Five hidden benefits of forests everyone should know

Douglas Broom

2020-08-30

ThePrint initially World Economic Forum

Keywords: Forests, Benefits, Soil, Carbon absorption, Biodiversity

Covering almost a third of the Earth’s surface, forests are home to eight in 10 animal and plant species. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says the world’s forests include over 60,000 species of tree, all of which absorb CO2 as they grow.

But all is not well in Earth’s woodlands. Only half of all forests are still intact and only a third are primary forest – naturally occurring woodland composed of native species where human activities have not disturbed the natural ecology.

The article highlights the critical importance of forests, emphasizing hidden benefits such as nurturing soil, absorbing carbon, providing food for millions, acting as natural aqueducts, and hosting 80% of Earth's biodiversity. Amid concerns of forest loss, initiatives like conserving forests and reforestation are crucial. World Economic Forum has launched an initiative to grow one trillion trees to help with climate change mitigation and biodiversity preservation. The article also highlights the importance of nature-based solutions, such as conservation, restoration and reforestation, in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. Along with these measures, other measures, particularly decarbonizing industry should also be taken.

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Tags: Forest ecosystem services, Soil health, Carbon sequestration, Biodiversity conservation, Climate change mitigation