Forests

Forest

an ecosystem made up primarily of trees and other woody vegetation

Boreal Forest

coniferous forest found at high latitudes and altitudes characterized by low temperatures and low annual precipitation (cold)

Temperate Forest

a forest found in areas with four seasons and moderate climate, which receives 30 to 60 inches of precipitation per year, and may include evergreen and deciduous conifers and broadleaf trees

Tropical Forest

forest found in equatorial areas with warm temperatures year-round and high rainfall

Canopy

upper layer of a forest

Emergent Layer

where a tree that is taller than the canopy trees

Understory

the smaller trees, shrubs, and saplings that live in the shade of the canopy

Forest Floor

the lowest level of the forest, containing herbaceous plants, fungi, leaf litter, and soil

Ecosystem Services

storm water runoff, carbon sinks

Deforestation

net loss of trees in a forested area

Clear Cut

timber harvesting system that cuts down all the trees

Strip Harvesting

clear cutting on a smaller scale

Selective Harvesting

timber-harvesting technique that cuts only the highest value trees remaining trees reseed the plot

Shelterwood Harvesting

timber-harvesting technique that cuts everything but the best trees, which reseed the plot and are then harvested