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The long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, geologic formations, and the ocean. For instance, peat bogs are significant carbon sinks.

The layer of vegetation beneath the forest canopy. Examples include shrubs, saplings, and ferns that grow in the shaded environment below the tree canopy.

Variety of life in all its forms and combinations and at all levels of organization, including the diversity of species, ecosystems, and genetic variation. For example, the Amazon rainforest has a high biodiversity.

The removal of a forest or stand of trees where the land is thereafter converted to a non-forest use. Examples include the clearing of forests for agriculture in the Brazilian Amazon.

A transition area between two biological communities, where two communities meet and integrate. An example is the area between a forest and a grassland.

Effects, processes, objects, or materials that are derived from human activities, as opposed to those occurring in natural environments without human influences. For example, anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions are the main cause of climate change.

A large naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat. For example, the coniferous forest biome, also known as taiga, which circles the northern hemisphere.

A forest that has attained great age without significant disturbance and thereby exhibits unique ecological features such as biodiversity and home to many rare species, like the spotted owl in Pacific Northwest forests.

The interface between land and a river or stream. These zones are important habitats and provide ecosystem services. For example, riparian buffers help protect water quality in streams.

The upper layer or habitat zone, formed by mature tree crowns and including other biological organisms like birds. For example, the rainforest canopy is home to unique species like tree frogs.

A species on which other species in an ecosystem largely depend, such that if it were removed the ecosystem would change drastically. Example: The gray wolf in Yellowstone National Park.

The process by which the structure of a biological community evolves over time. Two types are primary and secondary succession. Example: The gradual replacement of herbaceous plants by shrubs and trees after a forest fire.

The benefits people obtain from ecosystems including provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. For example, forests provide ecosystem services like air purification and water regulation.

A stable and mature ecological community with little change in the composition of species. For example, the complex temperate forests of the Pacific Northwest can be considered climax communities.

The practice of controlling the growth, composition, health, and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values. Example: The practice of thinning young stands of trees in Germany.

Management of forests according to principles of sustainability that meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Example: FSC certified forestry practices.

The process of establishing a forest or stand of trees in an area where there was no forest. Example: Planting trees in the Loess Plateau of China to combat desertification.

The capacity of an ecosystem to respond to a perturbation or disturbance by resisting damage and recovering quickly. Example: A forest displaying resilience may quickly return to its original state after a wildfire.

The breakup of a habitat into smaller pieces, usually as a result of human activities. Example: Roads and urban development divide a forest into smaller, isolated patches.

The reduction of the capacity of a forest to provide goods and services. An example of forest degradation is excessive selective logging which leads to a loss of biodiversity and changes in forest structure.

An integrated approach of using the interactive benefits from combining trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock. Example: Planting shade trees over coffee plantations to protect the plants and reduce soil erosion.

Albedo refers to the reflectivity of a surface, or how much sunlight that surface reflects. For example, snow-covered areas have a high albedo compared to forested regions.

Species that are non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause harm. Example: The introduction of kudzu vine in southeastern United States, which chokes out native plants.

The process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy, normally from the sun, into chemical energy that can be later released to fuel the organisms' activities. The equation is