Disturbance Agents
Forests are complex systems of plants and animals
that are shaped by physical features such as soil type, altitude,
and aspect and through the effects of “disturbance events”.
These may be caused by environmental factors such as fire,
wind or snow damage or the activity of living agents such as insects
or fungi. Disturbances are a natural and necessary part of forest
ecosystem development and contribute to the maintenance of what
most consider healthy forests. When, however, insect or fungal population
levels are very high, or when prolonged or catastrophic environmental
events like major fires or extreme weather events occur, forests
can be altered in ways that affect their resource value (e.g. fiber,
wildlife or recreation). Similarly when alien
insect, fungal or plant species establish in Canada’s
forests significant ecological and economic damage can result.
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