Questions of the day 1. How do we use forests? - PowerPoint Presentation

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Questions of the day

1. How do we use forests?

2. From yesterday’s video, how has the technology changed with forestry?

What has been the impact of these technological changes? Good/bad explain.Slide2

Quick HW pg. 49 ReviewSlide3

History of ForestsSlide4

A. Indiscriminant cutting

Oak and Pine cut for shipbuilding and housing

Land cleared for agriculture to grow food. First in the Northeast, then Midwest, then the South, lastly the Pacific Northwest (which is predominantly Douglas Firs) Slide5

Originally about

50%

of the country was forested (900 million acres)

Now about 33% or 1/3 of the land is forested

Timber harvested furnishes us with about 4500 different types of products- Large part of the economySlide6

Clear Cut ForestSlide7

Players in the conservation movement

In the late 1800’s, concern for forest conservation begins due to large swaths of forested land in US being cut and wild lands being lost

Conservationist- Teddy Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot

Preservationists- John MuirSlide8

National Forest Service

Begins 1905

Started by Teddy Roosevelt

Headed up and organized by Gifford Pinchot (also, a two time governor in PA)Slide9

Teddy Roosevelt and

John Muir

http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/watch-video/#645Slide10

Teddy Roosevelt

and Gifford Pinchot

Read Inquirer Article

Answer these questions:

1.Why was Roosevelt interested in conservation?

2. By the end of Roosevelt’s term, how many National Forests were there?

3. Roosevelt and Pinchot’s views of natural resources differed from those of John Muir. What are the terms associated with their views, and how do they differ?

4. Would you consider yourself a preservationist or a conservationist?Slide11

How are forests used?

Multiple use management- Forests are managed to provided multiple benefits to wildlife and people.

There are six important benefits:Slide12

1. Timber production

Timber harvest for wood products

Today use sustainable harvesting methodsSlide13

2. Watershed protection

Trees prevent erosion and the build up of silt in the water- this is called a riparian buffer.

Raindrops are broken by leaves, and fall gently onto the “duff” (litter of composting leaves and twigs) instead of running off the surface.Slide14

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2. Watershed Protection cont’d

Water soaks into channels made by roots and animals to replenish ground water.

Trees prevent floods when there is very hard rain.

Johnstown, PA flood 1889

http://www.jaha.org/FloodMuseum/history.htmlSlide16

3. Climate Protection

Water evaporating from leaves keeps air cool and moist. (Think of how it feels when you enter a forest in the summertime.)

Rows of trees (shelter belt) along a farm field, slows down wind and prevents soil erosion.Slide17

Shelter Belt exampleSlide18

3. Climate protection cont’d

Trees remove microscopic dust particles and some toxic pollutants from the air and soil.

Trees remove CO

2

(gas which causes global warming). Trees can take in 26lbs of CO

2

and convert it to sugars and oxygen.Slide19

4. Grazing

Farm woodlots are place for cattle, sheep and pigs to “forage.”(find food on the forest floor) Pigs that feed on chestnuts/apples taste better.

Must be careful not to allow overgrazing, or all plant cover will be removed and the soil will become compacted.Slide20

Sheep grazing in Apache National Forest, AZSlide21

5. Recreation

Forests are enjoyed by hikers, bikers, campers, birdwatchers etc.

Forest are spiritually refreshing to many.

National Forest nearby include:

Alleghney

Nat’l Forest, Finger Lakes Nat’l Forest

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/

http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/greenmountain/htm/fingerlakes/f_home.htmSlide22

6. Wildlife Protection

Forests provide food, shelter and water for wildlife.

Foresters can help by making some sunnier clearings where weeds, shrubs, vines, grasses can produce

seeds, nuts, berries for food

(we call this

mast

)

Snags

(dead tall standing trees)

and old logs serve as dens, nests and

nurse logs (logs in the process of decomposing)Slide23

Nurse log ecosystemSlide24

Pileated

Woodpeckers

and Snags in Forests

http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpYsdZ8gUU8

Textbook : Read pages 57-60

. Complete

questions

2-10

for

HW.Slide25

6. Wildlife Protection

Healthy forests provide for cleaner, coolers stream water for fish, like trout.

The more birds and bats there are the fewer insects there are.

In our area, deer have become overabundant, which has impacted our forests. (Think Valley Forge)Slide26

Types of Trees and Forests