bark, bugs, leaves and lizards, trees

Trees and the ecosystems that surround them make up an invaluable part of our environment. Trees are woody plants that have secondary branches that come off a central trunk structure. Tree trunks are generally covered in bark, and are a vital part of the natural landscape of the planet. Many animal and insect species depend on trees and forests for their survival, with thousands of different bugs, lizards and other types of animals living either on or near trees. The main parts of a tree are the roots, the trunk, the branches and twigs, the leaves and the bark.

The bark that is found on the surface of a tree is made of phloem and other tissues which are external to the vascular cambium in the wood. Tree bark has many uses, ranging from the manufacture of paper to its use in some herbal medicines. Trees can be split up into either exogenous or endogenous varieties - depending on how their stem diameter increases. Most trees are exogenous trees, meaning that they grow outwards with the addition of new wood. Endogenous trees in contrast, grow inward. Exogenous trees can be measured in terms of age by counting their growth rings, as each passing year adds another ring to the structure of a tress’s trunk.

Another thing that you will always find in a forest environment, along with all of the trees - are the insects. Whether you love them or hate them, insects play a vital role in the various ecosystems of the planet. Insects are commonly referred to as bugs, and with over one million described species, and probably many more still undescribed, they make up a large part of the diversity of life on earth. Insects can be divided into the two groups of winged or unwinged bugs, and many can even swim as well. Bugs can often be seen on the leaves of trees, in the air, or living on the ground in a variety of forest environments.

Lizards are another creature that share the forest environs, and can be found in all of the continents on earth except for Antarctica. There are nearly 5000 species of lizard roaming the planet, varying in size from a few centimetres to three metres in length. Many lizards live near thick tree lined areas of the earth, and are often seen climbing and hanging on to the leaves and bark of trees. The varieties of trees, bugs and lizards that are found in many separate nations are just a few examples of just how diverse life can be on planet earth.