(Conservation Currents, Northern Virginia
Soil and Water Conservation District, Jan 2003)
Trees and forests are marvelous places to
learn the definition of biological diversity. Much of what
one can see, hear, smell, and touch can become important information
in thinking about biological diversity. What can be seen
and heard will depend of the type of forest, the time of year
and time of day, the weather, and sometimes just what happens
to wander into the forest. But each and everything observed—from
the different trees, shrubs, and other plants, to the birds,
squirrels, or other wildlife—are a part of the biodiversity
in that forest.
Knowing about different forests is a good
way to begin thinking about how to treat forests so that a variety
of plants (flora) and animals (fauna) flourish.
The most biologically rich place in the
forest is the soil. Millions of tiny bacteria and other
organisms found in the soil, but too small for the naked eye,
create the living base for the forest. Hence, protecting biodiversity
requires the protection of the soil and its life as well as
the more visible plants and animals.
The canopy, the very tops of the trees,
is another whole world of life that is an important part of
the forest community. Scientists study these treetop dwellers
and often are astounded by the proliferation of life, sometimes
including species never before recorded because they have lived
their entire life cycles far off the ground and out of sight.
These unseen fauna are a vital strand in the forest’s future.
They produce food for other species, use other species for food,
recycle plant material and nutrients, and help assure that the
forest community can function. Though these animals are often
unseen, they are still vital for the success of the forest.
For people who own or manage forests, understanding
these various parts of the biological community can provide
ideas for how to treat the forest so that all the various living
“parts” can continue to function.
|
