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Forests are integral to the quality of human life and the environment. They provide food, fuel, shelter, clean water,
medicine and employment for people. Forests are home to 70% of the world‛s terrestrial animals and plants. Forests clean
the air we breathe, reduce concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, keep sediments from entering rivers,
lakes and protect against flooding, mudslides and erosion. When managed in a sustainable way they can continue to supply
current and future generations with a wide range of essential ecological, social and economic goods and services. Forests
can either be described as man-made or indigenous forests and woodlands.
Indigenous Forests and Woodlands
Natural high forests (indigenous forests) cover a very small part of the surface area of South
Africa. They are mainly found in the southern and eastern parts of our country and are composed of
naturally growing indigenous trees that were not planted by man. These are dense forests that contain trees of different sizes and many other plants. They normally occur in
areas of high rainfall, high humidity and on sheltered mountain sides. An example would be the Knysna forest. >> more information
Because of its importance many of these forests are conserved either as State Forests or they are
protected in formal conservation areas. Many do occur on private land.
Indigenous woodlands cover almost one third of the surface area of South Africa. This would
include proper woodlands of tall growing trees as well as bushland (bushveld).
The indigenous
woodlands are also comprised of naturally growing indigenous trees. This type of forest is not so dense and
therefore one usually finds grass growing between the trees. An example would be the savanna in the Kruger
National Park. >> more information
Man-made Forests
The vast areas of plantations in South Africa are all man-made forests. In most cases all of these trees were individually planted by hand, example,the pine plantations around Sabie. Most towns and cities also have trees that were planted by the people living there. One could possibly describe these as urban forests. >> more information
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