The objective of this module is to deal with two important aspects of the natural environment of forests. By the time you have completed this module, you will have a good understanding of some of the physical and biological determinants of forests, particularly if you have also completed Module II.
Relevant Components
- The development of soils, including the weathering of rocks
- The description and classification of soils
- Biogeochemical cycles and soil fertility
- Soil as a resource
- Hydrological functions of trees and forests
- Hillslope hydrology in forested landscapes
- Watershed hydrology in forested landscapes
- Effects of forest management on water quantity and quality
- Geomorphological processes and forests
After taking this module, you should be able to:
- Describe the development of soils, including the processes leading to the formation and loss of soils
- Explain how soils are formed
- Explain the processes leading to the degradation and loss of soils
- Explain how forest management can maintain soils
- Explain how soils are classified and how soil fertility varies among soil types
- Describe the major soil types and their characteristics
- Explain what defines soil fertility
- Describe the processes by which soil fertility can be enhanced or degraded.
- Describe the hydrological functions of forests
- Describe the hydrological cycle and how it can be affected by forest cover
- Explain the different ways that water can flow down a hillslope
- Explain the possible impacts of forest cover removal on hillslope hydrology
- Explain how forest management can affect water supply
- Explain the concept of streamflow regimes
- Explain how changes in forest cover can affect the quantity and quality of water draining from an area
- Explain how forests affect geomorphological processes
- Identify some potential geomorphic risks
- Identify where landslides might happen
- Identify some of the signs of past debris flow and debris torrent activity
- Identify where snow avalanches are likely