What is the distribution of tree species in forests?
The concept of biological diversity, or biodiversity, encompasses the variety of existing life forms, the ecological roles they perform, and the genetic diversity they contain. In forests, this diversity allows species to adapt continuously to changing environmental conditions and to contribute to the functioning of the ecosystem. From a human perspective, forest biodiversity also maintains the potential for tree breeding and improvement, in view of meeting human needs for goods and services. While timber production often dominated the way in which forests were managed during the past century, new pressures have now given rise to a more balanced approach of sustainable forest management. This approach involves the conservation of biodiversity in view of obtaining multiple goods and services. Though monitoring biodiversity and the way it is affected by forestry practices is important, there is no single measure that reflects all aspects of biodiversity. For policy purposes, various ecol
