forest

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area land that is covered with trees and shrubs establish a forest on previously unforested land

"afforest the mountains"

This article is about forests as communities of trees. For other uses of the word, see Forest (disambiguation).'' A forest is an area with a high density of treetrees (or, historically, a wooded area set aside for hunting). These plant communities cover large areas of the globe and function as carbon dioxide sinks, animal habitat (ecology)habitats, hydrologic flow modulators, and soil conservers, constituting one of the most important aspects of the Earth's biosphere.Forests can be found in all regions capable of sustaining tree growth, at altitudes up to the tree-line, except where natural fire frequency is too high, or where the tree growing environment has been impaired by natural processes or humans. Forests sometimes contain many tree species in a small area (e.g. tropical rain and temperate deciduous forests), but other forest types have relatively few species over large areas (e.g. taiga and arid montane coniferous forests). As a general rule, forests dominated by angiosperms are species-rich, while those dominated by gymnosperms are not so rich, although exceptions do exist (e.g., species-poor aspen and birch stands in northern latitudes). Forests are often home to many animal and plant species, and biomass per unit area is high compared to other vegetation types. Much of this biomass occurs below-ground in the root systems and as partially decomposed plant detritus. The woody component of forests contains lignin, which is relatively slow to decompose compared with other organic materials such as cellulose or carbohydrate.Forests are differentiated from woodlandwoodlands by the extent of canopy coverage: in a forest the branches and foliage of separate trees often meet or interlock, although there can be gaps of varying sizes within an area referred to as forest. A woodland has a more continuously open canopy, with trees spaced further apart, which allows more sunlight to penetrate to the ground between them (see also: savanna). .]]Among the major forested biomes are:

rain forest (tropical and temperate)

taiga

temperate hardwood forest

Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf foreststropical dry forest

Classification - Forests can be classified in different ways and to different degrees of specificity. One such way is in terms of the ''biome'' in which they exist combined with leaf longevity of the dominant species (whether they are evergreen or deciduous).

Boreal forests occupy the subarctic zone and are generally evergreen and needle-leaved. Temperate zones support both deciduous forests (''e.g.'', Temperate broadleaf and mixed foreststemperate deciduous forest) and evergreen forests (''e.g.'', Temperate coniferous foreststemperate rainforest).

Tropical and subtropical forests include tropical rainforest, Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf foreststropical moist forest and tropical dry forest.

Physiognomy classifies forests based on their overall physical structure or developmental stage (e.g. old growth vs. second growth).

Forests can also be classified more specifically based on the dominant tree species present, resulting in numerous different forest types (e.g., ponderosa pine/Douglas-fir forest).

Forest management - The scientific study of forests is referred to as forest ecology, while the management of forests is often referred to as forestry, often with the goal of sustainable resource extraction. Forest ecologists concentrate on forest patterns and processes, usually with the aim of elucidating cause and effect relationships. Foresters often focus on wood extraction and silviculture, including tree regeneration and growth processes.Forests can be damaged by logging, forest fires, acid rain, herbivores, and diseases, among other things. In the United States, most forests have historically been affected by humans to some degree, though in recent years environmental protection has helped regulate or moderate large scale or severe impacts.For more comprehensive information on this sub-topic visit the iifm.ac.in - Indian Institute of Forest Management in India.

See also - in Washington]]CommonsForest

General -

Biosphere

Ecological succession

Forest Schools

Jungle (terrain)

Plant

Plantation

Rainforest

Royal forest

Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests

Temperate coniferous forests

Tree

Tropical and subtropical coniferous forests

Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests

vegetation

Activities related to forest -

Controlled burn

Deforestation

Forest engineering

Logging and illegal logging

Reforestation

Shifting cultivation

Forests by country -

Forests of Sweden

Forests in the United Kingdom

U.S. National Forest

Lists -

List of forests

List of Australian state forestsList of state forests in Australia

Trees of CanadaList of trees in Canadian forests

List of U.S. state !forestsCategory:ForestryCatego ry:Landformsast:Viescabg:Го� �аca:Bosccs:Lesda:Skovde:Wald es:Bosqueeo:Arbarofr:Forêtio: Forestoit:Forestahe:יערka:� ��ყეla:Silvanah:Cuauhtlanl :Bosja:森林no:Skognn:Skogpl: Las? !(biologia)pt:Florestaru:Лес simple:Forestsk:Lessl:Gozdsu:l euweungsv:Skogzh:森林

Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest
Poplar Forest was Jefferson’s plantation where he designed and built America’s first octagonal home as a retirement retreat. It is open to the public. Restoration and archaeology ongoing.
http://www.poplarforest.org/

Iyok Ami Ecolodge
Ecolodge in cloudforest of Costa Rica working in harmony with nature. We recruit volunteers for environmental projects
http://www.iyokami.com/

