Chapter 13. Chapter 13: Forests
What are ways that we can act to protect and sustainably manage forest resources?
Guiding Question 13.5
What are ways that we can act to protect and sustainably manage forest resources? What trade-offs exist with our choices?
Why You Should Care
It is crucial to manage and protect forest resources; an area the size of the United Kingdom is deforested every year. Unfortunately, the best way to prevent this loss is less than clear, probably because there are several ways to approach the problem. One approach is promoting fair trade, which means providing fair wages to small local farming and manufacturing programs for internationally traded goods like coffee, chocolate, and cotton. Another approach is certification: If their practices are deemed sustainable, a company may label their product as such, alerting the consumer that they are buying eco-friendly products. Similar to the fair trade concept is the idea of providing incentives to local people to protect local forest resources. This can entail offering alternative livelihoods to local families—ecotourism, for example—or it can be as simple as paying people a monthly wage simply not to cut down the forests in which they live.
There are many more approaches to protecting resources, and none of them are perfect. Fair trade and certified products usually cost more, so buyers have to be convinced it is worth the extra money. Organizations are finding that simply paying people not to cut down forests but not giving them an alternative way to make a living can have its own detrimental effects. It is likely that it will take all of these methods and some fine-tuning to save Earth’s forests.
Question Test Your Vocabulary
Choose the correct term for each of the following definitions.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| QdlQTKzc9SdPTAfNsZA7ZAjgXgU4BrpRxTWuAT23eniuDy6gfPVz4g8k8QYtmB8nhKr49hk6P9Y2aCR35/TjSABAG2SDM08SAIlcAbBS/yNBUQVdMJvDG8IMvEWF2Cxu4eJHuKG8Do9aAc0n2i5x2/Cr95+lk59K20bqZN/sojCtnGLQpXU6y/f34vEHCBAtgttU0taMqvVOQeeJfc4WfFzWyESKs5RfTNM1+BiBaUD+CeCBKFbiTqhy6t3lTkE4iW3hocB3N5N20tsJ1AZTN0bQEAQDB+1r/fwPsgMarWxofsmBqYWSj9q/t3wXrpEhjNvMrAW+VjNK3gxrqXyIfg== | Net loss of trees in a forested area. |
| dfecQDp9LcpGvukHArO0vMQZhWxkeYdzvMe8GcrIq4AZS2h4d+NTRylwxvPX0aBPbIhfXEmxmQkSaPE3NSvXzQFMdMnypXvUpWyQZ5CU2rZaNPLjfW/g0HkuLuxntBkpiLhkAMS7uvQo6EUYFPtSqmjUSCbXRCRLffP1rSAWpqSibtu0ovB2vlRsmEbb9jUYWZwKrcsMMknGP/OS7b12GDzBmY2LwBiQFHvzkmCa2CIriY2+gDpIINBOEQMHLRAJbjCp1MZHcdarm85G0DuM0QESN+NXNKhTWERL1rpXz8BRpOFSdkaGB7ze7YrhfVqD9FccdijOOHNzJSn2ZGcIgQ== | Coniferous forests found at high latitudes and altitudes characterized by low temperatures and low annual precipitation. |
| RBJom9IQ6Inwzoq3UhBO/xYA32VAkovVSjv3BkEzBbyiSaZ5mcxU/eSSWBQE3BILGHXhKFa+Q+SesN5ufDtIUaPAU3SGMxA0CkiymenWD6fkw3NZDHwpZrEbOFrOcmUBwDlBh97tsr5YvjFvuJrg+IM5YwsHFwk99Xk97kgE0CNt1ypLdEBg4JL/sM/l6InTko8u7j5avdEGIkUTQf28HBbXzmyzwa7OsRnLRecj393fSH6fBAupRcD5QrfLTw7U2yKfQcFXzOREruII3o8J1PrLURP2+5OensOy0xSKBfeWtxtG2oUrfNrgDz/rAAPwSkm34aNLbRMVc4LxsUSmgw== | Found in areas with four seasons and a moderate climate, receive 30-60 inches of precipitation per year, and may include conifers and/ or hardwood deciduous trees (lose their leaves in the winter). |
