What do you think of when you What do you think of when you hear, “forest”? hear, “forest”?

What do you think of when you What do you think of when you hear, “forest”? hear, “forest”?

A place with trees Where

animals like

bears and

raccoons

live

A place where I hunt

Defining a Forest 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 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 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 What else is in a forest other than trees? 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 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 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 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 ForestsTypes 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 Natural Forests

An Example of a Natural ForestAn 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 Plantations

An Example of a PlantationAn 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 Urban Forests

An Example of an Urban ForestAn 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!

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!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!Excellent Job Naming those Forest Types!

Strengthening the pulse of Florida’s forests, together