Final (Info from midterm - 30% on final) Flashcards
What are the largest known living organisms in the world?
Trees
How old is the oldest single non-clonal tree?
More than 5,000 years old
What is subspecies in the taxonomic hierarchy? What order would it be listed
Taxon BELOW SPECIES: populations with some identifiable difference, theoretically capable of INTERBREEDING and producing FERTILE OFFSSPRING but disabled in practice mainly due to geographic isolation. Would be listed AFTER species and genus
What is author in the taxonomic hierarchy? What order would it be listed?
The person who coined the name - NOT COMMONLY ADDED (don’t add it). Would be listed LAST
Where would you place sp. in the taxonomy of an organism?
You would place it when the species is unknown with a known genus
When would you place spp. in the taxonomy of an organism?
You would place it when there are multiple species of the same genus
When would you place var. in the taxonomy of an organism?
Means VARIETY. It is below subspecies but applicable mostly to plants
When would you place an x in between species?
HYBRID. When it is successful interbreeding between different species (not necessarily fertile
What is the trophic hierarchy?
The position of an organism in the FOOD CHAIN
List the kind of organisms that are heterotrophs, what kind of consumer/producer/composer they are, and what position they are in the food chain
Carnivores - tertiary consumers - First/top of the food chain
Omnivores - secondary consumers - Second highest in the food chain
Herbivores - primary consumers - third highest in the food chain
List the kind of organisms that are autotrophs, what kind of consumer/producer/composer they are, and what position they are in the food chain
Photosynthesizers - producers - second last in the food chain
List the kind of organisms that are heterotrophs, what kind of consumer/producer/composer they are, and what position they are in the food chain.
Decomposers - last/bottom of the food chain
ex. mushrooms, worms, etc.
What is ecological hierarchy?
ecology is primarily concerned about processes at the community and ecosystem levels
Describe population in ecological hierarchy.
All individuals of a given species interacting in a prescribed area
Describe community in ecological hierarchy.
group of populations of organisms that live and interact in a prescribed area
Describe ecosystem in ecological hierarchy.
all the interacting biological and physical components of a prescribed area
Describe biome in ecological hierarchy.
very large areas of the Earth’s surface that have similar climate and vegetation
What is the earliest archaeological evidence of the relationship between human ancestors and trees?
Burning of wood
What was the single largest global cause of deforestation during the past 500 years?
the conversion of forest land into agriculture
What is the best definition of a tree?
A woody plant with usually a single stem growing to a height of at least 2M, or if multi-stemmed, then at least one verticle stem of 5CM in diameter at breast height
Describe angiosperms and if they are wood, leaf, or seed
It is enclosed in a fruit. It is a seed
Describe gymnosperms and if they are wood, leaf, or seed
“naked” or in a cone - seed
Describe broadleaves and if they are wood, leaf, or seed
Broad and flat
Deciduous or evergreen - leaf
Describe conifers and if they are wood, leaf, or seed
needle - of scale-like
usually evergreen - leaf
What kind of fibers does hardwood have?
Short fibers
What kind of fibers does softwood have?
Long fibers
What is primary growth?
growth in length
What is gravitropism?
PRIMARY GROWTH: plants use GRAVITY as a sense of which way they should grow - roots growing down and the plant growing up
What is heliotropism?
PRIMARY GROWTH: The directional growth of a plant towards the SUNLIGHT
How does primary growth work in a tree?
The extension of branches OUTWARD from the tree, making them longer
How does secondary growth work in a tree?
The radial growth in a tree is adding another ring to the base. The tree growing in its width: the growth is making the branches and base of the tree “thicker”
What is xylem?
tissue in charge of transporting water and nutrients in a tree
What is phloem?
tissue in charge of transporting sap in a tree
What is cambium?
tissue of undifferentiated cells, producing xylem towards the inside and phloem towards the outside of a stem or branch
How does secondary growth happen?
Cell division and growth from the cambium
Describe tree rings
They are markers of tree growth.
