LYCOS RETRIEVER
Forestry
built 118 days ago
Forestry is the science and practice of managing a forest for some goal. Prior to the establishment of forestry as a science-based discipline, the exploitation of forests for various products was carried out without sufficient regard for consequences. For example, trees were cut without ensuring tree regeneration. Logged areas were often burned catastrophically without regard for soil resources and logs dragged or flushed down stream valleys to a mill without concern for the stream habitat or water quality.
Source:
About the American Forestry & Paper Association The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) is the national trade association of the forest, pulp, paper, paperboard and wood products industry. The association represents member companies engaged in growing, harvesting and processing wood and wood fiber, manufacturing pulp, paper and paperboard products from both virgin and recycled fiber, and producing engineered and traditional wood products. AF&PA acts as the clearinghouse for statistical information, the leading force in technical, regulatory and policy issues, and the national voice for the forestry, wood and paper industries. AF&PA is constantly working to return value to members through innovative and effective programs that sustain and advance the industry's domestic and global competitiveness. The association is committed to improving the environment as well as being a part of creating a better tomorrow.
Source:
Forestry activities can have a variety of impacts on the environment. Sediment concentrations can increase in waterbodies due to accelerated erosion; water temperatures can increase due to removal of overstory riparian shade; slash and other organic debris can accumulate in waterbodies, depleting dissolved oxygen; organic and inorganic chemical concentrations in the environment can increase due to harvesting and fertilizer and pesticide applications; and air quality can be affected by dust from road construction, site preparation, harvesting, and hauling activities and by particulate release from prescription slash burning. A major consideration in many ecosystems is the impact of monoculture forestry that simplifies the ecosystem, leaving it vulnerable to disease and other environmental factors. The use of pollution prevention in forestry activities can reduce these environmental effects.
Source:
Forestry comprises such specialties as dendrology, silviculture, forest protection, mensuration, engineering, utilization, and management. Dendrology concerns tree identification, distribution, age determination, and species characteristics. Silviculture studies the relationship of a forest to its environment and involves the development, care, and reproduction of stands of timber. Forest protection examines sources of injury, including disease, erosion, insect and animal destruction, and fire. The science of measuring forest stands, including rate of growth and potential yield of standing timber, is called mensuration. Forest engineering concerns the mechanics of cutting and transportation involved in modern timber growing and harvesting.
Source:
Forestry helps wildlife. - Foresters employ a variety of management techniques to benefit wildlife, including numerous endangered species. For example, thinning and harvesting create conditions that stimulate the growth of food sources for wildlife. Openings created by harvesting provide habitat for deer and a variety of songbirds. Thinning can be used to accelerate growth and development of older trees that are favored by owls and other species. In order to enhance salmon habitat, foresters ... carry out strategic tree plantings and monitor forest health along streams in order to keep the water cool and reduce sediments.
Source:
A Master of Science degree with a major in Forestry or in Wildlife and Fisheries Science is offered by the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries. The M.S. program in Forestry offers both a thesis and non-thesis option; a thesis is required in Wildlife and Fisheries Science.
Source: