2.0 - What are Forests? Flashcards
True or False: The definition of a forest is not consistent, and it depends on who is defining it.
True
Provide some examples “forest” definitions:
- “A tree dominated ecosystem”
- Varying climatic, landscape, social, economic, legal & historical conditions
What are some attributes that can make a forest definition vary?
- Trees occur in different ecosystems
- Different species, densities & forms
- Site size?
- Does a preciously forested land base count?
- Does a restocked (naturally or planted) land base count?
What is the Crown Coverage definition of a Forest?
The % of ground area shaded by crowns of the trees (in full leaf).
Defining a forest based on crown coverage can be _________, as some trees have different crown coverage (pine).
inconsistent
What is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) definition of a forest?
“Ecosystems dominated by trees (defined as perennial woody plants taller than 5m at maturity) with associated wild flora, fauna & soil conditions”.
Why is the FAO significant?
The FAO is important because Canada is signed on to several conventions to collect data regarding forests and providing this information to organizations like the FAO.
What does FAO stand for?
Food and Agriculture Organization
What are some types of forest use?
- Production
- Conservation
- Multi-use
- Roads
- Firebreaks
What types of forests are excluded from the traditional forest definition?
- Agricultural production (Fruit tree plantations)
- Trees planted in agroforestry system
True or False: The common forest definition includes temporarily unstocked areas (Clear cuts).
True
Forests account for ___% of Canadas land area.
43.7%
Canadas forest accounts for ___% of the worlds forests.
10%
What are the three tree groupings and their % coverage in Canada?
- 68% Coniferous
- 16% Mixed Wood
- 11% Broadleaf
How does J.S Rowe’s description of Canadas forest geography help us?
Provides a regional description of forest types & distribution accompanied by relevant data regarding soils, geology, climate and landforms.
The Boreal forest in Canada consists of mainly _______ trees.
Configerous
Is it possible to cut a maple tree in the boreal forest?
No, this tree type does not grow in coniferous forests.
True or False: The boreal forest is Canada’s largest intact ecosystem.
True
The boreal forest is ____ of national land mass.
1/3
Where do you find Taiga forests?
In the Northwest Territories areas
Canada’s forest sector is ____% of GDP.
1.5%
Roughly how much does Canada’s forest sector contribute to the GDP?
~$25B
Approximately how many people are employed by the Canada’s forest sector?
205,000 (12,000 Indigenous peoples)
What are the employment opportunities in the forest sector?
- Wood manufacturing
- Pulp & paper
- Logging
What are the four main exports of the logging sector?
- Lumber
- Pulp
- Paper
- Panels
About ____% of all Indigenous communities are in forested areas.
80%
What are the four main causes of change in the forest sector?
- Structural decline in demand for newsprint
- Decreased demand due to competition from developing economies
- Decrease in demand from construction industry, building codes
- Aggravating factors
What are four Aggravating Factors that have contributed to change in the forest sector?
- Access to Credit
- Energy Costs
- Subsidies in competing markets
- Timber Supply
When does forest dependence occur?
Forest dependence occurs when more than 50% of the community is reliant on the forest sector as their economic base.
