Forestry Glossary

The establishment of a forest on land that has not been forested in recent history.

A land use system that integrates trees and shrubs with agricultural crops and/or livestock on the same land.

The cross-sectional area of tree stems at breast height per unit of land area, expressed in square meters per hectare or square feet per acre.

The variety of life at all levels, from genes to species to ecosystems. Forests are among the most biodiverse terrestrial habitats on Earth.

The uppermost layer of foliage in a forest, formed by the crowns of the tallest trees.

The process by which trees absorb atmospheric CO2 through photosynthesis and store it as carbon in biomass and soils.

A harvesting method that removes all trees in a given area in a single operation.

A traditional woodland management method in which trees are cut near ground level to encourage regrowth of multiple stems from the stump.

The standard measurement of tree diameter taken at 1.37 meters (4.5 feet) above the ground.

The permanent conversion of forested land to non-forest uses, primarily agriculture, urbanization, and mining.

The scientific method of dating tree rings to determine age and reconstruct historical climate and environmental conditions.

The scientific study and identification of trees and other woody plants.

The benefits people obtain from ecosystems, including provisioning (timber, food), regulating (climate, water), cultural (recreation, spiritual), and supporting (nutrient cycling, soil formation) services.

A voluntary third-party process that verifies forest management practices meet established environmental, social, and economic standards.

The natural process of change in species composition and structure of a forest ecosystem over time following a disturbance.

Light Detection and Ranging, a remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to create detailed three-dimensional maps of forest structure, canopy height, and terrain.

A forest that has developed over a long period without significant disturbance, characterized by large trees, diverse structure, and complex ecological relationships.

The intentional application of fire under controlled conditions to achieve specific management objectives such as fuel reduction and habitat improvement.

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, a United Nations framework for providing financial incentives to reduce tropical forest loss.

The replanting or natural regeneration of trees on land that was previously forested.

Harvesting only certain trees from a stand based on species, size, or quality criteria, leaving the majority of the forest intact.

A silvicultural method where overstory trees are removed in a series of cuts over time, providing shelter for regenerating seedlings.

The science and practice of controlling forest establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality to meet management objectives.

The layer of vegetation growing beneath the forest canopy, including small trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants.

An area of land where all precipitation drains to a common outlet such as a river, lake, or ocean.