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Home , Dew point depression, Kudzu

Use the word key below to find the hidden glossary terms in the puzzle. Look up any words you Forestry in the Classroom Series don’t know in a dictionary to find their meaning.

s n b r c g t y n b n n f r y r d c x z a l o n e i y o u j t r p e t t e y s s u d d i m h n p t e a k p t i j f a s p y a e b t n t s s g s u w e d n o m a e b l e l a a i a m y r u f m i x r i p x e r l t g t t e e d x h o o m g e g m t r n i o n i n s l w y k r r u r s r o z q v i e o t d a e o d l e h h a t a c y e x i p a w r p g r z q s c g z a t a b s c u t h e r n t l o i t y x i t i r o s p i s m h t o m h l f v s f n i o c r x o a e e l t e e b e d f p t g o n i e n d t e m p e r a t u r e a y d n f e r k u d z u m u t y e h a m v r g o r e k n o i t a t s e r o f e r o i m o h i s r v s w s e r i f d l i w t m s i i z e w e i i e s e i c e p s n b i e a n d r e n o r h e m l o c k i f o r g t v g i Forest Health d m b h g m o r w k o q n z l n y e n f f l h c r a e s e r l q b d m t f m r i

adelgid • afforestation • ash • beetle • borer • compass • deforestation • • emerald erosion • farming • fires • forest • fragmentation • • hemlock • invasive • kudzu • migration • moisture • moth • nonnative • pine • psychrometer •reestablish reforestation • research • scientist • species • • thermometer • timber • • weather

Kentucky Division of Forestry / 300 Sower Blvd., Frankfort, KY 40601 / 502-564-4496 / .forestry.ky.gov An Educational Series for Grades 4, 5 and 6 pairs of red spots, on the back. Mature larvae What is Forest Health? Deforestation Insects & Diseases are from to long. Adult male moths are dark brown, with wavy dark bands across the There are many variables that determine The permanent removal of trees from a for- The forests of Kentucky are a diverse and forewings. Female moths are white and cannot the health of a forest. Variables that include ested area can result from a variety of caus- beautiful ecosystem, dominated by two fly. Females deposit egg masses on sheltered the of an area, its elevation, its es. Human activities that directly contribute main forest types: oak/hickory and oak/ spaces like under rocks and on tree trunks, population, any recent logging, any grazing to deforestation include cutting down trees pine. Even though hardwood species dom- houses, picnic tables, campers, mobile homes, on the land, any mining sites in the area, to convert forest land to agricultural inate in the state, (including walnut, oak, and cars. Gypsy Moths will attack just about any and whether the land is privately or publicly croplands or grazing lands, clearing the for- maple, cherry, hickory and yellow- tree but prefer hardwoods. ests to make way for devel- owned. poplar), there are considerably large opment, and flooding land areas of natural and commercial pine In the forests of the southern Appalachian for hydroelectric develop- mountains, eastern hemlock trees grow near The changes that place the most stress on a ment. forests across the state. Common pine mountain streams. Hemlock trees are now forest are the ones caused by human activi- species include Virginia, pitch, loblolly ty. This includes things like how many In many regions of the world, conditions such and eastern white pine. threatened by a nonnative invasive insect called people are living in an area, how much of as poverty, joblessness, and an unequal dis- the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. The Hemlock the land is built up with homes and business- tribution of land can lead to deforestation. One of the most recent threats to Ken- Woolly Adelgid was acci- es, and how much of the land is used for These conditions may force landless farmers tucky's rural and urban forests is the Em- dently brought on ships cattle grazing. Change is a normal part of to clear forests for farming or grazing be- erald Ash Borer (EAB). This insect was re- from Asia to the North- the natural environment, but natural change cause they have no other way to make a liv- cently discovered western in usually takes a long time to occur, and the ing. Other activities indirectly lead to defor- in October 2009 in 1924. It has been spread- environment has time to adapt to the chang- estation, including warfare, pollution, and 11 counties. The ing ever since. This in- es. When people make changes to the natu- human-caused global climate change. EAB feeds only on sect's larva feed at the ral environment, the change is usually fast- ash trees. Larvae base of hemlock needles, eating sugars stored in In addition to human activities that reduce er. If the environment does not have time to make galleries in the inner bark and outer the twigs where the needles are attached. In forest cover, humans may trees to in- adapt to changes, it might become more sapwood, girdling and often killing the the third year after being attacked by the ad- crease forests. Reforestation is when people elgid, the hemlock tree begins to die. stressed. plant trees or tree in an area where tree within two to three years of infesta- the forest was previously removed or tion. Adult beetles are about 1/4"to 1/2" There are three main human on burned. People may decide to reforest an long. The body is brassy-green, with dark- forests that continue to reduce forest cover: area for commercial purposes, such as a er, metallic, emerald green wing covers. deforestation, forest fires, and fragmenta- for forest products, or they may Females begin depositing eggs on bark in tion. These activities can affect the types want to reestablish the natural forest envi- May or June. When the eggs hatch the and amount of wildlife, the cleanliness of ronment for recreation or noncommercial larvae chew through the bark into the the , and whether there are a lot of purposes. The Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janei- cambium. Adults emerge in Spring different types of growing in an area. ro, , is the largest urban forest in the through D-shaped exit holes that are 3 to world and was reforested in the 1800s when mm in diameter (about the diameter of erosion threatened the city after the forest a cell phone charging cord). was cut for coffee planta- tions. The gypsy moth is one of the most im- portant insect pests in the Northeast. It When people plant forests causes widespread defoliation, often of in areas where there the entire tree. Gypsy were no forests previous- ly, that process is called moth larvae are sometimes afforestation. Uruguay is one country that confused with tent cater- has an extensive afforestation program. With pillars or fall webworms the goal of replacing unprofitable farming because they are all and grazing on poor soils with prof- "hairy': but each has dis- itable forests, those afforested plantations tinct color patterns to help provide timber, pulpwood (for paper), you identify them. Afforestation usually requires Older larvae are brownish-gray, with tufts major human intervention and management. of hair on each segment and a double row of five pairs of blue spots, followed by six

