Besides providing habitats for animals and livelihoods for humans, forests also offer watershed protection, prevent soil erosion and mitigate climate change. The extracts, seeds, leaves, and bark from these plants and trees treat several diseases while being non-toxic to the human body. . The most important is the marine biodiversity which is highest in the Western Pacific. Why Is Biodiversity Important In Forests? Flora Biodiversity Fauna Biodiversity Forest Health and Conservation Historical Background The herbarium of Forest Research Institute Malaysia (internationally known as KEP) began in early 1900s with the humble collection made by A.M. Forests, climate change and us Healthy, intact forests are vital to our own survival, as well as that of the animal and plant species they harbour. Bio, in its simplest form, means life. 2. Biodiversity is necessary to maintain balance in the ecosystem. Biodiversity is a Vital Part of the Solution to Climate Change. A wealth of information is awaiting discovery. Many ecosystems - such as forests and wetlands - store vast amounts of carbon in them. Biodiversity loss increases risks of disease and poor nutrition. That's why biology is usually defined as the study of living things. One of the main reasons we should continue to focus on preserving biodiversity is that it helps to boost ecosystem productivity. 1. ann arborwhen local residents are allowed to make rules about managing nearby forests, the forests are more likely to provide greater economic benefits to households and contain more biodiversity, two university of michigan researchers and a colleague conclude from an analysis of forest practices in tropical developing countries of east africa Forests contribute about 1% of the global gross domestic product through timber production and non-timber products, the latter of which alone support up to 80% of the population in many developing . Conservation of forest biological diversity and forest genetic resources (C. Palmberg-Lerche). We depend on forests for our survival, from the air we breathe to the wood we use. Forests provide a safe habitat for animals and plants. Forests fulfil numerous important functions, and do so particularly well if they are rich in different species of trees. Forests are incredible repositories of genetic diversity. A prime example is when an area is deforested of large amounts . Biodiversity keeps soils fertile, agricultural pests in . Some examples include quinine, curare, rosy periwinkle, wild yams, extracts of willow trees, calabar bean, and samambaia. Bamboo, rattan, and forest biodiversity 20 Mar 2020 Deforestation, forest degradation and climate change are threatening the incredible diversity of life in forests. Biodiversity value of ponds Before starting the surveys, our estimations of the number of ponds in the Forest were around 50, but we can now confidently say there are well over 100 ponds here, and probably many more . Importance of forest. It is important for preserving the diversity of species. 20 March 2020 - Bamboo and rattan are common to tropical and subtropical forests around the world. Forests are an excellent place to forage for wild foods such as berries, mushrooms, leaves, tubers, and nuts; and the wild animals that live in forests are an important source of protein. Tropical 3.4. but they are some of our best stewards of biodiversity in the forests at the moment. For example, the giant catfish is an important local staple. Biodiversity conservation is critically important for economic development and for poverty alleviation. A proper functioning ecosystem is going to be naturally more resistant to harsh environmental conditions like climate change. Similar patterns can be observed by analysing 5054 forest plots of the German National Forest Inventory. Forest Ecosystems and Biodiversity 3.1. 8. Biodiversity is important to the survival and welfare of human populations because it has impacts on our health and our ability to feed ourselves through agriculture and harvesting populations of wild animals. Replace vast swaths of grass and ornamental invasives with native trees and shrubs. The wood grown in forests is used in our houses for furniture, roof timbers and flooring; forests store carbon from the air and thus counteract climate. We depend on them for the very air that we breathe, as well as for clean water, rich and stable soils, flood protection, timber, food and pharmaceutical ingredients. Morin et al . Forests also support the life of some of the world's endangered species. Bamboo and rattan can provide a solution. Ecological life support: Biodiversity supports ecosystems that offer oxygen, clean air and water, plant pollination, pest control, wastewater treatment, and a variety of other ecosystem services. What is the role of biodiversity in habitat stability? Frequent fires in the Himalayan region of Uttaranchal in the Indian Himalayas have been blamed for forest deterioration. Forests hold most of the Earth's terrestrial biodiversity, therefore preserving forest biota is crucial for global biodiversity conservation ( FAO and UNEP, 2020 ). Preserving biodiversity in habitats that are impacted by human activities is important because (i) these habitats make up an increasingly large portion of the globe ( Norris, 2008) and (ii) about one third of the world's 10,000 bird species have been recorded in human-dominated and mostly agricultural