1. Chapter 10: Forest and Mineral Resources Note: WE ARE NOT COVERING MINERAL RESOURCES

2. Forests cover a third of the earth’s land surface forests reflect unique environmental conditions Ex: equatorial regions: evergreen broadleaf trees northern regions: evergreen conifer trees temperate regions: deciduous broadleaf trees

3. Tropical Rainforests Two Major Parts 1. Canopy -- TOP 2. Understory -- Bottom 3. Litter Layer Butresses

4. World’s Rainforests

5. Major Issues in The Tropical Rainforest 1.Deforestation -- Slash and Burn Agriculture -- Human housing, lumber -- losing plants, bio-mass 2.Extinction of plants and animals

6. Boreal Forest Canopy -- TOP Under-story -- Bottom Litter Layer

7. Worlds Boreal Forest 1.3 Billion Acres

8. Pure Stands: when a single species dominates an area Ex: Needle leaf forests : dominated by FIR or SPRUCE Ex: Broadleaf forests: dominated by MAPLE, BIRCH, etc

9. Deforestation conversion of forested land for other uses most severe threat to forest resources WHY do we deforest?? for agricultural purposes other resources like mining, hydro developments. For living space

10. Tree Harvesting 3 major ways 1. Clear-Cutting 2. Strip Cutting 3. Selective Cutting

11. 1. Clear-Cutting From This...

12. To This

13. Clear-cutting : harvesting all the timber in an area at the same time Advantages rapid, economical and least dangerous method re-vegetation programs exist good for tourism -- clear-cuts are good for moose hunting

14. Clear-cutting Disadvantages looks ugly high erosion loss of wildlife and plant habitat physically tough of the ecosystem

15. Strip Cutting -- strips of forest, 20 to 100 meters wide are clear-cut

16. Strip Cutting Advantages less ecological disruptive less erosion less negative effects on wildlife

17. Strip Cutting Disadvantages strip cutting requires more forest space to get the same yields more forests areas = more forest roads = increased runoff

18. Selective Cutting When selected trees are harvested from a forest site Advantages allows smaller trees grow to market size far less ecologically disruptive, better for wildlife allows for more recreational uses

19. Selective Cutting Disadvantages expensive lower yields workers have to be careful not to damage un-harvested trees maintenance of forestry access roads

20. Forestry Issues in the world. 1. Insects 2. Animals 3. Fire

21. Insects and Forestry. Spruce Bud-worm -- Larva eats needles of SPRUCE, which gives the trees a sickly look, eventually causing the tree to die. North America

22. Wildlife. Moose -- Alces alces -- eater of twigs Moose browse on Spruce and Fir, but mainly fir Fir is a primary resource required for both paper and the lumber industries. Several moose in an area can decimate a pure stand of trees. Canada, Russia, Poland, USA

24. Fire can also damage the forest When a fire burns down trees it not only effects the forestry industry but also the overall health of the ecosystem. Lost timber = no paycheck!! Fire

25. BUT… Fires are needed in some areas to help replenish the species affected. Eg: Spruce and Pine need fires

26. Heat from fires releases seeds into the environment.

27. Sustainability and Forestry. Sustainable Forestry: providing for the existence of ;or maintenance of a forest resource. In other words, making sure that there is something left for the future through various strategies “We do not inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children” Aldo Leopold Sand County Almanac

28. How do were manage our forests in a sustainable way?? reforest harvested areas with appropriate species protect water quality and prevent erosion Conserve fish and wildlife habitat Maintain and enhance species biodiversity. Are sensitive to the aesthetics of harvesting protect important cultural, historical, and ecological sites. Improve utilization and reduce waste.