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HOW THE MANAGEMENT OF AN ECOSYSTEM CAN PROVIDE RESOURCES IN A SUSTAINABLE…
HOW THE MANAGEMENT OF AN ECOSYSTEM CAN PROVIDE RESOURCES IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY
MANAGING TIMBER PRODUCTION
SMALL SCALE TMBER PRODUCTION
Pollarding
Involves cutting the stem higher up to prevent deer eating the emerging shoots
Useful where the deer population is dense
Rotational coppicing
Involves dividing a forest up into section and cutting a different areas each time
-> Gives in other sections time for shoots to grow properly
Gives greater biodiversity - allows for certain habitats to grow which otherwise would not have occurred due to succession
E.g. Letting in more light and increasing the number and diversity of species
Coppicing
Provides a sustainable supply of wood
The stem of the deciduous tree is cut close to the ground
New shoots grow from the cut surface and mature into narrow stems
Used for fencing, firewood or furniture
After cutting them off new shoots start to grow again - cycle continues
LARGE SCALE TIMBER PRODUCTION
Involves CLEAR FELLING all the trees in one area at a time
Why is clear felling bad?
This destroyed habitats on a large scale
Reduced soil mineral levels
Left soil suspectible to erosion
Soil can run off into waterways -> causing pollution because trees remove water from soil and stop soil being washed
Trees help maintain soil nutrient levels through their role in the carbon and nitrogen cycles
How to achieve sustainable management?
Selective cutting
Involves removing only the largest and most valuable trees
bigger trees = more wood -> less trees harvested -> habitat is largely unaffected
Forests
Control pests and pathogens
Only plant species which grow well
Position trees at an optimal distance apart
-> reduces competition
UNSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
The rate of use > rate of renewal
Sustainable management is the rate of use is LESS than the rate of renewal
Destroy ecosystems
Reduce biodiversity
Completely remove natural resources
Main reasons for deforestation
Obtaining hardwood (e.g. teak) for furniture
Obtaining softwood for paper and other wood products
Clearing areas for cattle farming
Clearing areas for agriculture
Clearing areas for urbanisation, including road building
Things we use timber for:
Building construction
Fencing
Garden products (bark chipping, furniture, posts)
Fuel (wood and charcoal)
Paper
Furniture
Craft products
Crickets bats
MANAGING FISH STOCKS
MARINE STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL
Three principles for sustainable management of fisheries
Fishing takes place at a level that allows it to continue indefinitely.
Overfishing must be avoided
-> reduces fish populations.
Fish populations should be maintained at carrying capacity – only harvesting in excess
Fishing must be managed to maintain the structure, productivity, function, and diversity of the ecosystem – no permanent damage to the local habitat, and any effects on dependent species is minimized.
A fishery must adapt to changes in circumstances and comply with local, national and international regulations
AQUACULTURE
Can also provide sustainable fish stocks
Raising stocks of fish in aquaculture restricts the impact on oceanic fish stocks
This process is expanding rapidly – especially in the developing world
Expected to feed more people than traditional ‘capture fisheries’ in the future
LEARNING TIP
When considering sustainable management of resources - remember that maintaining biodiversity is just as important as maintaining resources at a steady level.