The definition of a forest varies around the world, but the main characteristics are the same - it is an region that is densely planted with tall trees, and covers a large area. More than 50 per cent of Earth's animal and plant species can be found here.
USA - Many of the USA's forested areas are protected as national parks
Canada - Almost one million Canadians are involved in the country's forest industry
Russia - About 20 per cent of the world's forest can be found in the largest country on Earth
Brazil - The Amazon rainforest covers more than half of Brazil and is the largest remaining tropical rainforest on Earth
Central Africa - This tropical rainforest is home to 11,000 plant species and more than 400 species of mammal
China - Forests in China grew by 1.2 per cent every year between 1990 and 2000, the highest growth rate in the world
The trees of Amazon rainforest have their roots in nine different countries
Brazil
Peru
Colombia
Venezuela
Ecuador
Bolivia
Guyana
Suriname
French Guiana
What is deforestation ?
The clearing away of trees, know as deforestation, affects our planet in a variety of ways.
The lower number of trees to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen contributes to global warming.
Trees give off water vapour, so the fewer trees there are, the less water there is in the atmosphere.
Without trees roots to hold the soil together, there is an increased chance of soil erosion, flooding, and landslides.
How to : reach the top of a rainforest
1. Start in the damp, shady forest floor. In some forests, only two per cent of light reaches this area, which is covered in leaves and roots.
2. Climb up to about 15 m (50 ft) from the floor. You're now in the understory where small trees can branch out.
3. Stop off at the canopy, where the tops of taller trees spread out to form a dense canopy that traps sunlight.
4. Arrive at the top, known as the emergent layer. Here the very tallest trees reach the sky, sometimes at a height of 70 - 80 cm ( 230 - 262 ft) above ground.
The Amazon rainforest contains an amazing variety of flora and fauna. ( In numbers)
1 millon - insect species
40,000 - Plant species
3,000 - fish species
428 - amphibian species
427 - mammal species
378 - reptile species
1,294 - bird species
Fires can sweep through forests causing huge devastation to trees, plant and animals life.
However they can also help regenerate a habitat by clearing the area for new growth and leaving a layer of rich ash where new seeds will flourish.
The main causes of forest fires are these:
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| Photo by Isai Ramos on Unsplash |
Types of forest
- Rainforest
Lush tropical forests are found in hot regions with high rainfall, usually around the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
- Tropical dry forest
Vegetation that can survive the long, parched months of a dry season grow in theses forests.
- Coniferous forest
Vast areas of coniferous forest stretch across the cold regions of North America, northern Europe, and Asia.
Temperate forest
In areas with distinct cool and warm seasons grow broad leaved trees that lose their leaves in the winter months.
About 300 million peoples are born, live, and die in the world's forests, and 60 million of them are almost totally dependent on the forests to maintain their lifestyle.
Forested regions
USA - Many of the USA's forested areas are protected as national parks
Canada - Almost one million Canadians are involved in the country's forest industry
Russia - About 20 per cent of the world's forest can be found in the largest country on Earth
Brazil - The Amazon rainforest covers more than half of Brazil and is the largest remaining tropical rainforest on Earth
Central Africa - This tropical rainforest is home to 11,000 plant species and more than 400 species of mammal
China - Forests in China grew by 1.2 per cent every year between 1990 and 2000, the highest growth rate in the world
The trees of Amazon rainforest have their roots in nine different countries
Brazil
Peru
Colombia
Venezuela
Ecuador
Bolivia
Guyana
Suriname
French Guiana
What is deforestation ?
The clearing away of trees, know as deforestation, affects our planet in a variety of ways.
It destroys forest habitats and kills the animals living there.
Two - thirds of all species on Earth need forests for shelter or food.
Two - thirds of all species on Earth need forests for shelter or food.
The lower number of trees to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen contributes to global warming.
Trees give off water vapour, so the fewer trees there are, the less water there is in the atmosphere.
Without trees roots to hold the soil together, there is an increased chance of soil erosion, flooding, and landslides.
How to : reach the top of a rainforest
1. Start in the damp, shady forest floor. In some forests, only two per cent of light reaches this area, which is covered in leaves and roots.
2. Climb up to about 15 m (50 ft) from the floor. You're now in the understory where small trees can branch out.
3. Stop off at the canopy, where the tops of taller trees spread out to form a dense canopy that traps sunlight.
4. Arrive at the top, known as the emergent layer. Here the very tallest trees reach the sky, sometimes at a height of 70 - 80 cm ( 230 - 262 ft) above ground.
About 30 per cent of Earth's total land area is forested.
The Amazon rainforest contains an amazing variety of flora and fauna. ( In numbers)
1 millon - insect species
40,000 - Plant species
3,000 - fish species
428 - amphibian species
427 - mammal species
378 - reptile species
1,294 - bird species
More than five million native Indians once lived in the Amazon rainforest, but now only about 200,000 remain.Forest fires
Fires can sweep through forests causing huge devastation to trees, plant and animals life.
However they can also help regenerate a habitat by clearing the area for new growth and leaving a layer of rich ash where new seeds will flourish.
The main causes of forest fires are these:
- human activity or deliberate fire - starting ( arson)
- lightning
- excessively hot and dry conditions help the fire spread
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