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Environmental information systems
Forest soils
Soil is an essential part of the forest ecosystem. It provides water and nutrients to trees and other vegetation, as well as habitats for plants and animals. Soil also allows trees to anchor themselves with their root systems. Soil plays an important role in carbon storage and can be divided into two categories: organic and mineral.
What is a forest?
Forests are ecosystems dominated by trees, and their appearance varies depending on the climate zone, topography, soil type and management practices. They are important for biodiversity and society, providing resources such as wood and fibre, regulating the environment (e.g. purifying air, water and soil) and offering cultural benefits such as recreation, spirituality and aesthetics. A forest ecosystem can be defined at various scales, such as climate zone (e.g. boreal or temperate), tree species composition (e.g. beech forests), or management (e.g. natural forest ecosystems). Different definitions are used when measuring forest area. One commonly used definition is that of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
