The conservation, and exploitation, of biodiversity are variously supported on scientific, economic, spiritual, aesthetic, cultural, religious, and moral grounds. Measuring forest biodiversity is beset by problems. Their efforts have improved our understandig of some aspects of forest biodiversity. The following summarizes key findings regarding the condition and trends of biodiversity in forest ecosystems, as well as the quality and availability of data. Conditions and trends WWF has identified more than 200 ecoregions as outstanding representatives of the world's diverse ecoystems and, therefore, priority areas for conservation.
Forest types account for two-thirds of all terrestrial ecoregions.
Nearly three quarters of the world's threatened bird species have restricted breeding ranges and remain confined to relatively small areas. Centers of plant diversity have been identified as conservation priority areas, rich in plant diversity or endemism. Nearly three quarters of the centers are found in forests. Less than 8 percent of global forest area is legally protected. Legal safeguards appear ineffective against logging, poaching, and other forms of development in many countries.