| 0ZOk2CEQCDk7r6ZvFPwYba1REAqFwAAa29FslhpHOTprXGSIlVoVXI72ZRCyWTSaJvHjvFIhnALG3XoSKNb6cZByV2dmxuOaNHi1tQrzkVtLMytiRQG0wJ4axsYzksFojHRzxJiCTGN9O9eQUiFDE/yscmwWveiPIhq79h0AuV9ltvf9ythPAmJNbASAVVMLfMhjvwuINLHqyhvGBAtZQUdxG2Anshru7/FJp/essal828Mc9+5E5wHWzjfbeFY8HjmdZqhF7KSBPUfk3IW11CszKlausivmtnRyClNy+TshL6IEN96fo6o0/SuLCDHUndsDg21RlJI08okKsbD3rw== | Found in equatorial areas with warm temperatures year-round and high rainfall; some have distinct wet and dry seasons, but none have a winter season. |
| HF4kkPabJGy7WspWAgiUoI2kWgKO9yI3gLLhDXw9Ajk7do9Qh6VMS4PWJOOMyzktwaPCxqRJAZVbJg7DHI3knrOi6xFi/GAvmtaesvPl1fBja0rSb2sSncXlxJbh7vs1vbe/H3Tc6hDhMRxUZfIiBj/ezNq+I4d5RmgvI4vm9XQucF/X4Q40Tp9h2k4Qa7Bzsf/atxE8SXuUein1huwyWfNsehEYJTemoKoNTyFwA6b1J+TVTfxWmbAkOFtJUxkPowXBS0+b1Fxf6yGTyd8BJii5VgofXlscjmFqVo+StyKGQy1SeoweTdAXA2dxW5eJmaRRkXP/aJFi6gezoAPHCA== | Upper layer of a forest formed where the crowns (tops) of the majority of the tallest trees meet. |
| WTQteN3mVcR8Hdk+jDjZGkbFbtPAC4VG709lbo9Lab/R+NjzBwHNxqx6HpMwPxSTQKSDM57KQGM3S0g1tmwlbhPCe4589l/YbL35Qk0sGtPe4qpWcXueL5AT2VKIuubACWBWvq2OMd3r4pgd6VmriZKtRtYGlX4ce8itjvTAvf/mcV8Hg/x88oOtuKd2VMQjCNBYDKhh5K2lghxJ0gLz/xgrLE6v9u8mTIlIxi+iowM4SN4ptMO3f3mv7GecngT/u+AKyhprBnZwPwxDz+uPX/sp6Di2yRte1fg2PJEtayOIrnXa6axwn2LtsRl0Ia/omEmGMul5gKSaIPKtln1a4A== | The region where a tree that is taller than the canopy trees rises above the canopy layer. |
| CJ9cfoMXyIsEvs2rOgPn/0BRB2Abo9pchgeMirGsLQ5NvgWxSgUbVqfpTYhdrcjBDEz11bKjNQ6COfxLG86SuYX6fmFJOKn2PMup7RB68a/LS7V6xMtehmugkumre+JS1evqH8PvsYCy/pPvu6HBLx0svwmdKZ1h476+WA/jqfr5WK7DA9JNmHxsntuDQ0zH6AlyvPr9NRbN04t/UwfAwAq92hQSeO4gvRy7kaCFdPmkzdQCpSKgjGfu2TcbeTM4UJAi1PP414Gww5sch4LPuwUP91t+Q5hrqxHmN0YIvHsJq9fxCHZAwnh+EPa195Gr5fcW8lGXIb6fUKD+euJDSQ== | The smaller trees, shrubs, and saplings that live in the shade of the forest canopy. |
| 65rzkIsfMRBkFW4TffFnNuZ5oujATrCL9uehRGFZskoGRJRZ3x05wwBbcc5andH2amqBPKanfdYzxZYEK98FaDWOm2bA3vSxaC0ELIDsHpT45vaW77KnMeDRBxKxMORvNsreGZouqiaYcshpa87DgHvU/WaiEudQ2g0gZtKihLsu8RRDjH0f+dwqKhjfq6BCPrUEEqjECszWsJ7QE2XmCHxFz8D2jNkewmCNPHzEGJy9plJnlpGOj3WCtZXrBd/q1zPozxs4wCrGv0X4nwQEOA7nci9KKkU3DMlw/2gZKwDw1MpdLvkRIgP2Hu3CnKjhGl+q0ciRMFgMB6JCrOopcg== | The lowest level of the forest, containing herbaceous plants, fungi, leaf litter, and soil. |
| 2R3Xw99GDpb+UnAvkOQbFxah2GJGfZvdCb7HUkSdIS0u7JR3vdM4woLD0L1fz2MHVu+lBufAINcyCyBe8mBIbbWHn/8SM7K5mOJItD3CXw60eqX5nzKYxDISY857sIf3mR2dQ2wpBXeS9djTVmvFui9+AUb5QQvhQh1PqgAtb3s5YV1DuQM/zALBrvoiNSb6vYljx2lfg/iu1vAkAEtDZS0BZqNtbvP6mIWWhS1jkygWAAMYa+kuHysYXNAbxriGEjRfws4qq2GzbiyWj9bZaCVd5qOAw7PMzqd/KBZal2zFQWuZhWmFGaNi+dqV0ixv16pLTJyb1fqSQpmCW4inKw== | Water that flows downhill across the land surface, usually after a rainfall. |
