Unit 4: Environmental Conservation - Forests, Grasslands, and Nature Preserves

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering global forests, forestry harvesting methods, grassland ecology, grazing management, and nature preserve design from Unit 4.

Amur Leopard wild population status

Fewer than $100$ survive in the wild, making it the most critically endangered large cat.

Global land cover of forests, woodlands, and rangelands

Nearly $60\%$ of Earth's total land area.

Ecological services of forests and rangelands

Regulating climate, controlling runoff, purifying air and water, and providing wildlife habitat.

Forest (UN FAO definition)

Any land area with more than $10\%$ tree canopy cover.

Old-growth forest

A forest undisturbed by humans long enough for trees to live out their natural life cycle.

Global status and largest areas of old-growth forests

Only $\frac{1}{4}$ of forests retain old-growth features, mostly in Russia, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

Carbon stored globally in forest standing biomass

Approximately $422\text{ billion metric tons}$ of carbon.

Global wood consumption for fuel vs. paper

$\frac{1}{2}$ is used for fuel wood and $\frac{1}{5}$ is used for paper production.

Monoculture forestry

Growing single-species tree plantations, which produces timber quickly but supports very little biodiversity.

Biodiversity share of tropical forests

Contains over $\frac{2}{3}$ of higher plant biomass and at least $\frac{1}{2}$ of all species on Earth.

Annual tropical forest clearing rate

About $10\text{ million ha}$ (roughly $0.6\%$) cleared each year.

Primary human drivers of tropical deforestation

Commercial logging, road building, conversion to agriculture, and cattle ranching.

Forest protection percentage and model guardianship nation

About $14\%$ of forests are protected; Costa Rica leads with plans to rehabilitate and restore ecosystems.

Biomass of Pacific Northwest temperate rainforests vs. tropical rainforests

Can accumulate up to $5\text{ times}$ more standing biomass per hectare than tropical rainforests.

Endemic bird species dependent on Pacific Northwest old-growth

Northern spotted owl, Vaux's swift, and marbled murrelet.

Clear-cutting

Harvesting method that cuts every tree in an area regardless of size.

Shelterwood harvesting

Harvesting method that removes mature trees in a series of two or more cuts.

Strip-cutting

Harvesting method that cuts all trees within a narrow corridor.

Selective cutting

Harvesting method that removes a small percentage of mature trees every $10\text{ to }20\text{ years}$.

Total length of U.S. Forest Service logging roads

More than $10\text{ times}$ the length of the U.S. Interstate Highway System.

Drawback of total forest fire suppression policies

Prevents regeneration of fire-adapted species and accumulates woody debris, triggering catastrophic fires.

Ecosystem management

A landscape-level approach balancing ecological health, economic needs, and community goals.

Grassland land cover and disturbance rate

Covers $25\%$ of Earth's land, with an annual disturbance rate $3\text{ times}$ that of tropical forests.

Desertification

The degradation of fertile, arid land into desert caused by overgrazing and poor land management.

Rotational grazing

Confining grazing livestock to a small paddock for $1\text{ to }2\text{ days}$ before moving them, simulating wild herd movements.

Global land area in protected parks and preserves

Nearly $17\%$ of Earth's land surface across approximately $122{,}000$ preserves.

Five IUCN protected area categories (most to least restrictive)

1. Ecological Reserves and Wilderness Areas, 2. National Parks, 3. National Monuments, 4. Wildlife Management Areas, 5. Cultural Landscapes and Recreation Areas.

Near-shore marine biome protection and fishery impact

Only about $5\%$ is protected; closing reserves to fishing even for a few months quickly restores fish stocks.

Ecotourism

Tourism that is ecologically and socially sustainable.

Three functional zones of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

A strictly protected core reserve, a research and tourism buffer zone, and a sustainable-use transition perimeter.

Temperate grasslands conversion vs. protection rate

$45.8\%$ has been converted to human use, while only $4.1\%$ is legally protected.

what country presently has the highest rate of deforestation? 

indonesia

Clearing and burning forests is responsible for what percentage of all  the carbon released by human activity annually

$$15\text{ to }20\text{ percent}$$

What activity accounts for the greatest loss of forests annually? 

agriculture

closed canopy

Forests in which tree crowns cover most of the ground

Which of the following is a way that deforestation and degradation release carbon?

Trees burn and release carbon stored in their wood and leaves. Dead plants decay and release carbon. Less carbon builds up in the soil, while exposed soil dries out and releases carbon dioxide.

Grasslands occupy about what percentage of the land surface area in the world?

25%

The highest percentage of severe grassland degradation is in South America.

true

rotational grazing, restorative fire, and raising wild grazing species in lieu of cattle and sheep.

are all example of Grassland rehabilitation

corridors

are a proposed solution to enhance species survival by effectively creating a large preserve from several smaller ones

National parks are an important part of our heritage,

but they are endangered by overcrowding, pollution, and in some places, mining

lack of money and infrastructure to manage parks and preserves

are major limiting factor to success of parks and reserves in developing nations would be

Marine reserves are more common and easier to manage than terrestrial reserves.

false