Forest Ecology

Trees are typically defined as woody, single-stemmed, self-supporting, plants at least 15 feet tall at maturity and at least 3 inches in diameter, these are perennial and have notable foliage. Trees represent some the oldest living life forms on the planet. Trees were instrumental in the development and support of civilizations. They along with other vegetation form important links in the earth's hydrological, geological, chemical.

Importance includes:

• Taking in CO2 and releasing oxygen
• Releasing carbon and mineral elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus (important in plant growth) as they decay
• Absorbing moisture for growth and releasing it as vapor through
• Preventing erosion by reducing the force of rainfall at the soil surface and by intercepting and absorbing water, rather than allowing it to run off directly
• Harboring of wildlife
• Acting as windbreaks
• Providing us with shade and beauty on a largely agricultural and urban landscape

A forest is a dense growth of trees, together with other plants, covering a large area of land. For each forest type, there is a tree list with accompanying descriptions. For example:

Temporal and Arboreal Forests

• Evergreen needleleaf forest
• Deciduous needleleaf forest
• Mixed broadleaf/needleleaf forest
• Broadleaf evergreen forest
• Deciduous broadleaf forest
• Freshwater swamp forest
• Sclerophyllous dry forest
• Disturbed natural forest
• Sparse trees and parkland
• Exotic species plantation
• Native species plantation

Tropical Forests

• Lowland evergreen broadleaf rain forest
• Lower montane forest
• Upper montane forest
• Freshwater swamp forest
• Semi-evergreen moist broadleaf forest
• Mixed broadleaf/needleleaf forest 25:75%).
• Needleleaf forest
• Mangroves
• Disturbed natural forest
• Deciduous/semi-deciduous broadleaf forest

The science concerned with the study, preservation, ecology, and management of forests is termed forestry. For further information on some specific forests websites, click here. For other information on forests and ecology try one or more of these Search Engines, click here.

If you would like to get more personally involved in nature, forestry and conservation, we could use some valuable information. First provide some background on yourself by clicking here. Second, fill out the survey form, providing some opinions for us to better understand your thoughts and ideas by clicking here.

For further information contact me: set87@euler.unh.edu