| qB2Oh038w032LdtIea3HjmXd1rhUnZnxmW/EtTUtivqgF2SVUy+Gto73WGMhRxEt+s5HC3/Ftp5XjoVq6QkP09Mdb8rIV0rBulclJQ+gdrbkOf8Ph6TzCqG+RMhNwJelUjppNdhS0W25r410XHZ5neg0TyTEeVOPJjnjGMMIfOLw4tp1qv1UWmY0cmmvz/aZq5txFS24T5Zdmr9tvzTSAveNvBmd5sQSRKLOReSV2LJw5SpqfjOrbRXCH/8ihhO7a82uv3/KHXRV7SKpKWP0JRG7X342t84lqkfy6hCXYKgoTR8R40qNkjnJALpwz28j8DyrkEpurW2+mCnDRc01rQ== | Places such as forests, ocean sediments, and soil, where accumulated carbon does not readily reenter the carbon cycle. |
| I31VlQSu952iMRhES1StLwx2mpb6ZbB9LbRPQMH+KTMVQCqQP3Lz4dnaxlQeuOAGTVXMZmMyZaWIVsb3L7guNllEzqvHo4jLxt4dWPwmmlk8rzdUjvs3ID5Z7QYxS0XTLdKPtPb11m5mhirmZdj1dQJhJAgKAfs2dxTll+LRNJHCbi0yT5nN+n24a9saysVZH3tPu/n1O2DdOv6ou1Suxt/6FtirtDIOKd3xRRQ0wYJooEuMv3OtcT7A6oi22GUsgNyShDch4ee3j6ZeK/A+x4OoCM39CSwPC8bsQ9t96kJRrWIW1mmpJWEHMSy077a3Xa6NAMqa9gs/MKVU | Metric unit of measure for area; 1 ha = 2.5 acres (ac). |
| UeeuGVLvxNd0Cj18uTiQn0dWklzx9lw7urId/hGcV/Ztg7adnCiD/Dg4IRWvryn4GNTZqDVPT7Hivu2rfpRnG2s7fiH04gC9B62GlrgHuBZtBYTCgRENt+FKf5EBNq8nqnGb8dmh7PuIDNapF+SXz1GYXyN9vkeMvwi3B4SqWwdb5F8bK2pmhtqpFYskDUVMdDAHzF07DiUyKRYt1XhkyiJAEnT/rxgXNvnivk/2iNaSY4u8biBnmypHBow8WLyVAJjdoQNWImnZ6s99bqzHOMwvfRFu0H1bS1O+gYnfzkvyUYkFxLdB4ZurL72ymHOgZxHhOIk2dGLhzjTZ | Harvesting as much as sustainably possible for the greatest economic benefit. |
| 6kCwO7Zi09UHi2/0HV87BeI+bXBxE+Ux8cR+10e8uPkKoK9EwGPDS7gRMGQiSoatp5DWW4ZFpDspDhJiWs7Z7mOa+Z5dNKnDkxVSCOZrR5+tVsS2wEcgWeVEhjChVtsf09f4vrNMOcNgbYvlDNV8haIAAx3p2ygWtrM4dSetCpyQwjXYb4YnkSMPKmo/a6UqrNHgYQ8FBPwVfKlWgxRsOIH6SFlYFCEdV6T9TzhkjdJn60mToWUaoMpmjFzWhgkAVKuRZU4vWE7THOL3N545B13xJ9+YpjxFriQi7inEoI82Ij/8hVfmKshnmNWXWcXaA/JToWYUTlNbtmMs | U.S. legislation (1960) mandating that national forests be managed in a way that balances a variety of uses. |
| HJzkkoK8pQSUepaU5kvSuxxNdVtf9q1CXoJ8qR5IMxir8i7pHEZqj8N1jgNC9uaLVSUYDA0J2wdEcAciJW35GortbIQVHCwPdegaERmGEXesg6BZgHncycf6E3hIDch627it+lRg8DJww3WxoUv1qMRK32rCkKe9TaJo39NHwKnfpXI3UA30V7C2HggBNHd1Aq8oWW7yRG/fWkOyTAfF4WgPCLaPxxNlzZNyezETKOa2TcMsm1bjslPh5i41AEIdPYKjykhtqviS79hm6Ij4E6pXIML4CnDFUd3FIaweCygK88gBilfeeG4yCy0P+N+D6vL9b0VKIry8jvE8 | Focuses on managing the forest as a whole, rather than for maximizing yields of a specific product. |
| 6P6+rz+HBNNPRmbLoaNGxU1bLUz3WWbhXbkGcegYTq8LjPXZFNa3V3ysnUAW9IShcYofayHQ7JlJJrrtl2O4VI5ep6mVjSpXT3BhMrP85tuFhqEmLhMcxRvNg93Kvp4Z+B9P3NfmL9JiWfOD1C3nPNeJUaIU1KowyRFdD7CjsNdu3qiBe6dd/m+Uy9m1WwRqErleJmf9KOPZn4YKWzJZ4g4G6pWK1Cx+Bufw1uSYCTVBbjGccD1ys/AxchSdAam3WbapH0YOPTL8zj0PcBnmk201rxtl6kBQC+A1pi4FNm0EtQfnBb1OMt95cZAljWAuQKyDdHwTOHN6+fTX | Low-impact travel to natural areas that contributes to the protection of the environment and respects the local people. |
Question 13.1
AIvlowNMS0cp9q0x5hOhSimj49v7JbDp+hmhI6PpS+mwAk2LqgSeZoCrU6xzsQa8ybJF/+w6yjvdAEX6Kx4PQ1botBEIaITU4XrI5tSot7nMIDZcbnM84IX+UO2DjhMW353Q+uxyZ0aRYt0s3n95uXMrb9izcbmXK7cy+ueNJSS1FgNbj+O6KptSDrvlxrYf+jWvKfK22euC+ELi7UWmOujvU100O+uhRKkDhz1SomRKehdLR19iIdGmu2PLHBAaftOPWvKyPsZWeVSq• Instant gratification of immediate profits is more appealing than long-term gains.
