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Forest
References & Edit History Related Topics
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Dense green forest with tall trees, leafy canopy, and sunlight filtering through at Belovezhskaya Forest in eastern Poland. A fallen log and tree stump are visible on the forest floor. World map displaying the geographic distribution of forests by wood type, with tropical hardwood forests in light green mainly near the equator, temperate hardwood forests in teal in parts of North America, Europe, and Asia, softwood (coniferous) forests in purple across northern regions, and mixed forests in blue in select temperate zones. Examples of tree species for each category are listed at the bottom of the map. Dense subalpine coniferous forest with a narrow stream winding through the Sayan mountains in Siberia, Russia, under a blue sky. The Oulankajoki River winds through dense coniferous forest in Oulanka National Park, northeast Finland, with green trees covering the landscape. Adirondack Mountains Tropical rainforest Deciduous forest
How bacteria recycle forest litter into minerals
Waxwing Prescribed fire
At a Glance
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forest summary
Quizzes
Chutes d'Ekom - a waterfall on the Nkam river in the rainforest near Melong, in the western highlands of Cameroon in Africa.
Ecosystems
Related Questions

Forest: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

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  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Article title updated for style. Nov 12, 2026
Modified link of Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Diversity of forest structures important for biodiversity is determined by the combined effects of productivity, stand age, and management. Sep 25, 2026
Questions and answers added. Mar 20, 2025
Added a box of forest types. Mar 14, 2025
Links added. Aug 18, 2023
Add new Web site: University of California, Berkeley - Museum of Paleontology - The forest biome. Jan 06, 2023
Add new Web site: National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - Diversity of forest structures important for biodiversity is determined by the combined effects of productivity, stand age, and management. Sep 23, 2022
Article revised and updated. Jan 14, 2022
Corrected display issue. Mar 02, 2021
Add new Web site: World Wildlife Fund - Forest Habitat. Mar 27, 2019
Add new Web site: UNESCO-EOLSS - Forest Ecology. Feb 27, 2018
Add new Web site: Science Kids - Fun Science and Technology For Kids! - Forest. Sep 18, 2016
Add new Web site: Defenders of Wildlife - Basic Facts About Forests. Sep 02, 2016
Media added. May 12, 2016
Add new Web site: EcoKids - What is a Forest? Feb 14, 2014
Video depicting forest decomposition and mineralization added. Oct 14, 2011
Article revised and updated. Nov 07, 2007
Article revised and updated. Apr 13, 2007
Article revised and updated. Apr 13, 2007
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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