Forests and Forest Dynamics

p. 54-59

Forests• Defined as a “natural environment dominated by trees”• usually multi-story canopies and support diverse forms of life

• Forests contain roughly 50% of Earth’s plant and animal species

• Live in various layers from sub-terrestrial (underground) to canopy (top of tree) level

Global Forest Distribution

Let’s talk SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION!

Forests – Global Change

Roughly 50% of Earth’s original forests have been lost to human activities

1. Farming2. Intensive settlement (urbanization) 3. Building and other products4. Lesser developed countries for heating

Australian vs. CanadianForests

Let’s talk spatial distribution!

Australia• 19% of overall land

Canada • 50% of overall land• 10% of world’s forests

Victorian Forests• 5.5% of Australian forests are in Victoria

• Victoria’s climate is temperate (not too hot or cold, not too dry or wet) which is why the forests are the way they are.

• Natural forests are predominantly Eucalypt based (roughly 93%)

• Structure of Forests in Victoria• Figure 4.3 (p.55) in text – check it out!

• Spatial distribution of forests in Victoria (p.56)

Victoria’s Natural Forests

Victoria’s Eucalypt Forest – The Otways – Southern Victoria

Central Victoria

Victoria’s Plantation Forests

California Redwoods – The OtwaysPine Plantation

What is this picture showing in regards to forests?

Vancouver Island Forest

Eastern Canada Forests

Boreal Forest of Canada

Evergreen (coniferous)“needle” trees.Eg. pine, spruce

The Key Natural Cycles in the ForestAs a natural system, there are many natural cycles in the forest – supplied by inputs and delivering outputs. What the natural components do, through natural processes is very important to the health forests and the health of our Earth and the people who live on it.

Three key forest cycles are:1. Carbon2. Nitrogen3. Water

Prep• Find a simplified version of the carbon, water and nitrogen cycles and draw or download

them into a Word them and explain them.

• Explain why the carbon and water cycles in forests are so important to the overall health of our Earth.• Make sure to discuss each individually.

• Explain why obtaining carbon and nitrogen through this cycle are so important to forests.

QUIZ/TEST ON INTRO TO NATURAL SYSTEMS AND VICTORIA FORESTS AND FOREST DYNAMICS NEXT WEDNESDAY!!!!