When coppice crop develops into a forest.
32
What is seedling coppice?
Coppice shoots that grow from seedlings under/below the ground when natural shoots are injured.
33
Give examples of strong coppicers.
* Teak
* Sal
* Salix (Kashmir)
* Acacia catechu
* Robinia pseudoacacia
* Morus albus
34
List examples of bad coppicers.
* Bombax ceiba
* Casuarina equisetifolia
* Populus ciliata
35
What are suckers in plants?
New plant grows from a sucker, which is a stem that grows from the parent plant’s stem or root.
36
What are pollard shoots?
Shoots from a tree whose stem has been cut off to obtain a flush of shoots above browsing height.
37
What is a plus tree?
Tree with superior phenotypic characters selected for breeding.
38
Define artificial regeneration.
Renewal of crops either by sowing or planting or by any other artificial means.
39
What is enrichment planting?
Plantation planned to fill up blank patches artificially.
40
What are the main reasons for opting for artificial regeneration?
* Supplementing Natural Regeneration
* Replacement of Natural Regeneration
* Restocking & Revegetating degraded forest areas
* Increasing overall production
41
What is the significance of regeneration surveys?
They determine how well trees are growing back and what the species composition is.
42
True or False: Artificial regeneration is always more cost-effective than natural regeneration.
False.
43
What factors govern the choice of regeneration techniques?
* Risk of loss & deterioration of soil
* Change in crop composition
* Genetic considerations
* Risk of damage by pests
* Density of stocking
* Yield
44
What are fast-growing species?
Species that have a height increment of 60cm per annum and maximum yield of 10 cubic meters per hectare per annum in short rotations of 10 to 15 years.
45
What is the ideal nursery?
* Suitable environment
* Storage facilities
* Proper drainage
* Protection from pests and diseases
46
Define broadcast sowing.
Scattering of seeds over an area.
47
What are the advantages of planting over sowing?
* Less seed required
* Damage to seed by birds is eliminated
* Success is relatively ensured
* Weeding is cheaper
48
What is reforestation?
Restocking of a felled or cleared forest by artificial means.
49
What is afforestation?
Planting/establishment of a forest on an area that has been devoid of vegetation for years.
50
What is protective forestry?
Practice of forestry with the primary object of protecting lands against erosion and conserving water supplies.
51
What is social forestry?
Practice of forestry on lands outside conventional forest areas for the benefit of rural and urban communities.
52
What does the classification of forests include?
* Physiognomy
* Structure
* Function
* Floristics
* Dynamics
* Habitat
* Physiography
* History
53
What is ecological classification based on?
Based mainly on the ecosystem consisting of vegetation and environment.
54
What does physiography refer to?
Natural features of the earth's surface
55
What is history in the context of vegetation?
Past biotic influences on a site and its vegetation
56
What are the three systems of classification of vegetation?
* Botanical
* Climatic
* Ecological
57
What is classification based mainly on vegetation?
Study of plant communities based on physiognomy, structure, composition, and dynamics
58
Who proposed classifications based mainly on vegetation?
* Braun-Blanquet
* Beard
* Fosberg
* Webb
59
What does ecological classification emphasize?
Both vegetation and climate
60
Who proposed important classifications in ecological zones?
* Burtt-Davy
* Swain
* Gaussen
* Champion and Seth
61
Which formula was adopted by Seth and Khan for bioclimatic classification?
Emberger's formula
62
What factors did Gaussen use for differentiating bioclimatic types?
* Temperature
* Rainfall
* Duration of the dry period
63
What classification method did Schimper use?
Classified vegetation according to temperature zones and further based on moisture conditions
64
What is the basis for Thornthwaite's classification?
'Temperature efficiency' (T.E.)
65
What are the five major groups of forests in India according to Champion and Seth?
* Tropical Forests
* Montane Subtropical Forests
* Montane Temperate Forests
* Sub-alpine Forests
* Alpine Scrub
66
What are the designations for types in the classification of forest types?
* C: Climax formations
* E: Edaphic climax formation
* 1S: Primary sere
* 2S: Secondary sere
* TS: Tropical swamps
* FS: Freshwater swamps
67
What is the rainfall range for Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest?
