Climate Change
Define the difference between "weather" and "climate"
Weather is short term patterns in atmospheric conditions (example, rain, snow, wind etc)
Climate refers to long term changes (over 30 plus years) in temperature, humidity precipitation regionally and globally
When managing for timber, what are we managing for and what systems do we use?
Systems like even-aged, uneven-aged, or group selection to produce timber, pulpwood, plywood, and other wood products.
Define remote sensing
The art & science of taking measurements about an object or environment without being in physical contact with it.
Remote = something far away
sensing = act of gathering info/data
List the key determinants of a healthy forest
resilient to pests and disease, mix of tree ages and sizes, high biodiversity
Define ecosystem services
Direct & indirect benefits that humans receive from nature
As the climate continues to change, which biomes are at risk for elimination?
Arctic/Tundra, Subarctic/Taiga
Define "Best Management Practice"
Specific guidelines and techniques designed to reduce or eliminate water pollution from forestry operations.
Compare active and passive sensing
active sensing - sensor emits its own signal & measures the return. Active examples: LIDAR, Radar
passive sensing- sensor measures signals from the surrounding environment. Passive examples: satellite imagery, hyperspectral imagery
What type of pest destroys the phloem of the tree?
bark beetles
Explain how unmanaged forests impact water filtration.
Unmanaged and potentially overstocked forests use more water and therefore may produce less streamflow than managed forests (i.e. with less growing stock). Hire fuel load for fire
List 3 ways extreme events due to climate change can impact silviculture
hurricanes - flooding damage, wind damage knocking over tree plantations
fire - tree death, soil degradation, decreased snow pack (water availability)
extreme heat/ temperature - drought, water availability
List 3 forestry applications
Timber production, wildlife, biodiversity & conservation, carbon sequestration/capture, water, recreation
What are 3 silvicultural applications of remote sensing?
Detecting forest pest damage, hurrican damage, wildlife damage
What type of pests/pathogens destroy the leaves of the trees?
Defoliators, oak wilt, sucking insects etc
How might managing a forest for water (like a riparian area) provide other ecosystem services?
Managing for water can also create wildlife corridors, spaces for recreation, allow for water filtration and purification, prevent erosion, clear the air, and cool local temperatures.
List & define the 4 adaptive management strategies?
no action- do nothing
resistance - improve the defense of a forest by maintaining relative conditions over time
resilience - accommodate some change and encourage a return to normal conditions
transition - accommodate change by actively facilitating conditions & encouraging a response
Mechanical: site preparation/ machine-based practices to remove vegetation
Chemicals: applying herbicides
directing runoff away from sensitive areas
minimizing soil disturbance
minimizing compaction
using roads, skid trails and yarding areas to prevent erosion and sedimentation
Give 4 examples of remote sensing technologies
Satellite Imagery - uses satellites to collect data across different light wavelengths
LIDAR - measures light beams refracted off the surface to produce a point cloud
Radar - analyzes the backscatter (reflected radio waves)reflected from radar signals
Hyperspectral Imaging - collects data using the visible light wavelengths through long wave infrared wavelengths
Photogrammetry - using overlapping images to create accurate 3D models of trees and forests
List the 4 abiotic threats/disturbances to forest health
Drought & climate stress, soil degredation, pollution, fire
Explain the difference between provisioning, cultural, supporting, and regulating ecosystem services. Give an example of each.
Provisioning - products people get from ecosystems (fruit, wood, pollination etc)
Regulating - processes that control natural phenomena (purifying water, cooling temperatures, flood control etc)
Cultural - non-material benefits (aesthetics, recreation, education)
supporting - maintain fundamental ecosystem processes (habitat, soil formation, biodiversity)
Explain climate-smart forestry
A sustainable forest management approach that helps forests adapt to and mitigate climate change by increasing carbon sequestration and storage; improving forest resilience; and ensuring long-term forest productivity and ecosystem services. It involves practices like using climate-resilient tree species, adjusting harvesting and planting cycles, and using prescribed fires to reduce disease and improve overall forest health.
Define Streamside management zone or riparian zone
Designated areas of vegetation and trees along streams, lakes, and other water bodies that are maintained during silviculture operations.
Act as buffers to protect water quality, reduce sediment, nutrients, and chemicals from entering the water, control water temperature by providing shade, and provide streambank stability and erosion control.
What can be remotely sensed with near-infrared vs visible vs far infrared light?
near-infrared = vegetation
visible light = soil, water & some vegetation
far-infrared = land & water surface
Provide examples of functional vs compositional vs structural indicators
Functional: nutrient cycling; regeneration capacity; disturbance response; productivity
Structural: age & size class diversity; canopy cover; basal area
compositional: species diversity, native vs introduced vs invasive composition
List 5 ecosystem services
water filtration, recreation, cooling temperatures, water purification, habitat, education, clean air, store carbon, food etc