Different Types of Forests

Forests are the lungs of our planet and make up 31% of the world’s land area.

They also come in diverse forms, each with unique ecosystems that provide a sanctuary for a large number of birds and animals, many of them endangered. 

They’re also home to more than 80% of terrestrial species and absorb roughly 15.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Along the Pacific coast of Central America, these ecosystems face threats. Preserving these natural habitats are at the heart of what we do at Paso Pacifico.

Join our team as we explore the different types of forests in the world and why their conservation is imperative.

Understanding the Different Types of Forests in the World

While forests can be classified by geographical regions, their latitudes and climates are what influence humidity, precipitation, temperature, and wind, ultimately shaping the diversity of the plants and animals that thrive in them.

Based on this distinction, the three main types of forests are:

Boreal Forests 

Also known as taiga, boreal forests are the largest terrestrial pool of biomes. They occupy 17% of the earth’s land area and 27% of the total forest area.

There are two types of boreal forests:

• Open canopy boreals cover 11% of the land surface area. They have cold and dry climates (45° to 70° latitude), lesser diversity of species, and short growing seasons. 
• Closed canopy boreals are located at lower altitudes. They have warmer climates, rich diversity of species, a long growing season, and a canopy cover of over 20%.

These forests are found in eight countries, including Sweden, Russia, Canada, and Japan. They act as carbon sinks by storing carbon in tree biomass and soil organic matter.

They are home to 300 species of birds (and over three million migratory birds), 32,000 insect species that act as pollinators and decomposers, and more than 85 species of mammals like elk, moose, wolves, and lemmings. Additionally, they provide a safe habitat to many endangered and threatened species like grizzly bears, northern flying squirrels, polar bears, whooping cranes, wolverines, and woodland caribou.

However, almost 80% of the world’s forests are on top of permafrost which, due to climate change, is thawing at an unnaturally rapid rate. The accelerated thawing poses significant risks, including damage to infrastructure, landslides, ground collapse, geological instability, and rising sea levels.

Tropical Forests 

Found along the equator in regions like Central and South Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and South America, tropical forests cover about 12% of the Earth’s land surface. They are warm throughout the year, and their abundant cloud cover (which extends to over 8,700 yards ) restricts heat loss, preventing temperatures from dropping.

Popular types of tropical forests include:

• Mangrove forests, where trees grow in low-oxygen soil and brackish water. They stabilize the coastline, offering protection from currents and storms.
• Evergreen rainforests receive over 79 inches of rain annually. They have warm humid conditions and the most diverse terrestrial systems.
• Moist tropical forests exhibit low variability and less rainfall.
• Tropical dry forests receive very little rain and are the most endangered major tropical ecosystems. Long dry seasons are followed by heavy rain.
• Cloud forests are found in high altitudes. They have a low-level cloud cover which makes the crowns of trees appear as if they’re bathed in mist. They also host an abundant collection of epiphytes or air plants.

Tropical forests contain about half of all terrestrial life. They are extremely dense with diverse varieties of flora and fauna. These forests are home to species on the brink of extinction, including the yellow-naped amazon parrot, which is on the IUCN Red List.

Temperate Forests 

Temperate forests are positioned between boreal and tropical forests. They are located at mid-latitudes of around 25° to 50° across North America and Eurasia, covering more than  10.7 trillion square feet. They experience four seasons, receive around 20 to 60 inches of annual precipitation, and support diverse plant growth.

Temperate forests are usually classified into three types:

• Coniferous forests are terrestrial biomes with cold climates marked by conifers, which grow needles and cones instead of leaves and flowers. 
• Deciduous forests are broad-leaf areas that lose their foliage each winter as they enter dormancy. They are classified into five zones based on the height of their trees.
• Temperate rainforests receive heavy rain and are influenced by the sea.

Temperate forests are home to endangered species like the European mink, Vanzolini’s spiny-chest frog, and the mountain caribou that thrive alongside a wide variety of plants, vegetation, passerine birds, and wildlife thanks to the distinctive seasons.

The Plight of the Most Endangered Forests

Tropical rainforests are one of the most threatened ecosystems as they face immense destruction from logging, deforestation, and agricultural expansion.

Once covering over 14% of the Earth’s land, they now make up only 6% of its surface! And if deforestation continues, they will lose 5% to 10% of their species each decade.

However, tropical dry forests are the most endangered. While they’re known to be resilient, they are no match for the consequences of human interference, climate change and man-made fires designed to clear large forest areas. 

Consequently, they’ve shrunk from 5.9 trillion square feet in the 1500s to 5.2 billion square feet. 

 We now have only 0.09% of the original forested area left. 

The Rich Biodiversity in Rainforests and Dry Forests

Rainforests have the most diverse and complex ecosystems. They contain over half of the animal species in the world. This includes over 5,000 bird species like the curl-crested araçari, harpy eagle, resplendent quetzal, and sun parakeet. 

They’re also home to over 50% of known plant species and hundreds of mammals like anteaters, antelopes, capybaras, elephants, gorillas, jaguars, tigers, and orangutans.

Dry forests, on the other hand, host a range of migratory and aquatic/shore birds. They have an astonishing diversity of trees, most of which are deciduous during the arid season to conserve water. 

They’re home to the black-eared opossum, green iguana, guanay cormorant, northern tamandua , Peruvian booby, Peruvian pelican, roseate spoonbill, Sechuran fox, snowy plover, southern flamingo, the South American sea lion, and the Tumbesian tegu.

Nine out of 25 biodiversity hotspots identified contain dry forest areas. Thanks to dry forests’ climatological conditions,  they are a refuge for thousands of endemic species.

For instance, the Tumbesian region, an area in west Ecuador and northwest Peru, has 58 restricted-range birds. Twenty-three of them are threatened/endangered, like the white-winged guan. That’s why 9 out of 25 biodiversity hotspots identified contain dry forest areas.

Rainforests vs. Dry Forests

Rainforests are characterized by high rainfall, dense vegetation, and unparalleled biodiversity. They’re mostly found in the tropics. These regions receive more direct solar radiation, contain about 25% of the world’s carbon, and help regulate global temperatures.

In contrast, dry forests often endure prolonged droughts, with flora and fauna that have adapted and survived its contrasting extremes. 

They cover around 41.5% of Earth’s land surface. Up to a third of the world’s population lives in and around these areas. Millions of people rely on dry forests for their livelihoods, making their conservation critical.

Types of Forests on the Pacific Coast of Central America

The Pacific coast of Central America has a variety of ecosystems, including coastal forests, tropical forests, mangroves, and cloud forests. These habitats absorb carbon, provide clean water and air, and are home to threatened and endangered animals like tapirs, black-handed spider monkeys, and Cyanoptera macaws.

Sadly, the majority of these forests are under threat from unprecedented wildfires, clearing of land for agriculture, extensive timber harvesting, and other extractive uses of their natural resources.

Paso Pacífico’s Conservation Efforts

Paso Pacífico operates on the Pacific coast of Central America. With initiatives like reforestation projects, preservation of wildlife corridors, and community engagement for sustainable land use, we are dedicated to conserving and restoring critical habitats.

We also work to prevent the extinction of various endemic species like spider monkeys, sea turtles, stingless bees, yellow-naped amazon parrots, jaguars, and migratory birds. Donate today to help us restore habitats and safeguard our future.