The Forest Territory

The Importance of Forests:

1. AN ENVIRONMENTAL TREASURE

2. A SPACE FOR LIVING AND RECREATION

3. AN ECONOMIC RESOURCE

1) An ENVIRONMENTAL Treasure

• Forest Ecosystems: Natural environments where there are dense tree stands, plants, animals, etc.

• Healthy forest ecosystems sustain biodiversity (a variety of living species in a territory)

PRIMEVAL Vs. EXPLOITED FORESTS• PRIMEVAL FOREST: A

forest in which there has been no human intervention (usually hard to get to).

• EXPLOITED FOREST: A forest that has been altered by human beings.

Forests, soil and climate

• The roots of trees fight erosion – they hold in soil, keeping it from getting washed away. Their leaves also slow down the rain, which keeps it from washing out the soil.

• Forests refresh the air!– They absorb CO2 (carbon dioxide) and release

oxygen.– This process is called PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Forests: A home for many species

• 2/3 of the world’s animals live in forests.• They depend on the forests for survival– For food– For shelter– For protection

• Many ENDANGERED SPECIES live in forests… without this habitat, they would go extinct (Canadian ex: cougars!)

Forest: Environmental Role Review

1. Forest environments sustain biodiversity2. Forests protect soil3. Forests purify the air4. Forests protect many animals, plants, and …

endangered species

2) Forests: Environments for Living & Recreation

Recreational Activities

1. Hiking2. Fishing3. Mountain Biking4. Hunting

OVER 1.5 million Canadian tourists visit forest environments each year!

Living Environment for Native Peoples

• Native people practice traditional activities (hunting, fishing)

• Forest is important to their heritage (history and identity)

• 80% of Canadian Native communities are in forest regions.

3) Forests: An Economic Resource• Forests are

exploited for many products– Lumber = wood for

building, etc.– Pulp and paper– Non-wood products

(medecine, food, etc)

It’s big business!

• JOBS– In Quebec: 80,000

jobs in the Forest Industry.

– In Canada: Over 1 million jobs

• Money– Wood export = 50

billion dollars/year