Forest Terminology Explained
Glossary
While undertaking research, you or your students may come across some terms that may need explaining, so we have made it easy for you below.
*FURTHER INFORMATION: The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (ABARES) has produced an "Australia's forests and forestry glossary" (2020) found here -
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/forestsaustralia/glossary
A
B
Backburning
A bushfire preventative technique that involves lighting a controlled fire at a safe point to burn back towards the front of the bushfire. Also see bushfire, controlled burning, wildfire.
Biodiversity
The genetic variety of life forms and their ecosystems. Comprises genetic diversity (within species), species diversity (between species) and ecosystem diversity. Also see ecosystem.
Breast height
1.3m above the ground. This is the standard height at which a tree diameter is measured. Also see basal area, DBH.
C
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
A molecule made up of one carbon atom joined to two oxygen atoms. It is a major gas in the Earth's atmosphere. Also see greenhouse gases.
Catchment area
A drainage area in the landscape that is the source of water for a river or reservoir. Also see drainage line.
Controlled burning
See hazard reduction burning, backburning, fuel reduction burning, post-logging burning, prescribed burning.
Copice
Regrowth that grows from dormant buds under the bark of tree stumps after the tree has been felled. Eucalypts will copice. Also see lignotuber.
Crown
The top of a tree or group of trees. The leaves and living branches of a tree. Also see canopy.
D
DBH
Abbreviation for the diameter of a tree at breast height (1.3 metres above ground level). Also see basal area.
Drainage line
A discernible natural depression along which surface water runoff concentrates and flows towards a stream, drainage plain or swamp. Also see filter strip.
E
Exotic
An introduced species, especially one which is not of Australian origin. Also see Pinus radiata.
F
G
Gymnosperms
Non-flowering plants. Seeds not enclosed in an ovary, enclosed in a cone. See cypress, Pinus radiata.
H
I
Integrated harvesting
Removal of more than one product from a forest at the same time, for example both large sawlogs and pulpwood. See harvesting.
J
L
Lignotuber
Swollen underground root structure developed by most eucalypts, capable of sprouting new shoots if the tree is damaged. Also see copice.
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
Shrub
A woody plant smaller than a tree, usually divided into separate stems near the ground. Also see understorey.
T
U
V
W
X
Y

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