%0 Journal Article
%T A Review of Forest Resources and Forest Biodiversity Evaluation System in China
%A Jinzhuo Wu
%A Wenshu Lin
%A Xuanyi Peng
%A Weiguo Liu
%J International Journal of Forestry Research
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/396345
%X China is a country rich in diverse forest ecosystems due to the large span of the country, complex topography, and multiple climate regimes. In this paper, the basic information of forest resources in China was briefly introduced and the current state in the measurements of forest biodiversity and the establishment of forest biodiversity index systems in related studies were reviewed. The results showed that a lot of studies on forest biodiversity have been conducted mostly at landscape or stand level in China and the commonly used biodiversity indicators were identified and compared. Several comprehensive forest biodiversity index systems were proposed. However, there are still some problems during the construction of forest biodiversity assessment system. Due to the late establishment of biodiversity monitoring system in China, the availability of data that could be included in a forest biodiversity index system is limited, which hurdles the precise assessment of forest biodiversity. It is suggested to develop long-term monitoring stations and keep data recording consistently. Concerns should also be given to the construction of the framework of the forest biodiversity index system and the determination of the indicatorsĄŻ weight. The results will provide reference for the establishment of national or regional forest biodiversity evaluation indicator systems in China. 1. Introduction Forest biodiversity refers to all forms of life found in forests, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, and their roles in nature. It may be the richest of all the terrestrial ecosystems. Tropical forests alone contain some 50 percent of all known vertebrates, 60 percent of plant species, and possibly 90 percent of the worldĄŻs total species [1]. Currently, forest biodiversity is increasingly threatened due to the activities linked to human beings. It is essential that all countries in the world work together to reduce forest loss and protect biodiversity. Following the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), held in Rio De Janeiro in 1992, a range of national and international processes have been established to maintain biodiversity [2]. CBD always emphasizes the importance of prediction and prevention in order to eliminate the root causes of biodiversity reduction or loss and put forward specific requirements on the implementation of biodiversity monitoring and assessment for the contracting parties. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) also urged all countries to enhance the construction of biodiversity monitoring system,
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijfr/2013/396345/