Ecological Importance Of Forest

Forest provide a wide range of ecological, social and economic benefits; tropical ecosystems are exceptionally rich and exclusive reservoirs of much of the biodiversity on Earth, an estimate of 10-30 million species is found in tropical forest alone, they comprise very complex ecological communities of different species that have unique ecological importance (Mersha, 2003). Apart from being reservoirs of other forms of biodiversity, forests are important as water catchments, soil erosion barriers, source of timber and non-timber materials. A large proportion of the earths’ biodiversity (species, genetic and ecosystem), which may have significant environmental and economic value, is found in forests. Tropical moist forests account for probably more than half of the earth’s plant and animal species.

In spite of the multi-various usefulness of the forest resources, rapid population growth and changes in land uses have put the forest resources under pressure. For instance, majority of logging operations in tropical countries are considered

Traditional agroforestry practices benefit to biodiversity through in situ conservation of tree species on farms, reduction of pressure on remaining forests, and the provision of suitable habitat for plant and animal species on farmland. This practice provide important habitats for biodiversity, ecologically sustainable buffer zones for protected areas, a high quality matrix that promotes movement between forest fragments, and ecosystem services such as pest control, pollination, and erosion control. Furthermore, agroforest produce are important sources of income for local people. It is possible to see agriculture as a diverse system and treat it as an extension of natural habitats that can be guided to grow our needs (Bichier,