Forest Planning & Resource Management Flashcards

In forest carbon accounting, what is the significance of the 'carbon stock change' method?

Answer: It tracks changes in carbon stored in forest pools over time to determine net emissions or sequestration

The carbon stock change method quantifies net carbon flux by measuring changes in all carbon pools (biomass, soil, dead wood, litter) between two time points to determine whether a forest is a net carbon source or sink.

What does 'rotation age' mean in even-aged forest management?

Answer: The number of years from stand establishment to final harvest

Rotation age is the planned number of years from stand establishment (planting or natural regeneration) until the final harvest of the mature timber.

Which forest planning concept ensures that timber harvests do not exceed the forest's long-term productive capacity?

Answer: Sustained yield

Sustained yield is the principle that harvest levels must not exceed the forest's capacity to regenerate and grow, ensuring perpetual production without depleting the resource base.

What is the main purpose of conducting a 'pre-harvest inventory' on a timber sale area?

Answer: To estimate merchantable timber volume and value to set sale terms and reserve prices

A pre-harvest inventory (timber cruise) estimates the volume, species composition, and value of merchantable timber to establish reserve prices and sale terms for competitive bidding.

In the context of forest planning, what is 'non-spatial harvest scheduling'?

Answer: Scheduling harvests without considering the geographic location of stands relative to each other

Non-spatial harvest scheduling optimizes the timing and volume of harvests from stands without incorporating the geographic relationships between stands, such as adjacency or connectivity.

What is the role of 'management indicator species' (MIS) in forest planning under NFMA?

Answer: Wildlife species used to monitor the effects of forest management on broader wildlife populations and habitat

Under NFMA, management indicator species are selected wildlife species whose population trends are monitored to evaluate whether management activities are maintaining viable habitat conditions for a broader suite of species.

What is 'biological diversity' as addressed in modern forest management plans?

Answer: The variety of life forms including species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity maintained across the landscape

Biological diversity in forest planning encompasses species diversity, genetic diversity, and ecosystem diversity, aiming to maintain the full range of native life forms across multiple scales.