Difference between forest and jungle

Difference between forest and jungle

By Dr. Kyle Muller

The jungle and forests are biomes with ecological functions really important for the development of life on the planet, so there is a great biodiversity. Although this is something that they have in common, among these biomes there are some differences such as the forest climate is not the same as the weather of the jungle and the jungle animals are not the same as those of the forest.

If you want to know curious data, such as how many jungles there are in the world and how many forests there are in the world, as well as What is the difference between forest and junglecontinues to read this interesting Ecology Verde, in which both the characteristics of the jungle and the characteristics of the forest will be discussed.

Differences between forests and jungles

Between forests and jungles there are large differences and the main one occurs in the extension and quantity of the vegetation. As a summary, these are the Differences between forest and jungle:

  • The jungle is much more lush and extensive than a forestIn fact, some areas of them are impenetrable. That is why it is more common to perform excursions and walks through forests than by jungles.
  • The Forest vegetation It is composed of weeds, trees, diverse kills and shrubs and the penetration of sunlight in them is high. On the other hand, in the jungle vegetationwhich is very dense and practically does not allow sunlight to pass, trees, lianas, vines and other plant species predominate.
  • As to Fauna, in the jungle there is greater population and diversity than in the forest.
  • The soil of the jungles is richer in nutrients, that is why so much vegetation grows; Although there is plenty of vegetation in the forest, there is a greater amount in the jungle.
  • Precipitation in the jungle are more abundant.
  • Another difference to highlight is that Forests occupy a greater surface of the Earthapproximately one third, while the surface occupied by the jungles is 6%.
  • Some experts say that a jungle can also be considered a forest, but a forest cannot be considered as jungle.

We recommend reading this other ecology article about what is the importance of forests and jungles.

Difference between forest and jungle - differences between forests and jungles

What is a forest

A forest is more than a large group of trees (basic forest unit). A forest is a terrestrial ecosystem characterized by its good use and distribution of energy. A forest is determined by the water courses, the orography of the land, the type of soil and the different species of animals, fungal plants and microorganisms found in it. In addition, they give specific cycles of energy, water, carbon, oxygen and nutrients. All both biotic and abiotic elements of a forest change depending on the forest in which we find ourselves, because what we find in tropical forests are not the same as those of coniferous forests.

Forests are distributed all over the worldbut those with greater coverage in terms of hectares are located in North America, Australia, Congo, Brazil and China. Below is a list of the types of forests that exist in the world currently.

Difference between forest and jungle - What is a forest

Types of forests

For classify forests different parameters are used to differentiate them. In this article the different classifications of the Types of forests And each of the forests that are part of each type:

Types of forests according to its climate and latitude

  • Boreal forest or taiga
  • Tempered forest
  • Subtropical forest
  • Tropical forest

Types of forests according to foliage

  • Perennifolio forest
  • Deciduous forest

Types of forests according to its vegetation

  • Coniferous or coniferous forests
  • Leafy or lush forests
  • Mixed forest

Types of forests according to the intervention in them

  • Primary forest
  • Anthropogenic forests

Types of forests according to the intervention of man and its impact

  • Primary forests
  • Secondary forests
  • Artificial forests

Here you can learn more about the different types of forests.

What is a jungle or jungle

The junglealso known as The junglecontains the most important habitats of planet Earth. In it are a large number of species of flora and fauna. In addition, the trees found in it are high, so many are very old. In fact, it is thought to be The oldest bioma on the planet.

You would know how to say, Where are the jungles? These cover approximately 6% of the land surface, located mainly between the Tropic of Capricorn and the tropics of cancer, although to a lesser extent by other latitudes of the world. They can be observed mainly in the African continent, in the American and in the Asian, also in some islands of Oceania and in some areas of Europe. Therefore, only in Antarctica there are no jungles.

Learn more about this topic with this other article. The jungle ecosystem and its characteristics.

Difference between forest and jungle - What is a jungle or jungle

Types of jungles

Like forests, jungles can also be classified according to different parameters. These are the different Types of jungles:

Types of jungles according to its climate and vegetation

  • Tropical jungles
  • Low jungles
  • Flood and swampy jungles
  • Monzónic jungles
  • Dry jungles

Types of jungle according to altitude

  • Basal or plain jungle
  • Mountain jungle
  • Gallery jungle

Types of jungle according to moisture

  • Superhuma jungle
  • Wet jungle
  • Subhuma jungle

Types of jungle according to latitude

  • Equatorial jungle
  • Rain forest
  • Subtropical jungle
  • Temperate jungle
  • Subpolar jungle

In this other post we show you more about the types of jungles and their characteristics.

If you want to read more articles similar to Difference between forest and junglewe recommend that you enter our category of other environment.

Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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