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. .