What is meant by a forest ecosystem?

A forest ecosystem is a complex, self-sustaining community of living organisms—including trees, plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms—that interact with each other and their non-living environment (like soil, water, and climate) within a forested area. This type of ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining biodiversity, regulating climate, supporting the water cycle, and sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Forest ecosystems are classified into various types, such as tropical rainforests, temperate forests, and boreal forests, based on their geographical location and climate. Each type has its unique flora and fauna adapted to the conditions of that specific environment. The health of a forest ecosystem depends on the balance between its biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components, and it is often affected by natural events like fires or floods and human activities like deforestation and pollution.