Forests: Glossary

A

altitude

height above sea level

B

boreal

evergreen forests of subarctic regions - also taiga

C

canopy

the top layer of tree growth often forms a sort of cover over the forest

conifers

trees that grow cones

D

deciduous

trees that drop their leaves in the fall

dominant

main

E

environment

the surroundings where a plant or animal lives

evergreens

plants that stay green all year - they do not change color and lose their leaves in the fall

expansive

vast, far reaching

F

fauna

animals

forest floor

the bottom layer of the forest, soil and dead plants and animals

G

generated

created

I

inhabitants

living things of an area

M

maturity

fully grown

P

precipitation

water that falls to the ground as rain, snow, etc.

R

recreation

things done for fun and enjoyment

recycled

to cycle through something again and again - used again and again

regions

areas

S

snowpack

the winter collection of snow - often collected over time

sustain

help them survive

T

taiga

evergreen forests of subarctic regions - also boreal

temperate

mild, not extreme

tropical

related to the tropics - hot and humid area

U

understory

the second layer of a forest just below the canopy