the importance of forests

Question 1

list the different ways forests can be used

Answer 1

1) resources

2) ecosystem services

Question 2

what resources can be exploited through forests and provide examples

Answer 2

1) timber i.e. oak and beech for structural buildings or furniture or tools
2) fibres such as paper, cotton
3) fuel - fuel wood which was the main source of energy prior to industrial revolution
4) food - fodder for livestock, fruit and nuts, coffee or coca, crop wild relatives
5) medicines -

Question 3

what ecosystem services do forest provide

Answer 3

1) atmospheric regulation
2) regulation of the hydrological cycle
3) provision of a microclimate
4) habitat and wildlife refuge
5) soil conservation
6) recreation and amenity

Question 4

outline how the forest regulates the atmosphere

Answer 4

1) balance of respiration and photosynthesis= levels of CO2 and O2
2) carbon reservoir= carbohydrate of cellulose which has long residence times
3) carbon sequestration= where trees use carbon from atmosphere to store it in more wood therefore removing co2

Question 5

outline how the forest regulates the hydrological cycle

Answer 5

1) transpiration rates are greater= increased precipitation
2) interception from foliage= increases evaporation decreases infiltration
3) forests aid soil formation increasing soil depth= increased water retention
4) low albedo of forest= store of heat in the water of woods

Question 6

outline how the forest forms a micro climate

Answer 6

1) light= canopy vegetation absorbs a lot of solar insolation so plants living below has less light= often have special adaptations such as denser chlorophyll
2) wind velocity= lower wind velocity produced by shelter of trees means plants below the layer use animal help such as pollinators and seed dispersal vs wind
3) humidity= high humidity levels means animals such as amphibians can survive more easily as skin doesn’t dry out

Question 7

outline how forests act as a habitat and wild life refuge

Answer 7

• each species of tree supports its own unique community of species
• the more variety of tree species the greater the overall biodiversity
• they create a large variety of ecological niches
• a variety of different abiotic conditions suited to various different species
• high levels of productivty= lots of energy to support higher trophic levels

Question 8

outline how forests aid soil conservation

Answer 8

1) dead vegetation= humus formation and nutrients for soil
2) trees prevent erosion via roots binding soil or interception by leaves
3) leaf litter on the ground helps to reduce wind velocity and the impact of raindrops
4) presence of organic matter= presence of soil biota such as worms which aerate soil reducing run off