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Forest Biodiversity: Understanding Biological Health in Our Forests

This article provides strategies for conserving forest biodiversity, provides a brief overview of species of concern in Pennsylvania, and suggests ways you can conserve biodiversity in your forest.

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Updated:

March 20, 2026

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What Is Biodiversity?

The decline of forest habitat and the related loss of biodiversity is a worldwide environmental issue. Biodiversity refers to the richness or variety of animal, plant, and other life in a given area, from the tiniest snail or plant to the largest predator. Biodiversity encompasses not only the species themselves, but the complex interactions among species and the natural communities and ecosystems they form.

It is useful to think of biodiversity on three levels: genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Genetic diversity--each individual organism is unique, even among their own species. Species uniqueness is slow to develop and cannot be duplicated or retrieved once it is lost. A diverse gene pool increases a species' ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Species diversity--the variety of different species.
Ecosystem diversity--the variety of physical environments and biotic communities over a landscape.

Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity all interconnect. As we understand the processes that occur at different biodiversity levels, considering the effect management decisions have on species and their environment is important.

Singing Wood Thrush — Healthy forests provide habitat for diverse wildlife like this wood thrush.

Strategies for Conserving Forest Biodiversity

Many factors contribute to biodiversity decline or loss. Often, these factors are indirect and involve complex ecological interactions. A few indirect causes include habitat loss and fragmentation, introduced species, pollution, and poor management practices. The following strategies to help conserve forest biodiversity are important:

Protect habitat

One strategy for conserving forest biodiversity is to provide and protect a variety of habitats for plants and animals. Diverse habitat types ensure the potential for a wide range of plants and animals.

Reduce fragmentation

When a large habitat is broken into smaller fragments, certain plant and animal species cannot spread easily. Three species groups affected by habitat fragmentation are:

species with large home ranges (e.g., bears and large carnivores)
species unable to disperse easily (e.g., many amphibian and reptile species)
habitat-interior species (e.g., forest songbirds)

Some species easily survive habitat fragmentation. Deer and raccoon are generalists and often benefit from fragmentation.

White-tailed deer can thrive in fragmented forest patches, but many other species do not.

Control introduced animals or plants

Introduced species may outcompete native species and have detrimental effects on the forest ecosystem. Spongy moths are an example of an introduced species.

Reduce pollution

Pollution has negative effects on forest ecosystem productivity and may make certain species more prone to damage from insects and disease.

Use sustainable harvesting practices

Sustainable harvesting practices protect the environment by conserving soil, controlling stream sedimentation, protecting residual trees from damage, and promoting desired regeneration.

Practicing these strategies can maintain, or perhaps increase, biodiversity in forest ecosystems.

The Role of Private Forests

Private forestland owners help conserve biological wealth, simply because they own most of Pennsylvania's forestland. If you are a forest landowner, we encourage you to learn about the values your land has to offer, and to manage it to meet as many of your objectives as possible. The following are benefits of maintaining biodiversity in our forest ecosystems:

Economic

Species contribute many known and unknown values to forest health. Humans benefit greatly from a few cultivated species. A wealth of information is awaiting discovery. For instance, snails and other mollusks might seem expendable. However, scientists recently discovered that certain mollusks do not get cancer. Scientists are searching for the chemicals that produce this natural immunity.

Environmental

Biodiversity is the basis for life-sustaining ecological services such as nutrient cycling, photosynthesis, decomposition, soil creation, climate regulation, removal of pollutants, and insect control. These processes contribute to the stability of the Earth's ecosystems and contribute to higher quality air, water, and food.

Personal values

Many people support biodiversity because it satisfies personal values. These personal values are as varied as the people who hold them. Most people agree that we have a responsibility to ensure that future generations have all the pieces to sustain life on Earth.

Personal enjoyment

Biodiversity contributes to our enjoyment of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and peace of mind.

Fisherman in a stream — People benefit from healthy forest ecosystems too, like this fisherman on the banks of a stream in autumn

Pennsylvania Species of Concern

As a good steward of the land, it is important to be aware of plant and animal species and ecological communities of concern designated as imperiled, critically imperiled, threatened, or endangered and how management activities in your forest may affect these species.

"Critically imperiled" (G1) or "imperiled" (G2) species or ecological communities are globally rare or, because of certain factor(s), especially vulnerable to extinction. Nongovernmental organizations such as NatureServe and Natural Heritage Programs, or the World Conservation Organization (IUCN) designate G1 and G2 species or communities.

For Pennsylvania, G1 species include several freshwater mussels. G2 species potentially affected by forest management activities include the Indiana or social bat and the small-whorled pogonia. Both of these species, where they occur, are sensitive to forest-management activities.

Indiana bat — The Indiana Bat is an "imperiled" species native to Pennsylvania forests. Photo by Josh Johnson

What Can You Do to Conserve Biodiversity?

In managing your forest, think about how your activities can improve important habitat features. As you conduct harvesting activities, consider the following:

Retain some tall and short trees as well as a mix of species when harvesting timber, even when clearcutting.
Increase the number of potential snags (i.e., standing dead and dying trees) and large downed trees. Be aware that snags can be a safety risk when logging.
Protect and retain important wildlife habitat features.
Conserve native tree and plant communities.
Retain and promote mast production for wildlife.
Protect and manage aquatic and riparian areas.
Work with neighbors and hunters to control deer numbers since white-tailed deer have been proven to adversely affect tree regeneration, wildflower diversity, and habitat for other wildlife species.
When harvesting trees, use Best Management Practices for Pennsylvania, which is a guide for promoting forest stewardship.