This module introduces the most common silvicultural techniques for assuring adequate natural regeneration to sustain timber yields. The importance of protecting future crop trees from harvest damage is stressed, and then different ways to promote increases in stocking are discussed.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this module, you should be able to:
Explain the importance of protection of future crop trees.
Recognize the difficulties of securing natural regeneration of light demanding species in forests subjected to single tree selection logging.
Identify some of the tradeoffs associated with different silvicultural treatments to increase stocking.
Fundamental Topics
Instructions: Read Topics 10.1 - 10.5 from the embedded FODE014 e-Notebook below for Module 10.
Self-check Quiz (For certificate learning only)
After reading fundamental concepts for this topic, take up to 5 minutes to take an online self-check quiz for the topic. The main purpose of the quiz is for you to self-check how well you grasp the contents for this topic. You can take the quiz a second time if necessary. When you are ready, click the link Online Quiz 10 to start taking the quiz.
Recommended Supplementary Readings
Dawkins HC and Philips MS. 1998. Tropical Moist Forest Silviculture and Management: A History of Success and Failure. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
On the Module 10 Discussion board, briefly explain why you think that recommended silvicultural treatments are so seldom applied and suggest how this situation might be rectified.
Graded Assignments
Follow the instructions at Module 10 Assignment to complete and submit the assignments for this module.
Summary
This module stresses the ecological and economic benefits of reliance on natural regeneration to assure the sustainability of timber yields. Several basic techniques are described, starting with the importance of protection of both seed trees and future crop trees, especially those that are needed to provide the next crop.
Self Review (For self learning)
Please use the reflection question below as study guide to conduct self-review for the topic:
Why do naturally regenerated seedlings often survive and grow better than planted seedlings?