Forests As A Resource

3/3/11

Today, for geography, we learnt about forests as a resources. Basically, the functions and uses of the forests can be summed up into these parts:

• Maintaining water supply
• Maintaining Air Quality
• Other useful materials
• Protecting coasts
• Natural treatment of waste matter
• Flora and fauna
• Maintain soil quality
• Habitat for people
• Recreation
• Research and education

Maintaining water supply

1. forests enable water to be collected and stored within a water catchment
2. forests are able to maintain the quality and quantity of water

• forests play an important role in the water cycle

Quality of water

• in a forested area
• in an urban area

Maintaining air supply ( green lungs of the earth )

• Plants and trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis --> Living organisms release carbon dioxide during respiration --^
• Replenish oxygen and remove carbon dioxide --> prevents global climate change by regulating temperature of the earth.

Maintaining soil quality

• Decomposing vegetation on the forest floor release nutrients back to the soil.
• roots hold the soil particles together --> prevent rain or wind from removing soil
• soil quality is maintained by preventing soil erosion, and thus prevents loss of nutrients.

Prevents floods

• Decreases likelihood of river overflowing its banks

Protecting coasts

• Mangrove forests --> break momentum and force of storms and strong waves
• 90% of wave impact absorbed
• Sediments held together --> reduce coastal erosion

Natural treatment of waste matter

• Mangrove forests are able to process waste materials carried by the water.
• The roots of the mangrove trees help to trap waste materials and filter the water before it flows into the sea.
• Soil containing bacteria --> aid in breaking down biodegradable wastes --> convert them into nutrients
• Mangrove Forests act as the natural treatment 'plant' of waste water and minerals.

Flora and Fauna

• Forests are natural habitats for many of the world's flora and fauna.
• A habitat is the environment where plants and animals live in
• Eco-system --> forests provide food for smaller animals and insects --> food for bigger animals
• Tropical Forests cover 7% of earth's land surface, but 50% - 70% of world's flora and fauna found in them.

The above is what I learnt for this lesson of geography - forests as a resource.