Forests

WHAT IS FOREST?
A forest is a community of trees, shrubs,
herbs, and associated plants and organisms
that cover a considerable area that use
oxygen , water and soil nutrients as the
community attains maturity and reproduces
itself.

Lungs of the earth. The worlds

environment owes much of its state of health
to the presence of forests. So too does human
survival and welfare.

Forests
Occupying almost all parts of the country, the great
forest belts are divided into distinct types:
1) primary or virgin forests in lowlands, like
mangrove, dipterocarp, and molave forests

molave forest

mangrove forest

Forests
2) Secondary forests- developed from virgin
forests through succession by illegal logging or the
kaingan system, the system in setting the forest on
fire for cropping.
3) Grasslands and open country- developed from and to
secondary forests
4) Parang vegetation- grasslands with patches of
secondary forest tree species
5) Bamboo thickets
6) Cultivated fields

The original forests of the

Philippines covered nearly half our
land about 145,973.30 square
kilometers.

Habitat of the Forest

WILD LIFE
- means the native animals of a region
ENDANGERED SPECIES
-These are the species, which are in
danger of extinction and which may not
survive if the adverse factors continue to
rotate.

- The species likely to move into the

endangered category in the near future if the
causal adverse factors continue to operate.

REAR SPECIES
- These are the species with small population
in the world and are at risk.

THREATENED SPECIES
- These are Species, which are in any one of
the Endangered, Vulnerable, Rare Species
categories.

Flora and Fauna

Flora is a word of Latin origin

referring to Flora, the goddess of
flowers.
Fauna can refer to the animal life
or classification of animals of a
certain region, time period, or
environment.

Advantages

Acts as a wind barrier

from heavy winds
Provides medicinal
remedies
Recreation
Lumber for the
construction industry
Promotes rainfall
Prevents soil erosion
Prevents flooding
Maintains the
composition of the
atmosphere
Reduces noise pollution

Causes of Forest
Destruction

Humans and the use of Forests

Forests are often misused by
people. Immature trees are
cut down ruthlessly,
destroying living organisms
and standing timber, and
consuming the seeds of
young trees. And fires, as
they destroy trees, cause soil
erosion and floods in the
lower areas.

Humans and the use of Forests

In the Philippines, setting the
forest on fire in preparation for
cropping is a practice known
as kaingan. Forest fires are
also caused by arsonists,
debris burners, smokers and
irresponsible campers.

Humans and the use of Forests

Indiscriminate logging is another way by which humans
mismanage our forests. So many trees are cut down
that reforestation can not make up for the loss.

Humans and the use of Forests

Natural factors may also bring down forests pests,
grazing and gnawing animals, lightning that may
cause fires, and calamities like storms or strong
winds.

CAUSES OF
DEFORESTATION
a) Forest fires caused by careless
persons
b)Shifting cultivation which destroys
large areas of forests
c) Excessive logging activities
d)Housing which results in the destruction
of trees to meet peoples demand for
shelter
e) Removal of vegetation for mining
purposes

How to conserve the forest?

Protection by law.
Protected species of Phil. Wildlife.
Establishment of sanctuaries and national parks.
Natural habitat of wildlife should be carefully
protected.
Shooting and hunting of endangered species should
be totally band.
Research on wildlife should be encouraged.
Public should be educated.

CONSERVATION OF FORESTS
1) Design certain areas as forest reserves
2) Controlled cutting of trees this allows for only
certain mature trees to be logged
3) A massive reafforestation programme that is
replanting trees in areas that were once forested
areas
4) Education compaign to sensitize people of the
importance of forests
5) Strict and severe penalties for illegal
lumbering

Dry hay or IMPORTANCE OF

Straw etc.
FORESTS
used as
animal
food.
1. They provide raw materials for
certain industry.
2. They provide food, fodder, fuel,
fertilizer and fiber.
3. They prevent soil erosion and
preserve the fertility of the soil.
4. They provide moisture and lower
the temperature.

IMPORTANCE OF
FORESTS
5. They are the home for many animals
and birds, thus , they preserve the
biodiversity.
6. They maintain the ecological
balance.
7. They provide medicinal value
resulting in the making of many
medicinal drugs.

IMPORTANCE OF
FORESTS
8. Forests also help to alleviate
psychological stress arising from the
trials of modern society.
9. They provide the opportunity for
relaxation and meditation can lead
to the development of eco-tourism.

Benefits from trees in our

Forest
Lumber- Raw lumber has been one of
Philippines major exports. The apitong,
tanguile, guijo, and narra forests supply
most of todays construction lumber.

apitong tree

narra tree

Benefits from trees in our

Forest
Paper- Paper is produced
from pulpwood such as
pine.
Distillation productsExamples of these are
wood, alcohol, acetic acid,
lampblack, paints and
varnishes, and charcoal.
Other distillation products
can also be secured from
sugarcane, coconut, and
nipa palms..

Benefits of Trees in our Forests

Other Products- pine, bamboo, buri, sugar
tanning materials, and essential oils
In addition, forest trees provide food and shelter
to our animals.

Bamboo

Pine

Essential
oil

ACTS THAT WILL PROTECT THE FOREST

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 54
PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL LOGGING

Any natural or juridical person who directly or indirectly cuts, declares,

classifies, possesses or exports logs in violation of existing laws, rules and
regulations shall be penalized.
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9175

An act regulating the ownership, possession, sale, importation

and use of chain saws, penalizing violations thereof and for other
purposes.
REPUBLIC ACT No. 3701

An act to discourage destruction of forests, further amending for

the purpose section twenty-seven hundred fifty-one of the revised
administrative code.

Prepared By:
Janilo Sarmiento
Julieta Ibanez
Lita Aurea Batilong
Usiel Apari
Sany Fe Tajale
Cherry Alaba
Ritchel Milagrosa
Jessa GumapacA