5.17: Sustainable Forestry

Mitigate

To reduce or lessen the severity of something.

Reforestation

The practice of replanting trees in areas that have been deforested.

Ecologically Sustainable Forestry

Forestry practices that minimize damage to the ecosystem, avoiding habitat destruction and soil erosion.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A method to protect forests from pathogens and insects through a combination of practices.

Prescribed burn

The controlled setting of forests on fire to reduce the occurrence of natural fires.

Selective Cutting

A forestry method where only certain trees, usually the biggest and oldest, are cut to preserve habitat and topsoil.

Sustainable Forestry Practices

Methods like using recycled wood or reusing wood without recycling to minimize environmental impact.

Fire Suppression

The practice of putting out all-natural forest fires immediately, which can lead to more biomass buildup.

Biomass

The total mass of living matter in a given area; in forestry, it often refers to dead trees and vegetation.

Monitoring

The practice of closely observing conditions to prevent fire damage and reduce the severity of forest fires.

Chipping wood for mulch

Using chipped wood as mulch for gardens or agricultural fields to recycle nutrients.

Removing diseased trees

The act of selectively cutting out infected trees to prevent the spread of disease in the forest.

Nutrient Recycling

The process of returning essential nutrients trapped in dead biomass to support new growth.

Soil Compaction

The compression of soil particles that can be minimized through human and animal labor instead of machinery.

Dead Biomass

Decomposed organic material that accumulates in forests and can become fuel for larger fires if not managed.