Forest
A forest is an area with a high density of trees. Forests can be found in all regions capable of sustaining tree growth. Forests generally contain a large number of different trees growing to different heights, combined with an underbrush, which makes most use of sunlight. A forest in its natural form is home to many animal and plant species, and the weight of the biomass in any given square kilometre is high compared to other biomes.
Several types of forests exist. Among them can be noted the taiga, rain forest, tropical dry forest, and temperate hardwood forest.
In ecological terms, a forest may be differentiated from a woodland. In this case, a forest is considered to have a closed canopy, where the branches and foliage of trees interlock, whereas a woodland is considered to have an open canopy, where sunlight penetrates between trees.
The science of studying and managing forests is called forestry.
See also: List of forests, Forests in the United Kingdom
Mathematicians sometimes use the word "forest" to mean a mathematical set of tree structures.
Forest is also the name of a number of places in the United States of America:
- Forest, Ohio
- Forest, Virginia
- Forest, Wisconsin
- Forestville, California
- Forest Township, Michigan
- Forest Township, Minnesota
