1. Managing Forest Resources

2. Forest Types
Old Growth- have not been disturbed for several hundred years. High species diversity. Large number of dead trees provide nutrients and habitat. The largest stand of old growth forest in the U.S. is in Alaska. 22% of world’s forest. Many species with specialized niches.

3. Old growth forest

4. Old growth forest

5. Second Growth- result from secondary succession after they are cut
Second Growth- result from secondary succession after they are cut. Less diversity and stability.
Tree Plantations- tree farms. Less diversity and stability.

6. Second growth forest

7. Second growth forest

8. Importance of Forest Lumber for housing and other products. Fuel wood.
Pulp for paper.
Medicines.

9. Prevent erosion and sedimentation.
Reduce flooding.
Influence climate.

10. Control global warming.
Noise buffer.
Absorb air pollution.
1 tree- $196,250 in ecological benefits. As lumber- $590

11. Types of Forest Management
Even-aged- clear cutting results in trees of the same age and size. Can produce quality trees on long rotation.

12. Clear cutting

13. Clear cut

14. Uneven-aged- different age and size trees fosters natural regeneration
Uneven-aged- different age and size trees fosters natural regeneration. Selective cutting. Higher diversity. Multiple use.

15. Selective cut

16. Selective cut

17. Impact of roads
Open up access to previously pristine forest allowing logging, mining, hunting, ranching, and general settlement.
Paves the way for fragmentation, destruction and degradation.

18. Impact of roads

19. Types of Logging
Selective cutting- fewest trees cut, creates gaps no larger than natural tree fall. Less profitable. Least damage.

20. Shelterwood cutting- all mature trees removed over a 10 year period
Shelterwood cutting- all mature trees removed over a 10 year period. Leaves behind a usable forest.

21. Shelterwood Cutting

22. Seed-tree cutting- most trees cut leaving a few behind to reseed the forest. Leaves behind usable habitat. May produce genetically improved forest.

23. Clear-cutting- all trees removed, most damaging, most profit
Clear-cutting- all trees removed, most damaging, most profit. Most environmental degradation.

24. Impact of Fire
In many areas fire suppression has proven to be a mistake. When fires do break out they burn much hotter because of overgrowth.

25. More on fire
Natural forest cycles often include regular, low level fires and many species are adapted for it.

26. Solutions: Sustainable Earth Forestry
Recycle more paper.
Grow timber on long rotation.
Practice selective cutting
Minimize fragmentation.

27. Using ecologically sound road building and logging techniques.
Practicing stripcutting.
Leaving dead wood behind as habitat.

28. Other ecosystems in need of protection
Tropical Rain Forest
Rangeland
National Parks
Wilderness