1. A2 Biology UNIT F215 Module 3: Ecosystems and Sustainability

2. Sustainable Management

3. Aims
To provide an overview of careful resource management without reducing biodiversity
Pages OCR book
Pgs booklet

4. TEMPERATE DECIDUOUS FOREST
5.3.2 Populations and Sustainability
(f) explain how the management of an ecosystem can provide resources in a sustainable way, with reference to timber production in a temperate country;
Stretch and Challenge task: Explain how the management technique can be used to improve biodiversity and conservation value in woodland.

5. Temperate Climate
Over the course of the year the climate will range from cold with snow, to hot, with rain.  Some seasons will be wetter than others.
Temperature ranges up to about 20° C down to freezing.

6. Indicator and Dominant Species
Many of the dominant species produce very large seeds; the large seed contains enough food to sustain the seedling as it grows up through the leaf litter into the shaded world of the forest floor.
About 30 broadleaf species are native to Britain
E.g. Oak (Quercus sp.)

7. Characteristics
Broad large leaves to help absorb as much sunlight as possible for photosynthesis before the leaves are shed
Shed leaves to prevent unnecessary loss of water in the winter

8. Layers
The forest is made up of three layers

9. TOP LAYER = Canopy Thickest layer Grows up top between 20m and 30m
Thickest cover during summer when there is more sunshine

10. MIDDLE LAYER = Shrub layer
Made up of shrubs and smaller trees

11. BOTTOM LAYER = forest floor (leaf litter)
Made up of grasses, ferns and mosses

12. THREATS – the need for conservation and management
Easily converted to agricultural land
Development – housing
Logging; most trees are hardwoods, meaning they have a denser wood than most coniferous trees
Pollution - Acid Rain from coal-burning is another threat
Global warming - may change rainfall patterns

13. Sustainable Timber Production
Examples of uses of timber:-
Building construction
Fencing
Garden products (bark chipping, furniture, posts)
Fuel (wood and charcoal)
Paper
Furniture
Craft products
Cricket bats

14. SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
What is meant by the phrase sustainable management of wood production?
Management techniques that ensure that diversity is maintained, whilst producing a continuous and regular supply of wood

15. Define Key words:
Coppice
Pollard
Standard
Rotational Coppicing

16. Coppicing – sustainable timber production which maintains biodiversity

17. Management for sustainable resources: How to Coppice a Tree –

18. Task
Compare the management of small-scale timber production and large-scale timber production
You will need to write the differences and similarities between these
OCR Book pgs

19. Answers –Small Scale vs Large ScALe
Differences
Different-sized timbers produced
Coppicing vs felling
Habitat destruction happens more in large-scale production
Large-scale felling can reduce soil quality, coppicing does not
Coppicing does not involve planting new trees, whereas large scale production does
Similarities
Selective cutting and growing standards are similar strategies to gain high-quality large timbers

20. Clear Felling – advantages and disadvantages?

21. Advantages of Selective Cutting?

22. Pollarded Trees – when is this system useful?

23. Woodland management 8 minutes

24. Good forestry practice – sustainable management
Coppice part of a wood each year – use rotational coppicing and coppicing with standards
Use selective cutting rather than clear felling
Provide a long rotation time
When planting, match tree species to the climate, landscape and soil type
Manage habitats for declining populations e.g. birds
Plant trees the best distance apart
Control pests, pathogens and invasive species
Practise selective culling

25. Damage to bark by grey squirrels

26. Browsing by deer

27. Standards growing amongst coppiced trees.

28. Modern forestry practices
Selective felling where only the largest most valuable trees are felled.
Any tree harvested is replaced by another
Local people benefit from the forest.

29. Sustainable Timber management
Maintaining a sustainable forest ecosystem
Gather information on biodiversity and wildlife
Consider transport links and markets
Formulate ecological and business plans
Select appropriate species to grow
Measurement of forest growth and structure
Application of ecologically sensitive systems
Clear felling vs. selective felling vs. strip felling
Recreational use of forests by the public
Use of broad-leaved deciduous species