Importance of Forests

Forests and biodiversity is key to all life forms. The richer the diversity of life, the
greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development and adaptive
responses to such new challenges as climate change.
Below are some more importance of forests:
Watershed
Forests serve as a watershed. This is because almost all water ultimately comes from
rivers and lakes and from forest-derived water tables. Some rivers running through
forests are also kept cool and from drying out. "The Amazon is by far the largest watershed
and largest river system in the world occupying over 6 million square kilometers. Over two-thirds of
all the fresh water found on Earth is in the Amazon Basin's rivers, streams, and tributaries." RainTree

Habitat and Ecosystems

Forests serve as a home (habitat) to millions of animals. Think of the many types of
reptiles (snakes and lizards) wild animals, butterflies and insects, birds and tree-top
animals as well as all those that live in the forest streams and rivers.
Animals form part of the food chain in the forests. All these different animals and plants
are called biodiversity, and the interaction with one another and with their physical
environment is what we call ecosystem.Healthy ecosystems can better withstand and
recover from a variety of disasters such asfloods and wildfires.
Economic benefits
Forests are of immense economic importance to us. For example, plantation forests
provide humans with timber and wood, which is exported and used in all parts of the
world. They also provide tourism income to inhabitants (people living in or close to
forests) when people visit to see the best of

nature.

Climate Control
Climate control and atmosphere purification is key for human existence. Trees and soils
help regulate atmospheric temperatures through a process called evapotranspiration.
This helps to stabilize the climate. Additionally, they enrich the atmosphere by
absorbing bad gases (example CO2 and other greenhouse gases) and producing
oxygen. Trees also helps to remove air pollutants.
Did you know...
In many developing countries more than 80% of total energy
(fuel wood and charcoal) consumed by people and industry is derived from forests. Trade in timber
and other forest products is estimated at almost 330 billion US Dollars /year.
Its' value multiplies as it is processed into a range of products used globally every day.
Uses of genetic diversity within forests enable the development of new medicines; progress in health
care and science

What is deforestation?
Deforestation is when humans remove or clear large areas of
forest lands and related ecosystems for non-forest use. These
include clearing for farming purposes, ranching and urban use.
In these cases, trees are never re-planted.
Since the industrial age, about half of world's original forests have
been destroyed and millions of animals and living things have
been endangered. Despite the improvements in education,
information and general awareness of the importance of forests,
deforestation has not reduced much, and there are still many
more communities and individuals who still destroy forest lands for
personal gains.

Why do humans
clear forest lands?
Trees are cut down (deforestation) for many reasons including
To be used, sold or exported as timber, wood or fuel (charcoal). This is called
logging.
To be used for farming purposes (grazing fields for livestock, or large scale farming

activities)
To make room for human settlement and urbanization (these include making space
for shelter, industries and roads)
To make room for mining. (More on deforestation here)

In all the reasons above, the trees cut are usually very well developed trees that have
taken many years to mature. When they are cut, they break down many more younger
trees as they fall to the ground, leaving that area heavily degraded.

Forest degradation and fragmentation

Forest degradation is different from deforestation. Degradation is used to mean the
destruction or reduction in quality of specific aspects of forests. Prolonged degradation
can wipe out a forest. Degradation can result in a decrease in tree cover, changes in
their structure or a reduction in the number of species that can be found there. If acid
rain destroys trees in a vast area, it can be called forest degradation.
Forest degradation is changes within the forest which negatively affect the structure or function of the
stand or site, and thereby lower the capacity to supply products and/or services. FAO (2001) Global
Forest Resources Assessment 2000

Forest degradation can be caused by factors such as

Forest fires:
In many forests such as in boreal and dry tropical forests, fires are usually expected
from time to time. They may be caused by humans, accidents or natural factors.
Forests fires wipe out many thousands of acres each year all over the world. This has
effects on bio-diversity and the economy as well.
Climate Change:
Extreme climates can also cause degradation. Prolonged droughtsand dry conditions

reduce the tree cover and dry out water bodies running through them. They force many
animals to migrate and reduce the quality of forests ecosystems.
Pests and diseases:
Pest or disease outbreak can also destroy the vegetative cover in forest lands.
Degraded forests can often be restored. The Global Partnership on Forest Landscape
Restoration (GPFLR, undated) suggested that more than one billion hectares of
deforested and degraded forest land worldwide are suitable and available for
restoration.
What is forest fragmentation?

Degradation can also result in forest fragmentation, and fragmentation can also result
in degradation. This is when a large forest ends up divided into many smaller patches.
This is particularly not healthy for larger forest animals, as they thrive well in large
areas rather than pieces of forests.

What is deforestation?
Deforestation is when humans remove or clear large areas of forest lands and related
ecosystems for non-forest use. These include clearing for farming purposes, ranching
and urban use. In these cases, trees are never re-planted.
Since the industrial age, about half of world's original forests have been destroyed and
millions of animals and living things have been endangered. Despite the improvements
in education, information and general awareness of the importance of forests,
deforestation has not reduced much, and there are still many more communities and
individuals who still destroy forest lands for personal gains.

clear forest lands?

Why do humans

Trees are cut down (deforestation) for many reasons including

To be used, sold or exported as timber, wood or fuel (charcoal). This is called
logging.
To be used for farming purposes (grazing fields for livestock, or large scale farming
activities)
To make room for human settlement and urbanization (these include making space
for shelter, industries and roads)
To make room for mining. (More on deforestation here)

In all the reasons above, the trees cut are usually very well developed trees that have
taken many years to mature. When they are cut, they break down many more younger
trees as they fall to the ground, leaving that area heavily degraded.