Biodiversity

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Biological diversity, or the shorter "biodiversity," means the diversity, or variety, of plants and animals and other living things in a particular area or region. It describes the variability among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part. Biodiversity includes diversity within species, between species, and between ecosystems. (MA, 2003)

Effects of tree species richness and composition on moose winter browsing and selectivity

Mammalian herbivores play important role in forest regeneration. Selective browsing by moose and deer on saplings of preferred tree species may have considerable impact on tree species survival and species composition of naturally regenerated stands. On the other hand, in many countries across Europe game production is an important ecosystem service and ability of forests to support sufficient densities of game such as deer, moose and wild boar is of economic importance as well.

Tree species diversity mitigates disturbance impacts on the forest carbon cycle

Biodiversity fosters the functioning and stability of forest ecosystems and, consequently, the provision of crucial ecosystem services that support human well-being and quality of life. In particular, it has been suggested that tree species diversity buffers ecosystems against the impacts of disturbances, a relationship known as the “insurance hypothesis”.

The understorey, a forest layer with an underestimated importance for ecosystem functioning

The major forest types in Europe, from the Boreal to the Mediterranean region, all include a variable number of native vascular plant species in the understorey layer (1.3 m height), both herbaceous and woody. In spite of its small stature and biomass this layer can contain 90% or more of the plant species of the forest. The functional role of the understory vegetation has already been shown in previous studies on temperate forests. They can serve as:

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