Topic Introduction

Forest cover has declined by 40% since the mid 18^th century and the rate of loss has increased over the last 50 years in direct correlation with the continuing human population increase. The damage to forests ranges from selective removal of trees and understory to the complete destruction of the forest and replacement with other land uses. In this first topic students review broad trends in forest degradation and develop an understanding of what is degraded forest. The properties of degraded forests are identified in terms of changes in species composition, overall site biomass carrying capacity and decline in the biotic regulation of site resources and the ability to recover from natural and artificial disturbance.

Video Lecture

Lecture Video & Powerpoint

 Topic 4.1 Lecture: Degraded Forest Systems

[4.1 Lecture ppt to be embedded here.]

 Topic 4.1.1 Video: Forest Restoration - Temperate Forest

Supplementary Readings

Textbooks

Lamb, D. (2011). Regreening the bare hills: Tropical forest restoration in the Asia-Pacific region. Dordrecht, Heidelberg, London, New York: Springer.

Lamb, D. & Chapman, M.D. (2014). Large scale forest restoration. New York, NY: Routledge. ISBN-10: 0415663180 Links to an external site.; ISBN-13: 9780415663182 Links to an external site.

Articles in Journals

Lamb, D. (2012). Forest restoration: The third big silvicultural challenge. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 24 (3), 295-299.

Stanturf, J. A., Palik, B. J., & Dumroese, R. K. (2014). Contemporary forest restoration: A review emphasizing function. Forest Ecology and Management, 331, 292-323.

Topic Quiz

Topic Quiz 4.1

The topic quiz is designed to check your understanding of important learning concepts for this topic. The quiz contains 10 multiple choice questions. When you are ready, start the quiz at Topic Quiz 4.1.

Online Discussion

No online discussion activity for the week.

Assignments

Mid-term Online Exam

The mid-term exam will consist of a multiple-choice, open book, quizzes, based on the lecture video that you reviewed until the Mid-term. There will be 30 questions in total, 5- questions each topic that you reviewed until the Mid-term. Questions will be based on, but not restricted to, the self-check multiple choice questions.

The exam will be made available on day 2^nd of the week 7 through Mid-term Exam entry under Assignments. You are expected to complete it by 11:59pm, day 5 of the week 7.

Note, only one attempt will be allowed, and you will have 90 minutes to complete your assignment. 

Topic Self-review

Reflection Questions 4.1

Please use the self-reflection questions below as a study guide to conduct self-review for the topic.

1. Make a list properties that distinguish degraded forests from primary forests that are in good condition.
2. Describe three main approaches to forest restoration and the characteristics of each method.