Final answer:
Wildfires are crucial to maintaining ecosystem health and support species such as the jack pine that require fire for reproduction. They also help control pests and replenish soil nutrients.
Step-by-step explanation:
Forest and wildfires serve as important agents of disturbance in terrestrial ecosystems, clearing debris and promoting the growth of certain species. For example, jack pines require fire to open their seed cones and continue their life cycle. Moreover, fire contributes to ecosystem health by adding nutrients to the soil, increasing water availability, and controlling pests, which supports a diversity of plants and animals.