Forest Primeval

The sweeping image of a treetop canopy so thick that it looks like a mass of green clouds is something that covered our beautiful planet at one time. Progress and the development of cities and countries has changed the face of our world.  Fortunately, today, there are still pockets of old growth forests, or forests primeval.. Each one a small world of nature in balance.

Trees, in varying stages of growth, from seedling to ancient old fellows of 300+ years grown alongside each other. (The average age of a primeval forest tree is 150+ years.)  Bits of old, decaying tree trunks decompose into the soil to enrich the earth for future generations of trees as well as a perfect place for insects, plants and moss and  fungi to grow.  All adding to and enhancing the balance of  perfection.

In these secluded places we would find species of plants, animals, trees that are rarely seen by humans, or new discoveries.  One important aspect of these forests is the fact that the cures for diseases that we are not yet aware of are waiting to be discovered there. .  The Amazon Rainforest has been a treasure trove of medical discoveries over the years.   Animals that we may have never imagined are living and thriving there.

The European Bison, found in the Białowieża Forest,

between Belarus and Poland.  This is the largest mammal on the European continent. This herd is protected by law because they are now considered endangered.

This little fellow is a member of the Poisonous Dart Frog family. It has not been given a name yet. It was found in the Amazon Rainforest.

This is a new species of ant, which has been found to live in the canopy of trees in  old growth forests in tropical areas.

The Madagascar Periwinkle, now extinct, was discovered to have medicinal qualities that helped to increase  the survival rate of childhood leukemia from 20%  to 80%.  Fortunately, before it went extinct, scientists were able to copy the chemical formulation of the plant.

And, of course, the old reliable aspirin that we all use comes from the bark of the willow tree.

The huge swaths of green also serve a purpose in helping to keep our air clean.  Carbon in stored in these forests, giving off oxegen in exchange.  The destruction of the rainforests and the old grown forests have contributed greatly to the 'Greenhouse Effect' on our environment.

I chose this topic for today's letter F because I see photos of  rainforests and old growth forests, ancient trees, etc. and I  always am fascinated by them.  Every living thing, and even non living thing has a purpose.  I find that fascinating!

Click on the link to the right to join us as we continue through the alphabet!