Forest Ecosystem
Some Statistics: (Dinamani - 10.10.2010)
Total land area in India - 32.87 Lakh Sq.K.M.
Total Forest area in India - 7.75 Lakh Sq.K.M. (23.75% of toal land area)
Total land area in Tamilnadu - 1.30 Lakh Sq.K.M.
Total forest area in Tamilnadu - 22,877 Sq.K.M. (17.59% of total land area)
but, we need to increase the forest area as 33% of total land area. For this we need to have about 11.4 crore trees yet.
Total land area in India - 32.87 Lakh Sq.K.M.
Total Forest area in India - 7.75 Lakh Sq.K.M. (23.75% of toal land area)
Total land area in Tamilnadu - 1.30 Lakh Sq.K.M.
Total forest area in Tamilnadu - 22,877 Sq.K.M. (17.59% of total land area)
but, we need to increase the forest area as 33% of total land area. For this we need to have about 11.4 crore trees yet.
Definitions: A forest ecosysted is a terrestrial unit of living organisms (plants, animals and microorganisms), all interacting among themselves and with the environment (soil, climate, water and light) in which they live (http://forestry.about.com/b/2011/01/24/what-is-a-forest-ecosystem.htm).
The entire assemblage of forest organisms (trees, shrubs, herbs, bacteria, fungi, and animals, including people) together with their environmental substrate (the surrounding air, soil, water, organic debris, and rocks), interacting inside a defined boundary. Read more: (http://www.answers.com/topic/forest-ecosystem#ixzz1Qk1QzxRo - McGraw-Hill Science & Technology Dictionary)
A web link: http://www.cbd.int/doc/publications/cbd-ts-04.pdf.
in the above link you could find a e-book (research thesis...?) on Values of Forest eco system.
Importance of Forests: The world's forests hold importance for all of their inhabitants as well as for the overall health of the planet. The benefits of forests to society and to the diversity of life make it vital that they be protected from deforestation and other potential negative impacts of civilization. (http://www.ehow.com/about_5422707_importance-forest-ecosystem.html#ixzz1QpvJkHy2)
Types of Forests:
Forests thrive in diverse climatic regions throughout the world, and can be categorized by their locations and elevations.
Tropical: lush, dense forests found near the equator. They are vital storehouses of the planet's biodiversity.
Sub-tropical: consists of trees that can resist the summer drought.They are found to the north and south of the tropical forests.
Mediterranean: located to the south of the temperate regions and made up primarily of evergreen trees.
Temperate: mix of coniferous evergreen and deciduous trees found in North America, northeastern Asia and Europe.
Coniferous: These forests are found around the poles in cold, windy regions and contain both conifers and hardwoods.
Montane: also known as cloud forests. Contain mainly conifers and are found in high-elevation tropical, sub-tropical and temperate zones.
Forests thrive in diverse climatic regions throughout the world, and can be categorized by their locations and elevations.
Tropical: lush, dense forests found near the equator. They are vital storehouses of the planet's biodiversity.
Sub-tropical: consists of trees that can resist the summer drought.They are found to the north and south of the tropical forests.
Mediterranean: located to the south of the temperate regions and made up primarily of evergreen trees.
Temperate: mix of coniferous evergreen and deciduous trees found in North America, northeastern Asia and Europe.
Coniferous: These forests are found around the poles in cold, windy regions and contain both conifers and hardwoods.
Montane: also known as cloud forests. Contain mainly conifers and are found in high-elevation tropical, sub-tropical and temperate zones.
Biodiversity in forest: Forests contain a greater range of biodiversity than any other ecosystems on earth. Only a fraction of the species found in forests have been examined and studied. A single massive tree in the Amazon rainforest can be home for thousands of species. The wide variety of trees and plants found in tropical forests comprises particularly intensive biodiversity. This biodiversity is be important on its own terms in ways we may not currently understand, as interdependent species have evolved over millions of years to interact and flourish.
The role of forests:
Forest ecosystems deliver a vast array of products and services to the society. Perhaps the most famous product from the forest is wood, which also has a enormous diversity of applications and purposes, such as construction purposes, furniture and fuel. But apart from that there is a large number of non-timber forest products, like medicinal plants, honey, fruits and bushmeat. The availability, the use and the importance of these products varies per region and per culture. Especially in developing countries many people are dependant upon these products. In many cases they form an important part of the diet, like proteins from animal products. Most often the poorest and vulnerable part of society depend very much on the forest. This group can also revert to the forest resources in periods when their conditions get worse – the forest is then functioning as a safety net.
Forest ecosystems deliver a vast array of products and services to the society. Perhaps the most famous product from the forest is wood, which also has a enormous diversity of applications and purposes, such as construction purposes, furniture and fuel. But apart from that there is a large number of non-timber forest products, like medicinal plants, honey, fruits and bushmeat. The availability, the use and the importance of these products varies per region and per culture. Especially in developing countries many people are dependant upon these products. In many cases they form an important part of the diet, like proteins from animal products. Most often the poorest and vulnerable part of society depend very much on the forest. This group can also revert to the forest resources in periods when their conditions get worse – the forest is then functioning as a safety net.
