Forests today cover one-third of the earth's total land area, a third of the continental United States, and about a fifth of Indiana. People also benefit from forests in other ways that are not so well understood but are just as important to quality of life. Forests provide a clean and comfortable environment. They help moderate excessive noises and temperature extremes. They are especially important in providing a healthy escape from the demands of everyday life.
Forests play a vital role in our lives.
Not only do they supply materials for our food and shelter, but they also contribute to our psychological well-being. Forest settings evoke a sense of calm and serenity, so much so that the heart rate and blood pressure decrease in individuals experiencing forest beauty. Ecology is the study of the relationships among plants and animals and environment. When studying a forest community, ecologists think of it in terms of an ecological system, or ecosystem. An ecosystem is like a house of cards where each card is a plant or animal species.