Forest exploitation and management Flashcards
What did traditional woodland management teachniques involve?
Maximising yields of forest products
Rarely ever total removal of natural forest
Retention of mixed species and aged trees
What can oak be used for?
Timber-framed buildings
Ship building
What can beech be used for?
Furniture and tool handles
What can Ash (the tree) be used for?
furniture
Roof timbers
What can holly be used for? (the tree)
Mathimatical instruments
Walking sticks
What can Hazel be used for?
Fencing panels
Interwoven wall panels
WHat is the standard trees management method?
trees that were grown to maturity for production of large timbers for buildings and ships
What is the coppicing management method?
Cutting trees to groun level on 1 to 20 year cycle depending on wood use
What were the re-grown branches from coppicied trees used for?
baskets
fencing
charcoal
wall panels
roof rafters
What is the pollarding management method?
similar to coppicing
trees cut above ground level so regrowin branches cant be eatne by livestock
Is there any current demand for pollard or coppiced wood?
NO very little
Why might demand for fuel wood drop?
People switch to fossil fuels or electricity
What are traditionally managed woodland being replaced by?
large scale uses such as chiped wood for sheet construction material and plywood for concrete shuttering
How has harvesting of woodlands changed over time?
Chnaged form selective logging or cutting to large scale felling
What might natural woodlands be replaced by?
Single species plantations of selected species
Why are the tree species selected for cultivation often non-indiogenous?
may be better adapted to environmental conditions and are less likely to suffer from pests or disease
What is the problem with cultivating non-indigenous tree species?
less likely to support indigenous wildlife as interspecies needs for food, pollination, seed dispersal or habitats are less likely met
What are some examples of non-indigenous forestry plantations?
UK- sitka spruce and Douglas fir, Corsican pine
Why might single species plantations be used to mange woodlands?
Management easier
Planting, thinning and felling can occur over a large area at the same time
Why is close planting used? (woodland management method)
PLanting seedlings close together makes them compete for light so grow tall and straight
Low light levels inhibit growth of other plants that might compete for water or nutrients
Reduced wildlife diveristy
Why is simple age structure used in woodland management?
planting trees at same time is easier
All trees will be similar size
What is the problem with growing similar size trees?
variety of abiotic factors will be reduced reduciong the amount of wildlife that can survive
When are trees in commercial plantations usually felled?
When income will be the greatest
Normally when approaching full size and growth rate is declining
What is the differnce between commeriacl and natural woodlands?
There will be less dead wood in commerical which supports invertebrates and species that feed on them (wood peackers)
