recognizing the importance of...

Recognizing theImportance of Forests

IMAGINE the world without forests.

Not only would much of the planet

look different, but humans possibly

would not even exist. Certainly,

countless organisms that depend on

forest habitats would not be present.

This unit serves as an introduction to

the importance of forests.

Objective:

� Explain the importance of trees and forests to humans.

Key Terms:

� forest

forest canopy

pilings

pulpwood

reserved forest land

timber

timberland

total forest land

urban forestry

veneer

The Importance of Forests

A forest is a living, complexly interrelated community of trees and associated plants and

animals. Forests have had an influence on human progress and welfare. Trees that make up

forests provide food, medicines, fuel, shelter, protection, shade, tools, and other needs.

Wood is the raw material from which forest industries manufacture countless products for

home, factory, and office. Wood from any stage between harvesting and processing is known as

E-unit: Recognizing the Importance of Forests

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timber. Timber may also refer to

standing trees with the potential

for wood or fiber products. Tim-

berland is forest land capable of

producing wood in excess of 20

cubic feet per acre per year and

not restricted from being har-

vested.

The United States has 540 mil-

lion acres of timberland from

which it harvests wood. The

United States also imports wood.

Some forest land is restricted

from harvesting and is called

reserved forest land. Other

forest land has trees but does not meet the minimal required stocking level of timberland.

Total forest land is the sum of timberland, reserved forest land, and other forest land.

Through improvement of forest management practices by timberland owners, the United

States can become less dependent on other nations for its wood sources.

The social values of forests are the benefits they provide for outdoor recreation activities,

such as hunting, fishing, bird watching, nature study, camping, picnicking, and hiking, and

from their scenic or aesthetic worth.

BENEFITS FROM TREES

Besides the direct benefits forests provide in the way of products, other values are derived

from trees.

Forests affect climate in a

localized area. Forests influence

temperature, humidity, and wind

velocity. The forest canopy

blocks direct sunlight and shades

the forest floor, influencing the

air temperature, soil temperature,

and soil moisture. The leaves and

branches of trees break the impact

of rain, causing it to drip rather

than strike the earth with force.

Upon reaching the forest floor,

rain is absorbed by the ground lit-

ter and humus, reducing surface

runoff. The litter and humus keep

the soil mellow, porous, and per-


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FIGURE 1. The wood from this timberland will be manufactured into lumber.

FIGURE 2. Because this section of trees has been harvested, soil erosion will

become a problem.

meable. This allows seepage of water into the substratum, where it is stored. The forest soil

tends to freeze to a lesser depth than the soil in open areas. It is therefore able to absorb more

water from melting snow. The melting of the snow is delayed in forested areas. With the delay

in melting and the absorption of melted snow into the soil, forests prolong the period of run-

off. This, in turn, helps to reduce flooding and to regulate water flow in the streams and rivers.

Forest vegetation shades water courses from the full heat of the sun. The shade prevents

excessive stream temperatures and produces clear streams that are ideal for fish life.

In forested watersheds, where management is carefully practiced, extremes of water flow in

winter and summer are avoided, aiding in flood control. Forest streams usually have minimal

sediment, even during periods of high stream flow.

Many kinds of wildlife are found in forests, where they obtain food and shelter.

Forests help reduce wind erosion, protect against drifting snows, and shelter crops, live-

stock, homes, and barns from hot or cold winds.

THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS

Forest resources are managed for

both economic and social values.

Sometimes these complement each

other; sometimes they conflict with

each other.

Economic Values

A forest resource has economic

value when it yields an income. Tim-

ber, grazing, recreation, water, miner-

als, fish, and wildlife are all examples

of income-producing values of forests.

The greatest economic contribu-

tion of forests is the products derived

from trees. We live in a wood-oriented

society. Wood is an important part of

houses, apartment buildings, many

commercial and industrial structures,

newspapers, cereal boxes, furniture,

and sports equipment.

Trees from forests are made into

lumber, pulpwood, veneer, poles, rail-

road ties, and pilings. Lumber is fur-

ther used to produce furniture and

other manufactured items. Pulpwood

is wood cut or prepared for manufac-


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FIGURE 3. Baseball bats are commonly made of wood.

FIGURE 4. The logs here will be used as pulpwood.

ture into pulp, which can be made into paper products. Veneer is a thin sheet of wood. Pil-

ings are round timbers driven into the ground to support a structure.

Social Values

A forest resource may have

social value instead of, or in addi-

tion to, economic value. Social

value is worth in terms of public

good or interest. Social values are

generally related to aesthetic con-

siderations, such as scenic quali-

ties of a forest area. Other social

values are concerned with biolog-

ical aspects, such as the unique-

ness of the plants and animals

found in a forest. Forests with

high social values are being

reserved for future public and private parks and monuments. Some of these areas may have

other concurrent uses, such as recreation or establishment of biological preserves.

Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts of interest often arise between economic and social uses of forest land. An exam-

ple involves areas flooded for water reservoirs or set aside in preserves. These areas can no lon-

ger supply timber for wood-using industries.


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FIGURE 5. Giant sequoia trees usually have a very high social value.

ON THE JOB…

CAREER CONNECTION: Park Ranger

Foresters oversee forests and manage them for economic, recreational, conservational, and

environmental purposes. Foresters provide expertise to keep the forests healthy and sustainable.

They may develop plans to limit the damage caused by disease, harmful insects, and wildfires.

Foresters may create plans to regenerate forested lands, monitor their progress, and supervise

harvests.

Some foresters specialize in buying timber for a sawmill or a wood products manufacturer.