habitats ( ekerciolu et al., 2007 ). However, forest biodiversity is increasingly threatened as a result of deforestation, fragmentation, climate change and other stressors. This means we value biodiversity both for what it provides to humans, and for the value it has in its own right. For instance, snails and other mollusks might seem expendable. Temperate 3.3. They also provide shelter to birds and other life forms. And people also value nature of itself. Furthermore, in the Amazon basin alone, more than 1,300 species of forest plants Challenges: Deforestation is the greatest driver of the loss of valuable biodiversity, with around 10 million hectares lost to deforestation each year, mainly for agricultural expansion. Purifies the Air Forests play an important role in the purification of the atmospheric air. The Importance of Forests on Biodiversity Regulating the atmosphere and the hydrological cycle are essential to maintain a high level of global biodiversity. Biodiversity Natural state Forests are critical homes to plant and animal species. Some rain forests are among the oldest ecosystems on Earth. Forest Biodiversity Forests are biologically diverse systems, representing some of the richest biological areas on Earth. Planners, scientists, and coastal dwellers have now come to value them as the remarkably diverse and important ecosystems they are. Forests are of great importance to mankind. Forests also comprise non-living components such as lakes, ponds, soil, rocks, etc. They also clean the air by removing pollutants, giving oxygen, and captures carbon dioxide before it becomes a greenhouse gas. Biodiversity is important to people because we depend on other species and the ecosystems they create. As an ecosystem, the Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places on earth. 08.10.22. They offer a variety of habitats for plants, animals and micro-organisms. Forests are critical habitats for biodiversity and they are also essential for the provision of a wide range of ecosystem services that are important to human well-being. The strongest evidence for the impact of hunting, from China to Indonesia, is the existence of large areas of suitable, but unoccupied, habitat ("empty forests") for most of the vertebrate species that are widely hunted. Forests harbour a large proportion of the Earth's terrestrial biodiversity, which continues to be lost at an alarming rate. To provide and develop key scientific knowledge to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem services in Malaysia for their wise management and sustainable utilisation. Trees Trees help conserve soil and water. More This will increase the frequency of pine beetle and other insect attacks; milder winters may encourage the early emergence of other forest pests. For example species with high genetic diversity and many populations that are adapted to a wide variety of conditions are more likely to be able to weather disturbances disease and climate change. A majority of the world's poor live in rural areas and depend upon forests, water, wetlands, fields and pastures for their livelihoods. The Amazon is the largest tropical rain forest in the world. We value biodiversity for many reasons, some utilitarian, some intrinsic. Ecosystem diversity 3. Carbon storage and habitat provisioning for biodiversity are two of the most important ecosystem services provided by forests [1,2].Forest ecosystems are large terrestrial carbon pools, sequestering approximately 34% of annual anthropogenic carbon emissions [].As such, forest management aimed at increasing carbon storage is a major component of natural climate solutions (NCS). Speakers during the 26th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO26 . Economic stability Plants and animals are essential part of the ecosystem and comes under the biological component. Introduction. Biodiversity is also important locally, constituting a natural capital underpinning many human activities, in particular livelihoods of the world's poor. Up to 30 percent of tree species are now threatened with extinction. these forests are increasingly threatened by infrastructure development, agriculture, and unsustainable extraction of natural resources (e.g., minerals, bushmeat, and timber), all of which is. Forest biodiversity. In the light of the increasing population pressure, it is of major importance . Diversity comes from the adjective 'diverse', meaning variety. They also provide shelter, jobs and security for forest-dependent communities. Human Health Many medications are derived from natural chemicals made by a diverse group of organisms. This includes all trees, plants, animals, insects, birds, fishes, and even fungi. Found within the rain forest are plants and animals that have helped make advances in medicine; for example, the bushmaster's venom led scientists to discover medicines to treat high blood pressure. Mangrove forests were once generally dismissed as swampy wastelands. Some 1.6 billion people in the world rely on forests and non-timber products for income and subsistence. When we destroy these ecosystems, this carbon escapes into the atmosphere, worsening . Rising temperatures may influence forest growth due to drought stress and declining soil moisture. A few of the reasons explaining the importance of biodiversity are: Ecological Stability Every species has a specific role in an