ENVIRSC 2EI3 Quiz: podcast notes - forests.docx

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Environmental Science
• Course: ENVIRSC 2EI3
• Professor: Luc Bernier

Document Summary

Forest types differ; canada has 8 major ecozones; boreal cordillera, pacific maritime, montane cordillera, boreal plains, boreal shield, taiga plains, atlantic maritime, mixed wood plains. Mixture of forests, woodlands, wetlands, lakes, glaciers, rock. 66 percent of canada"s species in forest; occupy a fraction of their former range. 1000 yrs (yellow seeder); forestry is major industry; 25 percent of coastal rain forest has already been logged; 50,000 ha logged annually. Montane cordillera; great altitude variations leads to contrasts b/w snowy peaks, high mountain valleys, rolling plateaus, desert like conditions in bc interior; contrast b/w mountain summits and valleys; dominated by long and cold winters; precipitation varies; 1 m near summits; 205 mmm in valleys of rain shadows; near summits, lichens are found and in the valleys, pine trees; forestry dominates in northern interior; mining, oil/gas, tourism, agriculture. Boreal forest supports commercial activities; logging, wood fiber and saw mill production; almost 50 percent of boreal forest is currently allocated to industry.