forestsdominated

Forestsdominated is a term used to describe forest stands in which a single tree species accounts for the majority of canopy cover, basal area, and biomass. The phrase forestsdominated is not widely used in technical literature; the concept is more commonly described as stands dominated by a single species, or by one or a few dominant species while others remain subordinate.

Dominance patterns arise from disturbances, site conditions, and successional stage. Fire, wind, drought, pests, and human activities such as selective logging can reduce competitor diversity and allow a dominant species to persist. Over time, regeneration, competition, and climate factors shape whether dominance is maintained or shifts to other species.

Ecological implications include changes in biodiversity, habitat structure, and nutrient cycling. Dominant-species canopies limit light to the understory, influencing regeneration and community composition. Dominant stands may be more vulnerable to species-specific pests or climate stress, though in some cases they may be more productive or resilient to certain disturbances.

Measurements and management: researchers quantify dominance using metrics such as relative basal area, relative stem density, and importance value (the sum of relative dominance, frequency, and density). Management implications aim to maintain ecosystem value by promoting heterogeneity—protecting understory diversity, converting to mixed-species stands, or applying uneven-aged silviculture to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience.

In practice, forestsdominated describes many plantation and natural stands with strong species dominance. It is distinct from monospecific plantations in that minor species may be present but have limited influence on structure and function. The concept highlights how species composition shapes ecosystem processes and responses to disturbance.