Biodiversity1, or biological diversity, can be defined as the number and variety of plant and animal species, genes, ecosystems, and ecosystem functions in a specific area. Habitat and habitat diversity are particularly important concepts for forest managers and owners to …
Do managed plantations result in monocultures that reduce biodiversity?
Some forest ecosystems exist naturally in monoculture stands. For example, yellow pine species in the southeastern US have existed in pure monoculture stands for centuries because they are the first species to repopulate a site after a disturbance (hurricane, fire, …
Many organisms live on decaying wood, so if decaying wood is removed from the forest for energy production, will it negatively impact the native ecology?
Removing decaying wood from the forest disrupts the life cycle of decomposers (decay fungi, insects, bacteria, etc.), which in turn can disrupt the food source and habitat for other plants and animals. The degree of disruption to the native ecology …