Unit I

Forest Ecosystem
Forest ecosystems are areas of the landscape that are dominated by trees and consist of
biologically integrated communities of plants, animals and microbes, together with the local
soils (substrates) and atmospheres (climates) with which they interact.

Forest ecology is the scientific study of the interrelated patterns, processes, flora, fauna and
ecosystems in forests. The management of forests is known as forestry, silvi culture, and
forest management.

(Silviculture is the art and science of controlling the establishment, growth, composition,
health, and quality of forests and woodlands to meet the diverse needs and values of
landowners and society such as wildlife habitat, timber, water resources, restoration, and
recreation on a sustainable basis)

A forest ecosystem is a place that provides natural habitat to millions of plant and animal
species. The forest ecosystems have been divided into different types based on the climatic
conditions of that particular region – for example- tropical rainforest, temperate, etc.

A natural woodland area making it a suitable place for the survival of biotic and abiotic
components, is usually termed as a forest ecosystem. A forest ecosystem consists of various
plants, animals, and other micro-organisms, making it a natural habitat for them.
The forest ecosystem plays an essential role in the environment. It helps to balance the
climate of the planet. One of the major roles that forests play is that it provides us oxygen to
breathe. Trees help to maintain the balance of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Besides this,
forests also help to prevent soil erosion, rainfall, purifying the air, etc.
Types of Forest Ecosystem
Forest ecosystem has been classified into three major types – tropical forest ecosystem,
temperate forest ecosystem and boreal ecosystem. We will also understand savanna
ecosystem. The types of forest ecosystems have been divided based on latitude and different
characteristics.
Tropical rainforests are found in Central and South America, western and central Africa,
western India, Southeast Asia, the island of New Guinea, and Australia. Sunlight strikes the
tropics almost straight on, producing intense solar energy that keeps temperatures high,
between 21° and 30°C (70° and 85°F).
The different types of forest ecosystems are as follows –

Tropical Forest Ecosystem

 Tropical forests, also known as tropical rainforest, receives almost 100 inches of
rain every year. The tropical forest has a wide variety of species among all other
types of forest ecosystems.
 Tropical forests are usually found in latitude between 23.5 degrees North and 23.5
degrees South. The temperature recorded in tropical forests is between 68 degrees
and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
 Heavy rainfall in the tropical forest leads to poor quality of soil due to a lack of
nutrients. High-level rainfall throughout the year causes leaching of soil nutrients.
 The vegetation of the tropical rainforest mostly includes broad-leafed trees that are
very tall about 82-115 feet height. Due to dense canopy, the sun finds it quite
tough to reach the forest floor.
 The tropical forest is a home for millions of animals that includes a massive
variety of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, etc. Here you can find almost half
the species of animals that lived on Earth.

The tropical forest ecosystem is again divided into different categories and types. These are –
Evergreen forest
The evergreen forest receives heavy year-round rainfall with no dry season.
Seasonal forest
Seasonal forest host evergreen flora with a short-time dry season.
Dry forest
As the name suggests, dry forests experience a long-period of the dry season.
Montane forest
Montane forests received most of the precipitation in the form of fog, hence also known as
cloud forests.
Sub-tropical forest
The sub-tropical forest is found in North & South regions of tropical forests. The flora of this
region is adapted to survive in the adverse conditions of summer drought.
Tropical & subtropical coniferous forest
This type of forest experiences dry & hot climatic conditions with conifers that are adapted to
resist variable weather.
Temperate Forest Ecosystem
 Temperate forests are usually found in North America, Eurasia, Japan, etc.
Temperate forest receives less rainfall as compared to tropical forests
approximately 30-60 inches every year.
 Unlike tropical forests, temperate forests experience all the four seasons with
variation in temperature. The winters in the temperate forest quite often experience
temperature below freezing point, and in summers, the temperature becomes very
high with a high level of humidity.
 The soil of temperate forest is rich in organic matter that allows a huge variety of
vegetation to grow in the temperate forest.
 The temperate forest provides natural habitat to many animals such as squirrels,
deer, black bears, raccoons, coyotes, various birds like warblers, owls,
woodpeckers, hawks, etc.

