Table of contentsIntroductionGlobal status of large ancient trees facing multiple threatsWildlife dependence on large ancient treesConclusionIntroductionThe global decline of large ancient trees due to anthropogenic alteration has attracted considerable interest globally and could result in the loss of many wildlife species. In recent decades, approximately 10 to 40 percent of the world's species face a critical threat of extinction. Some believe a sixth mass extinction may be underway. Ross et al. 20183 described anthropogenic habitat loss as the leading cause of biodiversity loss globally. According to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), "488 species are classified as extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened or of special concern", with habitat destruction being the most important factor. threatening 84% of vulnerable species in Canada. . Due to its higher economic value, the loss of large populations of old-growth trees due to selective logging practices is classified as a major driver of habitat loss for several threatened species. 5. To reverse these losses, it is essential to recognize the importance of large old tree habitats, understanding the drivers of their decline and its impact on the wildlife species that depend on them for nesting and feeding. This essay is a result of the issues/controversies identified during the field visit to the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary and will review the empirical literature on large, valuable, old-growth trees and the associated wildlife population. The trial will also examine different management policies for protecting these remaining giant vertical habitats. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay One of the oldest and largest living organisms on Earth is known to be large ancient trees. These giant vertical structures play a key role in ecological functioning and provide a range of ecosystem services such as providing habitats or protective cavities for around 30% of vertebrate species in some environments, providing sufficient food for a large number of animals in the form of nectar, fruits. , flowers and foliage help connect ecosystems by attracting pollinators and seed dispersers and providing nests for many wild animals. These giant trees also sequester a massive amount of atmospheric carbon, provide microenvironments for diverse species, and play an essential role in local hydrological functioning. The key function of large, ancient trees continues for hundreds of years, even after the trees die, and provides nesting services for many species. The mature tree begins to produce a number of distinctive physical characteristics such as a massive amount of coarse woody debris, organic matter, nesting, den and roosting cavities, and dead branches. The formation of large ancient tree habitat structures requires hundreds of years. For example, it takes 120 to 220 years for cavities to form in eucalyptus. These cavities/hollows provide key facilities such as feeding, nesting, resting, predator escape or hibernation to a significant number of taxonomic groups including vertebrates, invertebrates and mammals. Global status of large ancient trees facing multiple threatsLarge ancient trees are subject tomultiple human-caused threats such as logging, infrastructure development (highways, roads, residential projects, pipeline construction), clear-cutting, and selective logging. , agricultural land and pastures. Of the world's approximately 3.04 trillion trees, 15 billion trees are cut down each year, according to recent estimates, indicating a critical reduction in the population of trees of various genera, including large old-growth trees. Interestingly, there may be key interactions between factors threatening large old tree habitats. For example, land use changes like forest fragmentation, clearcutting, or selective logging can interact to increase the susceptibility of certain habitats to deadly wildfires. Lindenmayer et al 201311 explained that in the middle boreal forest of Sweden, large trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than 50 centimeters have almost completely disappeared despite their high concentration in the forest a century ago. In North America, less than 1% of the distribution of large dead Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) with a diameter at breast height greater than 63.5 cm remains in logged areas. In Australia, the abundance of large old tree stands in mountain ash forest is predicted to result in a massive population decline, from an average of 5.1 large old trees/hectare at 1998 levels to an average of 0 .6/hectare over the next five decades. In the Brazilian Amazon, studies predict that 53% of large old trees with a diameter greater than 60 cm have died in the last 30 years. In Canada, the red pines (Pinus resinosa) found in the Wolf Lake Forest Reserves are the largest old-growth conifers in North America and an essential food source for songbirds, chipmunks, mice and squirrels. However, pines currently face imminent threat from industrial, mining and logging activities, with only 0.6% of old-growth red and white pines remaining intact in their range prior to European settlement in South America. North. York suggested that the felling of large trees would likely create a long-term negative impact, particularly on wildlife and biodiversity, and further argued that despite historical exploitation focused on the felling of large trees and their possible long-term damaging effects, the culling of these giants is a necessity. still common in the United States. Vaillancourt et al. argued that in the boreal coniferous forest, the presence of large tree structures is threatened by the current even-aged silviculture system, so that wildlife that depends on these habitats is also likely to be affected by extensive forestry operations. In addition, large old trees are threatened by various other natural and unnatural factors such as wildfires, grazing by herbivores, drifting agricultural pesticide spraying, felling of trees in urban areas due to concerns about human safety, several diseases and wasting syndrome. old treesThe association of some wildlife species is so important that the presence of large old trees provides a cost-effective alternative to their existence and abundance. In Australia, 42% of vertebrates and 28% of reptiles depend on large tree cavities. In the United States, John et al. 2017, studied the population of spotted owls (Strix occidentalis) in territories that experienced massive felling of large trees in unlogged areas, and found high population extinction rates.