Faces march 2024

FORESTS

EDITOR Elizabeth Crooker
SENIOR ART DIRECTOR Nicole Welch

DESIGNER arrison ugron
SVP EDUCATION PRODUCTS Laura Woodside
DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION Barb lendenen
Christine Voboril
PERMISSIONS SPECIALIST
ASSISTANT EDITOR ayley im
Colin Draun
WISECRACKS AND WITTICISMS

MARCH 2024 BOARD OF ADVISORS

MYSTERY PHOTO ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF GEOGRAPHY,
CO-COORDINATOR TEXAS ALLIANCE FOR
Do you know what this is? GEOGRAPHIC EDUCATION, TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

See page 48 for the answer. Sarah Witham Bednar

About the Cover DIRECTOR (RETIRED), CURRICULUM FRAMEWORKS
AND INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES OFFICE,
Forests are important to life on our planet. CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
About 80% of all plant and animal life live Diane . Brooks d.D.
in forests.
MISTERDIN/Shutterstock.com FLORENTINE FILMS
en Burns

PROFESSOR, SCHOOL OF EDUCATION,

UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Maryann Manning

DIRECTOR, INDIANA UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL
RESOURCE CENTER
Shawn Reynolds

OUTREACH COORDINATOR (RETIRED),
HARVARD’S CENTER FOR MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES

Carol Johnson Shedd

PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION REFORM,
21ST CENTURY CHAIR IN TEACHER QUALITY,

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
Sandra Stotsky

DIRECTOR, AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER OUTREACH
PROGRAM AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Barbara Brown

CO-COORDINATOR, ARIZONA GEOGRAPHIC ALLIANCE,
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Gale Ekiss

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FEATURES Pg 12 Pg 6

8 What Makes a Forest? Pg 24 Pg 16
by Kathy Rembisz Pg 42
Pg 30
12 Animals That Depend Check out our

on the Forest online teacher’s guides at
by Patty Claudio
WWW.CRICKETMEDIA.COM/
16 The Plight of the TEACHER-RESOURCES/
Rainforests
by Patty Claudio

20 A Mystical Forest
by Marcia Amidon Lusted

24 Lord of the Forest
by Mary Rudzinski

28 Pando: Oldest,
Heaviest, and Largest?
by Paula Henson

30 Mangroves: Forests
on Stilts
by Nicole Groeneweg

34 The Kelp Forest: An
Underwater Ecosystem
by Nicole Groeneweg

42 The Evergreen and
the Rhododendron
retold by Virginia Shumacher

DEPARTMENTS

2 High 5
4 At a Glance
6 Critter Corner
23 Where in the World?
37 The Gallery
38 A Closer Look
48 Say What?
49 Last Face

ACTIVITIES

40 Crossword
46 Your Turn

HIGH FIVE

Some forests are peaceful. Others are enchanted.
Many are in danger. What makes a forest a forest?
Read on to find out. Here are five fascinating facts
to get you started.

Established in 1914, New
Hampshire’s White Mountain
National Forest covers more
than 800,000 acres.
2

In-tree-guing. 1 orests are c assified into t ree different
t es. orea forest a so no n as

taiga is ocated t e fart est nort
and e eriences ong co d inters. tro ica
forest e ists a ong t e e ator and as ig
tem erat res and ong gro ing seasons.
tem erate forest goes t ro g fo r distinct
seasons so t e tem erat res ct ate
t ro g o t t e ear.

2 ne of t e most t reatened anima s on
t e anet is an ante o e ca ed t e sao a
(Pseudoryx nghetinhensis . co sin to t e
co it is fo nd on in t e o and forests of t e

nnamite o ntains in aos and ietnam. o g
it as t o orns t e sao a is often ca ed t e sian

nicorn eca se it is so rare. cientists estimate
t at t ere ma e on individ a s a ive.

3 ore t an of o r medicines come
from rainforest ants t e ave on
e ored of t e ants avai a e.
edicines a so come from rainforest anima
so rces s c as green a gae from a s ot s ac

sed to treat cancer and ma aria and sna e
venom for ig ood ress re.

4 e a t e of sea eed can gro to
feet ong. imi ar to a conifero s forest t at

is made of dense ac ed cone earing
trees a e forest is made of dense ac ed e
fronds ic gro in co d ocean aters. iant

e is t e most common t e and t e argest
sea eed on art .

ed oods ive onger t an an ot er tree

s a from to ears. e

o dest iving se oia is ca ed t e enera

erman. t stands feet ta from its ase to

its to and eig s . mi ion o nds.

3

AT A GLANCE

Leaves turn sunlight into food
and seeds help create new trees.
The leaves and seeds look different
depending on the species of tree.

