Maintaining Biodiversity in Forest Ecosystems

Forests harbour a disproportionately large share of the earth's biodiversity and provide a wealth of resources that are exploited by humans. This book discusses the ways in which we can continue to benefit from forests, while at the same time conserving their biological diversity.

The maintenance of the earth's biological diversity is widely seen as both necessary for ecosystem integrity and aesthetically desirable. This book focuses on how biodiversity can be maintained in forested ecosystems, particularly in those forests that are subject to timber harvesting. At the core of the book lies the concept that diversity should be conserved in all its forms, from the smallest microbes to the largest trees, and at all levels of organization, from genes, through to whole ecosystems. Introductory chapters on biodiversity and ecological forestry lead on to sections dealing with management at the macro (landscape) and micro (stand) levels. A concluding section considers socio-economic and policy perspectives which inform an overall synthesis and framework for the implementation of successful management practices. Thirty-three experts from ten countries contribute to this thorough and comprehensive account, providing a broad-based perspective which will be of interest internationally.