The temperate forest ecosystem is further divided into two parts – Temperate Deciduous
Forest and Temperate Coniferous Forest.
Temperate Deciduous Forest
 Temperate Deciduous forests experience four specific seasons. It receives annual
rainfall between 30-60 inches. In winter, the temperate deciduous forest experience
snowfall.
 The soil of this forest is quite fertile. As a result, you will find a wide variety of
vegetation in the temperate deciduous forest, such as ferns, wildflowers, mosses,
oak, birch, maple, etc.
 As far as the animal of temperate deciduous forests is concerned, you can find
various animal species like the red fox, woodpecker, cardinals, hawks, etc.
Temperate Coniferous Forest
 The temperate coniferous forest ecosystem is usually found in coastal areas.
Coniferous forests receive heavy rainfall throughout the year, approximately 50-
200 inches.
 The floor of coniferous forests is mostly covered with a thick layer of decomposed
matter. Temperate coniferous forest is covered with evergreen tall conifers.
  The most common plant species found in coniferous forests include cedar, Douglas
fir, spruce, maple, cypress, pine, redwood, ferns, mosses, etc.
 The typical animal species found in this forest include deer, black bear, marbled
murrelet, elk, marmot, spotted owl, etc.
Boreal /Taiga Forest Ecosystem
The boreal forest is also known as Taiga forests are generally found in Siberia, Northern
Asia, Canada, and Scandinavia. One of the main characteristics of the boreal forest is that it
experiences short summers and very long winter seasons. Boreal forests receive
approximately 15-40 inches precipitation every year (mostly receives in the form of
snowfall).
The trees found in boreal forests are the evergreen type, such as pine, fir, spruce, etc. The
boreal forest has a dense canopy that hardly allows the sun to reach the forest surface. This is
why the vegetation is quite less in the forest floor.
The animals found in the boreal forest ecosystem are usually covered with thick fur to protect
them from a long period of cold winters. Some examples of animals that lived in boreal
forests are – elk, caribou, lynxes, wolverines, deer, snowshoe hare, moose, wolves, etc.
Savanna Forest Ecosystem
Savanna ecosystem is generally found in South America, Australia, and Africa. Savanna
forests are quite vulnerable to forest fires; on the other hand, it has characterized by the
ability to re-grow much faster.
The landscapes of the Savanna forest ecosystem are covered with large areas of green lands,
bushes & clusters of feeble trees.
Seasonal variation
The forest ecosystem of a particular region depends on the seasonal variation of the country
in which the forest falls. For example- tropical rainforests receive heavy rainfall every year,
whereas temperate forests experience four seasonal variations.
Deciduous or evergreen in nature
A forest ecosystem may be deciduous or evergreen, or it may be a mix of both. The trees of a
deciduous forest shed the leaves during the winter season, whereas evergreen trees always
remain green.
Canopy layer structure
The canopy layer is one of the most distinguishing characteristics of a forest ecosystem. The
dense canopy layers act as a barrier against wind, rain, snow, etc. to protect various species.
Some forest ecosystems, such as rainforests, are characterized by distinct layers of the canopy
like treetops, upper canopy layer, lower canopy layer, and forest floor.
Attract bird species to take shelter
The forest ecosystem provides the most favorable conditions to various species of birds. As a
result, these species get attracted by the forest ecosystem and take shelter on trees.
Attract insects & provide habitat
The forest ecosystem is home to a huge variety of insects. These insects found thousands of
options as their shelter in the forest ecosystem. Hence, these insects get attracted to the
natural habitats provided by the forest ecosystem.
Soil fertility
The soil of forest ecosystems varies in terms of fertility. For example- the soil of temperate
and tropical deciduous forests is very fertile enriched with nutrients.
On the other hand, the soil of boreal forests is mostly acidic due to the falling of conifer
needles on the forest floor. In the case of tropical rainforests, the soil is impoverished in terms
of fertility due to continuous leaching on nutrients caused by heavy rainfall.
Forests are the natural treasure of mother Earth was given to us. Unfortunately, the forests
around the world are getting destroyed mainly due to pollution & deforestation to fulfill our
needs. It is high time to recall the importance of forest ecosystems towards the environment.
Also remember, how you can help to protect the forest ecosystem to save millions of plant
and animal species.