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What do you think of when you hear, “forest”?
What do you think of when you hear, “forest”?
A place with trees
A place where I hunt
Defining a Forest • Forests vary in size, composition, and function
•People use forests in many ways too so their definition of what is a forest can all be different
•The people who use a forest and who value it are called stakeholders
•Defining a forest when they look so different and when there are many stakeholders can be hard
Defining a Forest •The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) says that a forest is land
-that is a little bigger than 1 acre in size
-where the trees cover at least 10% of it
-and the trees can grow to be at least 16 feet tall
Defining a Forest
•But the FAO definition of a forest isn’t complete
•What else is in a forest other than just trees?
What else is in a forest other than trees?
Shrubs
Wildlife
Decomposers
People Soil
• Forests can be categorized by their environmental conditions - ex. climate, elevation, soil, amount of water
• Or by what lives in the forest- ex. types of trees, birds, fungi, mammals, people, insects
• And by how they’re used – ex. for timber, to get food from, for recreation, or for wildlife
Categorizing Forests
• Despite differences in the environmental conditions in a forest, what lives in a forest, and how it is used, all forests provide services that you and I benefit from everyday.
• Can you think of any good things forests do?
Benefits Forests Provide
• Forests provide shade, clean air for us to breath, clean water for us to drink, return nutrients to the soil, and provide habitat for other plants and wildlife
• These things forests provide are called ecosystem services
• All forest types provide ecosystem services!
Benefits Forests Provide
Now that we know what makes up a forest and what they do for us, let’s explore the different forest types …
1. Natural Forests 2. Plantations 3. Urban Forests
Types of Forests
• These types of forests are usually conservation areas for wildlife, ecosystem services and wildlife
• Sometimes trees in natural forests are harvested but young trees will grow from seeds left on the ground and take their place
• Natural forests provide green areas for many people to enjoy
• Have you ever visited a natural forest?
Natural Forests
An Example of a Natural Forest
• These are forest that are specifically planted to make products people use
• Examples of products include paper, wood, fuel, oranges, and pecans
• Plantations are usually planted in rows for easy access and are privately owned
• Plantations are usually less diverse than natural forests
Plantations
An Example of a Plantation
• These forests are planted or left standing in developed areas such as in neighborhoods or cities
• Human benefits are the primary purpose of urban forests
• These benefits include providing cool shade, beauty, and taking up water after it rains
• Is there an urban forest near your school or where you live?
Urban Forests
An Example of an Urban Forest
Now let’s review what you’ve learned by playing a quick game!
Name the Forest Type!
Name the Forest Type!
Name the Forest Type!
Name the Forest Type! Here is a harder one
Name the Forest Type! Here is a harder one
• You are now prepared to do a fun activity to explore forests and apply what you learned
• Be ready to share your pictures of forests that you brought to class with your friends
Excellent Job Naming those Forest Types!
Strengthening the pulse of Florida’s forests, together