Stefan Sikone
Every body knows the importance of forests. Water is an important forest product. Forest soils are giant sponges. They soak up rain, so that it sleeps slowly into the ground. In high mountain forests, winter snow is shaded from the sun and sheltered from drying winds, and often lasts well into summer. Most towns and cities depend on these forest reservoirs. Forest streams flow steadily in dry weather. But when trees are cut, the soil is exposed and washes or blows away. The rain runs off quickly, causing erosion and floods.
Wildlife is another forest resource. They provide food and shelter for a large and varied population or birds and animals. Millions of people look to the forests as places of recreation.
Long ago, wood was the principal building material in the world. Houses were made of wood. Wood was the chief fuel for cooking and heating. People use wood to make weapons, wagons, fences, furniture, and many other things.
Reforestation and the fight against fires, insects, and diseases are important parts of forest management. Another is forest improvement. Many forests need selective cutting. If diseased and crooked trees and trees of undesirable species are removed, the remaining trees grow more quickly. Where good trees close together, some are cut to increase the total annual grown of the remaining trees. Forestry research is developing new tree strains that grow faster, taller, straighter, and are more resistant to disease.
The enemies of the forests are diseases, insects, and fires. Most of the forest fires are caused by people. Heavy insect infestations can be fought by spraying chemicals from aircraft of from the ground. But these chemicals kill harmless insects too, and they may kill birds and fish. Forests are seeking better methods of insects’ control. Some diseases are fought by using chemicals; some removing diseased trees; others by removing plants that transmit the disease.
Is taken from Drs. Artono Wardiman, Penuntun Bahasa Inggris Berdasarkan Kurikulum 1984,
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