Objectives

The objective of this module is to introduce you to some of the many different aspects of forest biodiversity and forest health that it is important for you to understand. Throughout this course, it will be impossible to examine every topic in the depth required for you to obtain a full understanding of all aspects important to forest management. There is a huge volume of material published on the topic and you will find numerous books, for example, on forest biodiversity. The objective is to provide you with an overview of the key issues and principles involved.

Relevant Components

• Indicators of forest biodiversity
• Indicators of forest health
• Key management strategies to maintain forest biodiversity and forest health
• The effects of climate change on forest biodiversity and forest health

After taking this module, you should be able to:

1. Describe the key components of forest biodiversity
1. Define biodiversity theoretically
2. Define biodiversity operationally
3. Explain why biodiversity is so important
4. Describe why both temporal and spatial scales are so important
5. Describe concepts such as forest matrix, connectivity, fragmentation and variable retention
6. Explain how habitat elements can be used to examine the effects of forest management on forest biodiversity

2. Explain the key components of forest health
1. Describe a healthy forest
2. Explain the relationships between ecosystem function and forest health
3. Explain the disease triangle
4. Describe the different impacts of abiotic and biotic disturbances
5. Explain how anthropogenic disturbances, such as air pollution, can impact forests

3. Describe how forest biodiversity and forest health can best be managed, especially in the face of climate change
1. Explain how human activities can lead to outbreaks of forest pests
2. Describe the implications of climate change for forest health
3. Explain the links between forest health and human health