Forests

A forest is a community of trees, shrubs, herbs, and associated plants and organisms that cover a considerable area that use oxygen , water and soil nutrients as the community attains maturity and reproduces itself.

“Lungs of the earth.” The world’s environment owes much of its state of health to the presence of forests. So too does human survival and welfare.

WHAT IS FOREST?

Forests Occupying almost all parts of the country, the great forest belts are divided into distinct types:1) primary or virgin forests in lowlands, like

mangrove, dipterocarp, and molave forests

molave forest mangrove forest

Forests2) Secondary forests- developed from virgin

forests through succession by illegal logging or the kaingan system, the system in setting the forest on fire for cropping.

3) Grasslands and open country- developed from and to secondary forests

4) Parang vegetation- grasslands with patches of secondary forest tree species

5) Bamboo thickets6) Cultivated fields

The original forests of the Philippines covered nearly half our

land about 145,973.30 square kilometers.

Habitat of the ForestWILD LIFE

- means the native animals of a region

ENDANGERED SPECIES-These are the species, which are in

danger of extinction and which may not survive if the adverse factors continue to rotate.

- The species likely to move into the endangered category in the near future if the causal adverse factors continue to operate.

REAR SPECIES

- These are the species with small population in the world and are at risk.

THREATENED SPECIES

- These are Species, which are in any one of the Endangered, Vulnerable, Rare Species categories.

Flora and Fauna

Flora is a word of Latin origin referring to Flora, the goddess of flowers.

Fauna can refer to the animal life or classification of animals of a certain region, time period, or environment.

Advantages

Acts as a wind barrier from heavy winds Provides medicinal remedies Recreation Lumber for the construction

industry Promotes rainfall Prevents soil erosion Prevents flooding Maintains the composition of the

atmosphere Reduces noise pollution

Causes of Forest Destruction

Humans and the use of Forests Forests are often misused by

people. Immature trees are cut down ruthlessly, destroying living organisms and standing timber, and consuming the seeds of young trees. And fires, as they destroy trees, cause soil erosion and floods in the lower areas.

Humans and the use of Forests In the Philippines, setting the

forest on fire in preparation for cropping is a practice known as kaingan. Forest fires are also caused by arsonists, debris burners, smokers and irresponsible campers.

Humans and the use of Forests Indiscriminate logging is another way by which humans

mismanage our forests. So many trees are cut down that reforestation can not make up for the loss.

Humans and the use of Forests• Natural factors may also bring down forests pests,

grazing and gnawing animals, lightning that may cause fires, and calamities like storms or strong winds.

CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION

a) Forest fires – caused by careless personsb) Shifting cultivation which destroys large areas of

forestsc) Excessive logging activitiesd) Housing which results in the destruction of trees

to meet people’s demand for sheltere) Removal of vegetation for mining purposes

How to conserve the forest?

Protection by law. Protected species of Phil. Wildlife. Establishment of sanctuaries and national parks. Natural habitat of wildlife should be carefully

protected. Shooting and hunting of endangered species should

be totally band. Research on wildlife should be encouraged. Public should be educated.

CONSERVATION OF FORESTS1) Design certain areas as forest reserves2) Controlled cutting of trees – this allows for only certain

mature trees to be logged3) A massive reafforestation programme – that is replanting

trees in areas that were once forested areas4) Education compaign to sensitize people of the importance of

forests5) Strict and severe penalties for illegal lumbering

IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS

1. They provide raw materials for certain industry.

2. They provide food, fodder, fuel, fertilizer and fiber.

3. They prevent soil erosion and preserve the fertility of the soil.

4. They provide moisture and lower the temperature.

Dry hay orStraw etc. used as animal food.

IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS

5. They are the home for many animals and birds, thus , they preserve the biodiversity.

6. They maintain the ecological balance.

7. They provide medicinal value resulting in the making of many medicinal drugs.

IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS

8. Forests also help to alleviate psychological stress arising from the trials of modern society.

9. They provide the opportunity for relaxation and meditation – can lead to the development of eco-tourism.

Benefits from trees in our Forest

Lumber- Raw lumber has been one of Philippines’ major exports. The apitong, tanguile, guijo, and narra forests supply

most of today’s construction lumber.

apitong tree narra tree

Benefits from trees in our Forest

Paper- Paper is produced from pulpwood such as pine.

Distillation products- Examples of these are wood, alcohol, acetic acid, lampblack, paints and varnishes, and charcoal. Other distillation products can also be secured from sugarcane, coconut, and nipa palms..

Benefits of Trees in our ForestsOther Products- pine, bamboo, buri, sugar

tanning materials, and essential oilsIn addition, forest trees provide food and shelter

to our animals.

BambooPine Essential

oil

ACTS THAT WILL PROTECT THE FOREST PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 54 PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL LOGGING

Any natural or juridical person who directly or indirectly cuts, declares, classifies, possesses or exports logs in violation of existing laws, rules and regulations shall be penalized. REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9175

An act regulating the ownership, possession, sale, importation and use of chain saws, penalizing violations thereof and for other purposes.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 3701

An act to discourage destruction of forests, further amending for the purpose section twenty-seven hundred fifty-one of the revised administrative code.

Prepared By:

Janilo SarmientoJulieta IbanezLita Aurea BatilongUsiel ApariSany Fe TajaleCherry AlabaRitchel MilagrosaJessa GumapacA