• The one-species stand that grows back will be easier to cut.
Question
Short-Answer Questions
Suppose you are the president of a coffee company. You have the choice of planting open grown coffee bushes in cleared forestland with industrial processes or in the understory of largely intact forests by local residents. Coffee is naturally an understory species that is adapted to shady conditions, and shade-grown coffee is considered superior by some coffee connoisseurs. However, field-grown coffee can yield more beans per hectare, and the ability to automate some of the process means a more consistent supply and product. You need to make a decision between the two methods: cheaper, but higher-impact, field-grown coffee or more costly, but lower-impact, shade-grown coffee.
w7JoToZJYPD5/QnACYDaANadJe0iGWG8+AgmcKxOFhNMSxOpB3a9tIvTEDwsYvjGxg+SXBUIc0kOX8VVUCeWTqhc9SdI2HozAYVNVKqkuhLQbVxqy5UwW5Gl7utRni9PRRKaEiP4DG8/JSKE2fjL2TKC4bUpJLqkGA693GmW/8GBKAC/WIDwzBNICezg1yPyIMs7jYevMlE= aOWTfsTnbASz1fM4y/SkpE8mNApHfk6RI0PJsJl/yrDUID5wVoRdJ0LWXM3oL1aX6PGrImGnebVGHndfN2pZu1oaWryxOC7Qbk/IPWix2OwnN58t5zXz0GdBbhUJgoQ01+kPNWxZvtOgq/imDADGGNc4l2KTre2calJGFOS4tKZb+4YoU4+XQ+sRGjBDVWy7uHk32uBloHYLWDuJhQDzb1y8A7D3p9aynlfiYMAezqsbmpxaVk7LU3ZyxoJzE/LRPFK0Nzm8SXY1Htg8hEQhx+8na12ETD1U9FXaJy0T74WAaKVhi6AiFXkkpBH9wJWDQXzME1kOWlRc+2EgYJdwDocD9aHtJuwR0jg2/FU1C3A= xC5pEYpDD3ysqywkpbcX3b979ZeCxVsGDSd58Q0aRZ9BsPgGS0GPKjAtkmoEtsEzHxVAP/3WsK0Sq0xVp5pFygIvbDvUSfll0D0zw4LHhzwmlqoY7JFJwbQEWJLNQ9zGgBAAmhqJg1b5WPgVchydRmskoY9LLMO0/QCsrl5sXWVv1x8fxMm4qQOmk7+rMxFKwc7IEjq+SkmN8j9+blSwKp6ptv7k3bArvcRBDfsj1CbCKeRgg+OtdHHp1fq2inCJZRCgYGv08aNOKyGCFMrAjH81tqfFnKYyo9uTWQglEjRMcjuTvZ1nPO+dKTh6hJe5o187Jf7XQrgVPgW/9/9PJfhwJ+TCP+aAeZ9bhkS7S61LKVzeWhQh/YA1DKxJ4uf+znTYvm4Dc7GFW0preBVvj8Rpwgfj5Snk2V/+pQ==Can the impact of the cleared land be offset by employing local people and giving them monetary incentives not to clear off their own property? Perhaps by allowing them to have room for family crops at the edge of the coffee fields?
2) Answers to this question will vary. Make sure to provide reasons in your answer for the cut-off point in what you're willing to pay for coffee.
3) This is not a simple question. First, profits may be offset by the premium price for shade-grown/fair-trade coffee. Second, just because people in developing countries are less advantaged than those in developed countries, it doesn’t mean that they lack the ability to learn from the developed countries’ mistakes. Third, the cost may also be offset by the ability to grow other crops with or above the coffee.