ecosystem. Mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs work as a single system that keeps coastal zones healthy. Biodiversity is an umbrella term that refers to the different forms of life on Earth. Natural forests which occur naturally help in reducing soil erosion, protect biodiversity, fight greenhouse gas emissions, and provide employment to many. Greater biodiversity in ecosystems species and individuals leads to greater stability. Imogen Rutter, Biodiversity Officer, shares some of the findings and what they mean for the management of the Forest's ponds. Biodiversity Drivers of change Changes to forested habitats can lead to the extinction of the species that depend on them. But still, the product functions can not be neglected. It also helps in sustainable management and utilization of species and ecosystems. Biodiversity is essential to many livelihoods, including that of farmers, fishermen, and forest workers. Provide habitat, food and protection to plants and animals: Urban forests are homes to many birds, insects, animals and several microorganisms which provide essential ecosystem services. Furthermore, we group the forest stands into nine forest structure classes, in which we find increasing, decreasing, invariant and even bell-shaped relationships between productivity and diversity. Forests are the most diverse ecosystems on land, because they hold the vast majority of the world's terrestrial species. Biodiversity also describes ecosystems or environments that contain a high degree of this variation for example, the Amazon rainforest. Forest Age/Successional Stage and Biodiversity Preservation . For example, approximately 60% of all higher plant species are based in rainforests. Among invertebrates, only honeybees ( Apis species) are subject to widespread direct exploitation, for honey and wax. Biodiversity is important to most aspects of our lives. Plenty of aesthetically pleasing native plants exist, and their benefits to the ecosystem, Tallamy says, will appear in just a few years. Let us spell Biodiversity which will be (Bio+ diversity), Bio will be biological organism or living organism and diversity will be variability . Economic Importance of Forests The product functions of forests in India are lesser than the protective functions. A forest is defined as an area forming an ecosystem. Biodiversity is a term that is commonly used when referring to mother earth and all its inhabitants. Timber, pulpwood, firewood, fodder, meat, cash crops, fish and medicinal plants from the forest provide livelihoods for hundreds of millions of . Mangroves provide essential habitat for . Without a wide range of animals, plants and microorganisms, we cannot have the healthy ecosystems that we rely on to provide us with the air we breathe and the food we eat. Forest Conservation Preserves Biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation is vital for economic growth and poverty reduction. They are home to 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity, and they also form the source of livelihood for many different human settlements, including . 4. They allow the analysis of a variety of species mixtures over long periods. Leipzig. Forests are of great importance to humans. Importance of Forests in Our Life Forests are rich in herbs, plants, and trees of medicinal value. Forest biodiversity is important because: Forests may be the richest of all terrestrial ecosystems ; It provides important sources of food, medicines, energy and building materials; It sustains the livelihoods of and provides jobs for hundreds of millions of people worldwide . The importance of forests cannot be underestimated. 6. As a consequence of . Human Health Many medications are derived from natural chemicals made by a diverse group of organisms. Over 3 million species live in the rainforest, and over 2,500 tree species (or one-third of all tropical trees that exist on earth . Biodiversity is essential for the processes that support all life on Earth, including humans. The diversity of tropical forests makes them very efficient at processing nutrients. Forests also support biodiversity by offering enabling environments where different plants and animals can easily thrive. Biodiversity provides ecosystem services, food, medicines and natural products, economic benefits and natural beauty. It is true that frequent fires on large scales cause air pollution, mar quality of stream water, threaten biodiversity and spoil the aesthetics of an area, but fire plays an important role in forest ecosystem dynamics . Forest The importance of forest structure to biodiversity-productivity relationships Authors: Friedrich J. Bohn Andreas Huth Abstract and Figures While various relationships between productivity. This is because ecosystems and Earth's physical systems are closely connected. They capture and store energy and also produce and decompose organic matter. Biodiversity, therefore, describes the diversified nature of all . In addition, forest managers do not have to decide on the . Importance of biodiversity: 1. Environmental sectors, like forestry and fisheries, are important entry points for women's economic empowerment. Ecosystem Productivity. In biodiversity, tropical forests play an important part and where they carry 90 per cent of the world's species. Biodiversity is important because each . Loss of forest biodiversity can be stopped without disrupting