UNIT 3 - FORESTRY

TOPIC 9 –HISTORY OF

FOREST MANAGEMENT

TOPICS 19th CENTURY TO PRESENT PARADIGM SHIFTS SUSTAINABLE FOREST

MANAGEMENT CANADIAN MODEL FOREST

NETWORK

HISTORY – 1497 - 1850 Forest was used by early Europeans as a means to

support the FISHERY. Wood was also used to construct boats, barrels,

stages, flakes, docks. buildings.

HISTORY – MID 1850S Land given to NL RAILWAY, who opened up

the INTERIOR of NL. Granting of forest leases began (still in

existence today). Sawmilling of white pine was common. No management of forest resources.

HISTORY –1900 - 1975 Pulp and paper industry grew 1909 – opening of mill in GRAND FALLS (closed 2008) 1923 – opening of mill in CORNER BROOK The only forest management was protection from

FIRE AND INSECTS. Companies were given LAND LEASES and self-

managed their land.

CBPPL 1923 – GETTING BUILT

Queen Elizabeth at the Grand Opening of CBPPL

HISTORY–LANDMARK YEARS 1974 – TIMBER MANAGEMENT

Taken over by PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

Pulp and paper companies submit management plans

1980s - SILVICULTUREDEFINITION:

The science and practice of growing trees Silviculture is an important tool in forest management

and includes activities such s:Pre-commercial thinningSite Preparation (ex: spraying, burning, tilling)Replanting

2008 27 trees planted per person in NL

HISTORY - LANDMARK YEARS . . . 1990 – FORESTRY ACT

Requires management for timber and other forest related issues, such as:ENVIRONMENTSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTHUNTINGRECREATION

PARADIGM SHIFTSEXPLOITATION This was the 1800s forestry approach, to “log

and move on” People aimed for maximum profit with no

concern for the future of the forest. Some parts of the world still practice this.

Ex: Slash and burn agriculture

PARADIGM SHIFTSUTILITARIAN This was the 1930s forestry approach, to

manage forests such that the resource would not “run out”

In other words, sites were reforested for future logging, but there was still little concern for the integrity of the environment.

PARADIGM SHIFTSECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT This is the present day forestry approach, to

manage forests for many uses, including:Industry, employment, recreation, heritage,

solitude, etc. In other words, the forest is managed as a whole

ecosystem.

SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT3 MAIN ELEMENTS 1. SUPPORT OF FOREST FOR MULTIPLE USE

2. PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT of FOREST ECOSYSTEM.

3. CONTINUOUS SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT.

SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT

FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANS TWENTY YEAR PLANS

CREATED BY NL FOREST SERVICE.Describes goals for next 20 years such

as AAC (ANNUAL ALLOWABLE CUT).Updated every 5 years.

FIVE YEAR OPERATING PLANSOne of the 26 management districts in

the province plan for activities such as: Domestic cutting, building

roads/bridges, water supplies, silviculture, timber supply, protection

CANADIAN MODEL FOREST NETWORK Created in 1992 Canada has 11 model

forests that take care of the scientific portion of sustainable forest management.

www.modelforest.net/cmfn/en/forests/

UNIT 3 - FORESTRY

TOPIC 10 –HARVESTING

TECHNOLOGIES

HARVESTING Clearcutting Selection cutting Old Harvesting Technology New Harvesting Technology

CLEARCUTTING Definition:

Harvesting all the trees in a cutting block

100 % of trees in NL harvested are clear-cut

90 % of harvesting operations in Canada use clear-cutting

Best method for trees that are short-lived, have lots of seed, grow best in full sunlight, and form even stands naturally.

CLEARCUTTING POSTIVES:

EconomicalMimics natural

disturbances (ex: fire, insects)

Fewer roadsLess blowdownsNew habitat

Fire Defoliation by Insects Harvesting0

5000000

10000000

15000000

20000000

25000000

Forest Disturbances in Canada, 2006

Area (hectares) affected by Fire, Insects and Harvesting in Canada, 2006 Ar

ea in

hec

tare

s

CLEARCUTTING NEGATIVES:

Soil erosionWater siltationDecreased water

qualitySmall tree wastageUnsightlyLoss of habitat

SELECTION CUTTING DEFINITION:

Cutting of trees individually or in small groups such that up to 30 % of forest is harvested

Recommended for areas that are environmentally sensitive, such as old growth forests , young stands, or uneven aged stands.

SELECTION CUTTING POSITIVES:

Maximizes growth of remaining trees

Maintains original forest habitat

Looks nicer NEGATIVES

Not as cost effectiveNeed more roads,

more workers

OLD HARVESTING TECHNOLOGY Axes and Cross-cut Saws Horse-Sleigh Water Transportation Chainsaws Feller-Bunchers Skidders

AXES AND CROSS-CUT SAWS

HORSE-SLEIGH

WATER TRANSPORTATION

CHAINSAWS (SINCE ’50S)

FELLER-BUNCHERS Logging machine that cuts trees in a

place with a tree-grabbing function and a cross-cut saw

LINK

SKIDDERS Heavy vehicle with large tires

that pulls logs with a cable system from a cutting site to a landing

NEW HARVESTING TECHNOLOGY Soft footprint technology GPS Remote sensing GIS Training simulators Environmental friendly alternate

fluids

SOFT FOOTPRINT TECHNOLOGY Any technology that reduces the

impact with the forest floor Some have flotation tires, anti-slip

systems, walking movement LINK

GPS – GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM A network of 24 satellites used to

locate precise coordinates on the Earth’s surface.

Helps navigate and survey forest lands.

REMOTE SENSING Any information gathering that does

not require contact. Can use aircraft, satellites, space

station, etc.

GIS – GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS A system that can capture, analyze,

and manage data which is referenced to Earth’s positions.

Maps can be layered.