Forest Resources

Question 1

What resources can be sourced from forests?

Answer 1

• Timber
• Fuel (cooking).
• Foods (Fodder for livestock, coffee, cacao, bananas).
• Fibres (paper from pulpea wood, cotton).
• Medicines (quinine from cinchona tree, aspirin from willow tree).

Question 2

The importance of forests: Atmospheric regulations.

Answer 2

• Photosynthesis and respiration regulate CO2 and O2.
• Reservoirs of carbon.
• Carbon sequestration.

Question 3

The importance of forests: Habitat and Wildlife Refuge.

Answer 3

• Each species of tree supports own unique community of species.
• High biodiversity.
• Creates variations in abiotic conditions.

Question 4

The importance of forests: Regulation of the water cycle.

Answer 4

• Transpiration rates greater than other ecosystems.
• Interception via foliage increases evaporation, reduces infiltration, reduces soil erosion.

Question 5

The importance of forests: Climate regulation

Answer 5

High humidity = amphibians survive.
Canopy absorbs lots of solar insolation, plants below get less light.

Question 6

The importance of forests: Soil conservation

Answer 6

• Dead organic matter = humus and nutrients for soil.
• Trees help soil from being washed away.
• Humus binds soil together.
• Trees and leaf litter reduce wind velocity and raindrop erosion.

Question 7

The importance of forests: shelter and a microclimate

Answer 7

• Trees shelter from wind velocity.
• Plants use animals for dispersal of seeds + pollination.

Question 8

The importance of forests: recreation and amenity use

Answer 8

• Walking
• Orienteering.
• Cycling
• Camping
• Educational activities.

Question 9

Differences between natural forests and plantations.

Answer 9

• More light (N), temp will be warmer (N), more ground vegetation (N). (ABIOTIC)
• Higher biodiversity (N), more niches (N), many species of trees (N) (BIOTIC)

Question 10

What factors will influence the choice of species for forest plantations?

Answer 10

• Growth rates
• Resistance to pests
• Ability to grow in certain soils
• Ability to survive climate conditions.
• Demand for particular products.

Question 11

What is a tree grown in the UK that is good?

Answer 11

Sitka Spruce
- 25% of UK forest made up of it.
- Not native (comes from Canada).
- Very fast grower.
- Few pests in this country for the spruce.

Question 12

How is growth of non-indigenous species used to increase productivity? What’s its impact on biodiversity?

Answer 12

• Better adapted to environmental conditions so less likely to suffer from disease and pests.
• Live longer.
• Less likely to support indigenous species due to inter-species needs not being met. LOWERS.

Question 13

How are monocultures used to increase productivity? What’s its impact on biodiversity?

Answer 13

• Makes it easier to manage a plantation as thinning, planting, and felling can be carried out over a large area without harming other species.
• Wildlife that rely on many species of tree will avoid this area. LOWERS.

Question 14

How is close planting used to increase productivity? What’s its impact on biodiversity?

Answer 14

• Makes trees grow tall and straight. No competition from other plants.
• Inhibits growth of other plants and species that depend on them will decrease. LOWERS

Question 15

How are simple age structures used to increase productivity? What’s its impact on biodiversity?

Answer 15

• Will be similar sizes and age so need similar management. Can all be harvested at the same time.
• Reduces variety of abiotic factors and niches. LOWERS.

Question 16

What are some cause and effects of deforestation?

Answer 16

CAUSE
- Agriculture
- Urbanisation
- Fuel
- Timber resources (mahogany).
- Livestock fodder.

EFFECT
- Loss of forest resources.
- Reduced biodiversity + fragmentation.
- Reduced interception + transpiration.

Question 17

What is the maximum sustainable yield (MSY)?

Answer 17

The maximum level at which a natural resource can be routinely exploited without long-term depletion.

Question 18

How can mixed species plantations increase the sustainability of forestry?

Answer 18

• Range of species increases variety of resources for other species.
• Greater range of inter-species relationships/niches.
• Increases biodiversity.

DRAWBACK
Only works if there is no demand for a specific product from a particular tree.

Question 19

How can indigenous species plantations increase the sustainability of forestry?

Answer 19

• Provide food.
• Provide habitats for other native species.
• Suits microclimate.

DRAWBACK
- Slower growth
- Not right type of wood.

Question 20

How can mixed aged structure plantations increase sustainability of forestry?

Answer 20

• Allows variety of niches.
• Different niches have different abiotic factors.

Question 21

How can selective logging increase sustainability of forestry?

Answer 21

TECHNIQUES
- Horse drawn sledges to create paths instead of machinery.
- Heli logging -> reduces need for roads. Timber can be transported down a river before being picked up.

TREES TO AVOID
- Ones with lots of wildlife.
- Young trees of desired species.
- Some mature trees to provide seeds for future.
- Trees along streams/rivers.