a) Describe briefly five management methods adopted in the forest area to ensure a continuous timber supply. (b) Enumerate six benefits derived from forestry and range
Explanation
(a) Five management methods adopted in the forest areas to ensure a continuous timber supply are:
(i) Forest Regulations : These are laws made by the government to conserve or preserve forest trees. No person can cut down timber without government permission.
(ii) Selective exploration: Forest trees can be cut down while allowing others to reach maturity before they too are cut
(iii) Afforestation: This is the planting of new trees to replace the ones that have been cut.
(iv) Fire prevention: This prevents annual bush burning and where possible, establishes fire breaks.
(v) Taungya system : This system allows the farmer to plant his crops after which they will plant economic trees on the same piece of land.
(b) Six benefits derived from forestry and range are:
(i) Supply of food such as fruits, seeds. bush meat, etc.
(ii) Supply of fuel (fire wood). (iii) Provision of timber for furniture and buildings.
(iv) Provision of employment to some people. (v) Forest is a source of medicinal herbs.
(vi) Provision of pulpwood for paper making.