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forest - A large area, or ecosystem, covered mainly by trees and vegetation. ecosystem - A geographic area made up of all of the living and non-living things. It is an area where plants, animals...
- Help Us Breathe
- Home to Nearly Half of All Species
- Benefit Millions of Humans
- Keep Us Cool
- Keep Earth Cool
- Make It Rain
- Prevent Flooding
- Soak Up Runoff, Protecting Other Ecosystems
- Refill Aquifers
- Block Wind
Forests pump out the oxygen we need to live and absorb the carbon dioxide we exhale (emit). A single mature, leafy tree is estimated to produce a day's supply of oxygen for anywhere from two to 10 people. Phytoplankton in the ocean are more prolific, providing half of Earth's oxygen, but forests are still a key source of quality air.
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 around the planet teem with life; insects and worms work nutrients into soil, bees and birds spread pollen and seeds, and keystone species like wolves and big cats keep hungry herbi...
Some 300 million people live in forests worldwide, including an estimated 60 million indigenous people whose survival depends almost entirely on native woodlands. Many millions more live along or near forest fringes, but even just a scattering of urban trees can provide benefits to humans, such as increased property values and reduced crime.
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 tackle daunting tasks like curbing a city's "heat island" effect or regulating regional temperatures.
Trees also have another way to beat the heat—absorb CO2 that fuels global warming. Plants always need some CO2 for photosynthesis, but Earth's air is now so thick with extra emissions that forests fight global warmingjust by breathing. CO2 is stored in wood, leaves, and soil, often for centuries.
Large forests can influence regional weather patterns and even create their own microclimates. The Amazon rainforest, for example, generates atmospheric conditions that not only promote regular rainfall in that forest and nearby farmland but potentially as far away as the Great Plains of North America.
Tree roots are our allies in heavy rainfall, especially when it rains in low-lying areas like river plains. They help the ground absorb more of a flash flood, reducing soil loss and property damage by slowing the flow.
In addition to controlling flooding, trees' ability to soak up surface runoff also protects ecosystems downstream. Modern stormwater increasingly carries toxic chemicals, from gasoline and lawn fertilizer to pesticides and pig manure, that accumulate through watersheds and eventually create low-oxygen "dead zones."
Forests are like giant sponges, catching runoff rather than letting it roll across the surface. But they can't absorb all of it. Water that gets past their roots trickles down into aquifers, replenishing groundwater supplies that are important for drinking, sanitation, and irrigation around the world.
Farming near a forest provides many benefits, such as bats and songbirds who come out of their forest home to eat insects that threaten crops. Owls and foxes that live in forests also often venture out to eat rats on farms. But forests can also serve as a windbreak for farmers, providing a buffer for wind-sensitive fruits and vegetables. And beyond...
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.
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.
Forests help regulate our climate by absorbing and retaining carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The healthier the forest, the more carbon it can capture and store. But today, the destruction of forests accounts for at least 10 per cent of annual carbon emissions.
Aug 29, 2023 · Increased biodiversity makes ecosystems more resilient so species can adapt to disturbances and recover after disasters faster. Protecting our forests is more important than ever before. Forests large and small are critical for the health and survival of life on the planet, which is why we need to protect these key habitats from destruction.
Jan 23, 2024 · A forest is a complete living ecosystem, much more than simply the sum of its parts, where most of the interactions within are hidden from view.
