1. Function Type of benefit Description
 Evapotranspiration gives off water vapour
 Condenses to form clouds and soon rain
 Rain falls, replenishing water bodies
AND
Maintaining quantity of water Ecological  Rain is intercepted by leaves and branches
 Do not fall directly to the ground.
 Reduces surface runoff
 Increases infiltration
 Greater volume of groundwater
 Continuous water flow to water bodies
 Soil layers help filter impurities
(trapping them between pore spaces)
 Rainwater seeps further to form groundwater
Maintaining quality of water Ecological AND
 Rain is intercepted by veg cover
 Reduces speed and flow of water
 Less soil particles picked up into rivers
 CO2: taken in by plants during photosynthesis
Replenishing O2,
Ecological  O2: given out by plants during photosynthesis
Removing CO2
 Regulates global temperatures
 Decomposing fallen trees and leaf litter releases
nutrients back into soil increasing nutrient content
AND
Maintaining nutrients in the soil Ecological
 Roots of trees hold soil particles
 Prevent nutrient loss during soil erosion by wind
or water, quality of soil maintained
 Roots of trees hold soil particles
 Reduces soil erosion on river bed
Preventing floods Ecological/Social
 Deposition of sediment makes river shallow
 Reduces ability of river to contain water
 MGR forests absorb energy of waves
Protecting coasts Ecological/Social
 Reduces soil erosion as roots hold soil particles

2.  Roots of MGR trap waste materials
 Filter the water before it flows into sea
Natural treatment of waste water Ecological
 Bacteria in soil of MGR break down
biodegradable wastes, convert them to nutrients.
 Forests are homes to more than half of all species
of flora and fauna in the world.
Habitat for flora and fauna Ecological
 TRF: tigers and rare species of orchids of MAS
 CFR: grizzly bears of N America
 Timber: paper and furniture
 Rattan: furniture and baskets
 Fuelwood, charcoal: heating and cooking
 Sago, midin, forest animals: consumption
 Quinine in Cinchona: drug against malaria
 Bark of Eastern White Pine tree: cough syrup
Source of useful materials Economic  Tannin in Rhizophora: treatment of leather
 Sap of east African mangroves: black dyes
 Resin: wood varnishes and ointments
 Forests are a renewable resource (+)
 Takes 40 years before maturity (-)
 Forests are cleared faster than they regrow
 60 mil people live in TRFs of Southeast Asia,
Habitat for people Social South America & Africa.
 Example: Korubu tribe in Amazon TRF.
 Ecotourism can gain revenue for a country while
it does not damage or harm the natural environment.
Recreation/Ecotourism Economic
 Example: Taman Negara as a national park
 Activities (eg. rafting and hiking) are carried out.
 Development of new medicines and new
varieties of crops thru studying of forest plants
 New sources of food and medicines may be
Research and Education Social found.
 Scientists study animal-plant interactions,
weather-animal-plant relationships to understand
human-ecosystem relationships