Which of the following is a responsibility of forest workers?

Forest workers play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing forest ecosystems, and one of their primary responsibilities is tree planting and monitoring forest health. This task is essential because it contributes to the sustainability of forests, ensuring that they continue to provide benefits such as wildlife habitat, carbon storage, and resources for local communities. Tree planting helps to replenish forests that may have been damaged by natural or human-made disturbances, and monitoring forest health allows workers to identify issues such as disease, pests, or environmental changes, facilitating timely intervention to mitigate negative impacts.

In contrast, other responsibilities mentioned in the question may be part of a forest worker's role but are not typically the sole focus. Conducting pest control is an important aspect of forest management, but it does not encompass the full range of duties required to maintain forest health. Similarly, managing recreational forest areas is crucial but represents only a subset of overall forest management tasks, which include ecological considerations beyond recreational aspects. Developing forest land for commercial use can sometimes conflict with the goals of sustainability and conservation, making it a less comprehensive representation of a forest worker's responsibilities. Consequently, the option focusing on tree planting and monitoring forest health best captures the essence of a forest worker's essential and multifaceted role.