Forestry - Chapter 15

Question 1

Albedo

Answer 1

A measure of the reflectivity of a surface. More reflective surfaces have higher albedos.

Question 2

Biodiversity

Answer 2

A measure of the variety and abundance of wildlife species.

Question 3

Canopy

Answer 3

The uppermost layer of vegetation in a forest.

Question 4

Carbon Sequestration

Answer 4

Any process that is used to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, such as afforestation or underground storage.

Question 5

Cellulose

Answer 5

The carbohydrate made of linked glucose molecules, which is a major component of plant cell walls and wood.

Question 6

Climax Community

Answer 6

A stable, self-perpetuating community that has reached equilibrium with its environment, and no further change occurs (The community of organisms at the end of primary succession).

Question 7

Community Forest

Answer 7

A deliberately managed and planted forest for the benefit of the community.

Question 8

Conifers

Answer 8

Trees that produce their seeds in cones e.g. pine and fur trees.

Question 9

Coppicing

Answer 9

The processing where trees are cut to ground level every few years. The regrowth produces long narrow stems.

Question 10

Deciduous

Answer 10

The process of shedding all leaves at the same time.

Question 11

Ecological Succession

Answer 11

The sequences of changes in community composition that changes as an area is colonised and develops until a climax community is eventually produced.

Question 12

Evapotranspiration

Answer 12

The process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from the soil and other surfaces and by transpiration from plants.

Question 13

Forest Parks

Answer 13

Forestry commission forest areas that are open to the public for recreational use.

Question 14

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

Answer 14

An organisation that certifies sustainable forestry operations.

Question 15

Forestry Commission

Answer 15

The UK governmental forestry organisation, which manages research, commercial timber production, learning and leisure.

Question 16

Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY)

Answer 16

The greatest sustainable yield that can be sustainably harvested.

Question 17

National Forest

Answer 17

An area in the East Midlands of England where woodland creation and countryside management is being carried out for the benefit of the local communities and wildlife.

Question 18

NPP

Answer 18

Net Primary Productivity-The energy captures by an autotroph during photosynthesis but which has not been used in respiration.

Question 19

Pollarding

Answer 19

The process whereby trees are cut back to 4 to 8ft above the ground every few years. The regrowth produces long, narrow stems.

Question 20

Primary Productivity

Answer 20

The energy captured during photosynthesis.

Question 21

Programme For Belize (PfB)

Answer 21

Independent conservation organisation that manages the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management area in Belize, Central America.

Question 22

Stomata

Answer 22

The pores on a leaf through which gases are exchanged and transpiration water is lost.

Question 23

Stratification

Answer 23

Layering, as seen with vegetation layers in forests.

Question 24

Subsistence

Answer 24

The collapse of the ground surface caused by undermining or a reduction in aquifer rock volume following the over-abstraction of water.

Question 25

Taiga

Answer 25

The northern conifer forest biome found in Canada, Scandinavia and Russia.

Question 26

Temperate

Answer 26

A temperate climate has summers and winters of roughly equal length and rarely have temperature extremes.

Question 27

Tropics

Answer 27

The region of the earth within 22 1/2 degrees of the equator, where the sun is overhead at sometime during the year.

Question 28

Understorey

Answer 28

The layer of a tree vegetation beneath the canopy layer.

Question 29

Why does Taiga have relatively low biodiversity?

Answer 29

Few species can survive the harsh conditions and the amount of energy that is captured by photosynthesis is to drive the food web is lower than in other forests.

Question 30

Why do trees in temperate deciduous forests shed their leaves?

Answer 30

To reduce water loss by evapotranspiration and to reduce the damage that would be caused by the weight of snow that could build up on them.

Question 31

What are the main benefits of forests to humans?

Answer 31

They provide…

• Physical resources.
• Life support services.

Question 32

What physical resources do forests provide?

Answer 32

They provide wood for things such as...
-Building construction.
-Furniture/tools.
-Fibres, paper cotton etc.
-Fuelwood.
They are also important in providing a food resource (There may be more species that could be cultivated/domesticated) and medicines (E.g. aspirin from willow bark).

Question 33

How do forests provide life-support services?

Answer 33

• They regulate the atmosphere (Carbon sequestration).
• They regulate the climate (Evapotranspiration increases cloud cover which keeps heat in at night and reflects it back in the day, as well has having a low albedo).
• They create a forest microclimate.
• Regulation of the water cycle.
• Soil conservation.
• Habitat & wildlife refuge.
• Recreation and amenity use.

Question 34

How do forests aid in soil conservation?

Answer 34

• Dead vegetation contributes hummus and nutrients to the soil.
• Trees help prevent soil being washed/blown away.
• Trees and leaf litter help reduce wind velocity and the impact of raindrops.
• Tree roots help hold the soil together.
• Hummus binds the soil together.
• Lots of detritivores increases the ease with which water infiltrates into the soil, decreasing runoff.

Question 35

After the shortage of wood during the war, how was timber supplies increased?

Answer 35

• Large scale conifer plantations on low value land
• Large areas were planted at the same time.
• Chosen species were non-native which grew quickly with few pests.
• Monocultures.
• Trees planted close together making them tall and straight.

Question 36

What are the main features of a tropical plantation?

Answer 36

• Habitat loss.
• Monoculture production.
• Species selection.
• Selective breeding.

Question 37

When will deforestation happen?

Answer 37

When the rate of removal exceeds the rate of recovery and regrowth.

Question 38

Why will area be deforested?

Answer 38

• For timber.
• For farmland.
• Urban expansion.
• Mineral extraction.
• Reservoirs and HEP stations.
• Roads.

Question 39

What are the consequences of deforestation?

Answer 39

• Reduced biodiversity.
• Soil erosion.
• Effect on indigenous people.
• Loss of carbon storage reservoir.
• Reduced rainsfall
• Edge effects.
• Increased ground albedo.
• Loss of visual amenity/ecotourism opportunity.
• Loss of potential medicines.