What do you think of when you
hear, “forest”?
What do you think of when you
hear, “forest”?
A place
with trees
A place
where I
hunt
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
•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
•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
trees?
Shrubs
Wildlife
Decomposers
Soil
People
Categorizing Forests
• 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
Benefits Forests Provide
• 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
• 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!
Now that we know what makes up a
forest and what they do for us, let’s
explore the different forest types …
Types of Forests
1. Natural Forests
2. Plantations
3. Urban Forests
Natural 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?
An Example of a Natural Forest
Plantations
• 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
An Example of a Plantation
Urban Forests
• 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?
An 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!
Here is a harder one
Name the Forest Type!
Here is a harder one
Excellent Job Naming those Forest Types!
• 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
Strengthening the pulse of Florida’s forests, together