Primary forests: what are, characteristics, flora and fauna

According to FAO (United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization) primary forests are forests in its original natural state in which there are no indications of any type of human activity that have altered its original ecological structure. On the other hand, the CDB (Agreement on Biological Diversity) defines them as forests that have not been talled and have evolved from natural processes and disturbances, including those forests in which native peoples coexist that use traditional practices that promote the conservation and care of them.

To be considered as primary forests, they must have regenerated naturally, without human intervention. On the other hand, if there was some type of incidence, sufficient time must take time so that any human impact has been erased completely.

In this link you can read about the importance of forests and jungles.

Primary forests are formed by natural processes that take a lot of time.

1. The area is colonized by native species that arrive in the wind, water or through animals or by pre -existing seed banks on the site.
2. The first plants to appear will be the so -called “pioneers”, rapid growth species that will give way to other more robust species in a process called ecological succession.
3. With the passage of time, the primary forest reaches a stable state, in which the species present are in harmony with their environment and complex ecological interactions that contribute to the resilience and sustainability of the ecosystem.

• There are still 1,110 million hectares of primary forests: According to an evaluation of forest resources worldwide produced in 2020, there are still 1,110 million hectares of primary forests. Only Canada, Brazil and Russia stay approximately 60% of the world’s primary forests. Unfortunately, the surface occupied by these forests has decreased by 80% and the remaining 20% ​​continues to detriment and suffers some type of threat.
• They provide important ecosystem services: Primary forests are essential ecosystems that provide crucial ecosystem services such as biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, fresh water supply, among others. In addition, they play a vital role in the sustainability of the livelihoods and culture of numerous local communities and indigenous peoples.
• They house a large percentage of biodiversity: Primary forests are rich sites in biodiversity since they are the habitat of many species of flora and fauna that interact in complex networks.
• They are carbon dioxide sinks: Primary forests act as important carbon sinks, storing large amounts of carbon in their biomass and soils. This contributes to the mitigation of climate change, since it helps reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
• They are different that secondary forests: Primary forests are different from secondary forests, since the latter are forests that have been regenerated after felling or other form of disturbance or disturbance and that can have an ecological structure different from that of primary forests.
• They have greater recovery capacity: Primary forests have a greater capacity for recovery, that is, they are more stable, resistant and resilient than secondary forests due among other factors, to their large percentage of biodiversity.

• Amazonian: The Amazon is the largest tropical jungle in the world and is located in South America. The Amazon is known for its high biodiversity and is considered one of the lungs of the world due to its ability to absorb carbon dioxide and oxygen production. Here you can read about the deforestation of the Amazon: causes and consequences.
• North American Taiga: The American Taiga, also known as Boreal Forest, is a vast forest region that extends in northern North America, including parts of Canada and Alaska. It is characterized by coniferous forests and a variety of fauna species adapted to cold and humid conditions. In this other post you can learn more about what Taiga is: definition and characteristics.
• Congo jungle: Located in Central Africa, the Congo jungle covers a large part of the Congo basin. It is the second largest tropical jungle in the world after the Amazon and is considered one of the most important and biodiverse primary forests of the planet. We recommend you read this other ecology article on the Congo jungle: characteristics, flora and fauna.
• Western Caucasus: It is the only mountainous virgin area in Europe and has been declared as a World Heritage by UNESCO. It includes a series of national parks and natural reserves that protect their unique ecosystems, such as deciduous forests, mixed forests and coniferous forests, as well as alpine and subalpine meadows.
• Taiga Siberiana: The Siberian taiga is a forest ecosystem characterized by vast coniferous forests, mainly from firs and pines, interspersed with swamps, rivers and lakes that are located in northern Siberia in Russia.
• Tropical Wet Selva of Indonesia: It is the third largest in the world and that concentrates greater biodiversity. It is located in the Indonesian archipelago, in Southeast Asia.

Flora of primary forests

• Primary forests are formed by Large trees.
• Species of Epiphite plantssuch as bromelias and orchids that grow on trees and adapt to life in the heights. Here you can know the epiphytic plants better: what are, types and examples.
• Great variety of others more primitive plantssuch as ferns, mosses and lichens that cover the ground and trunks of the trees.

Primary forests fauna

• Mammal speciessuch as jaguars, tigers, elephants, monkeys, tapirs and bears, among others. Many of them are considered emblematic and in danger of extinction.
• Diversity of birds that primary forests use as a habitat to nest and feed.
• Amphibians and reptilessuch as poisonous frogs, snakes and lizards, which find refuge in primary forests and are indicators of ecosystems. Here you can read about the indicator species: what are and examples.
• Large number of insectsincluding endemic and specialized species that play a fundamental role in pollination, decomposition and intervene in nutrient cycles.

It should be noted that the flora and fauna of primary forests varies according to the geographical location and the particular conditions of each ecosystem. However, these forests are characterized by their high biodiversity and the presence of unique species that have evolved in a natural environment and relatively without human disturbances.

Now that you know better what primary forests are, here you can discover more types of forests.

If you want to read more articles similar to Primary forests: what are, characteristics, flora and faunawe recommend that you enter our category of ecosystems.