Introduction to Indian forest and terms related to forestry.pptx

Introduction to Indian forest and terms related to forestry

1. Introduction - Introduction to Indian forest, target area, productivity - Definitions of basic terms related to forestry K. NAGANJALI Asst. Professor Dept. of Agronomy

2. Forests in India cover about 23.8 %. Estimates of the area currently classified as forest land in India vary widely from as high as 75 million hectares to as low as less than 40 million hectares . This represents 23 and 12 per cent respectively of total land area of the country ( 327.7 m ha) of the total geographical area as against 33.3% (109 m ha ) enunciated in the National forest policy, 1988 . In Telangana state the forest area is 27, 292 sq. km. accounting for 24.35 % of total geographical area .

3. Increase the area under forestry from the existing percentage of forest cover, the State Govt. of Telangana has initiated a flagship programme, “Telangana Ku Haritha Haram ” for taking massive afforestation - green cover of the state to the desired level of 33.3% from the existing 24.35 % of the total geographical area of the state . Obj : Covers atleast one-third of the state's geographical area .

4. The thrust areas identified to achieve the above are two-fold: 1) Initiatives in notified forest areas and 2) Initiatives in areas outside the notified forest areas . The first objective - by a multi-pronged approach of rejuvenating degraded forests, ensuring more effective protection of forests against smuggling , encroachment, fire, grazing, intensive soil & moisture conservation measures following the watershed approach.

5. Major fillip - second objective. In the areas outside the notified forest , massive tree planting activities is being taken up in areas; Road-side avenues River and canal bank, barren hill, Tank bunds and foreshore areas, Institutional premises, Religious places, housing colonies, Community lands, Municipalities, Industrial parks, etc. National Forest Policy of India : 33.3% of the total geographical area - ecological balance

6. Problems faced by the indian forestry : As compared to the world average of 1.6 ha per capita forest area, India has only 0.11 ha per capita forest. The country has lost about 43.4 m ha of forest area during 1951-52 to 1982–83 @ 1.5 m ha/annum The productivity of Indian forest is also very low 0.5 m 3 /ha when compared to the world average of 2 m 3 /ha - of Over exploitation Overgrazing Excess maltreatment of forest area in the past.

7. In India most of the forests (95%) are owned and managed by the Govt. in contrast to the management of forests by private sector in the European countries Forests occupy 23.8 % { contribute not much (1%)} towards the National economy when compared to agriculture ( 35% ), many reasons have been attributed to the low revenue. Removal of large amount of forest produce by the local population in the form of rights and concessions as well as illicit removals being the main ones.

8. Lack of proper investment in reforestation & afforestation programmes (the investments never exceeded 0.75% of the total plan outlay in the public sector ). During the five year plans , large scale development and rehabilitation works were launched in the forestry . With the introduction of conservation and forest management, the work of demarcation of forest areas and working plan preparation was taken up. The area covered under working plans constitutes about 66 % of total forest area (present).

9. The word forest is derived from Latin word ‘ Foris ’ means outside. Forests are areas covering practically all uncultivated and untended lands fairly extensive stretch of land covered with rather tall and dense tree growth. Defined as an area set aside for the production of timber and other forest produce and is under woody vegetation for certain benefits which it provides . Forestry : Forestry stands for the theory and practice of constitution & management of forests and utilization of their products. It also stands for scientific management of forests for the continuous production of goods and services.

10. Branches of Forestry : 1. Silviculture : Refers to certain aspects of theory and practice of raising forest crops method of raising tree crops, their growth and aftercare up to the time of final harvesting. 2. Forestry soils : Refers to the composition, physical and chemical characters and behavior of the soil upon which forest is to be established 3. Dendrology : Refers to description, classification and recognition of tree species. 4 . Forest menstruation : Deals with the measurement of forest produce. 5. Forest Management : Is the practical application of science , technique and economics to a forest estate for the production of certain desired results .

11. 6. Forest utilization : Harvesting, marketing, conversion and putting the forest produce for a variety of uses like timber, fuel, pulp wood etc. 7. Wood technology : Structure, physical, mechanical properties and behaviour of wood under varying conditions. 8. Forest policy and Administration : Deals with the rules, regulations, laws and procedures that helps to conserve forests. 9. Forests protection : Knowledge of the behavior of the forest enemies viz., Fire, Insects, Diseases, Wind, Animal and protection from them. 10. Agroforestry : Integration of crops, forest plants or livestock simultaneously or sequentially on the same piece of land for sustainable land management.

12. Basic terms related to forestry – Annual Ring - Trees in climates where growth stops or slows during a portion of the year will form annual rings - determine tree age and rate of growth . Basal Area - The cross-sectional area in square feet of a tree trunk measured at 4.5 feet above the ground . Biltmore Stick - A tool used to measure a tree’s diameter at breast height. Often times they include a scale to measure the height of a tree as well .

13. Canker - An imperfection on the trunk, limb or twig of a caused by an organism that kills a part of the tree's tissue. Canker causing organisms sometimes exist in some sort of a balance with the host, never killing enough tissue to cause death. Cankers tend to weaken trees at the points where they are growing causing the tree to eventually break.

