Unit 1 - Forest Management
Consumptive and Non-Consumptive Forest Use
In the introduction to this unit, we touched on the logging trucks carrying the harvested trees to their destination, to be made into things such as lumber, newsprint, tissues, paper products, etc.
Consumptive use value of trees is when trees are harvested and turned into consumer products. Their value can easily be calculated because the trees are bought and sold. Another way to look at consumptive use – it is anything that requires a change in the forests, such as oil and gas exploration, mining, road building, and/or harvesting.
Consumptive use value of trees is when trees are harvested and turned into consumer products. Their value can easily be calculated because the trees are bought and sold. Another way to look at consumptive use – it is anything that requires a change in the forests, such as oil and gas exploration, mining, road building, and/or harvesting.
Image Source: Pixabay
Image Source: Pixabay
Forests are valuable in ways that are not obvious, but just as important. Forests provide us with many benefits, such as:
These benefits are referred to as the non-consumptive use of trees; they are valuable, but difficult to put a price on. Non-consumptive use of forest resources means that our forest use does not affect any major change to the forest.
- slowing or preventing erosion
- filtering water
- producing oxygen
- removing carbon dioxide from the air
- creating shade
- tourism
- enjoying outdoor activities, such as camping and hiking
These benefits are referred to as the non-consumptive use of trees; they are valuable, but difficult to put a price on. Non-consumptive use of forest resources means that our forest use does not affect any major change to the forest.
Image Sources: Pixabay, Pexels, Unsplash