5.5 Sustainable Use of Forestry
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GEOGRAPHY A LEVEL(FORM SIX) – REGIONAL FOCAL STUDIES -5.5 SUSTAINABLE USE OF FORESTRY ecolebooks.com REGIONAL FOCAL STUDIES -5.5 SUSTAINABLE USE OF FORESTRY Forest is an extensive area covered by different types of tree species, which can be either natural or man-made. The process in which an individual purposefully plants trees and takes care of them until the harvest time , and then after harvesting replants trees with proper managements, is referred to as silviculture. Distribution of Forests in the world In the tropical zone There are evergreen rainforests of equatorial areas where there is high rainfall, tropical mansion climatic region, Savanna woodland in the area with alternating dry and wet seasons (occupying the largest party of Africa), coastal forest including mangrove vegetation. The equatorial rainforest is found in the areas like Congo, Amazonia as well as West Africa and Gabon. Tropical areas usually provide hard wood. In the temperate Zone There are hardwood species like oak, ash, beech and poplar for example in northern China, Japan, West, South and central Europe and eastern North America. Soft wood species of coniferous forest like pines, fir, and spruce in Norway, larch and Parana spine in South America (Brazil). Coniferous forests are located chiefly in the northern America, Central and East North America, Southern USA, Northern Europe like Sweden, Norway and Finland. Main forest products 1. Poles for construction of houses and electrification. 2. Timber for furniture, construction of houses and bridges, containers, paper and railway sleepers. 3. Resigns for making rubber like in Brazil, Oil and gum 4. Fiber materials for human and animal consumption. 5. Fruits and flowers for human and animal consumption. 6. Tannin a substance used for converting hide into leather. Importance of Forest 1. Forest forms a protective cover to the ground and hence prevents soil erosion from degrading the surface of the earth. 2. It also provides habitat for the animals and birds of different varieties. 3. Forests contribute to the modification of the climate especially through the rainfall formation and moisture conservation. 4. Forests also introduce oxygen to the environment, which is produced during photosynthesis. In this process the trees clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide. Hence, the forest is an oxygen sink. 5. Trees are also a source of fuel energy since they are used for firewood and charcoal making. 6. They provide building materials like poles, timber. 7. The forest is also important in the paper and pulp industry from which writing materials are produced. 8. Some tree species are used for making medicine and some provide fruits as well as ornamental flowers. 9. It contributes to the soil development through rotting of leaves, which lead to formation of humus. 10.The liquid material from the trees is used for making gum, dyestuffs and other chemicals. 11.They maintain water sources like livers, catchment areas, springs, and lakes. 12.The forests are also used for scientific studies (research) 13.Tourism can develops since when there are many tree species, promote the scenic view and this attracts tourists. The forests also provide good center for recreation. Timber industry is the activity, which involves the production of timber and other processes associated with timber production. Timber is the wood material delivered from the forest. Factors that Encourages the development of Timber Industry in any Country include: 1. Availability of food species of forest trees. These species should in a great amount. 2. There should be a capital to be invested in the exploitation of the forests and timber production. 3. There should be minimal competition from other economic sectors like mining, agriculture etc. 4. There should be efficient and effective transport and communication in order to facilitate coordination of ferrying of timber products. 5. Advanced technology for effective extraction and management of the forest. 6. There should be a strong support from the government financial or through technical advice and organizing market for timber products generated in the country. 7. There should be reliable food supply for the people who are dealing with lumbering and timber industry in general. 8. Reliable water supply can also encourage the development of timber since water is needed for washing and cleaning as well as transportation (in rivers). 9. Power availability since timber industry needs a lot of power for running effectively. For example in Sweden great Hydro-electric power from the power plant at porous has stimulated the development of timber industry in the country. 