Functions of dead wood in forest ecosystem services

Abstract

The article analyzes the functions and role of dead wood in the context of forest ecosystem services. The research was carried out by an analytical review of literary sources. A classification of the functions of dead wood is proposed, according to which the following main groups of functions are distinguished: supporting, habitat-providing, protective, resource and informational. Supporting — functions related to the main ecosystem processes. These include functions in the biological cycle of substances and energy, accumulation of nutrients and water, carbon deposition, regulation of ecosystem processes, and participation in soil-forming processes. The ecological functions of dead wood consist in providing habitats for species of flora and fauna, forming a substrate and a favorable environment for development, and preserving the biodiversity of forest ecosystems. Protective — functions aimed at the protection and preservation of certain components and processes of the ecosystem. They include control of surface runoff, soil protection, prevention of erosion and water protection functions. The resource functions of dead wood are the provision of natural resources that are used for human needs, including in industry, construction, other branches of production, as well as a fuel and energy source. The informational functions of dead wood are to provide opportunities for cognitive development, which are realized in a person’s acquisition of scientific and educational, cultural and artistic, spiritual and historical information. The proposed classification is schematic, since the division into function groups is based on the main functions of forest ecosystems in general. The ecological and protective functions of dead wood are interconnected, influencing each other, performing another new function. In the conditions of today’s global environmental challenges and awareness of the importance of dead wood as an important component of forest ecosystems, we consider the research of habitat-providing and informative functions of dead wood to be promising. At the same time, taking into account the current trend of switching to renewable energy sources, the importance of the resource functions of dead wood and its role in carbon deposition will be no less relevant. Ensuring a balance in the provision of deadwood ecosystem services is an important aspect of sustainable development.