Forest Ecosystems Preview 1. Forest Types 2. Ecosystem Services 3. Deforestation 4. Forest Management 1. Forest Types • Forest = ecosystem dominated by trees • Major forest types –Boreal –Temperate –Tropical 1.
Forests cover 31% of Earth’s land surface
Figure 9.2 1. Forest Types
Figure 4.23
Boreal Forest www.wikipedia.org 1. Forest Types
Temperate forest (coniferous) www.wikipedia.org 1. Forest Types
www.wikipedia.org
Temperate forest (deciduous) Figure 4.15 1. Forest Types
www.wikipedia.org
Figure 4.17
Temperate forest (rainforest) 1. Forest Types
www.wikipedia.org
Figure 4.18 Tropical forest (rain) 1. Forest Types
www.wikipedia.org
Tropical forest (dry) Figure 4.19 2. Ecosystem Services • Diversity –Many layers of vegetation –Lots of habitats –Soil resources 2.
Figure 9.3 2. Ecosystem Services • Protection –Roots prevent erosion and nutrient loss –Runoff filtration
2.
Molles and Cahill 2011
www.lternet.edu 2. Ecosystem Services • Climate –Take in carbon dioxide through photosynthesis –Produce oxygen –Help to moderate temperatures 2.
www.epa.gov
Heat Island Effect
www.wikipedia.org 2. Ecosystem Services • Natural Resources –Lumber, fiber, fuel, paper –Medicines
www.wikipedia.org 3. Deforestation • Clearing and loss of forests –Reduces biodiversity –Worsens climate change by adding carbon dioxide to the air –Disrupts ecosystem services –Habitat fragmentation
3. Deforestation • Rapid forest clearing in tropical regions –Populations rapidly growing (fuel, food, shelter) –Slash and burn agriculture –Sale of forest resources overseas
3.
Images: www.wikipedia.org
Figure 9.7 3.
North American forests: A cautionary tale
Figure 9.5 3. Deforestation • Dilemma for governments with forests –Seek economic development and foreign income –Lose forest habitats and ecosystem services
3. Deforestation Palm Oil Plantations • Rapidly replacing tropical forests • Palm oil products – Snack foods – Soaps – Cosmetics • Clearing encourages further development (i.e., logging) • Plantations do not provide Figure 9.8 good habitats for wildlife Sustainable Palm Oil 4. Forest Management • Maximum sustainable yield –Aims to achieve wise use of forests –Harvests at maximum growth –Doesn’t allow for older trees in forest
Figure 9.9 4.
Images: www.wikipedia.org 4.
Unevenly-aged
Evenly- aged
Figure 9.12 4. Forest Management
• All logging affects the environment – Disturbs soil – Alters habitat – Increases erosion – Degrades water quality 4. Forest Management • Ecosystem-based Management –Minimizes impacts on ecosystems –Certified sustainable forestry plans: • Protect certain areas from logging • Restore ecologically important habitats to maintain forest function –Challenging to implement 4. Forest Management
• Human impacts on forests –Species extinction –Habitat fragmentation –Fire suppression
www.wikipedia.org 4.
Figure 9.20 4.
Images: www.wikipedia.org
The State of Ebony 4. Forest Management • Sustainable forestry – forests, companies, and products made using sustainable methods – The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)
has the strictest standards www.wikipedia.org – Products more costly, but consumers willingly pay more
FSC www.homedepot.com Figure 9.17 Resources
Publications Molles, M. C. and J. F. Cahill. 2011. Ecology: Concepts and Applications, 2nd Canadian Edition. McGraw-Hill Ryerson, Whitby. Withgott, J. and M. Laposata. 2015. Essential Environment: The Science behind the Stories, 5th Edition. Pearson, New York.