This short Why Files article discusses the effects of the earthworm on the ecology of some northern deciduous forests. In these ecosystems, glaciers extirpated all worms over 10,000 years ago. The forest ecologist interviewed for this article indicated that in northern Minnesota, the worms probably came from fishing bait that was dumped in the woods over several decades. The earthworms rapidly munch ... Full description.

This US Department of Agriculture publication contains 2 volumes: Conifers and Hardwoods. The handbook provides scientific names, general descriptions, habitats, ranges, climate, soils, associated forest cover, life history, uses, hybrids, and genetics information for over 200 North American trees. A glossary is available, as well as a summary and explanation of general tree characteristics, insect ... Full description.

This National Park Service (NPS) website highlights the geology of Olympic National Park in Washington state. It discusses the mountains and rocks of the park, Ice Age features (Puget Sound), coastal features, and forests of the area. There are links to park maps, visitor information, and additional resources. Full description.

This National Park Service (NPS) website discusses the geology of Virgin Islands National Park, examining the coral reefs that line this park, forests of the island, and the history of the area. There are maps and photos, and links to visitor information and additional resources. Full description.

This website provides references for students about the importance of trees to people and the environment. It discusses the interactions between trees and other organisms, how trees provide for their food and water needs, and how people use and work with trees. A teacher's guide provides background information, project and activity ideas, evaluation questions, and extensions that correspond with each ... Full description.

This World Wildlife Fund campaign is concerned with forest conservation and management. Fieldwork such as the DGIS (the Directorate General for International Cooperation in the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs) -WWF Tropical Forest Portfolio project are featured, as well as policy issues,including genetically modified tree trials, forest fires and forest restoration. WWF partnerships with conservation ... Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. It focuses on the seasonal changes that affect life in a temperate forest ecosystem and how organisms in a temperate forest are dependent on one another for proper nutrition. Students describe the three major types of organisms that live in an ecosystem, three types of consumers, food webs, and food chains. They ... Full description.

These maps show the distribution of forests for Africa, Asia, Europe, North and Central America, Oceania, and South America. The maps were extracted from the global forest cover map produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as part of the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000. Dark green colors on the maps indicate areas dominated by forests, according to the ... Full description.

Global Forest Watch maps include interactive regional forest maps for countries around the world and raw GIS data layers available to download. There are case studies and reports of different countries showing the state of frontier forests and rainforests and their level of protection. These products provide a comprehensive look at the development pressures affecting forests in key regions of the ... Full description.

These forestry lesson plans and field activities teach students: how trees function in an urban setting; how to collect data on trees in their urban environment in order to determine how well the tree is surviving; and how to participate in the development of an urban forest within their community. There are lessons to classify trees; measure the height, age, and growth rates of trees; and compare ... Full description.