Importance of biodiversity (wildlife and ecology) in the Canadian boreal forest

Thesis Statement

The study focuses on Forest Ecology, Biodiversity in forests and forest sustainability.

Introduction

The topic under study focuses on the importance of biodiversity and ecology in the forest and the role they play in the forest's life. The paper includes discussion about Canadian boreal forest and the importance of biodiversity in Canadian boreal forest with a little description of biodiversity and forest ecology. The topic also explores the ways in which biodiversity is tied in the circle of the life of forest. Moreover, the topic explores the ways in which animals contribute towards forests.

Discussion

Canadian Boreal Forest

Canada's boreal forest is one of the three remaining large forests on the planet. Canada's boreal forest is one of the last frontier forests in the world. Although most of the great forests of the planet have been destroyed by industrial development, the boreal forest of Canada is still a haven for billions of migratory birds, the majestic caribou, and many delicate plants and predators.

Total area of the Canadian Boreal forest comprises of around 33 percent of the circumpolar boreal forest. The total area of Canadian boreal forest, measures up to 1000 kilometers. The area of this forest covers southern and western parts of Canada, separating rainforest and woodlands. The boreal region of Canada, itself comprises of more than 14% of Canada's total population (Payette, p.271).

Although the number of plant and animal species is fairly well-known in the mid and higher latitudes of Canadian boreal forest, the number of distinct rank of organisms in the tropics, especially of insects and microorganisms, will never be fully enumerated. Estimates place the total number of biota (plant and animal life) at between 4 million and 20 million species, although only 1.7 million species have been documented to date. The beetles, with about 24% of all known species, are far and away the most species-rich taxon. Compare this group to plants, which make up 14%, and birds and mammals, which together make up only 2.7%, of the world's species (David, p.271).

Industrial development and its side effects, such as climate change, are the greatest threat to the Canadian boreal forest. Although the majority of the forest are still safe but, industrial activities such as deforestation and mining of oil continue to fragment and reduce the last great wilderness areas. The majority of the boreal forests to the south are allocated to logging companies. These have now almost free rein to the majority of the boreal forest.

For the past few years, more than 8000 square kilometers of boreal forest area have been cut and about one million hectares of public forests, nearly 90% of this region is unsustainably (Payette, p.288). Deforestation threatens some centuries-old forests, degradation of natural habitats and the transmutation of a majority of forests with coniferous forests, which composed of deciduous trees.

Forest Ecology

The study of Forest ecology is scientific in nature. It includes the study of patterns and processes which are interrelated to each ...