Science - FISHERY AND FORESTRY RESOURCES

By-catch

Non-target species that are unintentionally caught while fishing

Individual transferable quotas system

A fishery management system where individuals or companies are allocated a specific portion of the total allowable catch, which can be traded or sold

National Marine Fisheries Service

A U.S. federal agency responsible for the management, conservation, and protection of marine resources within the nation's waters

U.S. Sustainable Fisheries Act

A 1996 amendment to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, aimed at preventing overfishing, rebuilding overfished stocks, and promoting sustainable fisheries

Endangered Species Act

A U.S. law passed in 1973 that protects species at risk of extinction and conserves the ecosystems on which they depend

Forestry

The science and practice of managing forests for various uses, including timber production, wildlife habitat, recreation, and ecosystem services

Renewability

The ability of a resource, such as a forest, to regenerate and be sustainably harvested without depleting the resource base

Rotations

The planned intervals at which trees are harvested in a forest to ensure sustainable timber production and ecosystem health

Stand

An area of forest that is homogenous in age, species composition, and physical environment

Even-age harvesting

A forestry method in which trees in a stand are all harvested at the same time, resulting in a new stand of trees that grow together and are the same age

Clearcutting

A harvesting method where all trees in an area are removed, often leading to habitat disruption and changes in ecosystem structure

Uneven-age harvesting

A forestry method where trees of different ages and sizes are selectively harvested, maintaining a mixed-age stand and continuous forest cover

Selective cutting

The practice of removing specific trees, often the largest or most mature, while leaving others to maintain forest structure and ecosystem services

Shade-tolerant tree species

Tree species that can grow in low light conditions under the forest canopy, often found in forests with selective or uneven-age harvesting

Shelterwood cutting

A harvesting method that removes trees in phases, leaving enough mature trees to provide shelter for regenerating seedlings before a final harvest

Understory

The layer of vegetation beneath the forest canopy, including smaller trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants that play important ecological roles

Intensive forestry

Forest management practices that focus on maximizing timber production through techniques like fertilization, pest control, and selective breeding of tree species

Vegetation management

Eliminating noncommercial plants from a stand to control the types, density, and growth of vegetation in forests

Ecologically sustainable forestry

Forestry practices that aim to maintain the ecological integrity of forests while providing economic and social benefits, ensuring forest resources are available for future generations

Old-growth forests

Forests that have developed over long periods without significant disturbance, characterized by large trees, diverse species, and complex ecosystems

National Forest Management Act

1982 act that required the U.S. Forest Service to prioritize biodiversity in its forest management practices