19. Afterword
383
and provide many fascinating parallels with the northern flora, the mammalian fauna is relatively species poor and lacks many of the niche
mammals present in North America. Likewise, the forest birds and freshwater biota of Chile are quite distinctive, not only in terms of evolutionary
history but also in terms of the niches occupied and overall community
structure. Of key importance are the uniqueness and specialization of the
rainforest fauna and flora in Chile, as contrasted with the generality and
widespread nature of many biota associated with northern rainforests.
Tighter interrelationships of plant and animal species, as illustrated by the
key role of a few species of birds to seed dispersal and flower pollination,
also suggest a greater potential sensitivity of Chilean forests to environmental change.
The unique cold, wet climate of high- and temperate-latitude rainforests
in both hemispheres appears to be a key factor leading to convergent
tendencies in both structure and function. This unique climate has lead to
analogous soils (despite geological differences) and disturbance regimes
and to similar environmental stresses for biota . Similarities in geography
and offshore processes may also have contributed to convergence in the
interrelationships of terrestrial and marine ecosystems in both hemispheres.
The key role of climate in driving these convergences underscores the
critical importance of examining the sensitivity of parallel environments
to climate change.
Human Activities
The management of high- and temperate-latitude rainforests to ensure
their long-term sustainability poses a challenge for a number of governments in the Americas . The results reported in this volume demonstrate
that many tools and extensive expertise exist to assist in making resourcemanagement decisions. Furthermore, there are examples from Canada
and Tasmania where conservation principles and policies have been
formulated and plans for their implementation in a coordinated way have
been developed . However, the ever increasing demands of industry for
access to coastal rainforests for logging purposes and for other development activities are a serious and growing threat to the ecosystem integrity
and biodiversity of these systems. To balance the pressures for growth
and exploitation , stronger institutions with the requisite mandates, authorities, and commitment are needed to develop more environmentally
sound policies and to implement corrective actions. Furthermore , there
is a clear need to develop on a priority basis a better understanding of
the interactions between human activities and institutional policies and
their effects on forests and forest ecosystems in both North and South
America .
383
and provide many fascinating parallels with the northern flora, the mammalian fauna is relatively species poor and lacks many of the niche
mammals present in North America. Likewise, the forest birds and freshwater biota of Chile are quite distinctive, not only in terms of evolutionary
history but also in terms of the niches occupied and overall community
structure. Of key importance are the uniqueness and specialization of the
rainforest fauna and flora in Chile, as contrasted with the generality and
widespread nature of many biota associated with northern rainforests.
Tighter interrelationships of plant and animal species, as illustrated by the
key role of a few species of birds to seed dispersal and flower pollination,
also suggest a greater potential sensitivity of Chilean forests to environmental change.
The unique cold, wet climate of high- and temperate-latitude rainforests
in both hemispheres appears to be a key factor leading to convergent
tendencies in both structure and function. This unique climate has lead to
analogous soils (despite geological differences) and disturbance regimes
and to similar environmental stresses for biota . Similarities in geography
and offshore processes may also have contributed to convergence in the
interrelationships of terrestrial and marine ecosystems in both hemispheres.
The key role of climate in driving these convergences underscores the
critical importance of examining the sensitivity of parallel environments
to climate change.
Human Activities
The management of high- and temperate-latitude rainforests to ensure
their long-term sustainability poses a challenge for a number of governments in the Americas . The results reported in this volume demonstrate
that many tools and extensive expertise exist to assist in making resourcemanagement decisions. Furthermore, there are examples from Canada
and Tasmania where conservation principles and policies have been
formulated and plans for their implementation in a coordinated way have
been developed . However, the ever increasing demands of industry for
access to coastal rainforests for logging purposes and for other development activities are a serious and growing threat to the ecosystem integrity
and biodiversity of these systems. To balance the pressures for growth
and exploitation , stronger institutions with the requisite mandates, authorities, and commitment are needed to develop more environmentally
sound policies and to implement corrective actions. Furthermore , there
is a clear need to develop on a priority basis a better understanding of
the interactions between human activities and institutional policies and
their effects on forests and forest ecosystems in both North and South
America .