Earth: Our Home

Full Geography

CHAPTER 10
Forests As a Resource

Chapter 3: Plate Tectonics

 You will learn…
- to discuss the functions and uses of
forests
 Functions and Uses of Forests
• Maintaining the water supply
• Maintaining nutrients in the soil
• Replenishing oxygen and removing carbon
dioxide
• Habitat for flora and fauna
• Protecting the coast
• Natural treatment of waste water
• Habitat
• Recreation
• Research and education
 Functions and Uses of
Forests
• Maintaining the water supply
- forests enable water to be collected and stored
within a water catchment.
- forests are able to maintain the quality and
quantity of water.
Quality of water in a forested area
Quality of water in an urban
area
Replenishing oxygen and
removing carbon dioxide
Preventing floods & coasts
• Forests prevent floods by reducing the
likelihood of the river from overflowing its
banks.
• Protecting coasts - mangrove forests protect
coastal areas from storms and strong waves.
 Natural treatment of waste
water
• 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.
• Mangrove forests act as the natural
treatment ‘plant’ of waste water and
materials.
Mangroves protecting a
settlement
Habitat for 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.
 Source of Useful Materials
• Forests are a rich source of timber.
• Forests are a renewable resource as they
can be replanted after they have been
cleared.
• It takes about 40 years for a tree to mature
before it is suitable for harvesting.

• Question: What is timber used for?

 Fuelwood and charcoal
• In many less developed countries people
still gather wood from forests for cooking and
heating.
• Charcoal is another source of fuel that can
be obtained from forests.
• Forests also provide
food, medicines and
chemicals.
 Others uses of forests
• Habitat for people
- approximately 60 million people lives
in the tropical rainforests of South
America, Southeast Asia and Africa.
• Recreation
- ecotourism has increased where activities
like hiking and camping are carried out.
• Research and education
- scientists study how people are
affected by changes in the ecosystem.
The Future of Our Forests
• Forests are disappearing at a very rapid
rate.
• The destruction of forest means the loss of
future benefits and discoveries.
• The future of our forests depends on how
we can prevent their destruction.

Question: Discuss ways on how we can

conserve the forest for future generations.