FORESTS
NOTES CODE: NTGE160203ES

What is forest?
Forest is a large area of land covered by many trees.

Grass and other plants are also found in forests.

Forest can be natural or planted.

Natural forests are forests with trees which were not planted by man.

Planted forests are forests with trees which were  planted by man. Also known as artificial.

The growth of many forests depends on the local soil, temperatures and rainfall.

TYPES OF FORESTS

A) MOUNTAIN FOREST
Mountain forests are  found in highland areas. These have less number of animals and plant types due to ecological and climatic factor. The common types of trees found in mountain forests are Conifers.

B) TROPICAL RAINFOREST
Tropical rainforests are found near the equator the areas near the equator experience high temperature and  rainfall throughout the year. These forests are dense and evergreen and they generate rapidly. Their trees are 25m to 35m tall and they form dense and continuous canopies. A high variety of birds, bats, small mammals and insects are found there.

C) SUB-TROPICAL FORESTS
Sub-tropical forests are found North and south of the tropical forests. Plants that grow well in subtropical forests are palms, citrus and other coniferous broadleaf plants.

D) MEDITERANIAN FORESTS
These are found in semi-arid areas with poor soil types and almost all trees are evergreen. The trees comprises of both soft and hardwoods and can range from forests to woodlands, savannas, shrubs and grasslands.

E) TEMPERATE FORESTS
These are mixture of Deciduous and coniferous evergreen trees. Deciduous trees are those which shed their leaves but Coniferous do not shed their leaves. Animals found are squirrels, rabbits, deer as well as birds.

DECIDUOUS	CONIFEROUS

F) MANGROVE FOREST
Mangroves are trees and shrubs grow in salt coastal water, they grow near the mouths of large rivers.
Mangroves consist of saline woodlands commonly called mangrove forest or mangrove swamps. Mangroves grow in salt levels that would kill any ordinary plants within hours.

ADVANTAGES OF FORESTS

1. Source of firewood.
2. Timber and poles are obtained from forests .
3. Trees are used in making papers
4. Forests provide herbs for medicines.
5. Forests maintain water sources such as rivers, springs and lakes.
6. Forests provide a natural home for wild animals and birds
7. Forests prevent soil erosion because their roots hold the soil together.
8. Forests contribute to the rainfall formation.
9. Forests promote scientific research, for example Pugu Forest which is one of the most ancient forests in the world. It is found  in Dar es salaam.
10. Forests enhance the beauty of the landscape hence promote tourism.

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