California's forests provide recreation areas, protection of watersheds and wildlife habitat and wood products we use every day. Because our forests are important to us, some concerns have been expressed about forest "sustainability". Sustainability refers to the ability to maintain the forest forever by managing it for continuous healthy growth. Managing for sustainability is based on an understanding of the ecological roles of planned activities, such as timber harvesting, thinning (removing selected trees to "thin out" a forest so it can grow better) and planting trees as well as unplanned events, like wildfires, floods and landslides. Registered Professional Foresters (RPFs) help insure the sustainability of California's forests. Licensed by the State, RPFs provide forest landowners professional expertise in wise forestland stewardship. Licensed foresters are responsible for using today's forest practices to promote ongoing health of California's forest ecosystem for future generations. Their outlook is very far into the future. This page has been written by Registered Professional Foresters to answer questions and promote understanding of sustainability, how we use sustainability and why we will never run out of trees in California.
What does sustainability mean ?
Sustainability of a forest is the ability to continuously grow trees while maintaining soil health, wildlife diversity, water quality and the other values of the forest. Sustainability ensures the perpetual growth and harvest of the forest by managing the essential processes and functions of the forest ecosystem.
What makes a forest sustainable ?
Managing for a continuous cycle of growth makes a forest sustainable. A forest features plants and animals, which interact with each other and the soil and climate. All of these important features need to be managed for continuous health of the forest. Different ages and sizes of trees and plants provide habitat for wildlife to survive and makes its own contribution to the forest ecosystem. A healthy forest ecosystem creates the environment that produces the optimum growth of the trees in the forest.
How are forests managed for sustainability ?
Taking into consideration the landowner's objectives, the licensed forester (RPF) plans to protect and nurture a forest for sustainability. They must first protect the soil, which is the basis for the productivity of all the forest's components. Preventing poor conditions such as erosion and compaction (packing down of the soil) along with maintaining soil fertility are central to every forest management plan. The range of trees and plant species in the forest is considered next. Foresters are trained to understand the forest ecosystem and to use the natural processes which sustain the forest and allow forest products to be harvested.
What does the term "sustained yield" mean?
Forests can be carefully managed for a sustained yield, or the on-going production of resources overtime. Forest resources which can be maintained at a sustainable yield level include wood, forage for livestock, fish and game animals, Christmas trees, ornamental greens and water. Managing and nurturing the forest improves its ability to resist the devastation of uncontrolled wildfire, insects and diseases. Practicing sustained yield ensures that forest resources can be used for the benefit of society without negatively affecting natural processes. Increased rates of growth and production achieved by professional management enhance the sustainable yield of our forests.
Does harvesting deplete the soil of nutrients in California's forests?
No. Most California soils are naturally rich in nutrients. Forest scientists have found that most of the nutrients taken from the soil by trees are stored in the branches and leaves of the tree, not in the wood of the trunk. After harvesting, it is common practice to leave the branches and leaves in the forest to decompose back into the soil. Also some trees and brush species take nitrogen from the air and store it in their root system, which is left behind after harvest; as the root system decays the nitrogen is returned to the soil. Foresters manage the amount of decaying wood and mix of plant species to maintain the fertility of the soil for continuos cycles of forest growth.
Is harvesting a forest the same as deforestation ?
No. Deforestation involves clearing the forest land for other uses, such as farming, town sites and development. When forests are harvested in California the area is also managed to sustain continued growth. Much of the controversy with tropical forests is due to the conversion of those forests to farm land. In California, Timber Harvest Plans, which are required by state law, must include actions that ensure the continued growth of the forest. Registered Professional Foresters work with landowners to develop harvest plans to maintain the productivity of the forest and assure the forest will grow for future generations.