1) Stand Initiation
The Stand Initiation Stage is the first stage after a major disturbance, and in this case, a forest fire. Within this stage, there is regeneration of open space from seed sprouts. Also known as the bushy stage, Stand Initiation is characterized by shrubs and tree sprouts. This invasion of shrubs and tree sprouts continues until all growing space is occupied.
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Restoration of Riparian Forests
The goal of Riparian restoration is to reach the Fully Functional developmental stage of riparian forests. This is a traditionally slow process that can take up to 400 years.
Optimal Riparian forest functioning requires three primary characteristics: large conifer trees, a complex stand structure, and diverse species composition. In Riparian forests, long-living tree species provide stability and support stream banks, channels, and floodplains.
Large trees are essential for effective restoration as they provide critical structure and prevent erosion of soil and water-banks.
The Biggest Threats to Riparian Zones at Sierra Nevada
Climate Change: Climate change is bringing warmer temperatures and drier conditions, as well as potential shifts in the amount and timing of precipitation. Warmer and drier conditions also stress native riparian plant communities while giving a competitive advantage to some invasive plants.
Non-Native Invase Plants: The invasion of non-native plants is one of the largest stressors of riparian zones.
The Importance of Riparian Zones in California
Riparian zones are well known for influencing many ecological processes at local to landscape scales, and fire can have an important ecosystem-scale influence on them.
Furthermore, Riparian zones can act as a buffer against fire and therefore as a refuge for fire-sensitive species.
2) Stem Exclusion
This stage occurs as soon as all growing space is occupied and new plants are excluded from regenerating. At first, the different trees occupy a single layer, or stratum—a condition referred to as the “Brushy Stage." Within Stem Exclusion, the canopy is too dense to allow new saplings to grow in the canopy, and the canopy continues to have one cohort. Competition is intense and density-dependent. The Stem Exclusion Stage is characterized by growth, competition, and mortality produced spatial adjustments.
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The Area of the World's Forests
According to Our World in Data, 10% of the world is covered by glaciers, and a further 19% is barren land – deserts, dry salt flats, beaches, sand dunes, and exposed rocks, and forests account for a little over one-third (38%) of habitable land area.
Automobile Carbon Dioxide Emissions
According to the EPA, a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, assuming the average gasoline vehicle on the road today has a fuel economy of about 22.0 miles per gallon and drives around 11,500 miles per year, and every gallon of gasoline burned creates about 8,887 grams of CO2
Carbon Sequestration
According to the U.S. National Park Service, trees reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere by sequestering carbon in new growth every year. As a tree grows, it stores more carbon by holding it in its accumulated tissue.
3) Understory Reinitiation
This stage occurs as soon as all growing space is occupied and new plants are excluded from regenerating. At first, the different trees occupy a single layer, or stratum—a condition referred to as the Brushy Stage. Within Stem Exclusion, the canopy is too dense to allow new saplings to grow in the canopy, and the canopy continues to have one cohort. Competition is intense and density-dependent. The Stem Exclusion Stage is characterized by growth, competition, and mortality produced spatial adjustments.
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Wood Fuel & Renewable Energy
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, wood is considered humankind's very first source of energy. Today it is still the most important single source of renewable energy providing about 6 percent of the global total primary energy supply.
Polyester & Greenhouse Gases
According to Bloomberg, For one, polyester requires a large amount of energy to produce. In 2015, polyester production for clothing emitted 282 billion tons of carbon dioxide, triple that of cotton.
Paper Products
According to World Wildlife, irresponsible harvesting from natural forests, and establishment of pulp plantations on converted natural forests, can threaten fragile ecosystems and species, and cause soil erosion.
4) Old Growth
This stage occurs as soon as all growing space is occupied and new plants are excluded from regenerating. At first, the different trees occupy a single layer, or stratum—a condition referred to as the “Brushy Stage." Within Stem Exclusion, the canopy is too dense to allow new saplings to grow in the canopy, and the canopy continues to have one cohort. Competition is intense and density-dependent. The Stem Exclusion Stage is characterized by growth, competition, and mortality produced spatial adjustments.
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Climate Change & The Effects on Forestry
According to CT.gov, Forest productivity is changing as a result of our warming climate. With warmer temperatures lasting longer, our plants have a longer growing season and more time to photosynthesize.
Deforestation
Deforestation is the purposeful clearing of forested land.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse gases act like a blanket around Earth, trapping energy in the atmosphere and causing it to warm.
The majority of greenhouse gases come from burning fossil fuels, so cutting down on fossil fuel usage would significantly reduce the adverse effects of climate change. Fortunately, renewable energy is on the rise, providing a way to produce energy without releasing greenhouse gases.