forests |Di spatche s
The total area of mangroves is esti- sustainable management, planting and mated at 15.6 million hectares as of 2010, rehabilitation of forests can conserve or indown from 16.1 million hectares in 1990. crease forest carbon stocks, deforestation, Nearly half the total mangrove area (47 degradation and poor forest management percent) is found in five countries: Indone- reduce them. For the world as a whole, sia, Brazil, Nigeria, Australia and Mexico. carbon stocks in forest biomass decreased The area of bamboo is difficult to assess, by an estimated 0.5 billion tonnes annuas these species often occur as patches ally during the period 2005–2010. This within forests or as clusters outside them. was mainly because of a reduction in the Nevertheless, preliminary findings based global forest area and occurred despite an on information from 33 of the main bam- increase in growing stock per hectare in boo-rich countries indicate that the total some regions. area is about 31.5 million hectares. Rubber plantations are found in relatively few Key conclusions: countries — primarily in Southeast Asia Considerable progress has been made and Africa — and cover an estimated 10 towards reversing the overall trend of formillion hectares. While the area of rubber est area loss, and several variables related increased rapidly in the 1990s, the rate of to the extent of forest resources show no Extent of forest resources increase is now beginning to slow down significant negative trends -- and even a and is currently decreasing in several positive trend over time in some countries countries. and regions. Yet deforestation, including Forests uncontrolled conversion of forests to agTABLE 2.1 contain more carbon than the Distribution of forests by region and subregion, 2010 entire atmosphere. ricultural land, continues at an alarmingly The world’s forests store more than high rate in many countries. Considerable Region/subregion Forest area 650 billion tonnes of carbon, 44 percent efforts are needed to ensure the overall 1 000 ha % of total forest area in the biomass, 11 percent in dead wood trend in extent of forest resources is posiEastern and Southern Africa 267 517 7 andNorthern litter, and 45 percent in the soil. While tive or stable in all regions. Africa 78 814 2 Western and Central Africa
328 088
8
Total Africa
674 419
17
East Asia
254 626
6
South and Southeast Asia
294 373
7
Western and Central Asia
43 513
1
Total Asia
592 512
15
Russian Federation
809 090
20
Europe excl. Russian Federation
195 911
5
1 005 001
25
6 933
0
Total Europe Caribbean Central America
19 499
0
North America
678 961
17
Total North and Central America
705 393
17
Total Oceania
191 384
5
Total South America
864 351
21
4 033 060
100
World
80 mature trees can remove from the air the four tonnes of yearly emissions that a mid-sized car produces. Trees replenish our oxygen. They filter out air pollution (including such nasty things as carbon monox13 ide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter — PM10 and PM2.5 — and sulfur dioxide) known to cause health concerns in humans, including headaches, lung, throat and eye irritation, respiratory and heart disease, and cancer. Trees contribute to better mental health and wellbeing.
Trees and shrubs provide timber, fuel wood, food, fodder, essential oils, gums, resins and latex, medicines and shade. Forest animals have a vital role in forest ecology such as pollination, seed dispersal and germination.
(million ha) Russian Federation
809
Brazil
520
Canada
310
United States of America
304
China
207
Democratic Republic of the Congo 154
diplomat and international remaining 33 percent is spreadcanada among 213 countries
One hectare of trees can adsorb 6 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Forests are the most important repositories of terrestrial biological biodiversity, housing up to 90 percent of known terrestrial species.
FIGURE 2.2
Australia
149
Indonesia
94
Sudan
70
Others
One healthy, mature tree inhales 12 kilograms of CO2 and exhales enough oxygen to support a family of four for a year.
Trees help to conserve soil and water, control avalanches, prevent desertification, protect coastal areas and stabilize sand dunes.
Ten countries with the largest forest area, 2010
India
Trees truths
68 1 347
and areas, while ten countries and areas (the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Gibraltar, the Holy See, Monaco, Nauru, Qatar, Saint Barthélemy, San Marino, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, and Tokelau) reported
Trees absorb carbon dioxide and are vital carbon sinks. It is estimated that the world’s forests store 283 Gigatonnes of carbon in their biomass alone, and that carbon stored in forest biomass, deadwood, litter and soil together is roughly 50 per cent more than the carbon in the atmosphere. Sources: Poverty and the Environment, Green Belt Movement, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, The World Agroforestry Centre, Worldwatch Institute
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