10. Market availability both local and international is another impetus for the development of timber in the industry. Timber industry in Sweden grew fast due to the increased demand for sawn timber and paper in the world. FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT This involves the control and the use of forest resources for different purposes. Forest management is part and parcel of forestry. Forestry refers to the science of managing forest resource for human use. The importance of forest management is to ensure that the adequate supplies of timber, water, wildlife, grazing and recreation areas are maintained. The forests in many parts of the world face the problem of poor management. This is associated with poor exploitation of resources which is excessive. Effects of Poor Resources Management It leads to deforestation since the trees are cut or areas are cleared without or with minimal replacement. Deforestation is caused by shifting cultivation, plantation agriculture, cutting trees for fuel, timber and settlement, rapid population growth that leads to the need for new areas for settlement and farms, development of transport and communication system, mining activities. Deforestation leads to the problems like increase in soil erosion, acceleration of the flooding phenomenon, reduction in the size of the arable land, excessive evaporation which causes drought, loss of different animal and plant species, decline in tourist industry, destruction of animal habitat, destruction of the catchment areas, acceleration of the advance of the desert, pollution of the atmosphere which can lead to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Effect of Rapid Population Growth on forest resources; 1. It has led to the clearing of vegetation leading to deforestation. 2. There has been increased demand for firewood, timber charcoal and areas for settlement. 3. Valuable species have disappeared due to excessive cutting. 4. There had been an increase in distance from the homesteads to the forest resources since those found near homesteads have been cleared. Problems Associated with Exploitation of forest Resources; 1. Poor capital especially in the developing countries like Tanzania and Congo. 2. In tropical areas there are so many species but few are commercially valuable. 3. Poor transport especially in the equatorial areas where the land is swampy or water logged due to high rainfall. 4. The trees in the tropical areas are so dense that exploiting is difficult. 5. Low technology which leads to the use of poor tools. 6. Coniferous trees in the temperate areas face the problem of acid rain due to industrial emissions and leaching. The addition of acid in the soil causes the death of trees. 7.Rapid population growth has led to the depletion of the forest in many places. The trees are cleared for establishing settlement areas and farms. 8. The forest industry is facing a stiff challenge posed by other economic sectors like development of industries and mining activities. Solving the problem associated with Forest Exploitation (Forest Conservation Measures) 1.Planting trees where other trees have been cut (reforestation) and planting trees where there never existed any tree before (forestation). 2. Setting aside some areas and declaring them as protected areas. 3.Educating people on the importance of conserving the forest and persuading them to fully participate in all activities involving forests conservation. 4. There should be clear policies giving directives on the proper use of the forest resources. 5.There should be alternative energy resources used instead of depending on the trees. For example there should be the use of solar energy, geothermal power, biogas and HEP. 6.There should be careful land use planning in order to avoid destruction of trees. 7.Population control should be encouraged in the countries so to reduce pressure on the forest resources and the land in general. 8.Agricultural method should be improved so as to encourage proper land use. Methods like shifting cultivation should be discouraged. 9.Destocking (reducing the number of animals) should be encouraged among the past lists because having too many animals’ leads to the destruction of vegetation. 10.Agro forestry should be encouraged in the countries. 11.There should be controlled cutting of trees for timber production. 12.New and fast growing trees species should be introduced. Agro forestry means the practice of inter cropping trees and crops in the same farm. Trees can be inter cropped with crops like beans, bananas etc. Advantages of inter cropping the trees with crops (Agro-forestry) 1. Trees prevent soil erosion while the crops like beans add nutrients to the soil. 2. A farmer gets a variety of profits from the same farm. That is forest products and crops products. 3. Family members get fuel wood from the homestead without traveling very far in search for firewood. Disadvantage related to Agro- Forestry 1. When larger trees are inter cropped, the annual crops tend to suffer leading to decline in production. This is so because the larger trees tend to take up most of its moisture, nutrients and block the light from reaching the annual crops. 2. Some trees are harmful to crops since they produce poisonous substances. 3. Mechanization cannot be easily done because of the trees. Example of areas with timber industry Sweden, Canada and some parts of Japan where coniferous trees are providing most of the forest resources, Major species are oak, chestnut, spruce, Douglas fir, pin, and sugar maple.