The basic resources for each objective are found on the Forestry Reference Materials CD provided through your County Conservation District.
*Correlations with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards and Assessment Anchors for Environment and Ecology are provided.
Students should be prepared to accomplish the tasks listed under each topic.
1. WOODY PLANTS. Forestry Reference Materials CD Section 1
a. Identify common species without a key and specific or unusual species of trees or shrubs using a botanical key. (Use of a botanical key is an important skill in many environmental professions. Practice with the Summer Key to Pennsylvania Trees provided.) Pay special attention to shade tolerance and soil moisture requirements of each species studied. Understand their timber and wildlife values.
*4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources - 4.2.4.A - D, 4.2.7.A - D, and 4.2.10.A and B
b. Explain typical tree growth and life cycle. Be able to describe the parts and tissues of a tree and their arrangements and functions. Recognize defects that effect a tree’s health, quality and resource potential.
*4.7 Threatened, Endangered, and Extinct Species - 4.7.10.B
c. Explain the cause and effect relationships between environmental factors (light, soil and moisture) and tree growth. Be able to interpret these effects in the growth rings of a sample of wood (either a “tree cookie” or "core" taken with an increment borer).
*4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions - 4.6.7.A - C, and 10.A
2. FOREST ECOLOGY. Forestry Reference Materials CD Section 2
a. Explain general forest typing based on the dominant tree species. Describe major forests types found in Pennsylvania. Analyze and type a specific forest site.
*4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions - 4.6.10.A
*4.7 Threatened, Endangered and Extinct Species - 4.7.7.A - C
b. Explain typical forest structure (canopy, understory and ground layers) and crown classes.
c. Explain typical forest succession from open areas to closed canopy and back again. Analyze the successional stage of a specific forest site.
*4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions - 4.6.7.C and 10.C
d. Explain how wildlife habitat relates to the forest plant community (i.e. tree species present, age structure, snags and dead-and-down trees, availability of food, and riparian zones).
*4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions - 4.6.10.A
e. Explain what effects a specific species increase or decrease might have on the forest ecosystem.
f. Evaluate species diversity and its importance. Explain biological diversity as an indicator of a healthy environment as well as analyze the effects of species extinction on the health of an ecosystem.
*4.3 Environmental Health - 4.3.10.C
3. FOREST RESOURCE MANAGEMENT & PROTECTION. Forestry Reference Materials CD Section 3.
Study The State of the Forest: A Snapshot of Pennsylvania’s Updated Forest Inventory 2004. This is the most current data available describing Pennsylvania’s forest resources.
a. Be prepared to describe the area of forests in Pennsylvania, the distribution of tree species and their age and size classes as documented in the inventory. Be familiar with wood volume statistics and regeneration issues.
b. Describe the distribution of forest land ownership in Pennsylvania.
c. Demonstrate the use of common forestry equipment (Biltmore stick, diameter tape, and clinometer), to measure tree diameter and height. Be able to calculate wood volume.
d. Explain the uses of silviculture techniques in even-aged and uneven-aged forest management: thinning, clear-cutting, seed-tree method, shelter wood method, and selection method. Describe the practices of “high grading” and “diameter limit” cutting.
e. List products and uses of the important commercial timber species grown in Pennsylvania including maples, oaks, hickories, black cherry, black walnut, tuliptree and white ash.
*4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources – 4.2.10.C
*4.4 Ecosystems and their Interactions – 4.4.12.A
*4.8 Ecosystems and their Interactions – 4.8.10.C
f. Summarize State and local regulations and programs pertaining to timber management PA Code Chapter 102 Erosion & Sedimentation Control regulations, waterways management regulations - PA Code Chapter 105.
*4.9 Environmental Law and Regulations – 4.9.12.A
*4.2 Renewable and Nonrenewable Resources – 4.2.10.C
g. Explain the value of forestlands as community water sources. Describe the potential for pollution from timber harvesting and the practices used to minimize erosion and sedimentation.
*4.3 Environmental Health – 4.3.10.B
*4.8 Humans and the Environment – 4.8.10.C
h. Identify and describe the life cycle and impacts of common forest pests and invasive plants. Research integrated pest management strategies for selected pests.
*4.5 Integrated Pest Management – 4.5.10.A and 12.A
i. Predict how human or natural action can produce change to which an organism cannot adapt (Gypsy Moth, Chestnut blight, invasive species, etc.)
*4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions – 4.6.10.
*4.8 Humans and the Environment – 4.8.10.C
j. Explain the role of fire in forest ecosystems. Describe the basic principles of wildfire prevention and control. Explain the use of prescribed fire.
*4.6 Ecosystems and their Interactions – 4.6.12.C
4. COMMUNITY FORESTRY. Forestry Reference Materials CD Section 4.
a. Describe the benefits of maintaining trees in urban and suburban communities and factors affecting their health and survival.
*4.3 Environmental Health – 4.3.12.A
