Forest

A forest can be defined as an area of land set aside for the production of timber and other forest  products. It consists of a group of trees and community of many other living organisms including animals. Forest can be defined as a large area of land covered with trees and brushes, either growing wild or planted for some purposes. A forest is a large area dominated by trees. The forest is a complex ecosystem consisting mainly of trees that buffer the earth and support a myriad of life forms. The trees help create a special environment which, in turn, affects the kinds of animals and plants that can exist in the forest. Trees are an important component of the environment. They clean the air, cool it on hot days, conserve heat at night, and act as excellent sound absorbers.

The branch of study whic deals with the application of scientific knowledge, skills and tecniques to the prduction and management of timber and other forest products for the benefit of mankind is known as forestry.

Forestry  is the art of planting, tending and managing forests, including the utilisation of their products, silviculture is the the study of forest trees and other related trees. Managing forests sustainably means increasing their benefits, including timber and food, to meet society’s needs in a way that conserves and maintains forest ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations.

Types of Forest

Tropical forests (rainforests but also others) occur near the equator and are the most ecologically rich of all forest types. They regenerate very rapidly but they are the most threatened forests, primarily by logging (reforestation is rare but it has been successfully achieved in some places) and clearance for agriculture (which is often permanent and leads to soil erosion).

They are characterized by 25-35 m tall trees with a multi-layered and continuous canopy, a highly diverse flora, and a fauna including numerous birds, bats, small mammals, and insects.

There are four tropical forest types: evergreen rainforest, seasonal rainforest, semi-evergreen forest and moist/dry deciduous forest.

Temperate forests occur in eastern North America, northeastern Asia, and western and central Europe. Regeneration is slower because the growing season is short. Their total area has not changed much in recent years but plantations have steadily replaced old-growth forests.

Temperatures vary from –30°C to 30°C and precipitation (75-150cm) is evenly distributed throughout the year. The soil is fertile and the canopy moderately dense. There are some 3-4 species of flora per square kilometer and fauna is represented by squirrels, rabbits, birds and deer among others…

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JSS2 Agricultural Science Third Term: Forest and Forest Uses