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Photograph of Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington, by Peter Essick
As anyone can tell you, a forest without trees just isn't a forest. All forests have lots of trees, so does that mean that a forest in Russia is pretty much like a forest in Brazil? No way! Forests are different all over the world.
Two things can help you determine what kind of forest you're looking at: the climate (warm or cold) and the kinds of trees you see. Some trees are called evergreens, because they never lose their green leaves or needles. Others are deciduous, which means their colorful leaves come tumbling to the ground each fall.
Expansive deciduous forests once covered the eastern half of what is now the United States, but much of this temperate climate forest has been cut down to clear land for crops and cities. If you hike what's left of these woods in the fall, you'll see a forest in color. The oak, beech, maple, and hickory trees turn shades of red, gold, and orange before dropping their leaves. You may see white-tailed deer and maybe, if you're lucky, black bears.
The northern coniferous forest, or taiga, is filled with evergreens such as pine, fir, and spruce. Found in Canada, Europe, and Asia, taiga is the Earth's largest land habitat, covering about 17 percent of the planet. Winters are long and cold in taiga forests, and several feet of snow can cover the ground all winter long. People need snowshoes to navigate snow-covered taiga, but animals that live here, such as moose, wolverine, and lynx, have large, broad feet—their own "snowshoes"—to help them move through deep snow.
It never snows in a tropical rain forest, but it's nearly always wet. The soaking rain helps so many plants grow that the dense treetops often block out sunlight. These forests are alive with the sights, smells, and sounds of one of the richest animal habitats on Earth. Although tropical rain forests occupy only 6 percent of Earth's land area, they shelter more than half of the world's species—including jaguars and monkeys.
There are many other types of forest habitats. All forests are important to the biggest habitat of all—planet Earth. Forests are home to lots of wildlife, as well as plants that people use for food and medicine. Maybe the most important parts of forests are the trees themselves. They produce large amounts of oxygen that we all need to breathe. Without forests, Earth's other habitats would be a lot less inviting.
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All About Rainforests
This colorful site has information on some of the millions of plants and animals that live in rain forests, plus quizzes, activities, and more.
Boreal Forest
Explore the chilly, watery, evergreen forests that represent one-third of the world's total forest area.
Forest Conservation Portal
This information clearinghouse has conservation news, links to related sites, and more.
The Northern Forest Center Learn more about the vast Northern Forest of New York and New England.
U.S. Forest Service
This U.S. Department of Agriculture agency site is home to Smoky Bear and Woodsy Owl—plus photos, news, and more.
World Rainforest Information Portal
Keep up on rain forest news around the globe with scores of links and news stories.
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