Fôrets

Fôrets are large areas where trees predominate, forming complex ecological communities that include understory vegetation, fungi, and a diversity of animal life. They occur across biomes, including tropical, temperate, and boreal zones, and can range from primary forests with little human disturbance to managed plantations. The term fôret is used in some linguistic contexts as a variant spelling of forests; the concept remains the same: an ecosystem dominated by woody vegetation and structured in vertical layers.

Forests play a central role in global biodiversity, climate regulation, and earth system processes. They store carbon in biomass and soils, influence water cycles, and help prevent soil erosion. They provide habitat for countless species and support ecological interactions such as pollination and seed dispersal. In addition to ecological functions, forests offer resources like timber and non-timber forest products, and hold cultural and spiritual value for many communities.

Human activities pose significant pressures on fôrets. Deforestation, selective logging, mining, and agricultural expansion reduce forest area and fragment habitats. Climate change, wildfires, pests, and invasive species can degrade forest health and alter species composition. Conservation and sustainable management efforts include protected areas, certified sustainable forestry, restoration and reforestation projects, and recognition of indigenous land rights. Effective stewardship often requires integrated approaches that balance ecological integrity with the livelihoods and needs of local populations.