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Jun 7, 2021 · 14 Reasons Why Forests Are Important. From subalpine conifer forests to lush tropical rainforests, forests cover nearly one-third of the earth’s land surface. But as people burn and chop down massive amounts of trees, this forest coverage is rapidly dwindling. In 2020, a football field-sized area of tropical forest was lost every four seconds.
- They Help Us Breathe. Forests pump out oxygen we need to live and absorb the carbon dioxide we exhale (or emit). A single mature, leafy tree is estimated to produce a day's supply of oxygen for anywhere from two to 10 people.
- They Are Home to Nearly Half of All Species. Nearly half of Earth's known species live in forests, including nearly 80% of biodiversity on land. That variety is especially rich in tropical rainforests, but forests teem with life around the planet: Insects and worms work nutrients into soil, bees and birds spread pollen and seeds, and keystone species like wolves and big cats keep hungry herbivores in check.
- Including Millions of Humans. Some 300 million people live in forests worldwide, including an estimated 60 million indigenous people whose survival depends almost entirely on native woodlands.
- They Keep Us Cool. By growing a canopy to hog sunlight, trees also create vital oases of shade on the ground. Urban trees help buildings stay cool, reducing the need for electric fans or air conditioners, while large forests can tackle daunting tasks like curbing a city's "heat island" effect or regulating regional temperatures.
Why forests matter for nature. As forests are home to over 80% of terrestrial biodiversity, including 80% of amphibians, 75% of birds and 68% of mammals. Deforestation of some tropical forests could lead to the loss of as many as 100 species a day.
Benefits of forests. Forests play a critical role for the global environment, population and economy. Besides alleviating the effects of climate change and natural disasters, they represent some of the richest biological areas on Earth. They also provide food, renewable raw materials for many of our products, and livelihoods for millions of people.
- Trees eat the greenhouse gases that cause climate change—for breakfast. More like breakfast, lunch and dinner. Trees’ food-making process, photosynthesis, involves absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and storing it in its wood.
- Trees boost our mental health while raising our physical health. A healthy tree can lead to a healthy you and me. A study by a TNC scientist shows that time in nature—like a walk among the trees in a city park—correlates with a drop in anxiety and depression.
- Trees clean the air so we can breathe more easily. Leave it to leaves. Trees remove the kind of air pollution that is most dangerous to our lungs: particulate matter.
- Trees give a home to the wildlife we love. From our windows, many of us can see how much our feathered and furry neighbors enjoy their ‘high-rise apartments.’
Forests provide a multitude of benefits that are crucial for the health of our planet and the well-being of its inhabitants. Beyond their critical role in carbon storage, forests serve as vital shields against extreme weather conditions, such as storms and floods.
Healthy forests support healthy people. Forests and trees provide clean air and water and sustain us regardless of where we live. Zoonotic diseases account for 75 per cent of all emerging...
