Computers: ForestsOVERVIEW: The World’s Forests

Forests are vital to life on Earth — they provide habitats for a large diversity of mammals, invertebrates, and plant species; green space recreational areas; clean air and water; and many products that we use in our dayto- day lives. Forests also support biodiversity; are vital to the water cycle; prevent erosion; remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through physical or biological processes, such as photosynthesis; and provide subsistence for indigenous cultures and local peoples.

Trees are part of our everyday lives as part of our environment and are in the products we use on a daily basis. Even so, we may not be aware of the condition of our global forests, where the world’s forests are located, or that many of them are in danger of deforestation. Deforestation is the cutting, clearing, and removal of forests or related ecosystems so the land can be used for purposes other than natural habitat. The major causes of deforestation are agriculture, mining, logging, oil and gas extraction, cattle ranching, and development.

Sustainable Forest Management Sustainable forest management is a global initiative to promote management practices that ensure the long-term

health and vitality of forests. Issues related to sustainability include social justice, economic viability, environmental health, and reduction of global deforestation rates. Defining sustainable forest management can be a difficult task. Instead of one concise definition, sustainable forest management is often described using seven key themes outlined here (FAO, 2008).

1. Extent of Forest Resources: Conservation of significant forest cover, forest types, and trees outside of forests (such as trees within cities and neighborhoods).

2. Biological Diversity: Conservation of diverse forest ecosystems, tree species, and genetic structure.3. Forest Health and Vitality: Management of unwanted disturbances (such as wildfires, pollution, storm

damage, insects, and disease).4. Productive Functions of Forest Resources: Management of wood and nonwood forest products to meet

current needs without compromising options for future generations to manage forests for their needs.5. Protective Functions of Forest Resources: Maintenance of water quality, soil quality, and functions related to

ecosystem conservation.6. Socio-economic Functions: Management of forests to provide employment and contribute to the economy,

while also protecting the cultural, spiritual, and recreational values of forests.7. Legal, Policy, and Institutional Framework: Creation of fair and equitable governance systems that allow

sustainable forest management to occur.

Many states publish standards to protect, maintain, or improve water and soil quality and wildlife habitat during forestry activities. Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the Southeastern United States provide landowners with a set of voluntary guidelines for conducting forestry operations while also protecting soil and water quality. These BMPs can help forest landowners maintain healthy, sustainable forests.

Sustainable Forest Management ProgramsIn addition to state BMPs, there are a number of programs available to help landowners implement

sustainable forest management plans. By outlining management standards that participants must meet, these programs ensure that forests are managed according to a variety of environmental, social, and economic principles. Independent reviewers determine whether the forests are actually managed appropriately to maintain quality. There are a number of forest management programs in the U.S. For example, the American Tree Farm System and the Forest Stewardship Program provide information and assistance to landowners. In addition, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council are programs that certify if a forest is sustainably managed.

Watch Clip: The Forest Service and Climate Change http://www.fs.fed.us/video/climate/ (12:44)

Get ready to learn more about forests, why they are important, how human activities affect them, and what we can do to protect them! Follow the instructions and complete the questions as you go…

Computers:Part 1 - What Do You Know About Forests?Answer #1-3 based on your prior knowledge

1. List at least three reasons why global forests are important.

2. Why are trees considered a “renewable resource”?

3. What are some impacts of forest loss?

Part 2 - DeforestationGo to: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/eye/deforestation/deforestation.html Scroll through the pages by clicking on The Effect, The Phenomena, and The Science

4. According to the Web site, what are the major causes of global forest loss?

5. According to the World Resources Institute, what percentage of the Earth’s natural forests have already been destroyed?

6. What are some of the consequences of deforestation?

7. What are some solutions and actions to reduce global deforestation rates?

Part 3 – Global Forest Cover DataGo to: http://www.fao.org/forestry/28808/en/

8. What is the global forest area in acres? (Hint: 1 hectare = 2.47 acres)

9. Which countries have more than half of the world’s forest area?

Click on “Forestry fact Sheet” http://www.fao.org/docrep/014/am859e/am859e08.pdf 10. In what areas of the world do countries have less than 10% of their total land area in forests?

11. How many countries have more than 50% of their total land area forested?

Part 4 – Forest Area Change

Go to: http://www.fao.org/forestry/30515/en/12. How many acres of the world’s forests are lost to deforestation each year? (Hint 1 hectare = 2.47 acres)?

13. Is this rate increasing or slowing? Why?

Part 5 – United States Forest FactsGo to: http://www.fao.org/forestry/Click on the Countries on the left menu and select the United States from the drop down menu.Click on Summary: forests and the forestry sector from the left menu.

14. What percentage of the world’s forest area exists in the United States?

15. a. How many hectares of forest does the U.S. have?

b. How does this compare to other nations?

16. What country is the largest consumer and producer of forest products?

Part 6 - Forest Products and ServicesGo to: http://www.idahoforests.org/wood_you.htm

17. What are some of the services that trees provide us?

18. What is wood made of?

19. List at least 10 products made from trees that you originally did not know came from trees.

Part 7 - What is Sustainable Forest Management?Go to: http://www.forestencyclopedia.net/ Click on So. Bioenergy located to the left of the pageClick on Sustainability from the drop down menuClick on Framework for Achieving Sustainable Forest Management

20. What is sustainable forest management?

21. Click on each of the components at the bottom of the page and summarize in the following space how each of these contribute to sustainable forest management.

a. Adaptive Forest Management:

b. International Agreements and Protocols:

c. Certification Systems:

Go to: http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/forestry-certification.cfm 22. List the three major forestry certification programs:

23. Choose one program and click on the link to visit the program’s Web site. Briefly describe this program.

Analysis Questions:24. In what ways do you personally value forests that are located near your home? Within your state? Within

your country? Around the globe?

25. Why are forests a vitally important global resource?

26. What can individuals and families do to reduce carbon emissions? Be Specific!

27. What are some of the benefits to forest certification programs?