14. Canopy - A layer or multiple layers of branches and foliage at the top of a forest's trees. The collection of individual tree crowns is the canopy. Carrying Capacity - The maximum number or biomass of organisms of a given species that can be sustained or survive on a long-term basis within an ecosystem. Clear-Cut Harvest - A harvest and regeneration practice that removes all trees within a given area. Used most commonly in forests that require full sunlight to regenerate or areas where young forests are the preferred habitat.

15. Competition - The struggle between trees to obtain sunlight, nutrients, water, and growing space. Every part of the tree, from the roots to the crown competes for space and food. Conservation - The protection, improvement, and wise use of natural resources for present and future generations.

16. Crop Tree - Tree selected for quality, species, size, timber potential, or wildlife value that is favored for growing to final harvest. Crown - The branches and foliage at the top of an individual tree. Crown-Class - A tree classification system based on the tree's relative height, foliage density , and ability to intercept light. Crown-class measures past growth performance and calls attention to crop trees that could benefit from future thinning and harvest operations.

17. There are 4 classifications : Dominant Trees - Larger-than-average trees with broad, well-developed crowns . These trees receive direct sunlight from all sides and above. Codominant Trees - Average-to-fairly large trees with medium-sized crowns that form the forest canopy. These trees receive full light from above but are crowded on the sides. Intermediate Trees - Medium-sized trees with small crowns below the general level of the canopy.

18. Intermediate trees receive little direct light, are poor crop trees, and should be removed during thinning operations. Suppressed Trees - Small trees that grow below the tree canopy and receive no direct sunlight from any direction. Suppressed Trees- Small trees that grow below the tree canopy and receive no direct sunlight from any direction. Cull - A tree or log of marketable size that is useless for all but firewood or pulpwood because of crookedness , rot, injuries, or damage from disease or insects .

19. Den tree - A tree that has a hole in its stem that can be used as shelter by wildlife such as birds and small mammals. Dendrology – The study of trees and their identifying characteristics. Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) - The diameter of a tree measured in inches at breast height 4.5 feet above the ground. Diameter tape - Usually a steel or cloth tape graduated with numerals that are 3.1416 inches apart.

20. When placed around a tree at d.b.h ., the tree's diameter can be read directly in inches. Same result could be obtained by using a standard measuring tape and dividing the reading by 3.1416. Forest Type - Groups of tree species commonly growing in the same stand because their environmental requirements are similar. Forester – Professional with experience in a broad range of forest-related topics including forest and wildlife ecology, economics, legal issues, and the growing and harvesting of forest products.

21. Foresters - hold a state certification which is generally based on experience , training, and ongoing continuing education . Like an architect designing a building, a forester designs the harvest plan . Forestry - The science, art, and practice of managing and using trees, forests, and their associated resources . Mast - Fruits or nuts used as a food source by wildlife. Soft mast include most fruits with fleshy coverings , such as persimmon, dogwood seed, or black gum seed. Hard mast refers to nuts such as acorns and beech, pecan , and hickory nuts .

22. Mixed Stand - A timber stand in which less than 80 percent of the trees in the main canopy are of a single species. Non timber Forest Products - All forest products except timber, including resins, oils , leaves , bark, plants other than trees, fungi, and animal or animal products . Pole timber - Trees from 5 to 7 inches in diameter at breast height . Preservation - Maintaining forests in an undisturbed, unmanaged state . Pulpwood - Wood used in the manufacture of paper, fiberboard, or other wood fiber products . Pulpwood-sized trees are usually a minimum of 4 inches in diameter.

23. Regeneration Cut – Any silvicultural practice with the intent to reestablish a new stand of seedlings . Root Collar - The transition zone between stem and root at the ground line of a tree or seedling . Sapling - A small tree, usually between 2 and 4 inches diameter at breast height. Seedling - A tree, usually less than 2 inches diameter at breast height. Seed Year - A year in which a given species produces a large seed crop over a sizable area. Shelter wood Harvest - Removing trees on the harvest area in a series of two or more cuttings so new seedlings can grow from the seed and in the partial shade of older trees.

24. Silviculture - The art, science, and practice of establishing , tending, and reproducing forest stands of desired characteristics . Slash - Tree tops, branches, bark, or other residue left on the ground after logging or other forestry operations. Softwoods (Conifer Trees) — Trees that are usually evergreen , bear cones, and have needles or scale- like leaves such as pine, spruce, fir, and cedar . Stand - An easily defined area of the forest that is relatively uniform in species composition , age structure and condition and can be managed as a single unit.

25. Sustainable Forestry - A holistic, conservation ethic based on environmental balance and health that helps ensure forests will be managed in ways that have the potential to meet the social , physical and economic needs of the present while ensuring similar options for the future. This includes a suite of policies, plans and practices that seeks to sustain an array of forest benefits at a particular location . Sustained Yield - Management of forestland to produce a relatively constant amount of wood products, revenue or wildlife .

26. Thinning – An intermediate silvicultural practice that reduces tree density and competition between trees in a stand. Tolerant Species - A species of tree that has the ability to grow in the shade of other trees and in competition with them.