Forestry - Plant Biology

Plant

multicellular , photosynthetic organism belonging to the kingdom Plantae.

Xylem

Move water and dissolved materials

Phloem

Transport sugars produced in photosynthesis

Shoot System

that grows above the ground. It includes structures like leaves, buds, stems, flowers and fruits.

The root system

Grows Underground - It includes roots, as well as special structures like tubers and rhizomes

Tubers

Underground plant structures that store nutrients and can grow into new plants, like potatoes and sweet potatoes.

Rhizome

Underground stems that grow horizontally, storing nutrients and producing new shoots and roots, like ginger and bamboo.

Crown

Consists of the leaves and the branches at the top of a tree

Leaves

Contain chlorophyll, a green pigment that allows them to capture sunlight and convert it into energy

Branch, Twigs and Boughs

Woody structure that grows from the central trunk of a tree. Larger branches are called boughs, while smaller ones are referred to as twigs.

Roots

Holds the soil in place, anchor the tree in the ground and absorb water and nutrients from the ground.

Bark

Protects the tree from damage caused by animals, diseases, fire, and environmental stresses. Can be thin, thick, spongy, rough, or smooth, depending on the species.

Cambium

A thin layer of growing tissue between the xylem and phloem.

Heartwood

 Forms the core, is made of deadwood and provides strength.

Flowers

Produce seeds in fruit, which are essential for plant reproduction

Seeds

Come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, adapted to different methods of dispersal and environmental conditions

Cuticle

Protects plant against water loss and insects

Palisade mesophyll

Densely packed region of cylindrical cells in upper portion, large numbers of chloroplasts

Spongy mesophyll

Loosely packed cells with few chloroplasts. Many air spaces for gas exchange

Stomata

Tiny pores on plant leaves and stems that control gas exchange and water loss.

Forestry

The science and craft of creating, managing, conserving, using and caring for science

Biodiversity

The variety of animals and plants that in-habitat a particular environment

Plantation

Areas where trees are deliberately planted un rows and intensively managed

Monoculture

Agriculture practise growing a single crop species or raising one type of liveable area a larger area

Fire-Stick Farming

Traditional Indigenous Australian land management technique that involves the controlled use of fire to manage vegetables

Clear Cutting

Logging practise where all or most trees in a area is removed at once

Pitch - Wood Structure

A small and often pulpy core running up the centre of the trunk

Ray - Wood Structure

Carries nutrients laterally through the wood; also stores nutrients.

Bark - Wood Structure

Insulates tree against temperature extremes - keeps sapwood and phloem from drying out

Heartwood

Sapwood that has been clogged with resins, gum and other extractives: supports tree

Growth Ring

Concentric ring divided into earlywood and latewood indicating the amount of wood added to a tree’s diameter in one growing season

Sapwood

Active part of the tree’s wood through which water and minerals are conducted from the roots to the leaves - also stores nutrients and helps support the tree

Hardwood

Wood produced from trees, which are trees that shed their leaves each year. These trees are typically slower-growing and produce denser, tougher wood

Softwood

Comes from trees, which are trees that typically have needle-like leaves and produce cones. Tend to grow faster, making them more abundant. The wood of these trees is generally lighter and less dense

Emergent Layer

• The tallest trees in the forest, rising above the canopy.

• Receives the most sunlight and is exposed to strong winds.

• Home to birds, bats, butterflies, and some tree-dwelling animals like monkeys.

Canopy Layer

• A dense covering of trees that forms a roof over the forest.

• Blocks most of the sunlight from reaching lower layers.

• Provides shelter for many animals, including snakes, monkeys, sloths, and a variety of insects.

Understory Layer

• The layer beneath the canopy, consisting of small trees and shrubs.

• Receives limited sunlight, making it humid and dark.

• Home to insects, frogs, jaguars, and other small predators.

Forest Floor

• The bottommost layer, covered with decomposing leaves, plants, and animals.

• Very little sunlight reaches here, but it is rich in nutrients.

• Home to decomposers like fungi and bacteria, as well as large animals like tigers, elephants, and gorillas.

Transpiration

Loss of water vapour from plant leaves through stomata.

Meristem

Region in plants where actively dividing cells enable growth. It is found in roots, shoots, and other growing parts.