Transcript Types of Forests - Class Notes For Mr. Pantano

 Leaves are used by trees to absorb
sunlight.
 Leaves are the most recognizable
feature of any tree.
 They are also used to distinguish different
types of trees.
What do we get from Trees?
 Trees remove carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere and release oxygen.
 Trees provide us with paper and wood.
 We get food from trees (ex: apples,
peaches, maple syrup)
 Trees give us shade and prevent soil erosion
 Provide beauty to a particular area.
 Trees are home to many animals and insects
 Most of the Earth’s trees are found in forests.
 The types of trees found in certain areas
depends on the climate, altitude, and soil
composition.
Earth’s Forests: More than just
trees
 In the last 8000 years the Earth has lost
nearly 40% of its original forests.
 The majority of this happened in the 20th
century.
 Humans have been using forest resources
for thousands of years.
 With the rise of industry and big businesses,
humans began abusing forest resources
 Forests provide homes for thousands of
plant, animal, and insect species.
 Food for these organisms are also provided
by the forest.
 Provide jobs and sources of revenue for
people in surrounding towns and cities.
 Recreation and tourism is generated by
forests.
Human territories and Forests
 Forests are an important source of revenue for
governments, large corporations, and local
businesses.
 When a logging company begins developing a
new part of a forest, a town begins to form.
 Workers need to live close by.
 Within this town services (doctor, police, fire,
schools,etc.) and businesses form.
 Roads and highways need to be built.
 Gas and electrical lines need to be passed.
 Ports are built if the town is close to a body of
water.
Recreational Tourism
What is recreational tourism?
 It is a sector that provides a large source of
revenue for forest areas.
 This sector attracts tourists who enjoying
participating in outdoor recreational
activities.
 These activities include: fishing, hunting,
camping, hiking, skiing/snowboarding,
snowmobiling and off roading (atv’s)
 Many recreational tourist areas have
gained international popularity.
 These same areas have now developed
into multi-million dollar businesses. Ex:
Mont.Tremblant, Quebec.
Types of Forests
 Today, more than one fourth (25%) of the
earth’s land mass are covered by forests.
 The main component of all forests are its
trees.
 Every type of forest has a very different
climate, soil type, species of trees and
plants, and animals
 There are 3 types of forest.
1) Tropical Rainforests
 Are located in Central and South America,
central Africa, and Southeast Asia.
 Rainforests are home to some of the most
exotic species of plants, animals, and
insects in world.
 Rainforests can reach nearly 50°C and can
receive nearly 650 cm of rain every year
(over 54 ft.).
2) Temperate Forest
 Are found in Southern Canada and
Northern USA, Europe, China and Japan.
 These are mostly made up of deciduous
trees (loose their leaves) and conifers
(evergreens)
 Located near large urban centers.
 These forests are very industrialized, many
are secondary forests (replanted)
3) Boreal Forest
 Predominantly found in Canada, Northern
Europe, China, and Japan.
 These forests are primarily made up of
conifers (evergreens).
 In Canada the Boreal forests make up
three quarters of forested lands.
 Another name for Boreal Forest is Taiga
Terms to remember:
 Forestry: All activities related to the forest
and its development.
 Clear-cutting: Removing all of the trees
from one area.
 Deforestation: permanent destruction of a
forested area.
 Stand: A group of trees where there is only
one or few species growing together
The Importance of the Boreal Forest
 The word Boreal comes from the Greek word
Boreas, the god of the north wind.
 This forest was given this name because of its
long, dry winters and short, cool summers.
 The boreal forests represent nearly 25% of the
earth’s forested land.
 Overall the boreal forest ecosystem remains
untouched.
 This forest helps filter millions of litres of drinking
water every day.
 Gives homes for thousands of animal, plant and
insect species.
 Retains lakes and rivers.
 Over 14% of Canada’s population live in
the boreal forest.
 This includes nearly 600 aboriginal groups
and communities.
 Many of these aboriginal communities are
taking an active role in managing forest
resources.
 The boreal forest also provides a perfect
location for recreational tourism.
 This industry generates large sums of
money for forest communities.
Commercial value of the Boreal Forest
 The stands of the boreal forest are primarily used
for manufacturing pulp, paper, and cardboard.
 Throughout Canada nearly 7000 logging
companies provide jobs to nearly 400 000
people.
 These industries inject billions of dollars into
Canada’s economy each year.
 Canada is the world leader in the production
and export of newsprint. Quebec accounts for
one third of this.
 Newsprint is primarily exported to the United
States and China.
Forestry in Canada Today
Is the forest industry in Canada & Quebec
doing well?
 The forest industry is currently going
through very difficult times.
 There are many logging companies,
sawmills, pulp and paper producers that
are shutting down there businesses.
 This forces many people out of work.
Why is this happening to the forest
industry?
 Poor world economy
 New laws which force companies to
replant or use fewer trees.
 New technology that requires less paper
and wood.
Why is the closing of a sawmill or
logging company such a big deal?
 Many jobs are lost
 People in other industries are affected. Ex:
stores and recreation
What are governments doing to help?
 Investing millions of dollars into the
industry.
 Buying companies that have closed
 Providing jobs to replant or manage
forests.
 Despite efforts it will take a long time for
the industry to rebound.
Deforestation
 There are many different terms used by
governments and logging companies to
describe the removal of trees from an area.
 Land clearing: cutting down trees in an
area for farming, construction (towns and
roads), or logging.
 Land clearing is usually done for specific
purposes. Only what is needed is cut down.
 Degradation to a forest occurs when land
clearing is poorly managed.
 Degradation means that the necessary
conditions for the renewal of the forest is
greatly reduced or absent.
 Proper conditions mean that soil conditions,
climate, and pollution levels are at
acceptable levels for re-growth.
 Plant and animal life are still present as well.
 Degradation can be reversed with proper
care and management.
 Deforestation refers to permanent
deterioration of a forested area.
 Deforestation occurs when all conditions
are destroyed.
 Ex: Forested area is cleared to make a road
or highway, malls, or housing
developments.
 Soil conditions and pollutions levels are too
high for re-growth.
 Plant and animal life has completely
disappeared.
Case study:
Mauricie, Quebec
 Mauricie is one of the largest producers of
cardboard and newsprint. Most of their
products are shipped to the US.
 Logging is a huge industry in this region and
has been for over 150 years.
 The forest is the heart of Mauricie. The forest
industry provides jobs to thousands of
people.
 Many aboriginal groups benefit from the
forests in Mauricie.
 Mauricie developed around their logging
industry. (As explained earlier)
 During the 20th century Mauricie grew as
the demand for wood an paper grew.
 Today the forest industry in Mauricie is one
of the areas struggling during the current
recession.
Silvicultural Practices in Mauricie
 Silviculture refers to practices that ensure
development of a forest and its
conservation.
 Silviculture protects both the natural
resource and the people who benefit
form it.
1. In Mauricie, the government and
companies are studying areas for
development, as to not disrupt local
hunting and fishing.
2. Companies invite tourists to plant trees and
visit harvesting operations.
3. Inclusion of First Nation communities in
decision making.
4. Following parts of the Coulombe report:
harvest in different places at different
times; developing more wood products
rather than shipping timber.