🌲 CATEGORY 1: Forest Ecology & Biodiversity
The term that means the variety of different species in a forest ecosystem.
Biodiversity, which means having many different species living in a forest
The timber harvesting method that removes all trees from an area at once.
Clear-cutting, where all the trees in an area are cut down
The process that permanently removes forests and replaces them with other land uses.
Deforestation, when forests are cleared and not allowed to regrow
The year the National Forest Management Act was passed.
1976
A controlled fire intentionally set to reduce fuel buildup in forests.
A prescribed burn, which is a planned and controlled fire
The type of certification that shows a logging company follows environmentally responsible practices.
Sustainable forestry certification, showing forests are managed responsibly
One economic product obtained from forests.
Timber, used for building and paper products
One ecological value of forests that provides living space for organisms.
Habitat, or the place where plants and animals live
The harvesting method that leaves a few mature trees behind to reseed the forest.
The seed-tree method, which leaves a few trees to help regrow the forest
The process that removes trees but allows the forest to regrow.
Timber harvesting, when trees are cut but forests can grow back
The main purpose of the National Forest Management Act.
To protect forests while allowing responsible use of resources
One way prescribed burns help reduce the severity of wildfires.
They remove dry leaves and wood that could fuel wildfires
One reason logging companies seek sustainable forest management certification.
It improves the company’s reputation and helps protect forests long-term
An ecosystem service forests provide that supports local economies.
Jobs for people who work in forestry and related industries
A reason biodiversity is important for maintaining stable forest ecosystems.
It helps forests stay healthy and recover from changes
The harvesting system that removes selected trees while maintaining forest structure.
The selection system, where only some trees are removed
One major difference between deforestation and timber harvesting.
Deforestation permanently removes forests, while timber harvesting is temporary
The federal law designed to reduce wildfire risk in forests.
The Healthy Forests Restoration Act
What happens when fires are suppressed for long periods in forest ecosystems.
Too much fuel builds up, making wildfires stronger and more dangerous
A forestry practice that focuses on long-term forest health instead of short-term profit.
Managing forests so they stay healthy for future generations
A non-timber economic benefit forests offer.
Recreation, such as hiking, camping, and tourism
This happens to ecosystems when biodiversity is reduced.
The ecosystem becomes weaker and easier to damage
The key difference between even-aged and uneven-aged forests.
Even-aged forests have trees the same age, while uneven-aged forests have trees of different ages
A negative environmental effect of deforestation in tropical regions
Loss of biodiversity, meaning fewer plant and animal species
The primary goal of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act.
To make forests less likely to have severe wildfires
Why fire is considered a natural and necessary process in many forests.
Fire helps recycle nutrients and keep forests healthy
One environmental benefit of sustainable forest management.
It helps protect wildlife and plant diversity
Why forests are important to both local and national economies.
Forests provide resources, jobs, and important environmental services
An explanation of why forests with high biodiversity are more adaptive to environmental change.
Forests with many species survive better because not all organisms are affected the same way by problems
One ecological advantage and one ecological disadvantage of clear-cutting.
Clear-cutting is fast and cheap, but it destroys habitats and lowers biodiversity
Why deforestation causes greater long-term biodiversity loss than sustainable logging.
Deforestation removes habitats forever, while sustainable logging allows forests to recover
One reason many scientists criticize the Healthy Forests Restoration Act.
Some scientists believe it allows too much logging and harms ecosystems
How prescribed burns can protect both ecosystems and nearby human communities.
Prescribed burns reduce fire damage and help protect people and wildlife
How sustainable forestry balances ecological, economic, and social needs.
It balances protecting nature, making money, and meeting human needs
How reducing wood waste helps conserve forest resources.
Using less wood means fewer trees need to be cut down