Seeing the Forests for the Trees - Research Paper Example

Seeing the forest for the trees Introduction Jocassee Gorges is a rain forest at the United s and is the only temperate rain forest in the United States. The forest is found in the North Carolina, east of the Rockies Mountains. The forest location is at the Blue Ridge escarpment which cuts across north to east and from South Carolina to Virginia. The trees/forest growth in this region, experiences rainfall that is comparable to those of tropical rainforest and this accounts for 2032mm rainfall, moderate temperatures, the lush vegetation.

Common soil in this region include Typic Dystrochrepts and Humic and Typic Hapludults (Byrd 1972)The Jocassee gorge location is on high elevation. The location significantly affects the rainfall due to the Orographic lift. These happen when an air mass is forced from a low to higher elevation as it moves over rising terrain, this accounts for 2,000 feet (609m).As the air gain altitude, it expands and cools raising the relative humidity to 100% hence creating clouds and frequent precipitation.

The forest has more than 60 species of rare and endemic plants good for botanist. The forest also has five streams flowing through gorges state park; these streams supply water to the forest over the ridge escarpment. Jocassee Gorges has 125 plants and animal species and its 12 endangered plant and animal species. This plants includes, Pringles aquatic moss and Carolina star moss, other species includes mountain laurel, rhododendron, white pine, red oak, and hickories. Animal species includes fox, wild boar, wild turkey, black bear, and white-tailed deer, and with the highest population of green salamanders.

The Diseases and pests Forest diseases and pest have been a big problem in different countries globally; threatening the lifespan trees in the forest. There are a number of diseases and pest that affect the development of the healthy plants in the forest. Include threats such as those posed by fungal pathogen, Phytophora Rumorum, as noted by (Evans & Webber, 2002)Pine Looper moth, Bupulus Piniaria, Pine shoot beetle, Tomicus Piniperda are also part of the insects that can be dangerous to trees such pine and Oak.

There are other considered insect that are the threat to the forest globally such as elm leaf beetle, Asian gypsy moth, beech scale, and hemlock woolly Adelgid. Forest have major threats of diseases such beech bark disease, Dutch elm disease, dogwood anthracnose, larch canker, butternut canker and others such as chestnut bright. In most cases, different diseases and pest attack on forest may vary between certain weather conditions. Conclusion A forest act as a habitat to many living organisms, some may be destructive to the forest while others are harmful.

The forests provide food to different living organism, but if not controlled, the harmful organism can be dangerous to the forest. Diseases constantly must be controlled, and regularly checked in order to sustain the forest. It is, therefore, the work of the forest management; whether the government or other stakeholders to take measures of such problems to enhance sustainable forest conservation.Reference.Byrd, H. S. (1972). Soil survey of Pickens County, South Carolina. USDA Soil Conserve. Serv., U.S. Gov. Print.

Office, Washington, DC, 70p.Evans, H. Webber, J.A (2002). Pest and Diseases. In: Forest research annual report and account 2000-2001. The stationary office, Edinburgh, 12-23.