livelihoods - if actions are taken to halt and reverse deforestation, combat illegal and unregulated forest activities and prevent the conversion of natural forests into forest plantations, say experts. These forests provide food to several birds, animals and insects which later becomes important components in the food web. Dead and decaying matter is quickly broken down by decomposers and almost instantly taken up by another. They are incredibly smart, capable of . We depend on forests for our survival, from the air we breathe to the wood we use. An important reason to conserve biodiversity is that it is vital in the fight against climate change. Forest biological diversity is broad term referring to all the life forms found within forested areas and the ecological roles they perform. Montane 4. Conservation of forest biological diversity, including forest genetic resources, is essential for sustaining the productive values of forests, for maintaining the health and vitality of forest ecosystems and, thereby, for maintaining their protective and environmental roles. The importance of forest biodiversity . Growing emissions problems . Globally, forests cover nearly one third of the land area and they contain over 80% of terrestrial biodiversity. They help maintain balance in the ecosystem and their loss poses a significant threat to biodiversity. Forest conservation is vital because of its positive effects against global warming and for the protection of biological diversity and indigenous peoples. Humans benefit greatly from a few cultivated species. The role of forests in maintaining biodiversity is explicitly recognised by the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030. Safeguarding forest areas strengthens the management of natural resources such as the planet's fresh water 75% comes from these ecosystems and increases land yield. According to the regional assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services, there is a strong and continuous biodiversity loss in European forests ( IPBES, 2018 ). In addition to field studies and experiments, forest models serve as a means of investigating biodiversity-productivity relationships. Fight climate change Forests also play an essential role in food preparation since about one-third of the world's population uses wood fuel for cooking. As such, forest biological diversity encompasses not just trees but the multitude of plants, animals and micro-organisms that inhabit forest areas and their associated genetic diversity. . Genetic diversity is as important as species diversity in maintaining ecological processes. Approximately 1.6 billion people worldwide rely on forests for their livelihoods, especially the rural poor. Deforestation is the single most important driver of forest biodiversity loss with 10 million ha of forest converted every year to other land uses, primarily for agriculture. The importance of forests cannot be underestimated. The ecosystem supports the services without which humans cannot survive. AMNH. In turn, species that live within forests play an important role in maintaining forest health. The Relationship between Forest Biodiversity and Ecosystem Function (Deadline: 30 April 2023) The Effect of Hybridization on Forest Biodiversity: Challenges and Perspectives (Deadline: 25 May 2023) Forest Species Distribution, Diversity and Growth under Climate Change (Deadline: 25 June 2023) Wildlife in Forest Habitats (Deadline: 10 July 2023) Biodiversity is important to the survival and welfare of human populations because it has impacts on our health and our ability to feed ourselves through agriculture and harvesting populations of wild animals. Individuals of a Therefore, the future of forests and forestry in sustainable development at all levels was at the core of the XIV World . More diverse the ecosystem, the more productive and balanced is the ecosystem. 9. In existing forests, grasslands, and shrublands, such benefits are likely to be less pronounced. More What's new 1. The solution to typical biodiversity-killing lawns is simple, though landscape property with an eye to the ecosystem. The following are benefits of maintaining biodiversity in our forest ecosystems: Economic Species contribute many known and unknown values to forest health. The Importance of Forest Ecosystems Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity Forests are one of the most biodiversity- rich habitats on Earth. Those experts found that planting trees on degraded lands is likely to have a greater positive effect on biodiversity, especially if indigenous tree species are used. It is globally important for its biodiversity as well as its role in climate change. Both the extent and quality of forest habitat continue to decrease and the associated loss of biodiversity jeopardizes forest ecosystem functioning and the ability of forests to provide ecosystem services. Changing climate and fluctuating water availability can make species survival very difficult. Boreal 3.2. forests provide habitats to diverse animal species. Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80% of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. There is increasing evidence that biodiversity contributes to forest ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services. Following are some points illustrating the importance of forests: Forests help in maintaining the water cycle on earth.