Forest Habitats

The forest is habitat for many organisms. There are many different habitat types in the forests of the United States such as bottomland hardwood forests, upland hardwood forests, southern upland pine forests and many more.

In these forests the trees, animals, plants and other organisms live in an interdependent cycle. For example, as a tree is broken in the wind it creates a surface on which wood-decaying fungi can grow. As the wood decays, it is colonized by insects. This attracts woodpeckers. The holes made by the woodpeckers are later used by other animals for shelter. The opening in the forest canopy allows sunlight to reach the forest floor and stimulates plants to grow. All these consequences resulted from a tree broken by the wind.

Examine the small or large forests you have near your home for evidence of habitats that you can find. Notice changes that nature has caused. Try to identify the consequences of those changes. Now you are seeing succession in action.

Web Links:

National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat

Wildlife Habitat Council

Forest Types in the United States