Introduction
Forest Ecosystem Services a n d B i o d i v e r s i t y
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Forest biodiversity provides m a n y valuable ecosystem services w h i c h are f r e q u e n t l y undervalued,
I n t a c t forests serve as habitat t o
a
diverse set of a n i m a l c o m m u n i t i e s w i t h tropical r a i n f o r e s t s having
t h e highest b i o d i v e r s i t y o f any t e r r e s t r i a l ecosystem. 80% of t h e world?s t e r r e s t r i a l species are forest
dwellers. The b i o d i v e r s i t y o f plants, animals and m i c r o b e s w i t h i n a f o r e s t ecosystem is essential for the
m a i n t e n a n c e o f ecosystem functions
As forests are degraded t h e value o f t h e ecosystem services t h e y p r o v i d e are likewise reduced. For
provisional services such as w o o d , food, and medical m a t e r i a l s t h e e c o n o m i c loss can be calculated
fairly easily. H o w e v e r t h e cost o f diminished regulating a n d c u l t u r a l services is o f t e n more difficult to
assess. These include c l i m a t e r e g u l a t i o n , soil conservation, w a t e r r e g u l a t i o n and purification, and
recreation a m o n g o t h e r s .
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Task # 1
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Collecting Data f o r Forest Trees
Each g r o u p will collect t h e f o l l o w i n g data f o r 13 d i f f e r e n t t r e e s . Clearly m a r k y o u r t r e e w i t h the
c o l o r e d chalk s u p p l i e d t o y o u r g r o u p . At each tree: i d e n t i f y t h e species, measure the diameter at
b r e a s t h e i g h t and assess t h e h e a l t h o f t h e t r e e using t h e f o l l o w i n g scale.
C o n d i t i o n o f Tree
The f o l l o w i n g classes are available t o choose f r o m . I f it's w i n t e r and y o u r t r e e is deciduous, think about
w h a t t h e tree l o o k e d like w h e n it did have leaves.
Excellent ? Tree has less t h a n 1% o f its leaves missing.
* G o o d ?T r e e is m i s s i n g 1-10% o f its leaves.
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* Fair ? Tree is missing 11-25% o f its leaves.
* P o o r ? T r e c is m i s s i n g 26-50% o f its leaves.
* Critical ? Tree is m i s s i n g 51-75% o f its leaves.
* D y i n g - Tree is missing 76-99% o f its leaves.
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Dead ? Tree is missing all o f its leaves.