Forests sustain human well-being through a multitude of
ecosystem services, including water purification, provision of oxygen, and
spiritual and cultural benefits. For many indigenous communities, forest biodiversity is
fundamental to their culture and identity. Forests have an important role in climate change mitigation
and adaptation, combating desertification and building resilience of ecosystems
and people, including to natural disasters.
Globally, forests remove about 15 per cent of human-generated
carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere every year. Tropical forests cool
the Earth by evaporating immense volumes of water and creating clouds that
reflect sunlight back into space. The Amazon rainforest alone releases around 8
trillion tonnes of water vapour to the atmosphere each year.
We mark the first occasion of the International Day of
Forests as the world’s forests are facing immense pressures. In the coming decade, we need to do
nothing less than to reverse the trend of deforestation and forest degradation
and begin to restore forests worldwide as to maintain the biodiversity of the
world’s forests for the well-being of present and future generations. The good
news is that the international community has made the commitments to do so.
In October 2010, the Conference of the Parties to the
Convention on Biological Diversity adopted a new Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity for the period 2011-2020, with twenty clear and measurable
targets. Five of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets are particularly relevant to
the conservation and sustainable use of forest biodiversity.
In Target 5, the international community aims to at least
half, and where feasible bring close to zero, the rate of loss of all natural habitats,
including forests. It also calls for a significant reduction in degradation and fragmentation. Target
7 aims that, by 2020, areas under forestry are managed sustainably, ensuring conservation
of biodiversity. Target 11 aims that at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and
inland water areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity
and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably
managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected
areas.
Target 14 aims that ecosystems which provide essential
services, including services related to water, and contribute to health,
livelihoods and well-being, are restored and safeguarded, taking into account
the needs of women, indigenous and local communities, and the poor and vulnerable.
And Target 15 aims that, by 2020, ecosystem resilience and
the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks is enhanced through
conservation and restoration, including restoration of at least 15 per cent of
degraded ecosystems.
Restoration is part of the plan for forests globally.
Biodiversity of degraded forests can often be successfully restored if the
factors that lead to forest degradation can be effectively controlled. Restored
forest landscapes provide food, water, shelter and many other essential ecosystem
services.
Intact forests can provide cost-effective “insurance” against
the impacts of climate change. For example, nature can defend coastal
communities against the effects of storms and natural disasters if coastal
ecosystems are intact. Compared to hard infrastructure, such as seawalls and
levees, restoring mangrove forests is much more affordable for protecting large
coastal areas and requires less maintenance.
On this first International Day of Forests, let us see both
the forests and the trees, appreciate their value to communities, and take the
actions needed to ensure that they and their biodiversity remain healthy,
resilient and rich for future generations.
Images by Michael Leveille 2013