4

5

CRITTER CORNER strang er fig
encases a temple.

This must be the
scenic root.

STRANGLER FIG BRINGS LIFE
AND DEATH TO THE AMAZON
RAINFOREST
Life Cycle

by Patty Claudio In the dark Amazon forest, plants

he Amazon Rainforest in South America fight for light. The strangler fig is
is one of the most important forests in one of the best competitors in the
the world, and fig trees are one of the rainforest. Read on.

• Sticky strangler fig seeds are

most important species in tropical dropped by birds and fall into cracks
rainforests. Of the 150 fig species in the Amazon, one of a host tree’s bark in the treetops.
of the most successful survivors is the strangler fig. They “start at the top,” and don’t
mess around growing from the soil

If you’re thinking this species sounds a little scary, on the forest floor.
you’re not wrong. In Peru, strangler figs are called • Taking advantage of the greater
matapalos (tree killers).
sunlight, air, and water in the
treetops, the sapling quickly grows.

6

• Some leaves and branches reach Banyan trees are considered FUN FACTS
upward toward the light. Other “aerial sacred by those who follow
roots” travel downward toward the soil. the Hindu faith. » Another name for

• As they grow downward, the roots wasp benefit. The wasps are about strangler figs is
of the strangler fig wrap themselves two millimeters long, and enter at the banyan trees. indus
around the host tree. They form a criss- bottom of the fig fruit. Once inside, consider them sacred
cross frame that completely surrounds they pollinate the flowers and also because the Buddha
the host’s trunk. reproduce. Without these special once meditated
wasps, there would be no seeds. beneath one.
• Once the roots reach the ground, And without the figs, there would be
the strangler steals the nutrients and no wasps. rainforest food web.
moisture that the host tree depended There are two other positive
upon for its survival. Ecological Importance
characteristics of the fig. First, the
• Meanwhile, at the top of the tree, Although they cause death to the host species seems to be maintaining
the strangler fig’s own leaves spread tree, strangler figs also provide life to stable populations. So, the
upward, overshadowing the host’s many other animals in the rainforest. International Union for
crown. The fig’s leaves take all of the The nooks and crannies in its hollow Conservation (IUCN) does not list it
life-giving sunlight. trunk provide important habitat to as being threatened or endangered.
insects, rodents, bats, reptiles, Secondly, strangler figs anchor their
• The host tree dies. amphibians, and birds. host trees during tropical cyclones.
• The strangler fig is now large and Thus, the killer fig can also act as a
strong enough to stand on its own. Its Many scientists consider strangler bodyguard.
hollow trunk is the only clue that there figs a keystone species, an organism
was ever a host tree. that helps hold a system together. Though some of the strangler
This is because figs bear fruit several fig’s survival strategies are shady
A Fig Is Born times a year. Different species of figs by human standards, it is one of

fruit at different times so there is the most extraordinary and
If you think that being a destructive always a supply of food for various successful trees found in the forests
parasite that kills its host is unusual, animals, even if other food is scarce. of South America.
things are about to get even weirder. And once herbivores eat fruit, they
Many fig species have a symbiotic become prey for predators in the
relationship with a tiny pollinator wasp.
That means that both the fig tree and

e roots of a strang er fig create
a criss-cross frame around its host
tree’s trunk.

7


By Kathy Rembisz forest is a fascinating place,
filled with trees and a variety
of interesting creatures, too.
It is a mysterious spot, a land
all its own, and it offers the
potential for exciting adventures. But
what exactly makes a forest a forest?

It is not unusual that the words trees meet and form a shade, must
“forest” and “woods” are often cover at least 10 percent of the land
swapped, either in conversation or below.
in writing. Although the two areas
are similar in some ways, they have In comparison, woods refer to an
distinct differences. For instance, a area of land covered by growing
forest is at least 1.24 acres in size. In trees, but it is smaller than a forest.

a forest, the trees are at least 16 feet This space does not have to meet
tall. The tree canopy, which is the the same requirements as a forest.
layer overhead where the tops of However, it can also have critters
that inhabit the space. A forest

FOREST LAYERS

Hiking is a popular

way to spend time

in the forest. 9

Tropical forests
can be found in
Southeast Asia.

pAlac p e op fo la rr a
hike.

