Forest

Forests are the lungs of nature. It grows as a green wild which grows naturally. They are the largest ecosystem on the Earth which contains 80% of the plant species. It is usually a big space covered with trees and so many animals live here. They are an essential part of our ecosystem. Combining all of these, a forest is a complex ecological system containing trees, plants, shrubs, wild animals, birds, and microorganisms. In this article, we will have a discussion on the classification and different types of forests in detail.

Definition of Forest

A forest is a large land covered with so many trees and plants that are larger than woods. Forests are nature’s most efficient ecosystem that affects both plants and animals.

What is a Forest?

The word “Forest” came from the Latin word “Fores”, which means a village with a boundary. The Indian subcontinent has a rich forest diversity that makes it the 10th most forest-rich country in the world. 24.56 % of India’s total geographical area is covered by forest. It is estimated that forests cover approximately one-third of the Earth’s surface. Forests are just like homes for so many plants and animals. Many animals need forests to survive. A forest is a complex ecological system where trees are the most dominant life form. It is nature’s most efficient ecosystem. A high rate of photosynthesis affects both plant and animal systems to maintain the complex organic relationship.

Forest Ecosystem

A Forest Ecosystem is a functional unit that contains soil, trees, insects, animals, birds, and humans. It is more stable and resistant to major changes as compared to the small ecosystems of nature. There are so many abiotic and biotic components present in a forest. Abiotic components are the inorganic materials and biotic components include producers, consumers, and decomposers.

There are two structural features of the forest ecosystems:

• Species composition: The composition refers to the identification of the plant and animal species present in a forest ecosystem.
• Stratification: It refers to the vertical distribution of different species. They occupy different levels in the forest ecosystem.

Types of Forest Ecosystems

Based on the climate, vegetation, and geographical locations, we can divide the forest ecosystems. There are some major forest ecosystems those play key roles in maintaining biodiversity, climate, and global carbon cycles and providing habitat for numerous species. Here are some of them as mentioned below:

Tropical Rainforest

• Tropical Rainforest generally found near the equator.
• The climate is warm and humid for the whole year.
• Characteristics: High biodiversity, dense vegetation, and a large number of species.

Temperate Deciduous Forest

• Temperate Deciduous Forest found in temperate regions with different seasons.
• Climate of these forests are moderate with well defined seasons.
• Characteristics: Trees shed their leaves in the fall season and contains a vast set of flora and fauna.

Boreal Forest or Taiga

• Taiga forests are generally found in subarctic as well as in cold temperate regions.
• Climate is long with cold winters and summers are short and cool.
• Characteristics: These are so many coniferous trees present, such as spruce and pine.

Mangrove Forest

• Generally found in the coastal areas in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Climate is warm with high salinity.
• Characteristics: Salt-tolerant trees and shrubs are present here which are important for coastal protection.

Dry Forest or Deciduous Forest

• Dry forests are found in areas which have a distinct dry season.
• Climate of these forests face periods of drought with so many seasonal changes.
• Characteristics: Trees shed leaves during the dry season to save and balance the water level.

Forest Biome

The concept of forest biome generally refers to a vast geographical area that is characterized by important vegetation, climate, altitude, specific flora and fauna, etc. Here are some key aspects of the forest biome:

• Forest biomes are generally found in various climatic zones.
• The dominant vegetation in forest biomes is trees. Specific types of trees may vary based on the biome’s location and climate.
• Forest biomes are known for their high levels of biodiversity. They support a wide variety of flora and fauna.
• Forest biomes provide so many benefits to the ecosystem including oxygen production, carbon sequestration, water regulation, and habitat of wildlife.
• Human activities, like deforestation, and urbanization, have significant bad impacts on forest biomes.
• Conservation measures are essential to protect and maintain sustainably of the forest biomes.

Uses of Forest – Forest Resources

There are so many forests resources such as:

• 90% of commercially valuable products like timber, softwood, fuelwood, and charcoal are majorly produced by Indian forests.
• 70% of hardwood is used as fuel in 30% industries of in India.
• 30% of softwood is used as fuel in 70% of industries.
• Jammu and Kashmir is the largest producer of timber.
• Karnataka is the largest fuelwood producer in India.
• Sabai, Babar, and elephant grasses are used for papermaking.
• Roots of khus grass are used to make cooling screens.
• Tanning materials are generally used in the leather industry.
• Sandalwood, lemongrass, khus, and eucalyptus globules are used to make oils and pharma goods.
• The crude resin used in different industries is a combination of turpentine (25%) and a solid resin (75%).
• Fibers and leavers from the trees are generally used for different purposes.
• Quinine is the most important medicine extract from the cinchona tree that is used to cure malaria.
• Delicious foods are incomplete without daruchini, cardamom, or elaichi.
• Honey, wax, silk moths, horns and hides of dead animals, ivory, and antlers of deer are the major animal products of forests.

Importance of the Forests

There are so many importace the forests. Here are some:

• Forests are the habitat of so many animals and support our ecosystem.
• Forests cover the streams and rivers from the sun’s radiation and drying.
• Forests are the lungs of our nature.
• Forest contains 90% flora and fauna of the Earth.
• They preserve the biodiversity genes.
• Plant regulates the atmosphere’s temperature.
• Forests recycle the soil nutrients and stabilize it.
• Mangrove forests resist the cyclones and storms that appear from the sea.
• Forests increase the water infiltration capacity of the soil.

Threats of the Forest

Deforestation has been a major threat to the forests in recent times. For construction and industrialisation humans cut down the forests which is creating a disbalance in nature. Now a days hunting and poaching became an another threat for the wild animals. On the other side, forest fire and climate change are other major threats to the forests.

FAQs on Forest

1. What are the Major Forests in India?

There are four major types including Tropical Rainforests, Deciduous Forests, Alpine and Mangrove forests.

2. Which is the Largest Forest in India?

The Sundarbans mangrove forest of West Bengal is the largest forest in India.

3. What is the Current status of Deforestation in India?

India lost 668,400 hectares of forest in between 2015-2020 which is the largest rise in the last 30 years.

4. What are the Main Threats to Indian forests?

Urbanization, illegal logging, deforestation and climate change are the major threats to Indian forests.

5. Which state in India has the highest forest cover?

Mizoram state have the highest forest cover in India.

6. Which Animals are endangered in Indian forests?

The endengered animals are Bengal Tiger, Red Panda, Asiatic Lion and Snow Leopard, etc.

7. What is the Concept of Sacred Groves in the Indian forests?

Sacred groves is a concept where forests are protected by local communities for religious or cultural reasons.