FOREST

ECOSYSTEMS
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Introduction
This presentation will discuss
Introduction
Types

of forests

of forest ecosystems

Deforestation

and climate change

Conservation

of forests

Conclusion

Introduction of Forests
In

the year 2010, forests covered around 31% of total land area of Earth

Forests

contain most of the biodiversity on Earth

During

the years 2000-2010, deforestation cleared 13 million hectares

of plantation

However,

afforestation and natural forestation recovered 7.8 million

hectares of plantation

Forests

maintain hydrological cycle on Earth, bring rains, regulate

groundwater and surface water flows and maintain high quality of water

Forests

also contribute to stability of climate

(Sustainable Forest Management, n.d.)

Introduction of Forests
Forests

also contribute to the maintenance of temperatures and reduction

of pollution in the environment

Wild

fires, temperature fluctuations and forest pests contribute to

deforestation and clearance of forests

Forests

and plantation reduce weather and climate associated risks such

as, floods, droughts, landslides, melting of glaciers by reducing global
warming

Forests

prevent salinization and/ or desertification of lands, and maintain

fertility of soils

Forests

are recognized on the basis of their distribution across Earth and

on the basis of climatic conditions.

(Sustainable Forest Management, n.d.)

Types of Forests
Based on the distribution of forests across different latitudes forests
are divided into following ecozones
Boreal

Forests (Taiga forests)

Temperate
Tropical

Forests

forests

Figure shows distribution of different ecozones on Earth

Boreal Forests
50

and 60 degrees N latitude

Worlds
2/3rds

largest biome covering around 29% of all forests

of Boreal forests found in Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark)

Typically

found in Northern Asia, Siberia & Canada

Long

winters, short summers, precipitation as snow, thin soil, slow

decomposition,

Cold

temperatures, dense canopy, characteristic feature: permafrost

Permafrost

breaks the thin soil open and releases methane gas which
contributes to deterioration of ozone layer

Plantation:
(Sporrong, 2008)

Spruce, Fir, Pine, Larch trees

Temperate Deciduous Forests

Lie

between tropical and polar regions (from tropic of cancer to arctic circle

Japan,

China, Eastern United States, Canada, Western Europe, Russia

Four

seasons, precipitation as rain during spring, summer and fall, and as snow
during winters, 30-60 inches of rain most of the year, fertile soils and dense
vegetation

Mosses,

wildflowers, ferns, dense grasses, dense deciduous trees like maple, birch
trees and oaks etc. Shrubs, herbs and ferns are common. Only some evergreen
trees.

Animals

adapted to four seasons and cold winters; fauna include foxes, red fox,
woodpeckers, cardinals, hawks etc.

Temperate

forests threatened by acid rains, strip mining, climate change, invasive

& non- invasive species in competition for food, survival and space.

(Kottek, Grieser, Beck, Rudolf, & Rubel, 2006)

Temperate Coniferous Forests

Found

in coastal areas, in-land mountainous areas, mild climate, heavy rains,

mild winters, high precipitation Canada, Pacific NW United States, South
America, Northwestern Europe, New Zealand and Japan

Little

fluctuations in temperature throughout the year, moderate temperatures,

50-200 inches rains, moist climate and long fertile seasons

Quick

decomposition in soil, thick layer of soil, soil fertile and rich with nutrients

Long

growing season, evergreen trees forests like conifers, tall trees like cypress,
cedar, pine, redwood, fir, spruce with some deciduous trees like maple, ferns,
mosses etc.

Animals

like deer, elk, black bear, marmot, spotted owl, salmon etc. are common

Temperate

forests are being cleared due to urbanization, building of roads and

other human activities

(Kottek, Grieser, Beck, Rudolf, & Rubel, 2006)

Zones and Climate in Temperate

Forest Regions
North

temperate zone Tropic of Cancer to Arctic circle (23.5 0 N to 66.50 N)

South

temperate zone Tropic of Capricorn to Antarctic circle (23.5 0 S to 66.50 S)

Temperate

semi- arid)

climate Sub- tropical climate, maritime climate, continental (arid &

Sub-tropical
Maritime

in-land temperatures subdivisions similar to that of tropical regions

climate- affected by warm winds from oceans, stable temperatures

Continental

climate in inland and mountainous areas, cold winters, hot summers

Due

to greatest land mass available in temperate regions, majority of human

population resides here

Rich

fauna and flora

(Kottek, Grieser, Beck, Rudolf, & Rubel, 2006)

Tropical Rainforests
Cover

only 2% of Earth but contains around 50% of all species, biome containing greatest
biodiversity

Found

around the equator, 23.50 N and 23.50 S.