The forest in the Oulanka
National Park in Finland is an
example of a boreal forest.

generally has a thicker canopy cover, through four distinct seasons, so the organisms. Above the floor is the
while the density of trees in the woods temperatures fluctuate throughout understory layer, located under the
is sparser. In many ways woods are a the year. They exist in eastern North leaves but above the ground. This
miniature version of a forest. America, northeast Asia, and central layer may be damp, and plants here
and western Europe. adapt to living in shady conditions.
Different varieties of forests exist The canopy layer of the forest is the

throughout the world. They fall into Regardless of the type of forest or area where the tree tops meet,
the categories of boreal, temperature, its geographical location, a forest is forming a thick overhead curtain. Just
and tropical. comprised of several layers. First, above the canopy is the emergent
there is the forest floor, a thick, rich layer. Here, gigantic trees poke out
A boreal forest, also known as carpet of soil, fungi, insects, and
taiga, is located the farthest north and
experiences long, cold winters. Boreal A walk in the woods? If it’s more than 1.24 acres in size with trees at least 16 feet fall,
forests span eight countries: Canada, it’s a walk in the forest.
China, Finland, Japan, Norway, Russia,
Sweden, and the United States.

In contrast to a boreal forest, a
tropical forest exists along the
equator and has high temperatures
and long growing seasons. Tropical
forests can be found in Central and
South America, western and central
Africa, western India, southeast Asia,
Australia, and the island of New
Guinea. The rainforest falls into the
category of a tropical forest.

Finally, a temperate forest goes

10

Fall foliage can be found in
temperate forests, like this
one in Czechia.

European Mink In the temperate forest, you
may encounter deer, squirrels,
Emperor Tamarin American Pine snakes, lizards, and turtles. The
Marten European mink is an animal
above the canopy, and this exclusive to this forest.
layer is home to a variety Species found in a boreal forest
of birds and insects. include moose, snowshoe hare, A tropical forest is home to
beaver, black bear, yellow perch, many interesting creatures. There
Perhaps the most and northern pike. At risk species are sloths, eagles, gorillas, and
exciting component of any such as caribou and wood bison frogs, for example. The emperor
forest is the creatures that live here, too. The American tamarin, a quirky-looking species
nest there. They are essentially marten, also known as American of monkey that appears to have an
the faces of the forest, and they pine marten, is an animal unique elongated moustache, also lives in
can vary greatly depending upon to the boreal forest. this type of forest.
the location. Inhabitants of each
type of forest adapt to the specific Any forest is an essential part
temperatures and conditions of their of the earth’s ecosystem. A forest
home so they may continue to survive produces oxygen, serves as home
and thrive. to many living things, and houses
medicinal plants and ingredients,
Each type of forest can be filled too. Every forest plays an important
with animals, birds, reptiles, insects, role in keeping our waterways
and other organisms. clean and healthy, as well. But
perhaps one of the greatest gifts
a forest provides is an inspiring,
recreational area for all to admire,
use, and enjoy.

11

by Patty Claudio

ight out of ten animals that live on land make their
homes in forests. Trees provide the air we breathe and
the wood we use. Though protecting our woodlands
seems like a no-brainer, forests are being cut down at
an alarming rate for timber, mining, and growing crops.
Read on to find out about five species whose futures
depend on the trees. These fascinating animals are all critically
endangered and struggling to survive. They are the tree kangaroo,
giant panda, saola, orangutan, and African forest elephant.

12

Going out on
a limb here.

Tree Kangaroo

These unusual koala/sloth/monkey/bear-like kangaroos live in
trees in the mountain forests of tropical New Guinea. They are
marsupials (animals that carry their young in pouches) with arms
that are longer and stronger than their land-loving kangaroo
cousins. Their movements in the trees are an odd mix of climbing
and hopping. The tree kangaroo eats mostly leaves and fruit from
trees and the ground.

Recently, a rare type of tree kangaroo, known as the wondiwoi
tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus mayri) was rediscovered. It was first
sighted in 1928 by a biologist who shot it and sent its pelt to a

London museum. No other members of the species were found for
90 years. Fast forward to 2018. Michael Smith, an Englishman who
traveled the world looking for rare plants, heard tales of the
mysterious animal and organized an expedition to search for it. In
a dense bamboo forest, high in the mountains of Papua, his team
finally spotted the elusive tree kangaroo—90 feet up in a tree.
Smith struggled to focus on it and shot it—with his camera, of
course. (Note the improved research techniques since the “shoot
first, study later,” technique used 100 years ago.) Scientists hope to
return to collect dung or a small piece of ear tissue to extract DNA
and compare with DNA from the pelt collected in 1928.

The future of the wondiwoi tree-kangaroo is uncertain, as there
is already a proposal for a gold mine in the park.

13

Giant Panda

Like the tree kangaroo, the giant panda also makes
its home in dense bamboo forests—not in Indonesia,
but in the high, rainy mountains of south central
China. These quick facts may help you understand
the panda.

