Forests and Lakes

For today's class, we had the opportunity to experience some of Denmark's forests and lakes first hand. Since 1780, the woodland acreage of Denmark has gone through different changes, experiencing increase and decreases in the amount of area covered my forest. In modern day Denmark, forests account for approximately 12.8 % of the country's land mass. Looking back into Denmark's history, forests have always played an important role in its culture and development. Utilized as a natural resource in the early development of Denmark, forests were used to build on a large scale, and eventually became depleted. The Danish government decided to to put a stop to this by replanting thousands of trees, and to this day, woodland acreage is at an all time high in Denmark.

Today, woodland forests provide a number of useful functions to society. On an ecological scale, forests provide natural habitats for a wide range of animals, help to filter harmful CO2 emissions, and also aid in stabilizing soil and preventing sand creep. On a social level, forests and lakes provide a natural recreational area for people. As seen today during our class, forests and lakes provide people with many types of opportunities, which includes hiking, kayaking, and even touring by boat.

Although the forested area surrounding the lake was man made, it still felt very natural to me, and seemed far removed from the city. The greenspace was natural yet functional, and was the perfect way to be active and enjoy the weather. The peaceful environment is something that anybody could enjoy, providing people with many opportunities. This is a reason why woodland forests are such an important piece of Denmark's identity, and is a reason why they will continue to be in the future.