Forestry

Question 1

What is maximum sustainable yield?

Answer 1

The greatest amount of something which can be harvested sustainably.

Question 2

What is transpiration?

Answer 2

Plants loss of water - mainly through the stomata

Question 3

What is the importance of timber from forests?

Answer 3

Used for construction materials, furniture, tools etc.

Question 4

What is the importance of fuel from forests?

Answer 4

Used for firewood or fuelwood (particularly for LEDCS)

Question 5

What is the importance of forests for food?

Answer 5

Provides fruit, nuts, leaves etc. as well as space for agriculture and crops such as coffee or bananas to be grown.

Question 6

What is the importance of fibres from forests?

Answer 6

Paper can be made from cellulose fibres. Cotton can also be produced.

Question 7

What is the importance of forests for medicines?

Answer 7

Poppies = codine
Yew tree = taxol
Cinchona tree = quinine

Question 8

What are the 7 life support services given by forests?

Answer 8

Atmospheric regulation
Habitat and wildlife refuge
Regulation of water cycle
Climate regulation
Soil conservation
Shelter and microclimate
Recreation and amenity use

Question 9

How do forests regulate the atmosphere?

Answer 9

Regulates oxygen by releasing oxygen through photosynthesis as well as aerobic organisms.
Regulates carbon dioxide through carbon sequestration and takes CO2 from the atmosphere.

Question 10

How do forests provide habitats and wildlife refuge?

Answer 10

Provides habitats for a number of animals through a variety of abiotic factors - this increases the biodiversity of the forest.

Question 11

How do forests regulate the water cycle?

Answer 11

Increased transpiration rates so there is more precipitation.
Also trees act as interception from rain etc. so evaporation is increased but infiltration is decreased.

Question 12

How do forests regulate the microclimate?

Answer 12

Lower wind velocity
Higher humidity levels

Question 13

How do forests regulate global climate?

Answer 13

Lowers the albedo so there is a increased rate of absorption and more heat storage.
Sunlight which is absorbed during the day is radiated at night so temps are regulated.

Question 14

How do forests help with soil conservation?

Answer 14

Root binding and interception reduces soil erosion.
Dead vegetation help with the fertility of the soil and humus or DOM binds the soil together.

Question 15

How do forests provide shelter and impact the microclimate?

Answer 15

The canopy creates a wider range of conditions which change the microclimate will also mean that different species can benefit from the new conditions.

Question 16

How do forests benefit recreation?

Answer 16

Ecotourism and can be used for activities such as walking, cycling etc.

Question 17

What are the main characteristics of traditional forest management?

Answer 17

Range of tree species.
Trees allowed to reach maturity.
Coppicing and pollarding used.

Question 18

What are the abiotic differences between natural forests and plantations?

Answer 18

Plantations have thicker canopies which means there is less light than in natural forests.
Natural forests have more humidity and more soil moisture as well as increased wind velocity.

Question 19

What are the biotic differences between natural forests and plantations?

Answer 19

Natural has more ground vegetation and more species diversity.
Plantations have a higher density of trees and more non indigenous trees.

Question 20

What factors will influence the choice of species for forest plantations?

Answer 20

Growth rates.
Resistance to pests.
Ability to grow in certain soils.
Ability to survive climate conditions.
Demand for particular products.

Question 21

How does the growth of non-indigenous species increase productivity?

Answer 21

The species may be better adapted to environmental conditions.

Question 22

How does the growth of non-indigenous species impact biodiversity?

Answer 22

The trees grown would be be less likely to support indigenous species with food pollination etc. which means there would be less biodiversity.

Question 23

How do monocultures increase productivity?

Answer 23

Means that management if the species would be easier as activities such as planting or felling would be able to be carried out over large areas at the same time.

Question 24

How do monocultures impact biodiversity?

Answer 24

Monocultures would mean that not all needs of species will be met so biodiversity will be reduced.

Question 25

How does close planting increase productivity?

Answer 25

By planting the trees close together it makes them compete for light which means they will grow tall and straight so more trees.

Question 26

How does close planting impact biodiversity?

Answer 26

There would be low ground light levels so growth of other plants would be reduced. This means other species reliant on these plants will not be able to survive there and therefore there would be a decrease in biodiversity.

Question 27

How does a simple age structure increase productivity?

Answer 27

By planting large areas of trees at the same time it allows there to be similar management activities at the same time so easier to manage.

Question 28

How do simple age structures impact biodiversity?

Answer 28

Redcues abiotic factors e.g light as all trees would be same height. This means the overall biodiversity would be decreased.

Question 29

How do mixed species plantations increase sustainability in forests?

Answer 29

There is a larger range of resources for other species. This means more inter species relationships and niches.

Question 30

What are disadvantages of mixed species plantations?

Answer 30

It could be less useful if there is a demand for a specific for a particular tree.

Question 31

How does planting indigenous species increase sustainability of forests?

Answer 31

Provides food and nesting etc. for other indigenous species. Would also usually be suited and adapted to the climate and diseases etc.

Question 32

What are disadvantages of planting indigenous species?

Answer 32

The species may not grow as fast or be as desireable as other trees.

Question 33

How does mixed age structure improve sustainability of forests?

Answer 33

There would be a range of abiotic factors eg light, this would mean there would be a variation of microhabitats and niches. It also reduces the need to be harvested at the same time so there would be less soil erosion.

Question 34

What are the disadvantages of mixed age structure?

Answer 34

Increased cost as they have to be harvested and managed at different times.

Question 35

What are some selective logging techniques?

Answer 35

Fell trees with high economic value and low ecological value.
Allow trees to reach ful maturity so there is a higher overall yield.

Question 36

Which trees are avoided when using selective logging?

Answer 36

Trees with high ecological value eg food source.
Trees important for nesting.
Trees in sensitive areas eg near riverbanks.