Forestry and Forest Regions

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• Forestry and Forest Regions
• 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.

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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 Earths trees are found in forests.
• The types of trees found in certain areas depends
  on the climate, altitude, and soil composition.

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Earths 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

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• 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.

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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.

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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 (atvs)

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• Many recreational tourist areas have gained
  international popularity.
• These same areas have now developed into
  multi-million dollar businesses (i.e.
  Mont-Tremblant, Quebec).

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Types of Forests

• Today, more than one fourth (25) of the earths
  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.

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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 50C and can receive
  nearly 650 cm of rain every year (over 54 ft.).

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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)

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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

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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

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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
  earths 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.

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• Over 14 of Canadas 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.

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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
  Canadas 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.

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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.

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• 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

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• 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.

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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.

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• 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.

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• 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.
  

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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.

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• 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.

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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.

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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.