the nest. (If you are a Warbling Vireo, your breed- Ad-libbed Aliens Fragmentation ing was unsuccessful. Remove the Vireo.) How will this affect the numbers of Warbling Vireos in- What is an Invasive Plant Species? How many of you have played Mad Libs®? Construction, such as roads and housing habiting this forest in the future? What do you think eventually happened to the birds that had An "invasive species" is defined as a species You might remember that you have to list developments, fragments forests into to leave the forest? that is Non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and other smaller blocks of This fragmen- under consideration; and, whose introduction words without knowing how they will be tation diminishes species diversity be- causes or is likely to cause economic or envi- used. When we insert these random words Scenario 2: Bird watching is one of Jesse and ronmental harm or harm to human health. into the blanks of a story, the results can be cause it creates different habitat condi- Trina’s favorite hobbies. This spring when Jesse weird, funny, or just plain silly! Try your tions along the edges of the smaller and Trina arrive at the forest, they notice that a Why are invasive plants successful? Many hand at it. blocks. For example, there may be less large part of the forest had been cleared for a invasive plant species produce large quanti- moisture and more sunlight and wind near new development. 8 sections of forest were cut for this development. (Mark through 8 sections ties of seeds. The seeds are often distributed the edges, making it hard for certain from the forest. The birds that were in these sec- by birds, wind, or humans. Some invasives plant and animal species to survive and have aggressive systems that spread tions must move over into the remaining sections.) more difficult for animals to find food or long distances from a single plant. These They also notice that they could not find any of root systems often grow so densely that they shelter. Fragmentation may also block their favorite birds of prey. They meet a wildlife smother the root systems of surrounding veg- migration routes and open new areas for biologist. She explains that clearing the land for etation. Some plant species produce chemi- invasion by nonnative species. In addi- the development caused many small mammals to leave. Because there are fewer small mam- cals in their or root systems which in- tion, roads provide easier access into the hibit the growth of other plants around mals, the birds of prey left to find more food. (If forest for hunting, wood gathering, land you are a Cooper’s Hawk, Great Horned Owl, or them. clearing, and other activities that alter Long-eared Owl, you can not find food and must

leave the forest.) What are the impacts of invasive plant spe- the forest ecosystem. cies? Invasive species compete directly with Why do you think the hawk and the owls left the native species for moisture, sunlight, nutri- forest? What happened to the birds that had to ents, and space. Establishment and spread of Forest For The Birds move to another place in the forest? invasive species can degrade wildlife habitat. Birds are one of the first species impact- Invasive species have contributed to the de- ed by forest fragmentation. In the follow- cline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threat- List of Birds: Cooper’s Hawk, Great Horned Owl, Wood ing activity, role-play each of the scenari- ened species. The Chief of the USDA Forest Duck, Long-eared Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Wood os, and consider what might happen to Thrush, Hairy Woodpecker, Black-capped Chickadee, Service has identified invasive species as one you, as a bird, if each one actually oc- White-Breasted Nuthatch, Wood Thrush, Brown Creeper, of the four critical threats to our Nation’s curs. Warbling Vireo, Yellow-Throated Warbler Forests and Grasslands. Kudzu is a from eastern Asia. The Japa- nese government introduced the plant to Before you begin each scenario, place Here are a few things that you can do to Americans at a Centennial Exposition in one token (a scrap of paper, a penny, fight invasive plants and preserve the plant 1876. Its abundant vegetation and sweet- smelling flowers made it a popular orna- etc.) on a tree in the landscape for each species native to your region: mental plant. Our government promoted it bird species. You should start each sce-  Don't pick the flowers of noxious as a plant to feed livestock and to help con- nario with 12 tokens on the board. and take them home. trol soil erosion, but it quickly escaped and  Don't pick and transport wild flowers that took over! Scenario 1: A new suburban town has just you can't identify. Kudzu can grow up to 12 inches in one day. been developed. 8 sections of forest were  Do not camp or drive in infested ar- It grows right up telephone poles and tree cut to develop this town. (Mark through 8 eas. trunks. Kudzu covers the landscape and sections from the forest. Remove the birds smothers every other plant in its path. Oth- that were in these sections.) This new de- You can find out more at invasivespeciesin- er plants simply can't grow, because kudzu grows so thick that it blocks the sun. When velopment has opened many new areas fo.gov. the native plants die, the animals that de- for the Brown-headed Cowbird to feed. A pended on them can't find the food and female Cowbird flies into the forest and shelter that they need to survive. Just like lays its eggs in the nests of Warbling Vire- in the story, kudzu is taking over the land- os. The Cowbird hatches first. When the scape! Vireo eggs hatch they are pushed out of Forest Fires and Weather Let’s Experiment

