Forestry Notes Forests occupy about 30% of earth’s land surface (excluding Greenland and Antarctica) Types of forests Classification based on age and structure Old growth uncut or regenerated forest that has not been disturbed by humans or natural disasters for hundreds of years. Storehouses for biodiversity (22% of world forests) Second growth a stand of trees that result from secondary succession (developed after trees have been removed by human activities (clear-cutting or conversion to cropland) or by natural forces (hurricanes, fires, volcanic eruptions) 63% of world forests Tree plantation AKA tree farm. Managed tract of uniformly aged trees of one or two genetically uniform species that are harvested by clear cutting as soon as they become commercially valuable. It’s replanted and clear cut in a cycle. (5% of world forests)

Some statistics: Worlds forests are being degraded or cleared exponentially at a rate of 0.3-0.8% per year. If that rate continues, 40% of the world’s remaining forests will have been logged or converted to other uses within 20 years. Effects of Deforestation-What are some? Decreased soil fertility from erosion Runoff of eroded soil into aquatic habitats Loss of habitat (birds and butterflies especially) Climate change Increase amount of CO2 into atmosphere Accelerating flooding

Harvesting trees Selective cutting Intermediate aged or mature trees in an uneven aged forest are cut singly or in small groups. Pros: Reduces crowding, removes diseased trees, encourages growth of younger trees, allows for variety of trees to exist. Clear cutting Cutting all the trees down in a given area. Clear cutting pros-high timber yields, good for trees needing full or moderate sunlight, can reforest with fast growing trees Clear cutting cons-reduction of biodiversity, fragments wildlife habitats, increases erosion, pollution and flooding Strip cutting Clear cutting a strip of trees along the contour of the land, with the corridor narrow enough to allow natural regeneration after a few years. After regeneration, loggers cut down another strip above the first etc. Think-Pair-Share Activity: Assess the methods for cutting down trees. Write down some pros and cons for each type of tree harvesting method. Based on your assessment, which would be the best choice for promoting sustainable forestry? Why?

Solutions for sustainable forestry: Protect forest areas high in biodiversity Stop clear cutting on steep slopes Rely more on strip and selective cutting Certify timber grown by sustainable methods Shift government subsidies from harvesting trees to planting them Leave standing dead trees and fallen timber for wildlife habitats The Swedish Model for Sustainable Forestry-Video Questions to consider: What was the forestry problem in Sweden? How did their Forestry Laws change over time? Have they been successful? What is the biggest challenge they face?

Forest Fires Types of fires: Surface: burning undergrowth and leaf litter Pros: Occasional surface fires burn away leaf litter-preventing larger fires, release valuable mineral nutrients, release seeds (pinecones), control pathogens and insects. Crown: extremely hot, burns from ground up through the tops of trees (very destructive) Prescribed: set small, contained surface fires on purpose

2003 Healthy Forest Restoration Act (Healthy Forest Initiative) Premise: Was proposed in response to raging wildfires in the West in the early 2000s. Goal was to suppress the occasional surface wildfires by clearing underbrush and thinning lower growing trees. Timber companies can cut down valuable medium and large trees in 71% of the total area of national forests in return for clearing away smaller, more fire prone trees and underbrush. This Initiative has been fraught with controversy. Can you figure out the pros and cons?

Case Study: Illegal Killing or Sale of Wild Species Illegal trade of wildlife: 6-10 billion dollars per year Internet is key market for illegal global trade of threatened and endangered species and products made from those species. How much can a poacher get? Mountain gorilla-$150,000 Giant panda pelt: $100,000 Rhino horn $13,000/lb Bengal or Indian tiger pelt: $100,000

Bushmeat Can range from bat to monkey to lion, including a number of endangered species, is beloved by many African-born Americans, despite the fact that it is illegal in the U.S. Bushmeat is “a potential vector of diseases such as Monkeypox, Ebola Virus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and other communicable diseases.” Regulated by FWS, CDC, USDA, FDA 50 million dollar/year business People need to eat. So what is the big deal?? VICE-Bushmeat and Ebola

FRQ 2008-HFI Answer all parts of the question on a separate piece of paper individually. No notes. Answer keys will be provided to a partner who will grade your paper as IF this was the AP exam. Note: avoid flowery, vague answers. If a third grader can write it, it is not specific enough. Effort counts. Note how many points per section was earned. 11 points total for the whole assignment.