Sustainability

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Timber production and woodland

Sustainability = using a renewable resource in such a way that it will never run out.

Aims

To meet the needs of future generations

Live comfortably

To preserve the environment

Enable LEDCs to develop through exploiting their natural resources in a sustainable way

Sustainability requires recycling.

Coppicing

Young tree stems are repeatedly cut down to near ground level.

The buds might grow from cambium layer.

Only occurs with deciduous trees.

Meet supply and demand.

On a rotational basis to maintain biodiversity.

Easy to damage the new shoots by animals such as deer.

Pollarding

The upper branches of a tree are removed.

Occurs in late winter.

Only occurs with deciduous trees.

Sustainable timber

Removing timber from a forest/woodland in a manner that allows similar amounts to be removed year after year. Maintaining the forest ecosystem:

Allowing all the different habitats and species to survive.

Large scale

Clear felling

Takes too long to grow back

Soil erosion

Leaching

Flooding

Destroys habitat

Reduce soil mineral levels.

E.g. Malawi flooding 2015

Selective felling

Only largest, most valuable ones are felled.

Replant trees

At specific sites to reduce competition. This reduces disease as its at optimum density.

Local people benefit from the forest.

Pests and pathogens are reduced.

Tree species matched to climate, topography and soil type.

Maintaining a sustainable forest ecosystem

Gather information on biodiversity and wildlife.

Consider transport links and markets.

Formulate ecological and business plans.

Select appropriate species to grow.

Measurement of forest growth and structure.

Application of ecologically sensitive systems.

Recreational use of forests by the public.

Use of broad-leaved deciduous species.

Fishing

Overfishing is a major problem and has led to the populations of some species of fish decreasing significantly. These means they are unable to regenerate meaning there won't be a resource for future generations.

Fishing quotas - they provide limits on the numbers of certain species of fish. Aims to maintain a natural population of these species that allows the fish to reproduce sufficiently to maintain their population.

Other techniques:

The use of nets: They have different mesh sizes so immature fish can escape. This makes sure that only mature fish survive.

Commercial and recreational fishing only at certain times of the year. This allows the fish levels to rejuvinate.

Introduction of fish farming: Maintain source of protein.