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A forest is a community of trees, shrubs, herbs, microorganisms, and
animals, the trees being the most obvious living structures. Trees can
survive under a wide range of climatic conditions, but forests generally
occupy the moister, less frigid parts of the terrestrial biosphere. To
different human cultures at different times, forests have been regarded as
places of danger, security, economic opportunity, recreation, and aesthetic
pleasure. They take part in natural processes of nutrient cycling and water
purification, and otherwise help maintain a clean environment. Forests are
important sources of many products. Forestry is the science, art, and
technology of managing these forest resources.
FORESTS
The large size and slow growth of trees make forests appear stable and
permanent, but in fact they are dynamic sites of ongoing processes such as
tree growth and death and soil formation. The tree species in a particular
area are also constantly changing as species migrate and new trees invade
disturbed areas. Climates themselves change, but this generally occurs so
slowly |