It also increases erosion and alters the physical and chemical properties of the soil converting organic ground cover to soluble ash and modifying the microclimate through the removal of overhead foliage. The soluble ash is washed away in the next rain. Fires can also make trees more susceptible to insect attack. For the sustainable development of the forests repeated forest fires has to be checked. Otherwise the loss of biodiversity will be on the increase every year at the cruel hands of few human beings and many of the species will disappear even before they are documneted.
Species are the building, blocks of ecosystems, which provide the life support systems for humans.
Biodiversity is an umbrella term covering the totality of species, genes and ecosystems but biological resources can actually be managed. They can be consumed or replenished and they can be the subjects of directed conservation action. The loss of the world's biodiversity, mainly from habitat destruction, forest fires, over harvesting, pollution and inappropriate introduction of foreign plants and animals is continuing. Natural plant cover being the important natural resources of the earth has been steadily depleted in the recent past. Therefore the importance of conserving the valuable natural resources is very much felt.