High

temperatures through out the year (68 0F 77 0F). No winters and heavy rains (100
inches of rain). Climate warm and moist.

High

decomposition rates, heavy rainfall leading to leeching of nutrients from soil, leaving
soil poor in nutrients.

Trees

broad leafed and very tall - 82 and 115 feet. Plantation: ferns, mosses, vines, orchids,
palms etc. Dense plantation, thick canopy, sunlight blocked due to thick canopy and does not
reach the ground. Animals adapted to arboreal life, therefore, common animals species
include bats, birds, monkeys, snakes etc.

Tropical

rainforests are also threatened by human activities, deforestation to build urban

centers, unsustainable forest activities, clearing of land for agricultural purposes,
developmental activities and deteriorating global climate.

(Laurance, & Peres, 2006)

Figure shows temperature and precipitation in different types of

forests

Deforestation and Climate

Deforestation
Cutting

linked with climate change

of forests for development and building construction

Hydrological

cycle is disturbed, less transpiration and lesser precipitation, decreased

absorption of CO2 due to deforestation

Loss

of soil fertility, excessive rains leading to floods or no rains leading to droughts,

increasing global temperatures and melting of ice on polar caps

Increased

pollution and accumulation of pollutant gases in the environment, global

warming, damaged ozone layer and harmful UV rays causing a number of diseases

Disturbed

fauna, endangered species and extinction of animal species

Disturbed

flora causing emergence of new microflora leading to new diseases, allergies

and health challenges

Food

insecurity and health challenges to growing populations

(Gorte, & Sheikh, 2010)

Conservation of Forests
Temperate

and tropical forests are especially under the threat of shrinking

Holds

significance and rings alarm bells because both the forests holds
greatest and largest number of animals and plant species as well as house
majority of human populations

Provide

food, shelter, livelihood and security to majority of human

populations

Conservation

of forests and limiting deforestation critical to the survival of

humans and other living beings

For

the sustainability of climate and human populations, policy making is

required protecting forests and avoiding deforestation (Tinker, Ingram, & Struwe, 1996;
Bonan, 2008; Tacconi, 2007)

This

is as much important as is cutting carbon emissions.

Conclusion
Different

types of forests with their characteristics, highlighting their

contribution to animals, human life and climate, have been discussed in
this presentation

The

protection of forestation is critical to the survival of living beings and

continuity of human race in the times to come

Deforestation

is leading to serious damage of climate and posing threats

to food, health and sustainability

Negative

climatic changes, deforestation and global warming together

constitute dangerous combination which should be immediately mitigated
and reversed for sustainable environments

Immediate

and strict policy making and willingness of nations are required

to save life on this planet.

References

Bonan, G. B. (2008). Forests and climate change: forcings, feedbacks, and the climate benefits of
forests.science,320(5882), 1444-1449.

Gorte, R. W., & Sheikh, P. A. (2010).Deforestation and climate change. Congressional Research Service.

Kottek, M., Grieser, J., Beck, C., Rudolf, B., & Rubel, F. (2006). World map of the Kppen-Geiger climate
classification updated.Meteorologische Zeitschrift,15(3), 259-263.

Laurance, W. F., & Peres, C. A. (2006).Emerging threats to tropical forests. University of Chicago Press.

Sporrong, U. (2008). The scandinavian landscape and its resources.Cambridge History of Scandinavia,
15-42.

Tacconi, L. (2007). Deforestation and climate change.POLICY BRIEFS, 6.

Tinker, P. B., Ingram, J. S., & Struwe, S. (1996). Effects of slash-and-burn agriculture and deforestation on
climate change.Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment,58(1), 13-22.