Influence of Anthropogenic Activities on the Diversity of Forest Ecosystems

Abstract

Forests are intricate ecosystems composed of several characteristics that interact with each other across different spatial levels. They cover 31% of the earth’s surface area with an estimated economic value of $4.7 trillion annually. Forests are ecologically sensitive, most productive, and highly diverse ecosystems of the biosphere. Sustainable management of forest ecosystems is vital as they deliver a variety of services and functions that are important in sustaining livelihoods. Forest ecosystems contribute substantially to the economic development of various communities all over the world. They are vital for the regulation of ecosystem functions and services like the provision of food and freshwater supplies, biodiversity habitats, air purification, and regulation of global climate. However, due to the increasing rate of industrialization, and urbanization coupled with the population increase, the demand and pressure on forest ecosystems all over the world has increased. This has led to the large-scale destruction of forests, extremely degrading their quality and health. Every year, large areas of diverse forest ecosystems vanished with dramatic impacts on global biological diversity. Climate change, fragmentation, invasive species, overexploitation, and deforestation are the main causes of the loss of forest ecosystems. Studies throughout the world have examined that these pressures have focused on fluctuations in the diversity and richness of forest species. This chapter provides a special insight about the forest resources of the country with a special focus on ecosystem services provided and the anthropogenic threats they are exposed to.