What is Forest?

Forest is a partnership of trees, shrubs, vines, herbs, and animal life. It is an area of land where plant and
animal life live together in close association, bound by specific and recognizable patterns of
interdependence.

Plants and animals benefit each other as members of food chains so naa juy connection between plants
and animals. For instance, flowering plants rely on bees and hummingbirds to pollinate them, while
animals eat plants and sometimes make homes in them. When animals die and decompose, they enrich
the soil with nitrates that stimulate plant growth

FOREST VALUE AND THEIR USES

Intangible values of the forest are those which cannot be quantified in material terms but are essential
for maintaining life support systems and for sustaining environmental stability.

Like for example, in the ecological function which maintain and protect natural and human systems. Like
watershed protection, mitigate climate change

Tangible values of the forest can be realized either through extractive use or non-extractive use.
Harvesting forest products can be profitable for the local communities.

Like for Example in the Material Values. Forests provide many natural resources, such as timber, fuel,
rubber, paper and medicinal plants.

USES:

Help regulate Nature’s water cycle - A forest can keep the natural water cycle in balance by: * Increasing
the amount of rainfall in its area. * Storing the rainwater afterwards. * Controlling the flow of this water
to surrounding lowlands. * Water source.

WHAT TYPE OF ECOLOGICAL DAMAGE IS THUS PREVENTED BY FOREST?

There are Three types of Ecological damage prevented by Forest:

• Soil Erosion barrier

The roots of trees and plants growing in the forest bind the particles of top soil and hold the soil
together firmly. Due to this binding of soil particles, the strong winds and flowing rainwater are not able
to carry away the top soil and hence the soil erosion is prevented.

• Floods and tidal wave barrier

Forests can retain excess rainwater, prevent extreme run-offs and reduce the damage from flooding.
They act as barrier and reduce the speed of the flood

• Droughts
Water is often the most limiting factor to plant growth. Therefore, plants have developed an effective
system to absorb, translocate, store and utilize water. This stored water also helps increase water flow
during times of drought.

Functions of forest

Forests promote and protect agricultural production. A forest can directly benefit agriculture in at least
two ways: (1) By improving soil fertility (2) By protecting crops against common pests.

Forests Reduce destruction from typhoon

Help maintain a wholesome climate and act as soil stabilizer

Help cut down air and noise pollution

Pollution regulator

Source of medicine and food

Natural source of plant and animal strains resistant to pest

Economic Assets

Types of Forest

Generally we have;
Deciduous forests
Rainforests
Tropical rain forest
Temperate rain forests
Coastal forests
Coniferous forests
Broad leaves forests
Thorn forests
Mangrove forests

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What are the effects when the trees are destroyed?

Impacts to human
Trees are a crucial part of the carbon cycle, a global process in which carbon dioxide constantly
circulates through the atmosphere into organism and back again. Carbon is the second most valuable
element to life, you know, after water. Anyway, trees take carbon from the atmosphere through
photosynthesis in order to make energy. This carbon is then either transferred into oxygen and released
into the air by respiration or is stored inside the trees until they decompose into the soil. so,
Without trees, humans would not be able survive because the air would be unsuitable for breathing. or
people would have to develop gas masks that filter the little oxygen that would be left in the air in order
to survive.

Impacts to Animals
Eighty percent of Earth's land animals and plants live in forests, and deforestation lead to a direct loss of
wildlife habitat as well as a general degradation of their habitat. The removal of trees and other types of
vegetation reduces available food, shelter, and breeding habitat. Animals may not be able to find
adequate shelter, water, and food to survive within remaining habitat.

Methods in conserving and managing forest

Afforestation -Afforestation is the establishment of a forest or stand of trees in an area where there was
no forest. Afforestation can be done through tree planting and seeding, naturally or artificially.

Reforestation -Reforestation is the restocking of existing forests and woodlands which have been
depleted, an effect of deforestation. This can also be done through tree planting and seeding, naturally
or artificially.

Sustainable forest management -Sustainable forest management (SFM) is the management of forests
according to the principles of sustainable development. Forests and trees, when sustainably managed,
make vital contributions both to people and to the planet, bolstering livelihoods, providing clean air and
water, conserving biodiversity and responding to climate change.