Sustainable management

Sustainable management

1. Managing timber production

   • Small-scale
     • coppicing, the stem of a deciduous tree is cut close to the ground
       • = new shoots to grow from the cut surface -> matured stems
         • these stems can be used for fencing, firewood ect
     • pollarding, cutting the stem higher up to prevent deers eating the new shoots
       • this provides a constant supply of wood
     • do a rotation of differing sections of woodland so that there is a constant supply of small stems
       • some trees called standards are left to grow big and are used to supply large pieces of timber
       • good for biodiversity since left unmanaged succession would happen
         • blocking out light = small plant to die
   • Large-scale
     • used to destroy all the trees in one area at once
       • destroying habitats
       • reduce soil minerals
         • no carbon/ nitrogen cycle to maintain minerals
       • leaves soil susceptible to erosion
         • no trees = excess water = soil washed away into waterways = pollution
     • now leaves 50-100 years before felling areas
       • time consuming / not cost effective
     • modern forestry
       • all harvested trees must be replaced
       • forest must maintain its ecological functions eg biodiversity, climate
       • local people should benefit
       • trees can be selected
       • to get as much wood as possible
         • control pests and pathogens
         • only plant species in their prime environments
         • position trees opt. distance apart so less competition for light

2. Managing fish stocks

   • Aquaculture
     • cultivation under controlled conditions, salt and fresh water
     • restrict the impact of oceanic fish stock
     • can feed more people than the traditional way
   • Fisheries
     • high economic value from sales and jobs
     • The Marine Stewardship council proposed 3 principles for sustainable management of fisheries
       • must adapt to changes in circumstances + comply with all regulations
       • must take place at a level so it can be continued indefinitely
         • the optimum is to keep populations at the carrying capacity for their environment ,', harvest the excess
       • must maintain the ecosystem (function, productivity, structure, diversity), so there is no permanent damage on the habitat

3. higher population = more intensive methods to get resources = disrupting the ecosystem = reduced biodiversity = destroying resources = not sustainable

4. conflict between our need for resources and conservation of areas eg need for wood but the economic benefit can be maintained by sustainable sources