1.
natural forest; naturally-grown forest
A forest that has grown naturally rather than being planted by humans. Contrasted with 人工林 (plantation forest). Used in forestry, ecology, and environmental discussions.
自然林を守る。
To protect natural forests.
この山は昔からの自然林で覆われている。
This mountain is covered by natural forest that has existed for ages.
自然林は人工林よりも多様な生物が住んでいる。
A wider variety of living things inhabit natural forests compared to plantation forests.
伐採された自然林を元の状態に戻すには、何十年もかかる。
It takes decades to restore a logged natural forest to its original state.
Composed of 自然 (nature, natural) and 林 (forest, woods). A forest in which the trees have grown from natural seed dispersal rather than being deliberately planted. It typically contains a mix of species and age classes, in contrast to the uniform rows of a plantation forest.
USAGE:
Common in forestry policy, environmental reporting, and nature writing. Sometimes used loosely to mean any forest that feels "wild," even if it has experienced minor human activity.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 自然林を守る: to protect natural forests
- 自然林を再生する: to restore natural forests
- 自然林が残る: natural forest remains
- 豊かな自然林: a rich natural forest
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 天然林: natural forest — a near-synonym, more common in forestry terminology
- 原始林: primeval forest — a stricter term for completely undisturbed forest
- 人工林: plantation forest — the direct antonym; planted and managed by humans
- 雑木林: mixed woodland, coppice — a small natural forest of mixed broadleaf trees, often near villages