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Sustainable agriculture. Sustainable ag. “Does not deplete soils faster than they form.” Farming, ranching that does not reduce the amount of healthy soil, clean water, and genetic diversity essential to LONG-TERM crop and livestock production. AP ENVS . WED MAR 19 2014
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Sustainable ag • “Does not deplete soils faster than they form.” • Farming, ranching that does not reduce the amount of healthy soil, clean water, and genetic diversity essential to LONG-TERM crop and livestock production.
AP ENVS WED MAR 19 2014 CHAPTER 12: FORESTRY
CHAPTER 12: FORESTRY • FOREST ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES • FOREST LOSS • FOREST MANAGEMENT • PARKS AND PROTECTED AREAS
FOREST ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES • DIFFERENT FORESTS....DIFFERENT BIOMES • VERTICAL COMMUNITIES! • Canopy: leaf-eating insects, birds, arboreal mammals • Forest floor • ECOSYSTEM SERVICES • ??
FOREST ECOSYSTEMS AND RESOURCES • ECOSYSTEM SERVICES • Habitat ------ Biodiversity • Soil stabilization • Slow runoff • Recharge aquifers • Flood control • Oxygen production • CO2 uptake • BEAUTY!
“OLD GROWTH” GENERAL SHERMAN TREE • Height above base[1] 274.9 ft 83.8 m • Circumference at ground[1] 102.6 ft 31.3 m • Maximum diameter at base[1] 36.5 ft 11.1 m • Estimated mass (wet) (1938)[12] 2,105 short tons 1,910 t • AGE: 2,300 – 2,700 YEARS
PRIMARY FOREST = “OLD GROWTH” • REPLACED BY SMALLER/DIFFERENT TREES • INFERIOR HABITAT
SOLUTIONS? • DEVELOPING COUNTRIES SELL “CONCESSIONS” • Timber companies • Conservation groups • OFFSET CARBON EMISSIONS?? • Worldwide forest loss = 12-25% greenhouse emissions = all the world’s vehicles!
forest management • A TYPE OF “RESOURCE MANAGEMENT” • AVOID THE ___________ ___ ___ ___________ • “MAXIMUM SUSTAINABLE YIELD” • “How to achieve the maximum amount of resource extraction......BUT without depleting the resource from one harvest to the next.” • ALSO: • Ecosystem-based management • Harvesting methods that minimize harm to ecosystems • Adaptive management • Combination of multiple approaches on an as-needed basis
PROTECTION OF FOREST RESOURCES ------ FEDERAL LAND ACQUISITION
fear of “timber famine” ----- national forests/parks SECOND WAVE OF ENV POLICY
types of protected lands • NATIONAL FOREST • NATIONAL PARKS • NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE • NATIONAL WILDERNESS AREAS • NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATIONS = SOVERIGN NATIONS • FOREST SERVICE • PARK SERVICE • FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE • BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT • BIOSPHERE RESERVES/ UNESCO
GROWTH VS REMOVAL LOOKS GOOD FOR U.S. BUT STILL SECONDARY GROWTH
NATIONAL FOREST MANAGEMENT ACT • 1976 • EVERY NATIONAL FOREST ------ PLANS FOR RENEWABLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT • FOLLOWED BY ESA, RESTORATION PROGRAMS, LESS HARMFUL HARVESTING METHODS
FOREST FIRES • NATURAL (Lightning, static electricity) • MAN-MADE • Long-Term BENEFITS • Replacement of soil nutrients • Opportunity for pioneer species..... • Frequent, smaller fires avoid catastrophic ones.....EARTHQUAKES MANAGEMENT APPROACH! • FOREST SERVICE, HISTORICAL: TOTAL SUPPRESSION
NOW....”PRESCRIBED BURNS”, “CONTROLLED BURNS”......NOT “LET IT BURN”!
CLIMATE CHANGE, ACID DEPOSITION, INVASIVE SPECIES......ALTERING FORESTS
FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (FSC) • The paper for our textbook is “chain-of-custody-certified” by the FSC: • All steps in the life cycle meet strict standards • Relying on consumer choice....like organic produce!
