LARTS 447 Forest Ecology
Forest ecology is the study of forested ecosystems, their living (biotic) and non-living (abiotic) drivers, and the theories and tools that we use to understand forests and project how they will change. Forest ecology considers forest succession as the change in species structure over time but also addresses disturbance dynamics such as wildfire, carbon and nitrogen dynamics, forest soils, and climate. These drivers operate together over long durations (the life span of the typical tree) to create the forests that are a defining feature of our biosphere. Ecosystem services are the benefits of ecosystems to human well-being. Forests directly and indirectly contribute many ecosystem services, such as timber, clean water, nutrient cycling, carbon storage, maintenance of wildlife habitat, and cultural benefits such as outdoor recreation.