Forests are also important for biodiversity, and billions of people rely on forests for their food, work and shelter. We depend on forests for our survival, from the air we breathe to the wood we use. Besides providing habitats for animals and livelihoods for humans, forests also offer watershed protection, prevent soil erosion and mitigate climate change.

They have a positive impact on health and well-being too. Studies show that living near a forest can help reduce people’s stress levels. Without forests, Earth would be uninhabitable. Forests provide water storage, dictate weather patterns and, critically, act as the planet’s lungs by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere through photosynthesis.  As such, they help in the purification of the air that we breathe. Forests of course have a very dense concentration of trees which by nature offsets CO2 by converting it into the oxygen we breath. Forests fight global warming aka leveling climate change. Global Warming is the increase in the earth’s temperature, which can cause melting of ice bergs and in turn cause floods and global warming is due to CO2 being raised.

10 Reasons Why We Need Forests / Advantages of Forest

1. Influence on Climate: The crowns of the trees hold the moisture in because the force of the wind is broken so it makes the forest cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

2. Control of Runoff: Leaves and branches of trees break the impact of rain, causing it to drip rather than a strong force. Rain is absorbed by ground, reducing surface run off.

3. Flood Control: Forested watersheds help in avoiding extremes of water flow so aiding in flood prevention.

4. Wildlife Habitat Provision: Wildlife uses the trees and forest as food and shelter.

5. Prevention of Soil Erosion: Water moves slowly through forested soils and stays free of sediments.

6. Reduction of Wind Erosion: A tree is used as windbreaks and slows down the force of wind.

7. Removal of Pollutants: The roots of the trees absorb soil and water pollutants. Sulphur dioxide is used for metabolism of trees. Thus, forests aid in the cleansing of air, water and soil.

8. Noise Abatement: Trees act as a sound barrier.

9. Recycling of nutrients: Forests help in nutrient recycling.

10. Provisions for healthy survival of local communities and mankind: Forest provides employment and income, aesthetic pleasure and spiritual solace. They also provide food, fibre, honey, medicinal plants and minerals.

Image: Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture

Forests are also under threat from climate change. With a warming climate, outbreaks of new types of pests are likely, and the increase in the frequency of storms and droughts will also impact the forests. Trees are a critical resource in the fight against climate change. The Paris Agreement recognizes that forests play an important role in meeting climate goals by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing carbon in trees and soils. In an effort to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air, countries around the world are planting trees.

Src: Weforum.org, senseandsustainability.net