1. Forests, Parks, and Landscapes 1) Forests as Resources: Many Conflicts -Problems arise as to the “proper” use of forests in modern society Forests have always provided the basic building materials 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. 2) Mankind has always appreciated forests for their aesthetic qualities There is a long history of man’s appreciation of forests as a beautiful and spiritual place.  the Native Americans regarded forests as special spiritual places, regarded with great reverence and respect. The oldest known living thing on Earth is a 4000+ year old bristle cone pine tree called Methuselah.

4. News Flash! Researchers have found an older tree in Sweden. It is estimated to be about 9,500 years old.

5. 3) Forests also serve many beneficial public service functions -protecting vital watersheds from pollution and the effects of erosion -serving as vital habitat for many organisms -serve as areas for recreation and nature viewing -serve as buffers for climate change, locally and globally

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

7. 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 and over have less resilience, and produce less.

9. 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 forest production has gone down due to poor forestry practices, and over-use of the resource.

11. A Canadian pulp mill

12. Percent Change in Forest Area Since 1980

13. Sustainable Forestry Sustainable Logging vs. a Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Sustainable logging means removing logs at a rate that is equal to growth. This can mean clear cutting an area, and replanting one species of tree in its place. Areas are rotated to ensure a steady supply of timber, all of uniform size

14. “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.”

15. 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

20. Shelterwood/Selective Cutting A method that takes less desirable trees first and allows other trees to grow. This allows the forest to regenerate, and always have some tree cover. This method involves only taking a specific type of tree, and leaving the rest. EX: mahogany or teak trees Thinning means taking out poor or dead trees.

25. Plantation Growth: one method of forestry that is sustainable. By growing timber this way, we reduce the pressure on old growth forests and virgin stands of timber. High-yield trees could greatly increase the supply of timber, without much cost to the environment. Ex: hybrid Poplars, hybrid Aspens

26. The Downside of plantation growth Plantations are not forests: -Lack of diversity makes them vulnerable to a single pest or disease. -Lowered amounts of true habitat for wildlife. -Continued removal of biomass lowers the fertility of the soil.

27. Three year old Loblolly Pine plantation

28. Mature pines ready for harvest

29. Mature Loblolly pines being “skidded” to a central location