Inter-annual variations
Intra-annual (seasonal)
1 ring = early wood + late wood
Describe early wood
Fast growth
Large vessels
Light wood
(LIGHT TREE RING)
Describe late wood
Slow growth
Small vessels
Dark, dense wood
(DARK TREE RING)
Describe the components of photosynthesis
Water + Carbon dioxide –> photosynthesis
carbohydrate + oxygen
What kind of energy is used in photosynthesis?
solar energy
Describe the components of respiration
Carbohydrate + oxygen —> respiration
water + carbon dioxide
What kind of energy is used in respiration?
chemical energy
List the 5 priority allocations for carbohydrates
- Maintenance of respiration
- Production of roots and leaves
- reproduction
- primary growth
- secondary growth and tissues
Give 3 examples of carbohydrates covered in the notes
Glucose
Sucrose
Cellulose
List 5 things photosynthesis and respiration rates depend on
Light
temperature
age
carbon dioxide
water
What is required in plants to survive long term in terms of photosynthesis and respiration?
Photosynthesis must be LARGER than respiration
What is the gross photosynthesis?
total amount of CARBOHYDRATES produced by photosynthesis
What is the net photosynthesis?
(RESPIRATION)
total amount of carbohydrates stored after using some as energy sources for metabolism
What is the theory of tolerance?
species able to exist and reproduce only within a definite range of values for a given environmental factor
In terms of the tolerance range of trees, what does O stand for? What does it mean?
Optimum level - maximum performance
In terms of the tolerance range of trees, what does R stand for? What does it mean?
Plant grows and REPRODUCES successfully
In terms of the tolerance range of trees, what does G stand for? What does it mean?
Plant GROWS but cannot reproduce
In terms of the tolerance range of trees, what does S stand for? What does it mean?
Plant SURVIVES or persists but cannot grow
In terms of the tolerance range of trees, what does T stand for? What does it mean?
TOLERANCE range for that factor - beyond tolerance is lethal
What is ecological niche?
favorable combination of environmental factor ranges for a given species to grow and reproduce
Name all 4 phases of stand development from initial growth to death.
Stand initiation phase
Stem exclusion phase
Understory reinitiation phase
Old growth phase
Name the 3 types of fruits discussed in the notes in terms of dispersal and colonization
Windblown fruits (blown in wind)
Adherent fruits (stick to human/animals)
Fleshy fruits (eaten and pooped out in a different place)
What is the most notable characteristic of gymnosperms?
their seeds are naked or in a cone
Name the qualifications for a forest
- Land spanning more than 0.5 hectares
- Trees higher than 5 meters
- A canopy cover of more than 10% - or trees able to reach these thresholds in situ.
Do the qualifications of a forest INCLUDE land that is predominantly under agricultural or urban land use?
No - forests can only be on land that is not close or occupied by urban uses or agriculture
What are the 3 qualifications of a primary or natural forest?
- naturally regenerated forest of native species
- where there are no clearly visible indications of human activities
- the ecological processes are not significantly disturbed
What is a planted forest or plantation?
forest predominantly composed of trees established through planted and/or deliberate seeding
What is a forest estate?
all the land containing a forest endowment
What is a forest stand? What forest type is most common?
a continuous piece of land covered by relatively homogenous forest type
What is the shape of a forest plot? How large is it? What is its purpose?
a polygon
usually circular and small (e.g. 300m2)
where all trees are measured in order to estimate stand-or estate-level forest metrics
What is afforestation?
establishment of forest through planting and/or deliberate seeding on that land, until then, was not classified as a forest
What is reforestation?
re-establishment of forest through planting and/or deliberate seeding on land classified as forest
Describe the usage and degradation of deforestation
the conversation of forests to another land use (usage)
Or the permanent reduction of tree canopy cover below 10% threshold (degradation)
What is a climate graph?
illustration of average monthly TEMPERATURE and PRECIPITATION
Describe Vancouver B.C.’s climate graph in terms of how much rainfall we get and how much the temperature varies
Rain all year, but specifically:
- July and August (5-6 cm) have the least amount of rain.
- November and December (23-29 cm) with the most
(November has the most rain august has the least amount of rain)
- The highest temperature of around 30 degrees in July/August
- The lowest being around 2 degrees in December/January
Describe how climate is summarized
It is summarized by temperature and precipitation
(averages and seasonal variation)
What is formation?
community with a specific vegetation structure (e.g. cold desert of temperate deciduous forest)
also used as a subdivision of biome
Name the 3 types of growth forms and list examples for each
Non-parasitical upon another plant - trees, shrubs, herbs, epiphytes
woody vines - lianas
mosses and lichens - bryophytes
What are the 2 forms of natural disturbances? Give examples for each
Abiotic: fire, temperature, geomorphic (landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes)
Biotic: insects, pathogens, invasive plant species
What are the 2 forms of human disturbances? Give examples for each
- Degradation: fragmentation, bad logging
- Deforestation - urbanization, agricultural conversion, terrible logging
What is the climate like in tropical rainforests?
