Human and natural disturbances impacting forests.

Abstract

This paper describes the most common natural and human disturbance agents and their influence on forest health. The natural disturbance agents include: wildfires, wind effects; extremes of temperature and moisture, volcanic eruptions, pathogens, insects, and other animals (birds, mammals and marsupials). On the other hand, the human disturbance agents include: air pollution, global change, salt injury, introduced plants, introduced insects, introduced pathogens, forest management activities, and wars. The relationship between disturbances in forests and human health is discussed. Finally, case studies on forest disturbances are given.