Guest lectures part 1

forest

An area dominated by trees (woody plants that are >6m tall at maturity) with at least 25% cover trees.

Canopy

All the leaves of trees. Different trees can have different amounts of leaves in the canopy.

Canopy gap

A hole in the canopy which provides more light beneath.

Shade intolerant

These plants need a lot of light to establish. They need to be at the top of the canopy. They have fast juvenile growth. Ex: pines, aspens, poplars, larches, grasses and herbs etc…

Shade tolerant

These plants can establish and grow in low lights. This is because they are able to grow slowly in their juvenile stage. They may not prefer it, however they can do it. Ex: Spruce, Fir, Beech, Hemlock, feathermoss, sugar maple, etc…

Partial harvest forestry

Manage forests with shade capacity of a forest. By keeping some shade on the site at all times it tends to promote regeneration of shade tolerant trees.

Transpiration

Water evaporating from leaves through stomata.

Interception

Water held in the canopy of a tree. This water is liable to sublimation.

Crown fire

A forest fire that consumes fine fuels including some soil C. It burns soil canopy fuel which include live and dead foliage/branches, lichens in trees and tall shrubs that lie well above the surface fuels.  It is a massive release of energy and C.

Rangeland

 Parts of the world where there are sources of forage for free roaming livestock or native animals as well as a source of other ecosystem goods and services.

Pallisers triangle

Rangeland in southern Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba

Rangeland management

Manipulation of rangeland components in order to get what we want out of that ecosystem. (sustainable ~livestock goods and services).

Forage

Herbaceous plants in a rangeland ecosystem

Brouse

Woody plants in a rangeland ecosystem.

Avoidance

A plant adaptation to deal with herbivory. They reduce the chance of being eaten.

Tolerance

A plant adaptation to deal with herbivory. They maintain the plant's fitness despite it being eaten. Ex, grass

Senescence

Photosynthesis and growth stop

Intensity

A Rangeland management control. That controls the amount of leaf or plant biomass removed. The longer a herd is there = more plants eaten.

Timing

A Rangeland management control. Controls when the plants are eaten.

Livestock density

A Rangeland management control. If the density is too high then the livestock can become aggressive.

Location of livestock

A Rangeland management control. Controls which pastures + seasonality.

Genetic factor

Limit of a crop yield. The inherent yield potential of the crop body.

Environmental factor

Limit of a crop yield. It is where things are growing. This includes soils, MAT, MAP, etc…

Pest factor

Limit of a crop yield. Living organisms that can harm, damage or cause disease to the cop.

Potential yield

A yield that is only limited by its genetics. It is grown in perfect conditions.

Realistic yield

A yield limited by both its genetics and its environment.

Actual yield

A yield limited by its genetics, environment and pests.

Regulatory

A type of pest management. Its aim is to prevent pest introduction or limit their spread if introduced. It is implemented at the government level.

Cultural control

A type of pest management. Used for pests that are already in the environment. It is the manipulation of the environment to make it less favorable for the pest. It is the first line of defense and is a foundational step for future pest management.

Biological control

A type of pest management. It uses  living organisms to manage pests.

Classical

A type of biological control. The introduction of a natural enemy with the hope that it will become integrated and self-sustaining in its new environment.

Inundative

A type of biological control. The mass production and application of biological “pesticides”. It is used for immediate pest suppression.

Augmentative

A type of biological control. Boosting the existing populations of natural enemies. They aim to enhance effectiveness.

Host plant resistance

A type of pest management. Ensuring the plant has the inherent ability to limit, slow or prevent a pest and pathogen attacking it. This is often introduced through selective plant breeding. They will bring in genes from wild relatives.

Chemical control

A type of pest management. Compounds toxic to pests.

Transgenic

A type of pest management. Also known as GMOs. This process is when genes from another organism/species are introduced into the genes of the crop of interest. These will often be traits to aid in pest management

Herbicide tolerance

A type of transgenital approach. Ensures the resistance to selected herbicides. This allows herbicide application for effective weed control.

Insecticidal resistance

A type of transgenital approach. The insertion of proteins to kill insects.. Ex: Bt

Disease resistance

A type of transgenital approach to make the plant resistant to diseases. Mainly deals with viruses. It is less common in the real world. 

Genome editing

A type of pest management. A precise biotech approach. It can insert, delete or replace DNA at targeted genome sites. It provides tools for developing cisgenic plants.