Forests, Parks, and Landscapes

1) Forests as Resources: Many Conflicts

-Problems arise as to the “proper” use of forestsin modern society

Forests have always provided the basic buildingmaterials and a source of heat for man.

Even today, more than ½ of the world population uses wood for heating and cooking.

How will an increasing human population affect this use?

2) Mankind has always appreciated forestsfor their aesthetic qualities

There is a long history of man’s appreciationof forests as a beautiful and spiritual place.

the Native Americans regarded forests asspecial spiritual places, regarded with greatreverence and respect. The oldest known living thing on Earth is a 4000+ year old bristle cone pine tree called Methuselah.

News Flash!Researchers have found an older tree in Sweden.It is estimated tobe about 9,500 yearsold.

3) Forests also serve many beneficial public service functions

-protecting vital watersheds from pollutionand the effects of erosion

-serving as vital habitat for many organisms

-serve as areas for recreation and natureviewing

-serve as buffers for climate change, locallyand globally

Four ways that forests can affect the atmosphere, and cause climate changes

Production and Consumption of Forest Resources

Today, the world has about 8.4 billion acres of forested area.

Forest production varies greatly globally,depending on climate, and the history of land use. Areas which have been deforested over andover have less resilience, and produce less.

90% of wood production goes to paper,pulp, and construction.

The U.S. produces the largest amount of wood products globally, accounting for over 25% of all production.

In most developing countries, overall forestproduction has gone down due to poor forestry practices, and over-use of the resource.

A Canadian pulp mill

Percent Change in Forest Area Since 1980

Sustainable Forestry

Sustainable Logging vs. a Sustainable Forest Ecosystem

Sustainable logging means removing logsat a rate that is equal to growth.

This can mean clear cutting an area, andreplanting one species of tree in its place.

Areas are rotated to ensure a steady supplyof timber, all of uniform size

“Sustainable Forestry flows from the goal of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

 

Clear Cutting

-a method of tree removal which takes all trees, and leaves a bare area behind.

-extremely bad for the environment, it causes increased erosion and runoff

Shelterwood/Selective Cutting

A method that takes less desirable trees firstand allows other trees to grow.

This allows the forest to regenerate, andalways have some tree cover.

This method involves only taking a specifictype of tree, and leaving the rest. EX: mahogany or teak trees

Thinning means taking out poor or dead trees.

Plantation Growth: one method of forestry that is sustainable.

By growing timber this way, we reduce the pressure on old growth forests and virginstands of timber.

High-yield trees could greatly increase the supply of timber, without much cost to the environment.

Ex: hybrid Poplars, hybrid Aspens

The Downside of plantation growth

Plantations are not forests:

-Lack of diversity makes them vulnerable to asingle pest or disease.

-Lowered amounts of true habitat for wildlife.

-Continued removal of biomass lowers thefertility of the soil.

                                                      

Three year old Loblolly Pine plantation

Mature pines ready for harvest

Mature Loblolly pines being “skidded” to a central location

North America34.76% of total certified areas(35’641’047 ha)151 certificates

Europe46.89% of total certified areas(48’076’616 ha)404 certificates

Africa3.4% of total certified areas(3’491’157 ha)42 certificates

Asia2.08% of total certified areas(2’136’915 ha)66 certificates

Oceania1.55% of total certified areas(1’586’173 ha)29 certificates

South America & Caribbean11.31% of total certified areas(11’600’043 ha)248 certificates