You Are the Forest Manager in a Large Tract of Forest

question 37

Essay

You are the forest manager in a large tract of forest surrounding a lake resort town of 15,000 residents in the Adirondacks. Each year, over 200,000 vacationers visit and stay in this town for short periods of time. The forest around this resort and lake has become infested with a bark beetle that has caused the death of about 20-35% of the trees. Dead trees can be seen on the hills above the resort.
The residents of this town are concerned about destructive crown fires that may threaten their lives or property. They have petitioned you as the forest manager to have the dead trees removed. They prefer to have this done by the quickest means possible.
What information can you provide to the residents about sustainable forestry? How can tree removal be accomplished in a manner that is in line with sustainable forestry?

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Definitions:

North-Facing

Refers to the direction or aspect that primarily faces towards the north; often considered in terms of sunlight exposure and ecological implications.

South-Facing

Refers to an orientation or placement of structures, such as windows or solar panels, towards the south in the Northern Hemisphere (or north in the Southern Hemisphere) to maximize sunlight exposure.

Ferns

A group of non-flowering, vascular plants that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers.

Population Size

The total number of individuals within a defined area at a specific time.