Delta Lodge
Lakeside cabins in the Chequamegon National Forest.Near Bayfield , Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands. Pets welcome !
http://www.delta-lodge.com/

Glenmoor Cottages - Upper Dharamshala, Himachal, India
Verdant Idyllic Serene Beckon the Discerning For A Quiet Holiday LOCATION Glenmoor Cottages are situated at an altitude of about 6,300 feet above sea level in Upper Dharamshala, District Kangra, Himachal, India. The distance from McLeodganj is one kilometer. The Cottages nestle in enchanting forests of cedar, oak and rhododendron on the picturesque slopes of the Dhauladhar ranges of the Himalayas. The Kangra valley spreads far and wide below.
http://www.glenmoorcottages.com/

Follows Camp Area - Angeles Forest, California
Flash flooding is a constant hazard for this narrowing of a massive natural drainage system.
http://www.followscamp.com/

Western Wood Products Assn.
WWPA represents lumber manufacturers in the 12 Western states and Alaska, providing lumber grading, techical support and business information services to mills.
http://www.wwpa.org/

Free Nature Pictures
A site featuring hundreds of high resolution nature pictures distributed under a Common Content License.
http://www.freenaturepictures.com/

DORN-TEC
forestry, agriculture and construction technology
http://www.dorn-tec.de/

Sivali Meditation Centre
Buddhist meditation near Chiang Mai / Thailand.
http://www.sivalicentre.com/

Guest Rooms, Cottages, Tents (equipped)
In the midst of 4 ha. of grassy fields and surrounded by wood-lands you will find “Rastaillou”, a completely restored old farm where warm hospitality, peace, quiet and unspoiled nature will guarantee you a wonderful holiday. We offer: Guest Rooms, Cottages and fully equiped tents.
http://www.rastaillou.com/

Wildeyes
Nature photography site by Philippe Clément. Wildlife and landscape pictures from Alaska to Africa.
http://www.wildeyes.be/

IguassuFallsTour.com
Tours and adventures in Iguassu Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world.
http://www.fozdoiguacu.com/

Orange County Land Trust
Orange Conty Land Trust is a private non-profit dedicated to the protection of open space and the natural environment in Orange County, New York
http://www.oclt.org/

Wild Watch Thailand
Wild Watch Thailand takes you on unforgettable nature-based and wildlife tours in the national parks and wilderness areas of Thailand. Our wildlife and nature tours are led by knowledgeable naturalists and provide a thrilling mixture of outdoor adventures, nature discovery and wildlife viewing.
http://www.wildwatchthailand.com/

Arc of Images
Nature- and travel photography
http://www.arc-of-images.de/

Oak Park and River Forest Illinois Real Estate
Buying Selling Real Estate in Oak Park and River Forest Illinois
http://www.oprfhouse.com/

PT.Saka Abiyuda
We are known as PT. SAKA ABIYUDA, company of which tasks are mostly related to Building/ Structure Construction, and we also organize some divisions on some other different growing businesses namely: the Architects (Consulting, Planning & Supervising) General Contractor (Civil Works, Architecture, and ME & P) Specializing on Woodworking (Interior & Furniture, Wooden House, Shingle/Wooden Roof , Frames & Doors, etc) Building Maintenance & Management (Cleaning Service, Pest Control, etc) We had export some of timber product to other country as follows : * Wooden House - New Caledonia, Australia * Gazebo - Turks & Caicos Island * Furniture & Flooring - Germany * Doors & Window - Club Med , Tahiti & Maldives
http://www.sakaabiyuda.com/

Cuckoo Clocks R Us
Cuckoo Clocks R Us carries a large selection of hand crafted Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks from Germany. Low shipping, secure shopping and great prices. Let us do the searching for you!
http://www.cuckooclocksrus.com/

Villa Palma - beautiful villa near Sitges - 40 mins to Barcelona
Villa Palma is a stunning six bedroom villa in a secluded mountain setting surrounded by forests. It has a private pool, four dining terraces, beautiful gardens, two kitchens, two lounge/dining rooms and four bathrooms
http://www.villapalma.net/

Ceiba Nature Tours
Personally planned and guided small group travel.
http://www.ceibanaturetours.com/

USDA Forest Service
Forest Service national headquarters web site. Gateway to all Forest Service webs.
http://www.fs.fed.us/

Wake Forest University
A private liberal arts university in Winston-Salem, NC, offering small classes, dedicated faculty and advanced technology for student and faculty research.
http://www.wfu.edu/

Forests Conservation Archives and Portal
Rainforest, Forest and Biodiversity Conservation News and Information.
http://forests.org/

The Rainforest Site
Protect a piece of Rain Forest for free.
http://www.therainforestsite.com/

American Forest & Paper Assocition
AF&PA's site features sections on forestry, paper, wood products, recycling and environment.
http://www.afandpa.org/