Synonym: tropical jungle
Tropical wet:
Average temp is 24 degrees
Normally around the same temperature
Total precipitation: 285 cm
Lots of rain throughout the year - not as much rain in the summer months (Jul - Sept)
What is the vegetation in a tropical rainforest?
all forms (trees to bryophytes)
What are the adaptions in a tropical rainforest?
- competition for light
- shade tolerance
- layered structure
- wet soil tolerance
What are notable features in a tropical rainforest?
high biodiversity and biomass; second most abundant after boreal forest
What is the human footprint in tropical rainforests?
- logging
- burning
- cattle ranching
- agriculture
What is the climate like in a tropical seasonal forest/monsoon forest?
Tropical monsoon:
Average temp: 28 degrees
Normally around the same temperature
Total precipitation:
193 cm
Little to no rain in summer months (Dec-Mar)
Most precipitation in the winter months (Jun-Sept)
What is the vegetation in a tropical seasonal forest?
broadleaf deciduous trees and shrubs
What are the adaptations in a tropical seasonal forest?
- extreme tolerance for humidity
- annual leaf growth
- fire tolerance
What are the notable features of tropical seasonal forests?
dominated by the monsoon
high biodiversity
What is the human footprint of tropical seasonal forests?
mostly converted to agriculture
What is the climate like in a temperate deciduous forest?
VANCOUVER**
Average temp: 16 degrees
Gets warmer (up to 28 degrees) in the summer months (Jul & Aug)
Colder (down to 2 degrees) in the winter months
Total precipitation: 133 cm
Normally the same amount of rain year round - the most in Mar
What is the vegetation in temperate deciduous forests?
broadleaf deciduous trees
What are the adaptations in temperate deciduous forest?
- annual leaf growth
- resistance to cold and hot temperatures
What are the notable features of temperate deciduous forests?
beautiful fall colours
What is the human footprint temperate deciduous forests?
agricultural and urban conversion and logging
What is the climate like in temperate rainforests?
Marine west coast:
Average temperature: 10 degrees
Gets a bit warmer (up to 25 degrees) in the summer months (Jul & Aug)
Gets a bit cold in the winter months (Nov - Feb)
Total precipitation: 119 cm
Most rain in the winter months (Nov - Feb)
Less rain in the summer (Jun-Sept)
What is the vegetation in temperate rainforests?
needleleaf and broadleaf trees
epiphytes
bryophytes
shrubs
ferns
What are the adaptations in a temperate rainforest?
layered forest structure
long life span
shade tolerant
gap dynamic regeneration
What are the notable features in a temperate rainforest?
valuable wood
relatively high biodiversity for their latitude
great productivity and biomass
scarce
high conservation value
What is the human footprint on temperate rainforests?
logging
urban conversion
What kind of climate does a boreal forest have?
Subarctic:
Average temp: -1 degrees
Gets the coldest or below 0 (down to -25 degrees) in the winter months (Nov-Mar)
Gets the warmest (up to 18 degrees) in the summer months (Jun-Sept)
Total precipitation: 35 cm
Barely any rain year round
The most rain is in the summer months (Jun-Aug)
What is the vegetation in boreal forests?
needleleaf evergreen trees
What are the adaptations in boreal forests?
frost resistance
structure optimized for low light
What are the notable features in Boreal forests?
world’s most abundant forest
crazy summer bugs
only found in the Northern Hemisphere
What is the human footprint in boreal forests?
No significant human footprint
What is the climate like in Montane forests?
Cold mountain:
Average temp: 11 degrees
Coldest (down to 4 degrees) in the winter months (Nov-Mar)
Warmest (up to 19 degrees) in summer months (Jun-Sept)
Total precipitation: 74cm
Little rain in winter/spring months (Oct-May)
Rains the most in Jul-Aug
What is the vegetation in montane forests?
needleleaf trees in the Northern Hemisphere
Broadleaf trees in southern Hemisphere
What are the adaptations montane forests?
resistance to cold temperatures
fire
drought
What are the notable features of montane forests?
