Forests and Sustainable Forestry

Flashcards covering key concepts related to forests and methods of sustainable forestry.

Forests

Ecosystems that provide food, medicine, fuel, fiber, timber, carbon sequestration, air and water purification, recreation, aesthetic, and cultural value.

Sustainable Forestry

Collection of methods designed to mitigate the human impact of harvesting trees using forest resources.

Mitigating Deforestation

The intentional restocking of depleted forests and woodlands to help restore ecological balance.

Sustainable Forestry Techniques

Practices such as selective harvesting of trees and prohibiting logging in ecologically sensitive or highly biodiverse areas.

Transportation Techniques

Methods used to transport felled trees in a way that minimizes ecological disruption and soil compaction.

Reforestation

The act of planting trees in a deforested area to restore the forest cover.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

A sustainable approach to managing pests that minimizes environmental impact.

Selective Tree Cutting

Harvesting only certain trees in a forest to maintain overall forest health and biodiversity.

Sustainable Yield

The amount of a renewable resource that can be taken without reducing the available supple.

Harvesting a Sustainable Yield

A population grows the fastest and most effeciently when at 50% carrying capacity

Urban Runoff

Water pollution and inability to recharge our groundwater caused by rainwater running over impervious surfaces, leading to the flow of contaminants into water bodies.

3 IPM Techniques

Biological: parasatic wasps, farm cat or dog, bacteria, etc. Physical: traps, barriers, and handpicking pests. Chemical: Glysophate, Atrazine, etc.

3 Methods to prevent Soil Erosion

Practices include contour plowing: preserves natural topgraphy of the land and leaves soil intact, windbreaks: reduces wind erosion that may blow soil away, and Strip cropping: harvesting one crop at a different time will leave one crop holding the soil in place.