Sustainable Forestry - AP Environmental Science

FSC certification. Third-party verification system for responsible forest management standards.

Preservation of biodiversity. Protects species variety and ecosystem functions for future generations.

A species that has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem. Critical species whose presence maintains entire ecosystem structure and function.

Planting trees on land not previously forested. Creates new forests on non-forested land to increase tree cover.

Agricultural expansion. Primary driver of global forest loss for crop and pasture development.

Maintaining ground cover. Vegetation protects soil from water and wind erosion.

Controlled burning. Reduces fuel buildup and prevents catastrophic wildfire damage.

To reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. International initiative compensating countries for forest conservation efforts.

Vegetated area near a stream to protect water quality. Protects waterways from runoff pollution and maintains stream temperature.

A non-native species that harms ecosystems. Outcompetes native species and disrupts natural ecosystem balance.

Biodiversity. Measures ecosystem health through species richness and abundance.

Integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural systems. Combines forestry with farming to create diverse, productive land use systems.

The Lacey Act. U.S. law prohibiting trade in illegal forest products.

Managing forests for various purposes like recreation and timber. Balances diverse forest uses including timber, recreation, and conservation.

Increases biodiversity and soil health. Trees improve crop yields through nitrogen fixation and erosion control.

Regulate water flow and quality. Trees intercept precipitation and maintain groundwater through transpiration.

Increases atmospheric CO₂ levels. Trees normally absorb CO₂, so removal releases stored carbon to atmosphere.

Supports local communities and economies. Provides jobs and income while maintaining cultural forest connections.

A document outlining sustainable forestry practices. Strategic blueprint for responsible forest resource management and conservation.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Mapping technology for forest monitoring and management planning.

The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances. Measures how well ecosystems bounce back from natural or human disturbances.

Reduced impact logging. Minimizes environmental damage during harvesting operations.

Forests mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon. Trees absorb CO₂ and store carbon, reducing greenhouse gas concentrations.

Facilitates wildlife movement. Connects habitat patches, allowing species migration and gene flow.

Selective breeding. Maintains genetic variation to ensure forest adaptation and resilience.

The removal of a forest or stand of trees. Complete forest removal for agriculture, urbanization, or other land uses.

A forestry practice where most or all trees are uniformly cut down. Intensive harvesting method that removes entire forest stands at once.

To balance ecological health and economic needs. Ensures forest productivity while maintaining ecosystem integrity long-term.

To protect and sustain biodiversity. Scientific field focused on preserving species and ecosystem diversity.