sustained yield
Quick Summary
Sustained yield is a management principle focused on the continuous production of biological resources, such as timber or fish. The core idea is to harvest only what can be replaced by regrowth or reproduction before the next harvest occurs. This concept is crucial in forestry, where it ensures a steady income for industries by balancing annual harvests with annual growth, while also accounting for losses from fire, insects, and diseases.12
The practice involves long-term planning, with rotation periods varying based on the resource. For example, eucalyptus for pulpwood might have a 10-year rotation, while pine for sawlogs could take 100 years. Sustained yield also applies to minor forest products like turpentine and rubber, where resources are managed to ensure continuous availability.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
conservationThe loss of ecosystems…Plains), another global priority, once sustained vast migrations of large vertebrates such as bison, pronghorn, and elk. Such species are now restricted to small pockets. The same is true in Eurasia, where comparable migrations now occur only in isolated pockets, primarily in the Daurian Steppe in China, Mongolia, and Russia
Read More…Plains), another global priority, once sustained vast migrations of large vertebrates such as bison, pronghorn, and elk. Such species are now restricted to small pockets. The same is true in Eurasia, where comparable migrations now occur only in isolated pockets, primarily in the Daurian Steppe in China, Mongolia, and Russia
Read More
conservationIn the oceans…addition, in their efforts to sustain declining fish catches, people resort to extremely damaging fishing methods such as dynamite and poisons. Coral reefs are also threatened by coastal development, pollution, ocean acidification, and other threats from global warming. Human activities threaten some three-fourths of the world’s reefs, with the highest…
Read More…addition, in their efforts to sustain declining fish catches, people resort to extremely damaging fishing methods such as dynamite and poisons. Coral reefs are also threatened by coastal development, pollution, ocean acidification, and other threats from global warming. Human activities threaten some three-fourths of the world’s reefs, with the highest…
Read More
conservationOverharvesting…their exploitation is no longer sustainable. Whereas the most-familiar cases involve whales and fisheries, species of trees and other plants, especially those valued for their wood or for medicines, also can be exterminated in this way.
Read More…their exploitation is no longer sustainable. Whereas the most-familiar cases involve whales and fisheries, species of trees and other plants, especially those valued for their wood or for medicines, also can be exterminated in this way.
Read More
conservationWhaling…no attempts to harvest whales sustainably.
Read More…no attempts to harvest whales sustainably.
Read More