Very diverse since they occur at all latitudes
What is the human footprint on montane forests?
logging
fire suppression
What are the objectives of planted forests?
Timber production
Non-timber products and services
Protection and resoration
What are the timber products of planted forests?
Pulp
Fiber and particle boards
Solid lumber
Veneer
What are the specialty plantations of planted forests?
Bamboo plantation
agroforestry
What are NON-forestry products of plantations?
Fruits
Palm oil
Cork
Out of planted forests, natural forests, agriculture, and grazing, which is the most productive (produces the most wood supply per global area)?
planted forests - by a long shot!
Which country has the highest wood supply from plantations and native forests in the world?
New Zeland
How many ha of plantations are required to supply 100% of global timber demand?
371 million ha
What percent of total wood supply from plantations is expected to be reached by 2050?
60%
What is the diameter at breast height (DBH) of a tree measured in?
cm
Describe the diameter at breast height (DBH) and how it is measured
it is tree diameter measured at around 1.3 m above the ground
At the plot or stand level, mean DBH is used: the arithmetic average of all trees in the area
What is the height (H), mean height (Hm), and dominant height (HD) of a tree measured in?
All measured in METERS (m)
Describe height (H), mean height (Hm), and dominant height (HD) and how they are measured.
(H) tree height from the ground to the highest tip
(Hm) arithmetic mean of all trees in the plot or stand
(HD) mean of largest trees in the area (e.g., largest ever 100 m2)
What is tree density (Nha) measured in?)
trees/ha
Describe tree density (Nha) and how it is measured
number of trees in a hectare (typically extrapolated)
Tree density is, by default, an area-level metric
synonym: STOCKING DENSITY
What is basal area (G) measured in?
m2 and m2/ha
is also Gha - basal area per hectare
Describe basal area (G) and how is measured
G is an area of cross-section of a tree at DBH
* the average amount of an AREA (usually an acre) OCCUPIED BY TREE STEMS
at the plot or stand level, G can also be expressed as the sum of basal area of all trees in a hectare (typically extrapolated)
What is timber volume (V), volume per hectare (Vha), and total volume (VT) all measured in?
(V) - m3
(Vha) - m3/ha
(VT) - m3
Describe what timber volume (V), volume per hectare (Vha), and total volume (VT) are and how they are measured
V - timber volume from ground to tip
Vha - at plot or stand level, sum of timber volume of all trees
VT - at plot or stand level, total timber volume in a given stand
What is merchantable volume?
It is volume EXCLUDING the stump (e.g., 30 cm height) and treetop (e.g., less than 10 cm in diameter)
What is an attribute of forests, according to the FAO definition?
Canopy cover of more than 10%
What is a polysaccharide?
a chain of carbohydrate molecules
What is cellulose?
crystalline, strong polysaccharide that provides structure to cell walls (~40% of wood)
What is hemicellulose?
amorphous weak polysaccharide that supports attachment with lignin (~30% of wood)
What is lignin?
rigid, durable polymer that reinforces cell walls (~30% of wood)
What is a forest product?
any monetizable market demand obtainable from a forest
What are the 4 classifications of forest products?
Timber forest product
Non-timber forest product
Forest service
Fuel
Describe what a timber forest product is
anything made of recognizable wood or wood fibers
Describe what a non-timber forest product is
physical good obtained from the forest, excluding wood
Describe what forest service is
provision depending on a forest but not extracting physical goods from it (ex. wedding location)
What are the 4 classifications of non-timber forest products? Give 1 or 2 examples for each
- Flora - latex, oil
- Fauna - food, fur
- Soil - sand, clay
- Water - drinking water, industrial water
What are the 3 classifications of forest services? Provide 1 or 2 examples for each
Ecotourism - lodges, trails, sightseeing
Biomass - carbon credits
Conservation - direct payments for conservation
What is forest value?
anything the forest can provide whether monetizable or not
Values with prices are difficult to calculate
Values that are invaluable (ex. spirituality or sense of place, etc.)
What sections are forest values separated into?
Material
Non-material
