Forestal Types Essay

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FORESTAL TYPES AND THEIR IMPORTANCE TO MANKIND

The average person creates an infinite amount of thoughts per minute. Within this vast amount of processed information, a common American proceeds with his daily routine, not giving any thought to survival without forests. In the event of a possible forestal depletion, life would dramatically change for the worse. The importance of trees and its products is rarely given its deserved respect. Taken for granted by most, this significant element of our life is key to our survival on this planet.

There are many different types of forests located throughout the world s nations, depending primarily on climate. The tropics contain more than half of the world s forests. Tropical forests supply half of the world s annual harvest of hardwood, hundreds of food products (including coffee, tea, cocoa, spices, nuts, chocolate, and tropical fruits), and materials such as natural latex rubber, resins, dyes, and essential oils.

Trees are categorized within two types of growth, each with their own importance.

Old-growth forests are those which have been in existence for hundreds or thousands of years. With a lack of disturbance of any kind, these uncut and regenerated forests provide homes to an immense amount of wildlife species. In the United States, more than ninety-five percent of old growth forests are gone. Major issues arise between officials of timber companies and conservation biologists on the subject of old-growth forests. The argument of whether to cut or preserve these lands is constantly disputed

Second-growth forests are trees that have grown back after cutting. The majority of forests in the United States are second-growth forests. Many reside within a uniformly managed plantation. When commercially valuable, these trees are cut on regular cycles. These cycles consist of replanting and then clear-cutting.

Between 1980 and 1995 the world s area of tree farms doubled and by 1995 occupied a total area slightly smaller than the land area of Mexico. The area devoted to tree plantations is projected to double between 1995 and 2000.

The cutting of these trees allows the world to indulge in a tremendous amount of resulting products. Hidden within the bark, the sap, the roots, and the foliage, are extensive products used in everyday life.

Endless uses for trees can be seen everywhere. Drive down a road and one will notice grand houses, billboards, boats along a waterfront, docks scan one s living area and see the finely made coffee tables, bookshelves containing collections of our history, dressers and shelves, spice racks, television stands innumerable examples surround one s life.

Medicine, oils, and ointments are only a few discovered uses. People have grown accustomed to the availability of building materials such as lumber, plywood, and particle board which are used to manufacture furniture, shelter and other needs.

More than half of the timber cut each year is used as fuelwood and charcoal. These particular products serve in areas of cooking and heating.

Pulp is used in a variety of paper and other products. Without this resource, the world would not have developed as fast as it has. Our culture has advanced in ways unseen without the availability of cut timber.

Since 1950, the global demand for wood has doubled and paper use has increased more than fivefold. Between 1995 and 2010, global demand for paper is expected to double again. The United States has the world s highest per capita use of paper- about seven times the average global per capita use.

Being that the consumption of wood and wood products is extremely high, the United States became the world s largest importer of these products. Our dependence on these products is one of sheer demand.

Besides the economic importance of forests, there is also a great ecological significance. Most people don t realize exactly how much forests serve our world in more ways then just the products they supply. Without forests, our world would evolve into barren and desolate lands lacking unique species which have once dwelled within the trees. Forests serve as a mediator limiting the amount of water flow rushing from the mountains, thus protecting the environment.

Forests also help maintain climate control. Without trees, a region will become arid and its soil nutrients would be depleted.

According to one calculation, a typical tree provides $196,250 worth of ecological benefits during its lifetime, in the form of oxygen, air purification, soil fertility and erosion control, water recycling and humidity control, and wildlife habitats. Sold as timber, the same tree is worth only about $590. Even if such estimates are off by a factor of 100, the long-term ecological benefits of a tree still clearly exceed its short-term economic benefits.

The American forest has been abused since the first settlers had arrived...

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