2000-6400mm
68
What major species are found in Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest?
* Dipterocarpus
* Mesua
* Artocarpus
69
What type of forest is characterized by predominantly evergreen trees but also includes deciduous trees?
Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests
70
Which forest type has mostly deciduous trees with an evergreen lower storey?
Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests
71
What is the flowering age of trees affected by?
* Internal factors (florigins, carbohydrates)
* External factors (temperature, light)
72
What is the term for trees that have both unisexual and bisexual flowers?
Polygamous
73
What is the interval between pollination and seed ripening for Cedrus deodara?
12-13 months
74
What are the two types of flowering in bamboo?
* Gregarious flowering
* Sporadic flowering
75
What is the importance of moisture in vegetation?
* Essential for physiological activities
* Required for soil formation
* Needed for photosynthesis, respiration, and transpiration
76
What climatic factors influence vegetation?
* Light
* Atmospheric temperature
* Pressure
* Humidity
* Wind
77
What is albedo?
The percentage of incoming radiation reflected back by the atmosphere
78
What does photoperiodism refer to?
Response of plants to the relative length of day and night
79
What is the effect of excessively high temperature on plant life?
May cease life processes and result in plant death
80
What percentage of the cell wall is formed by water?
90-95%
81
Fill in the blank: Factors of locality are the effective climatic, edaphic, topographic, & biotic conditions of a site, which influence the _______.
Vegetation of the locality
82
What is excessive transpiration?
Excessive transpiration may result in desiccation of plant tissue
83
What can cause cracking in a plant's stem?
Cracking in the stem is due to the shrinking of the outer tissue
84
What is the most important factor influencing vegetation?
Moisture is the most important factor influencing vegetation
85
What percentage of the cell wall is formed by water?
90-95% of the cell wall is formed by water
86
What are the physiological activities that require water?
* Photosynthesis
* Respiration
* Transpiration
87
What are the sources of moisture in the environment?
* Precipitation (rain, snow, hail)
* Dew
* Hoar frost
* Invisible condensation of moisture
88
How is rain formed?
Rain is formed as drops of water resulting from the condensation of water vapor in the upper air
89
What climatic influences affect rainfall in India?
* Advancing southwest monsoon
* Retreating northeast monsoon
* Cyclonic depressions
* Westerly depressions
* Nor'westers and thunderstorms
90
What is hail?
Hail is the freezing of rain drops into pellets of ice varying in diameter from about half a centimetre to over 2 cm
91
What is dew?
Dew is formed when a cold object cools below the dew point, causing condensation of water vapor
92
What is hoar frost?
Hoar frost is the condensation of water vapor as ice crystals when the dew point is below freezing
93
How does humidity affect vegetation?
Humidity affects evaporation and transpiration, which influences moisture availability to plants
94
True or False: Wind has only harmful effects on trees.
False, wind has both favorable and harmful effects on trees
95
What are the direct harmful effects of wind on trees?
* Timber rupture
* Trees bending
* Uprooting trees or damaging branches
* Elliptic bole formation
96
What is bioclimate?
Bioclimate refers to the climate defined by various climatic factors influencing vegetation collectively
97
What is microclimate?
Microclimate is the climate of small areas that differs significantly from the general climate of the area
98
What are edaphic factors?
Edaphic factors are ecological influences characteristic of the soil due to its physical and chemical characteristics
99
What are the active factors responsible for soil formation?
* Climate
* Biological agencies (vegetation & animals)
100
What are the passive factors in soil formation?
* Parent rock
* Topography
* Time
101
What is physical weathering?
Physical weathering is the disintegration of rocks by atmospheric agents without altering their chemical composition
102
What is chemical weathering?
Chemical weathering involves changes in the chemical composition of rocks due to reactions with water and other substances
103
What role does climate play in soil formation?
Climate affects soil formation through temperature, precipitation, and the production and decomposition of organic matter
104
How do biological agencies influence soil formation?
Biological agencies influence soil formation through the physical and chemical effects of plants and animals
105
What is the influence of parent rock on soil formation?
Parent rock affects soil properties and the growth and distribution of tree species
106
What is the effect of topography on soil formation?