Wildfires can be a threat to the health and When air temperature is high and the In this FACTivity, you will determine the Supplies needed: safety of people and animals. Wildfires amount of water in the air is low, large or air's temperature. Dew point is • vegetable can • ice might be started by mistake, as when people dangerous wildfires are more likely to burn. the point at which the air, at a given • water • paper are not careful with campfires or with Of these three measurements, dew point temperature, can hold no more moisture. • thermometer • pencil matches. Wildfires may also be started by depression is the single best measurement to The question you will answer is: What • spoon or by other natural means during use when trying to predict wildfires. When happens when the air can hold no more Weather reports often give the air's dew point dry weather. Most dew point depression is low, there is a lot of moisture? temperature. Knowing the dew point will help people know that water in the air, and wild•fires are not as you to determine whether dew or is likely to weeks of dry weather likely to burn. When dew point depression is For this activity, you will need a cleaned- occur. will increase the high, there is little moisture in the air and a out vegetable can, filled three-quarters danger of a . wildfire is more likely to become large or high with water, a thermometer, a Keep a record for several days to see how the Whether a wildfire dangerous. spoon, ice, paper, and a pencil. Dew Point Depression changes. Try to take the spreads may also Is it important to be able to predict on which readings at the same time of day. depend on the weather Let the vegetable can filled with water days a wildfire might burn? Why or why not? that occurs each day. sit for a few hours outside in the shade. Air Temp Dew Point Dew Point If the weather on some It should reach air temperature before in Shade - Temp. = Depression days is more likely to You can read all about Dr. Potter and his re- you continue. Using the thermometer, Day 1 - = help a wildfire to search in the article Dew It! in volume 4, measure the air temperature in the Day 2 - = spread, people should be extra careful with number 1 of the Natural Inquirer. The Natu- shade and record the air temperature on Day 3 - = matches or with fire during those days. ral Inquirer is a middle school science educa- the graph. Day 4 - = tion journal! Each article tells you about sci- Day 5 - = Air temperature, humidity, and wind affect entific research conducted by scientists in Next, hold the thermometer against the the USDA Forest Service. Day 6 - = the spread of a wildfire. A wildfire can gen- outside of the can so you can measure Day 7 - = erate its own wind, thus helping to spread the temperature of the air immediately All of the research in this journal is con- itself. When the air above a flame gets heat- outside of the can. Put some ice into the cerned with nature, trees, wildlife, insects, Firefighters use fire weather kits ed, it rises. When it rises, fresh air rushes in outdoor activities and water. First students water and stir. The dew point of the air to monitor , wind to fill the vacuum. The fresh air provides a will "meet the scientists" who conduct the surrounding the can is the temperature speed, and relative humidity, the new source of oxygen for the fire. Thus, if research. Then students read special infor- registered on the thermometer when the 3 critical weather patterns that fuels are available and there is a lack of mation about science, and then about the first sign of moisture appears on the out- help them determine suppression moisture in the air, a wildfire can continue environment. Students will also read about a side surface of the can. Record the tem- tactics and strategies. to spread in part by creating its own wind. specific research project, written in a way perature at dew point. that scientists write when publishing their The core tools in a fire weather instrument kit Dr. Potter, a scientist, helped determine research in journals. Students become scien- What has happened? The ice has caused are: which daily weather conditions are most re- tists when they do the Discovery FACTivity, the air immediately surrounding the can  a wind meter that measures the wind in lated to forest wildfires. His research learning vocabulary words that help in under- to cool. As the air cools, it absorbs mois- MPH, showed that air temperature, relative hu- standing articles. ture which you cannot see until it can  a compass to calculate wind direction and midity, and dew point depression were the hold no more moisture. Now calculate fire location, At the end of each section of Natural Inquirer three weather measurements most associat- the dew point depression (Air tempera-  a sling psychrometer & slide rule to calculate articles, students will find a few questions to relative humidity, and ed with wildfires. Dew point depression is ture minus dew point). help think about the research. These ques-  a notebook and pencil to record weather the air temperature minus the dew point tions are not a test! They are intended to measurements and related data such as loca- temperature. The dew point temperature is help students think more about research & If the air temperature and the dew point tion, exposure (ridgetop, slope), vegetation the air temperature at which the air is satu- can be used for class discussions. are far apart, the air is dry and the rela- , elevation, aspect, and cover. rated with water. tive humidity is low. This is when wild- Check out all of the Natural Inquirer journals fires have a better chance to occur. at www.naturalinquirer.org.