Chapter 13 Flashcards
deforestation
net loss of trees in a forested area.
boreal forests
coniferous forests found at high latitudes and altitudes characterized by low temperatures and low annual precipitation.
temperate forests
found in areas with four seasons and moderate climate, receive 30-60 inches of precipitation per year, and may include conifers and/or hardwood deciduous trees (lose their leaves in the winter).
tropical forests
found in equatorial areas with warm temperatures year-round and high rainfall; some have distinct wet and dry seasons but none has a winter season.
canopy
upper layer of a forest formed where the crowns (tops) of the majority of the tallest trees meet.
emergent
the region where a tree that is taller than the canopy rises above the canopy layer.
understory
the smaller trees, shrubs, and saplings that live in the shade of the forest canopy.
forest floor
the lowest level of the forest, containing herbaceous plants, fungi, leaf litter, and soil.
runoff
water that flows downhill across the land surface, usually after a rainfall.
carbon sinks
places such as forests, ocean sediments, and soil, where accumulated carbon does not readily reenter the carbon cycle.
hectares (ha)
metric unit of measure for area; 1 ha = 2.5 acres (ac)
maximum sustainable yield
harvesting as much as sustainably possible for the greatest economic benefit.
Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act
U.S. legislation (1960) mandating that national forests be managed in a way that balances a variety of uses.
Forest Ecosystem Management (FEM)
Focuses on managing the forest as a whole, rather than for maximizing yields for a specific product.
ecotourism
low-impact travel to natural areas that contributes to the protection of the environment and respects the local people.
