A brief introduction to general terms and concepts related to the forestry learning objectives

Transcription

1 A brief introduction to general terms and concepts related to the forestry learning objectives

2 The profession embracing the science, art, and practice of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources for human benefit and in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values. SAF The Dictionary of Forestry

3 Tree Physiology & Identification 20 pts Forest Ecology 20 pts Sustainable Forest Management 40 pts Trees: Renewable Resource 20 pts

4 Tree cookie parts: outer bark (protection), phloem (inner bark), cambium, xylem (sapwood), heartwood, pith (located in center)

5 Growth cycle: Diameter & height growth governed by temperature & photoperiod; roots: soil temp 32+ Life cycle: Flower/cone Seed Seedling (less than 1 diameter & up to 3-ft tall) Sapling (small to 3 diameter and up to 10-ft tall; large 3 to 5 dbh) Pole (small 5 to 8 dbh; large 8 to 12 dbh) Sawtimber (over 12 dbh) Old age Death & decay

6 CHLOROPHYLL (in sunlight) 6CO H 2 O 18 C 6 H 12 O O H carbon dioxide + water glucose + oxygen + water [ 6CO 2 + 6H 2 O C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2 does not account for the source of the 6O 2 ]

7 Identify common species without a key Full common name, i.e. White Oak Spelling counts as per VDOF s keys Identify unusual tree & shrub species with a key VDOF s Common Native Trees of Virginia VDOF s Common Native Shrubs and Woody Vines of Virginia Source for trees/shrubs/woody vines to be identified with and without a key at the Local, District and State competitions

8 Canopy crown classes Dominant/Co-dominant/Intermediate Understory crown classes Suppressed (overtopped) Ground layers Herbaceous vegetation (including grasses & ferns) & forest regeneration Duff Soil

9 Abiotic factors (nonliving parts) Climate: temperature, light, air & moisture Edaphic: soil texture, structure, depth, moistureholding capacity, drainage, chemical/nutrient & topographic position Pyric: lightning, wild fires & prescribed burns

10 Biotic factors (living parts) Interaction between plants Animals & birds Insects & disease Fungi Anthropogenic Influence of humans alone

11 Approximate percent Forest Acreage for Basic Timber Types in Virginia by Physiographic Province Physiographic Province White pine- Hemlock Loblolly- Shortleaf Oak- Pine Oak- Hickory Oak- Gum Elm- Ash Beech- Birch- Maple Tidewater Piedmont Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Appalachian Plateau

12 Silviculture techniques: Thinning reduce stand density/improve forest health Prescribed burning controlled fire under specified conditions to achieve planned objectives Single tree & group selection uneven-aged stand Shelterwood even-aged or two-aged stands Clear-cutting, with & without seed trees two-aged stand or an even-aged stand Coppice regeneration from stump sprouts or root suckers, even-aged stand

13 Silviculture systems: Clear-cutting even-aged stand final harvest with regeneration either natural or planted/seeded Seed tree method even-aged or two-aged stands with regeneration that requires little or no shade Even-aged management stand with one age class Uneven-aged management stand with three or more ages classes Shelterwood even-aged or two-aged stands with regeneration that requires partial sunlight or shade Selection uneven-aged stand

14 Silviculture treatments: Planting a reforestation method Weeding release treatment in stands not past sapling stage that eliminates or suppresses undesirable vegetation regardless of crown position Pre-commercial thinning (PCT) reduce stocking rate Commercial thinning reduce stocking with revenue Harvesting final cut in the rotation

15 Biltmore stick - DBH 2 class Merchantable height minimum 1 log then in half-log increments See National 4-H Forestry Invitational Handbook for use of Biltmore stick & tree measurement standards Prism - Basal area: cross-sectional area at DBH Ex: 10 BAF prism each tree countable represents 10 sqft of basal area per acre Strong linkage between site-index (SI) and BA

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17 Forest health & management Biodiversity Forest fragmentation Forest health Invasive species Ailanthus, Autumn Olive, Garlic Mustard, Japanese Honeysuckle, Japanese Stiltgrass, Multiflora Rose & Oriental Bittersweet Air quality Aesthetics Fire Global warming Recreation

18 Sustainability: Forest management practices & decisions Economic Social Ecological Forest policy Land use zoning Taxation Science & technology utilization

19 Urban forestry Value, health & survival issues Forest products Ecosystem Services (who pays?) Air quality Water quality & quantity Wildlife habitat Recreation/health

20 What s out there in the woods?

21 VOLUME TABLE - VIRGINIA ENVIROTHON International 1/4 inch Log Rule - Form Class 78 # logs DBH 1 1 1/ / / / ,027 1,114 1, ,094 1,198 1,306 1, ,149 1,274 1,400 1,518 1, ,119 1,304 1,447 1,590 1,727 1, ,063 1,274 1,485 1,650 1,814 1,974 2, ,186 1,428 1,670 1,854 2,038 2,224 2, ,030 1,329 1,598 1,868 2,081 2,294 2,494 2,693 Notes: 1) Minimum 10 DBH 2) Top of stump is at top of butt swell approximately one foot above ground level. 3) Merchantable upper limit 8 top diameter, a major fork, or serious defect. 4) Total merchantable height to the nearest full half-log with a one log minimum. 5) The current National 4-H Forestry Invitational Handbook is the standard for tree measurement techniques with a Biltmore stick and volume determination.

22 Virginia Envirothon Plot Data 1/10 ac fixed radius plot Tree # Species DBH # Logs FC 78 BF Volume 1 Pignut Hickory 14 1 ½ Pignut Hickory White Oak White Oak 18 1 ½ White Oak 16 1 ½ White Oak 18 1 ½ White Oak # Trees/Ac = 70 Ave DBH = Vol/Ac = 10,540 BF BAF 10 prism plot data (same plot center as above) # trees counted = 11 # trees counted = 3 (2 nd prism plot location) Site index oaks = 60

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