1. Consumption and Resource Management

2. Wood – A Valuable Resource
There is a huge worldwide demand for wood
What are some things you can think of that are made of wood?

3. TREES!!! Demand for Wood Wood only comes from one source:
In order to keep up with this demand, a huge number have to be cut down. This process is called logging.

4. Managing Our Forests
The most economical way to log (i.e. the way to get the most trees for the least amount of money) is called Clear Cutting. This involves taking a large area of land and cutting down all the trees.

5. Looks Can Decieve
In Canada, if your driving on the Trans- Canada Highway.
This is what you’ll see.

6. Looks Can Deceive EVERYWHERE!!!!
But if you get off the main highway and on to a side road, you’ll see this:
EVERYWHERE!!!!

7. Clear Cutting
This happens in Canada
And Vietnam

8. Clear Cutting
Clear cutting might be economical, but it is not the most ecologically friendly
It destroys an entire area. It causes the soil to lose its nutrients which leads to soil erosion
It also destroys the habitat for all the species of animals that live there
Clear cutting can single handedly destroy an ecosystem

9. Reforestation
In Canada, and many other countries, logging companies are required to replant any area they log. Companies say that this will make the area return to its original form.
What do you think?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

10. Problems With Reforestation
It’s a slow process
The trees that are planted are saplings (babies) and it can take 20 years or more before they grow to a significant size
The trees don’t all survive
Companies are hoping that 85 % of the planted trees will survive but this does not always happen. Sometimes it’s only 50%. Sometimes much less.
Usually only one type of tree is planted
This destroys biodiversity and that makes the ecosystem more vulnerable

11. Other Types of Logging
Other types of logging may not be as profitable, but they promote sustainability
Some companies are using these methods (but still the minority)

12. Shelterwood Cutting
Shelterwood cutting involves cutting mature trees in thin strips of the forest so that the remaining trees can cause the forest to regenerate

13. Selective Cutting
Selective cutting is exactly what the name implies. Loggers only cut down select trees. Most of the forest is left as it was.
This is the most environmentally friendly way to log. But it is also the least profitable.

14. Supply and Demand
The most basic rule in business is the law of supply and demand. If there is a high demand for something then people will pay a lot of money to have it. If it is in low supply, companies will charge even more money
Due to the high demand for wood and wood products, high yield cutting (like clear cutting) is going to continue.

15. Sustainable Farming: Managing the Soil

16. The Importance of Soil
Soil is much more than just dirt. It provides a life support system for almost the entire first trophic level.
Most producers could not survive without soil that contains the right mixture of water, minerals, nutrients, air, and decomposing organic matter

17. Overfarming As plants grow, they take nutrients from the soil.
If we work too hard we need time to recover. Soil is the same way
So farmers must be careful not to grow too many crops too quickly. If they do, here’s what can happen

18. Fertilizers
Farmers use fertilizers to help maintain the nutrient levels of the soil.
Fertilizers can be natural, such as animal manure or compost from decomposing food.
They can also be synthetic, or chemically made products
A table comparing them can be found on page 126 of your textbook. Read it!!

19. Fertilizers Natural Synthetic
Work well but not as quickly as synthetic
They do not disrupt the balance of natural cycles and maintain long term health of the soil
Work better and more quickly
Disrupt natural cycles
Can pollute water and make soil toxic

20. Controlling Water Flow
Until fairly recently, farmers were at the mercy of the weather.
If there was not enough rain, crops would die
Too much rain was not good either

21. Water Management
Some farmers can now protect against drought by irrigating, or pumping in water through a series of pipes
They can also create drainage systems that remove excess water

22. Water Management
But in order to irrigate crops, water has to pumped in from a source. This can deplete the ground water in the soil and cause it to dry up.

23. Smart Farming
To ensure that they have good crops for many years, farmers have to sustain their fields (these could be considered ecosystems). There are a few things that can increase the likelihood of this.
Crop Rotation – They should only plant crops on some of their fields. Leaving other fields empty, or fallow allow them to restore their nutrients

24. Smart Farming
Planting Suitable Crops – Certain crops are more suited to certain soil types or weather conditions. It makes sense to produce crops that are suitable for the area they are planted in.

25. Now Let’s Get to Work! Read 3.7, Do 1, 2 and 5 on page 105
Read 4.2, Do 2-5 on page 128