ENSC 1005 Lecture Notes - Carbon Cycle, Ecotourism, Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods
31 Mar 2013
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Document Summary
Types of forests & their importance : old-growth forests. Mainly found in west coast temperate forests of b. c and boreal coniferous forests in another ontario (temagami) Provide ecological niches, habitats & food for a variety of wildlife. Decay of vegetation returns nutrients to soil: secondary-growth forests. Result of secondary succession after removal by human activities (clear- cutting for timber or conversion to cropland) or natural disasters (fire, hurricanes, volcanic eruption) Lumber, fuel (50% worldwide), pulp, medicines, foods. Sponges (slow down run-off, absorb & hold water, reduce amount of sediment washing intro streams & lakes by reducing soil erosion) Involved in carbon cycle (absorb co2), provide habitats. Provide food and oxygen, reduce noise pollution. * long-term benefits of a tree clearly exceed short-term economic benefit * 50% if canada is forested (-75% as second-growth forests) Canada has 10% of the world"s forests => largest exporter of timber products world-wide (> billion/year)
