100+ Words Related to Forests

October 19, 2023

You may have heard some words related to forest, like trees and foliage, but there are other terms that accurately describe or talk about this complex yet beautiful ecological system. And in this quick guide will explain forest-related words while giving concrete examples of how to use each when speaking or writing.

Related:

Words Related to Nature

Table of Contents

Afforestation

This may sound like one of the most complicated words related to forest, but it’s a rather simple concept. When you take an open area of land and plant trees with the intention of filling the space into a lush and thriving forest, it is called afforestation.

This forest term, which is an antonym of deforestation (another forest-related word), is more essential than before since developers are clearing a significant amount of land to create new private and public housing developments. In fact, more than 1.5 million building permits were issued for residential construction in August of 2022 alone.

Sample Sentence: Our organization is dedicated to afforestation projects that will give deer, bears, and other wildlife a safe place to live.

Tropical Rainforest

Did you know that there are different types of forests? One of the most common is a tropical rainforest. The NASA Earth Observatory describes it as natural biomes located close to the equator. Interestingly, this forest type got its name due to the heavy rainfall it receives each year.

Other qualities of most tropical forests include:

Hot, moist climate year-round
79-394 inches of rain per year
Thick, layered vegetation canopy
Little to no sunlight at ground level

Sample Sentence: I’m excited about my trip to the tropical forest in Guatemala next month.

Forest Floor

]\If you visit a forest, you will walk on the forest floor. It’s the ground level and is always moist, humid, and warm. This is because the canopy of trees overhead is so thick that little sunlight reaches the ground. Those trees also shed a lot of leaves, which are always in varying stages of decay on the ground floor. You will find vines, shrubs, and young trees growing wherever a patch of sunlight does break through.

Sample Sentence: The forest floor is quite slippery today, so step carefully.

Wilderness

The wilderness includes any area of land that hasn’t been modified or manipulated by humans, allowing different trees, plants, and animals to thrive without interference. Keep in mind that the wilderness is notoriously chaotic and unorganized. For instance, natural plants don’t grow in straight lines like the landscaping you may have in front of your home.

Although exploring the wilderness can be scary, there are several health benefits that come from hiking or spending time in nature. That includes the physical benefits of exercise plus a boost to your mood and reduction in stress.

Sample Sentence: I need to relax, so I’m going camping in the wilderness.

Biodiversity

You might assume that this is another complicated word about forest, but hang in here. It’s easier to understand than you may imagine.

Biodiversity is a concept that the earth is thriving with a wide variety of living species. The following are all found on our amazing planet, plus a lot more:

Animals
Bacteria
Genes
Plants
Organisms
Insects

Fun Fact: According to the National Geographic Society, more than 8.5 million plant species have been identified around the world. There are likely many more out there in unexplored wildlands.

Sample Sentence: I’m taking my class to the park to explore biodiversity in our local area.

Ecosystem

An ecosystem is any area where living things work with the environment to thrive. A natural ecosystem will typically contain the following:

Plants
Humans and/or animals
Organisms and bacteria
Weather patterns
Landscapes (forests, plains, deserts, etc.)

All elements of an ecosystem must work together to ensure the survival of all.

Sample Sentence: I love the closed aquatic ecosystem that I added to my desk at work.

Deciduous

Any tree or shrub that sheds all its leaves every year is considered deciduous. These trees create the beautiful autumn landscapes that we enjoy in many areas of the world. They’re also responsible for the hours you spend raking and disposing of leaves on your property.

Sample Sentence: I have five deciduous trees on my property, so I rake a lot of leaves every fall.