The planet’s forests continue to shrink but their rate of loss has slowed in recent years, according to a new UN report presented at the World Forestry Congress in Durban, South Africa from 7 to 11 September.
The Global Forest Resources Assessment 2015, the most detailed study of forests that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has produced to date, reveals that 129 million hectares of forest - an area close to the size of South Africa – have been lost since 1990.
However, deforestation, literally the act of clearing forest, has more than halved in the past 25 years as increasing numbers of forests have come under protection and improved management.
The report, which covers 234 countries and territories, is published ahead of two major summits this year in which the value of forests will be a central theme: the post-2015 summit in New York, where world leaders will gather between 25 and 27 September to adopt new global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the next 15 years; and the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) from 30 November to 11 December, when governments will meet in Paris amid high hopes of reaching a climate agreement.
Forests, which are critically important to the global economy, local livelihoods and the environment, feature prominently among the SDGs. A dedicated goal, SDG15, reads “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”.
A natural fit with the new sustainability agenda, forests contribute to decent livelihoods for millions while providing clean air and water, conserving biodiversity and mitigating climate change.
Here are 10 highlights of the report
Forest loss
The planet’s forest cover is shrinking as world population increases and forest land is converted to agriculture and other uses. In 2015, forests make up 30.6 percent, or 3 999 million hectares of the world’s land areas, compared to 31.6 percent, or 4 128 million hectares, in 1990.
Deforestation slowdown
The annual rate of deforestation has slowed from 0.18 percent in the early 1990s to 0.08 percent in 2015, contributing to a reduction in total carbon emissions of more than a quarter between 2001 and 2015. While trees and forests absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, deforestation and forest degradation increase the concentration of greenhouse gases.
Variety of life
Forests harbour most of Earth’s terrestrial biodiversity. However, deforestation, chiefly caused by conversion of forest land to agriculture and livestock areas, is threatening the variety of life on our planet. Forest area primarily designated for biodiversity conservation now accounts for 13 percent of the world’s forest.
Renewable energy
Forests are renewable. As woodfuel reliance continues and global demand for wood increases, forests can help to provide the planet’s growing global population with environmentally friendly fuel, fibre, and food, as well as essential ecosystem services.
An economic treasure
The forest sector contributes about $600 billion annually to global GDP and provides employment to over 50 million people, of which nearly 13 million work in the forest. Forests make vital contributions to local economies where both industrial and community forestry provide crucial sources of income. They play an important role in combating poverty, ensuring food security and providing decent livelihoods.
Under cover
Forests are increasingly coming under protection and more countries are improving forest management. Additional forest land for conservation has increased by 150 million hectares since 1990, with forest in protected areas increasing by over 200 million hectares.
Natural and planted forest
Natural forests make up 93 percent of total forest area. The proportion of planted forest is increasing in the world, now representing 7 percent of total forest area.
Forests in the tropics
Of the world’s climatic regions, the tropics have lost the greatest proportion of forest cover since 1990. Rich in biodiversity, tropical forests are home to more than half the planet’s living species. Compared to a quarter of a century ago, there are now fewer trees per person in all regions except temperate climes, where net forest area has actually increased.
Africa, South America losses
Africa and South America are the continents recording the highest levels of deforestation, with annual levels in 2010-2015 of 2.8 and 2 million hectares respectively. Despite continued forest loss in the regions, the figures represent a decrease in the rate of deforestation.
Forests and islands
Small island states may possess less than one percent of the world’s forest area, but they make up six of the top ten countries in the world with the highest percentage of land area covered by forest. Their role is crucial in soil and water protection and disaster risk resilience. Coastal and mangrove forests are vital for marine habitat and for protection from coastal erosion.
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