New York State Envirothon – Forestry Study Guide

Forestry Study Guide

The forestry station will focus on forests as ecosystems in New York State. Students will be expected to have a basic understanding of orested ecosystems, how they function and change over time, their role in a watershed, and why they are valuable resources. In general, the word forestry means the propagation and management of forest trees for commercial harvest. This include the planting and management of exotic (nonnative) species, the existing native forest, and the genetic improvement of trees for selected characteristics, such as straight and rapid growth. Forestry also means the scientific study of tree growth, management, and timber production systems. The term forestry probably evokes visions of loggers, tree farms, and large tracts of woodlands.

National forests provide vital ecosystem services, such as habitat for wildlife and native plants, act as water reservoirs and filters, take up carbon dioxide, release oxygen, and regenerate precious soil. In addition to ecosystem services, forests also provide humans with lumber, recreation areas, and aesthetic value. Forests store large amounts of carbon dioxide that might otherwise contribute to global warming, in the form of wood.

In the eastern US, deciduous hardwood forests characterize the dominant forest types. In the western US, coniferous evergreen forests dominate. In the United States, we have several major forest biomes including temperate deciduous forests, sub-tropical mixed forest, temperate mixed forest, temperate coniferous forest and taiga. Much of the forest area in the west still remains under public ownership, held as either national forest or Bureau of Management land. In the east, however, much of the surviving forests are under private ownership. Founded in 1905 by Gifford Pinchot, the United States Forest Service (part of the US Department of Agriculture) is the single-most important agency with reference to public forest land.

Students should be aware of and knowledgeable about the following: identification of common tree 14 species as well as tree parts and function; basic characteristics of forests and forest structure; forests as ecosystems; a general knowledge of forest history in our region; issues affecting forest health and management including invasive plants, fragmentation and urban sprawl; plant and animal communities that inhabit local forests; and silvicultural practices.

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Forestry Learning Objectives

For successful completion of the forestry section, students should be able to:

Understand tree growth, parts and tissues of a tree, and the life cycle of a tree.
Identify common tree species from bark, leave or seed without a key, and identify unusual trees and shrubs through the use of a key.
Know the typical forest structure: canopy, understory and ground layers and crown classes and the common species that are found in each layer.
Understand forest ecology concepts and factors affecting them, including tree communities, regeneration, competition, and primary and secondary succession.
Identify the abiotic and biotic factors in a forest ecosystem, and understand how these factors affect tree growth and forest development including the relationship between soil and forest types. Consider factors such as climate, insects, microorganisms, and wildlife.
Be familiar with and able to identify common and invasive tree pests and diseases. Be able to identify associated control methods.
Understand silvicultural terms, and be able to explain the uses of the following techniques: thinning, single tree and group tree selection, shelterwood, clearcutting, and seed tree management and high grading.
Explain the following silviculture systems: clear-cutting, seed tree method, even aged management, uneven aged management, shelterwood and selection.
Know how to use forestry tools and equipment in order to measure tree diameter, height and basal area. Know how to use and read a Biltmore stick, grade scale and log chart.
Understand how forest health and management affect biodiversity, global warming, and forest fragmentation.
Understand how economic, social and ecological factors influence forest management decisions.
Understand the importance and value of trees in urban and community settings, and know the factors affecting their health and survival.
Understand the economic value of forests and know many of the products they provide to people and society.
Understand why trees and forests are important to human health, recreation, wildlife, and watershed quality. We have attempted to find the most recent information from credible, university or governmental based institutions related to the listed learning objective but please note that the following resources are not all inclusive or exclusive and there are many other sources of information that you may wish to consult in your study of Forestry.