Here are a few interesting facts about forests:
·
Forests
cover about one third of the world’s land mass.
·
Forests
provide an array of ecological, economic, social and health benefits and are essential
for meeting people’s needs.
·
Forests
act as natural water filters.
·
Forests
are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land, home to more than 80% of
the terrestrial species of animals, plants, and insects.
·
They
provide shelter, jobs, and security for forest-dependent communities. Around
1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood, food, fiber, water, fuel,
shelter, and income.
·
It
provides clean air and water and regulate the climate. Contributing to the
balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity in the air.
·
They
help to tackle climate change.
· Deforestation
continues at an alarming rate - 13 million hectares of forest are destroyed
annually, an area roughly the size of England.
·
Deforestation
accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that
contribute to climate change.
·
Forested
watersheds and wetlands supply 75 percent of the world’s accessible freshwater
·
Healthy
forests are critical for building resilience—the ability to bounce back from
storms and other natural disasters.
·
Deforestation
accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that
contribute to global warming.
·
Forests
minimize soil erosion on site, reduce sediment in water bodies and trap or filter
water pollutants in the forest litter.
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