3. TOPICS TO BE COVERED b What are Forests? b Importance of Forests b Uses of Forests

4. WHAT ARE FOREST? Each forest is a complex system of trees, plants, insects, wild animals and also the soil. Each forest is a complex system of trees, plants, insects, wild animals and also the soil. It takes hundreds, even thousands of years for a forest to form.

5. IMPORTANCE OF FORESTS b Recycling the world’s supply of oxygen. b Forms and protects soil. b A natural habitat of many species of plants,insects and wildlife. b Some plants have medicinal value e.g. oils from eucalyptus and wintergreen trees are used to treat ailments.

6. RENEWING OXYGEN SUPPLY  Just as our lungs exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen, forests help to renew the Earth’s supply of oxygen by exchanging it for carbon dioxide.

7. HOW FORESTS PROTECT AND FORM SOIL b Roots hold down soil, preventing it from being washed away. In this way,they protect soil from being eroded. b Roots penetrate cracks in the rocks, breaking them into smaller pieces. These pieces are further broken down to form soil.

8. USES OF FORESTS b b As a source of fuel b b As a construction material, from houses to decorative items b b As a raw material to make paper b b Sap is tapped from trunks of rubber trees and made into rubber. b b Bark can be made into cork.   Resin is used to manufacture varnishes and printing inks.