Pennsylvania Forest ReviewPennsylvania Forest Review

What Types of Biomes What Types of Biomes are in PA?are in PA?

What is decomposition What is decomposition and why is it important?and why is it important?

What can you tell me What can you tell me about % and $ that we about % and $ that we benefit or get from our benefit or get from our forests?forests?

How is the Gypsy Moth How is the Gypsy Moth a threat to our forest?a threat to our forest?

Mixed Deciduous Forest, Edge, Mixed Deciduous Forest, Edge, Field, wetlands and ponds, Streams Field, wetlands and ponds, Streams and rivers, and Neighborhood.and rivers, and Neighborhood.

A valuable process that takes A valuable process that takes place on the forest floor. The place on the forest floor. The breaking down!breaking down!

5%-owned by Lumber industries. 5%-owned by Lumber industries. 30%-Government owned. 55 to 30%-Government owned. 55 to 60%-PA covered by forest. 10% 60%-PA covered by forest. 10% of PA’s work force. Over 5 of PA’s work force. Over 5 billion generated for PA’s billion generated for PA’s economy.economy.

It is considered a pest and will It is considered a pest and will defoliate our trees. It has spread defoliate our trees. It has spread to over 40 states already.to over 40 states already.

Forest StratificationForest Stratification

EmergentEmergent Tallest trees of the forest, sun and wind. Highest level.Tallest trees of the forest, sun and wind. Highest level.

CanopyCanopy Roof of the forest, provides shade, birds, small mammals and insects.Roof of the forest, provides shade, birds, small mammals and insects.

UnderstoryUnderstory Provides shelter and habitats for larger mammals, birds, and insects. Where we Provides shelter and habitats for larger mammals, birds, and insects. Where we

find shrubs and small trees. This is the future of our forest.find shrubs and small trees. This is the future of our forest.

Forest FloorForest Floor Lowest level, made up of dead leaves, grasses, and flowers. Provides a home for Lowest level, made up of dead leaves, grasses, and flowers. Provides a home for

many things; small mammals, amphibians, and insects. Dead and decaying many things; small mammals, amphibians, and insects. Dead and decaying material.material.

Clear verse SelectiveClear verse Selective

Clear Cutting:Clear Cutting: Removes all trees, loss of habitat, must manually replace Removes all trees, loss of habitat, must manually replace

seeds, and many years to recover/rebuild. Inexpensive seeds, and many years to recover/rebuild. Inexpensive and not as time consuming.and not as time consuming.

Selective CuttingSelective Cutting Removes only selected trees, maintains habitat, Removes only selected trees, maintains habitat,

environmentally friendly, natural regeneration, only a few environmentally friendly, natural regeneration, only a few years to recover/rebuild. More expensive and time years to recover/rebuild. More expensive and time consuming.consuming.