Topography modifies the effects of climate and parent rock, influencing erosion and soil depth
107
How does time affect soil formation?
Soil formation is a slow process that takes hundreds of thousands of years to develop from bare rock
108
What is a soil profile?
A soil profile is the vertical section of soil showing distinct layers called soil horizons
109
What are soil horizons?
Soil horizons are layers in a soil profile that can be differentiated by field examination
110
What is the A horizon in soil profiles?
The A horizon is the uppermost horizon of the mineral soil, primarily a horizon of eluviation
111
What is soil texture?
Soil texture refers to the relative proportion of various size groups of soil particles
112
List the soil particle size groups.
* Clay: particles < 0.002mm
* Silt: particles 0.002mm - 0.02mm
* Fine sand: particles 0.02mm - 0.2mm
* Coarse sand: particles 0.2mm - 2.0mm
* Gravel: particles > 2.0mm
113
What is cation exchange capacity?
Cation exchange capacity is the total capacity of soil to hold cations, influencing nutrient availability
114
What does soil pH indicate?
Soil pH indicates the acidity or alkalinity of the soil solution, affecting nutrient availability and microbial activity
115
What is the silica-sesquioxide ratio?
The silica-sesquioxide ratio is the relationship between silica and sesquioxides in soil, affecting cation exchange capacity
116
List the major mineral nutrients essential for plants.
* Nitrogen
* Phosphorus
* Potassium
* Calcium
117
What is the effect of nitrogen deficiency in plants?
Nitrogen deficiency results in short and thin shoots, sparse leaves, and early defoliation
118
What are the effects of high acidity in soil?
High acidity can lead to nitrogen deficiency and affects nutrient availability
119
What is the impact of altitude on vegetation?
Altitude affects solar radiation, temperature, and rainfall, influencing vegetation growth
120
How does latitude affect vegetation?
Latitude determines temperature variations as the distance from the equator increases
121
What is the role of slope in soil moisture?
Slope affects run-off and drainage, influencing the moisture regime of the soil
122
Define aspect in relation to vegetation.
Aspect is the direction a slope faces, affecting the amount of solar radiation received
123
What is the effect of slope on soil drainage?
Soils on hill slopes and moderately sloping plains are well-drained, while absolutely flat land in plains is badly drained.
124
How does slope affect temperature and moisture?
Slope modifies the intensity of insolation, affecting the temperature and moisture of the surface soil.
125
Define aspect in the context of slopes.
Aspect is the direction towards which a slope faces.
126
What does exposure refer to?
Exposure is the relation of a site to weather conditions, especially sun and wind.
127
How do southerly aspects compare to northerly aspects in India?
Southerly aspects are comparatively warmer than northern slopes.
128
What is the influence of biotic factors?
Biotic factors are the influence of living organisms on soil and vegetation.
129
What happens when vegetation first establishes on a site?
Plants increase in number and compete for essential requirements of life.
130
What is the competition among plants referred to as?
Survival of the fittest.
131
Name a harmful plant found in forests.
Examples include parasites, epiphytes, climbers, and weeds like Lantana camara.
132
What is the role of insects in forest ecosystems?
Insects are integral, with some being useful and others harmful.
133
What is Hoplocerambyx spinicornis known for?
It is a harmful insect known as the sal borer that tunnels in timber and can kill trees.
134
How do animals influence forest environments?
Animals help in pollination and seed dispersal but can damage forest crops.
135
What is a consequence of overpopulation of certain species like cheetals?
It adversely affects the regeneration of species like sal.
136
What role does man play in affecting vegetation?
Man is a significant factor in destroying or damaging forests.
137
What are some human activities that contribute to deforestation?
Deforestation, fires, lopping of trees for fodder, and uncontrolled grazing.
138
How can fire affect forest ecosystems?
Fire can damage fauna and soil but also improve conditions for natural regeneration.
139
What is the impact of repeated lopping of trees?
It weakens the tree and makes it prone to diseases.
140
What is the effect of grazing on forest vegetation?
Light controlled grazing is beneficial, while heavy uncontrolled grazing is harmful.
