15: Forestry and Forest Products

Question 1

Two Primary Wood Uses Globally

Answer 1

Fuelwood → Mostly non-coniferous (deciduous) trees.

Sawlogs → Largely coniferous trees (e.g., pine, fir).

Question 2

Logging vs Forestry

Answer 2

Logging = Cutting trees.

Forestry = Managing the whole forest system (planning, sustainability, replanting, etc.).

Question 3

Eastern White Pine Features

Answer 3

Tall, straight, few branches, soft but strong wood = ideal for shipbuilding.

Question 4

Historical Significance of lumbar?

Answer 4

British Royal Navy claimed big white pines → Colonial resentment → Early tensions before revolution.

Question 5

Conservation Movement (White Pines)

Answer 5

Grew in the 1800s with recreation + concern for nature.

Yellowstone (1872) and Adirondack Park (1892) were early milestones.

Question 6

Forest Disturbance Regime

Answer 6

Small-scale (e.g., single treefall) → uneven-aged forests, shade-tolerant species.

Large-scale (e.g., fire) → even-aged forests, shade-intolerant species.

Question 7

Wood Pellet Production

Answer 7

Steps:
Chip → Grind → Compress → Heat melts lignin, which binds the pellets.

Question 8

Indigenous Stewardship vs Colonial Logging

Answer 8

Indigenous: Holistic, spiritual, sustainable.

Colonial: Resource extraction, commercial, often short-sighted.

Question 9

Natural Disturbance Silviculture (NDS)

Answer 9

Mimics natural patterns → supports biodiversity and ecosystem health.

Question 10

Tree Mortality is dependant on what?

Answer 10

Density-dependent: Competition (light, water, nutrients).

Density-independent: Weather, disease, fire.

Question 11

Human-Forest Relationship

Answer 11

Start with colonial exploitation (e.g., Eastern White Pine for the Navy).

Shift to conservation (late 1800s) → modern forestry: NDS, reforestation, sustainability.

Include social shifts: Indigenous rights, eco-tourism, carbon credits.

Question 12

Natural Disturbance Silviculture (NDS) Pros and Cons ?

Answer 12

Pros: Maintains biodiversity, mimics nature, resilient forests.

Cons: Can be more complex and costly than plantations.

Question 13

Decay, Disturbance & Regeneration (Logging)

Answer 13

Decay = habitat, nutrients.

Disturbance = creates new niches.

Regeneration = new growth, succession.

Human role: Logging mimics or disrupts these cycles, depending on method used.