1. Pandas are BIG eaters. Each day they fill their
tummies for up to 12 hours, digesting about 26
pounds of bamboo (the main staple of their
diets).

2. Panda’s scientific name, Ailuropoda
melanoleuca, means “black and white cat-foot.”

3. An adult female panda weighs 200 pounds.
4. Sometimes male pandas relax by doing

handstands against trees.
5. Pandas play an important role in the bamboo

forests by spreading seeds.

Saola

One of the most threatened animals on the planet is
an antelope called the saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis).
A cousin to the cow, it is found only in the lowland
Annamite Mountains of Laos and Vietnam. Though it
has two horns, the saola is often called the Asian
unicorn because it is so rare. Scientists estimate that
there may be only 25 individuals alive.

The saola was discovered in 1992, when a scientific
team was surveying the animals that lived in a nature
reserve on the Vietnam/Laos border. While in the
home of a local hunter, a team member came across a
pair of horns that were unlike any others from
Southeast Asia. Eventually, more horns ( from recent
kills) and a full skin were found and determined to be
a distinct species.

14

Orangutan

The name, orangutan (scientific
genus, Pongo), means “man of the
forest” in the Malay language.
This is fitting for the world’s
largest tree-climbing mammal.
With arms longer than its legs
and grasping hands and feet for
climbing, orangutans are well
adapted for life in the trees of
Borneo and Sumatra. Orangutans
have long orange hair that
sparsely covers their bodies, large
jaws, and flat noses on their
concave faces. Like pandas, they
are forest gardeners who spread
seeds in their habitats.

African Forest Elephant

African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) live in the dense rainforests of west and central Africa.
Their ears are more oval-shaped, they have straighter downward-pointing tusks, and they are not as
big as African savanna elephants. Despite their “smaller” size (the mere height of a basketball hoop
and the weight of an ambulance), they have huge appetites for fruits from many tree species. Like
pandas and orangutans, they are mega forest gardeners that help spread the seeds of many
rainforest trees to keep their habitats healthy and biodiverse. The range of the African forest
elephant has shrunk from 3 million square miles to 1 million square miles since 1979, and poaching

has killed 65% of their population from 2002-2013.

FAST FACT

Kangaroo expert, Roger Martin, of James Cook University in Queensland Australia, has a
solution to help these threatened animals. He suggests that “if we provide habitat for animals
and otherwise leave them alone, then they will get on just fine.” If only it were so simple.

“I am the Lorax
who speaks for
the trees, which
you seem to be
chopping as fast
as you please!”

—Dr. Seuss
The Lorax

his is a story of
yesterday, today,
and tomorrow.
Over the past 100
million years,
dense forests
grew to cover more than half the
Earth. As humans began to
flourish, we cleared the forests
for our own uses. Today,
rainforests the size of 20 football
fields are cut down every minute.

At this rate, we will have no
rainforests left at the end of the
century, according to NASA.

Bonobos make
their home in the
rainforests, or
jungles, of Africa.

What is a rainforest? ➜ Rainforests soak up a About 35,000 Yanomami people
live in the Amazon Rainforest.
A rainforest is an area of tall trees that
gets 80 to 400 inches of rainfall a year. lot of rain, filter it
Also known as jungles, rainforests
contain thick, tangled canopies of through forest floors,
plants, vines, and small trees.
and supply water to
Why are rainforests important?
streams and rivers.
➜ Rainforests are home to more than
They also help
half the known plant and animal
species on the planet. When the prevent erosion,
forests are cleared, they all die.
which washes away
➜ Trees help absorb the harmful
soil and causes floods.
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
and provide the oxygen that we ➜ They are home to
need to breathe.

indigenous people, native groups Amazon Rainforest. They are
➜ More than 25% of our medicines
who lived in the rainforests before somewhat isolated groups of hunter-
come from rainforest plants, but
we have only explored 1% of the colonists came. gatherers who cultivate small gardens.
plants available. Medicines also
come from rainforest animal Families live in a yanos (large
sources, such as green algae from
a sloth’s back to treat cancer and Where are the rainforests? community house) that circles a
malaria, and snake venom for high
blood pressure. Two of the largest rainforests are the central area used for feasts, rituals,

Amazon Rainforest in South America and games. The Yanomami believe

and the Congo Rainforest in Africa. everyone is equal. They make group

People of the Amazon decisions by having debates in which
Rainforest everyone gets a say.

The Yanomami and rainforest are

The Yanomami (yah-no-mah-mee) both threatened by mining,

are a group who live in the largest deforestation, fires, and climate

rainforest in the world—Brazil’s change. Thousands of gold miners

18