This usually involves timber cruising, appraising the value of the timber, negotiating its purchase,

and drawing up a contract for purchase. Foresters assume the responsibility for conserving wild-

life habitats and creek beds within forests, maintaining water quality and soil stability, and com-

plying with environmental regulations. Some foresters perform research on issues facing forests.

To become a forester one typically needs a bachelor’s degree in forestry, biology, natural

resource management, environmental sciences, or a related discipline. Foresters interested in

research or teaching generally are required to attain an advanced degree, preferably a Ph.D.

HEL

PW

ANTE

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THE IMPORTANCE OF URBAN FORESTRY

Urban forestry is similar to traditional forestry in that it includes the cultivation and man-

agement of trees for the benefit of society. However, urban forestry is a specialized branch of

forestry. Urban forestry involves the consideration of the present and potential contribution

of the trees to the physiological, sociological, and economic well-being of an urban society.

Trees are established along streets and avenues. They are planted and grow around homes,

businesses, shopping centers, and parking lots. Trees are interspersed naturally or by design

throughout cemeteries, greenbelts, and parks. Regardless of where trees are located in the

urban environment, they play a significant role in the function, beauty, and livability of urban

communities.

Many benefits are derived from urban trees and

urban forests. These benefits include economic,

environmental, wildlife, and aesthetic and social

values.

Trees in urban environments can have a direct

economic impact by reducing associated operating

costs. A major benefit of trees is their shade, which

lowers temperatures. Lowering air and surface tem-

peratures around homes, schools, and office build-

ings by shading reduces energy consumed for air-

conditioning during the summer. Not only is it

cooler in the shade of the trees, but the heat

absorbed in the transpiration process also cools the

air in the immediate vicinity.

Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the autumn,

allowing more sunlight in the winter. Sunlight on a

structure in the winter reduces heating costs.

Urban trees may also function as windbreaks

that reduce the force of winter winds, thereby low-

ering heating costs. Windbreaks keep snow from

drifting onto driveways, streets, and parking lots.

Trees can add value to property. The value of

real estate may be 10 to 15 percent higher if at least three mature, healthy trees are present.

Property values can be reduced if the trees need removal because of disease or if they are

improperly located.

Trees influence the urban environment in many ways. Because trees shade the ground, soil

temperature is cooler during the summer, resulting in a better retention of soil moisture. This

benefits lawn grasses and flower or vegetable gardens.

Urban forests provide watershed protection. This influence on the watershed can benefit

clean-water resources for drinking water or water-based recreation.

Another benefit is storm water management to reduce flooding. Water diverted from streets

is directed into storage zones, which affect the quality and quantity of runoff.


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FIGURE 6. These urban trees are kept for their

aesthetic value.

Urban trees and forests produce oxygen and utilize carbon dioxide. This contributes to the

air quality in urban areas.

City parks and forests provide habitat for many wildlife species within urban areas. Main-

taining a diversity of trees, shrubs, and understory plants stimulates a diversity of wildlife

species.

Aesthetic and social values can be enhanced through proper planning and establishment of

trees in urban environments. A tree species can be matched to an urban condition to provide a

desired visual effect as well as a functional use.

One of the most important benefits provided by trees in urban settings is simply their

beauty. The beauty of trees and shrubs softens the rigid lines of human-made structures and

contributes to visually pleasing environments.

The beauty of the season is another important aesthetic value when establishing trees in the

urban landscape. Trees such as magnolia, buckeye, and dogwood have showy flowers in the

spring, whereas the foliage of maple, sweetgum, and birch provide brilliant colors in the

autumn.

When properly considered, established, and cared for, trees can greatly improve living con-

ditions in urban environments. However, without proper planning, trees can have a negative

impact.

Summary:

� Trees that make up forests provide food, medicines, fuel, shelter, protection, shade,tools, and other needs. Wood is the raw material from which forest industries man-ufacture countless products for home, factory, and office. The social values of for-ests are the benefits they provide for outdoor recreation activities, such as hunting,fishing, bird watching, nature study, camping, picnicking, hiking, and from theirscenic or aesthetic value.

Forests influence temperature, humidity, and wind velocity. Forest vegetationshades water courses, aids in flood control, and reduces sediment. Forests are habi-tat for many kinds of wildlife. Forests block the wind.

Timber, grazing, recreation, water, minerals, fish, and wildlife are all examples ofincome-producing values of forests. Social values are generally related to aestheticconsiderations, such as scenic qualities of a forest area.

Urban forestry involves the consideration of the present and potential contributionof the trees to the physiological, sociological, and economic well-being of an urbansociety.


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Checking Your Knowledge:

� 1. What is timber, and how is timberland defined?

2. What economic benefits are derived from forests?

3. What social benefits are derived from forests?

4. How do forests influence the environment?

5. What is urban forestry?

Expanding Your Knowledge:

� Conduct an Internet search on the many uses of trees and forests. Create a displayof a specific tree species and its many uses. Share your findings with the class.

Web Links:

� The True Value of Forests

http://www.amfor.org/productsandpubs/magazine/archives/2005winter/editorial.php

The Importance of Forests

http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/forests/about_forests/importance/habitats/index.cfm

http://greenpack.rec.org/forestry/importance_of_forests/index.shtml

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:6t_ghuTvqe8J:www.umich.edu/~nre301/forestry-02.doc+the+importance+of+forests&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=12&gl=us


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http://greenpack.rec.org/forestry/importance_of_forests/index.shtml

http://www.amfor.org/productsandpubs/magazine/archives/2005winter/editorial.php

http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/forests/about_forests/importance/habitats/index.cfm

http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:6t_ghuTvqe8J:www.umich.edu/~nre301/forestry-02.doc+the+importance+of+forests&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=12&gl=us

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