Forests are not just collections of trees — they are self-regulating biophysical systems that shape the planet’s climate, water, air, and biodiversity. They are Earth’s lungs (producing oxygen and absorbing CO₂), its heart (driving rainfall and water circulation), and its skin (preventing erosion and filtering toxins).

Yet we are dismantling this system faster than it can recover. The FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 shows that the planet still holds about 4.06 billion hectares of forests, covering 31% of total land area, but we are losing 10 million hectares every year — roughly one football field every second.

Forests influence nearly every biogeochemical cycle — carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and water. Without them, rainfall declines, soil collapses, temperatures spike, and species vanish. Understanding their importance is the first step toward protecting them.

1. Forest Cover and Global Distribution

Forests are spread unevenly across the globe. According to FAO (2020):

Together, these five nations hold more than 54% of the world’s forests.

Forest Types

• Tropical Forests (45%) – Found in South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia; these are the most biodiverse.

• Boreal Forests (27%) – Spread across Russia, Canada, and northern Europe; act as major carbon sinks.

• Temperate Forests (16%) – Found in Europe, China, and the U.S.; rich in deciduous species.

• Subtropical & Montane Forests (12%) – Occur in India, Mexico, and high-altitude tropics.

Primary vs. Managed Forests

Primary forests (untouched by human activity) still cover ~36% of forested land.

Planted forests (timber, bamboo, or restoration forests) make up ~7% but are increasing rapidly.

(Source: FAO FRA 2020)

These ecosystems contain 80% of all plant biomass on land, making them the largest “living carbon battery” of the biosphere.

2. Biodiversity: Forests as the Cradle of Life

Forests are the foundation of terrestrial biodiversity — the living web of species that keeps ecosystems functioning.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), about 80% of all land-based species live in forests. The WWF Living Planet Report 2022 further details that:

Forests house 75% of birds, 68% of mammals, and 80% of amphibians.

Forest-dependent vertebrate populations have declined 69% since 1970.

The Genetic and Ecological Value

A single hectare of Amazon rainforest can host 300–400 tree species and over 2,000 insect species.

Forest soils teem with microbial diversity — over **10,000 species of fungi and bacteria **per gram of soil.

Forest pollinators (bees, bats, birds) enable reproduction in 75% of flowering plants worldwide.

Biodiversity ensures ecosystem resilience — forests with high species diversity recover faster from disturbances like fire or drought. Once species are lost, these recovery mechanisms vanish, making ecosystems more fragile.

3. Forests and Human Livelihoods

Forests directly support 1.6 billion people for livelihoods, food, and shelter (FAO SOFO 2020). Of these, 70 million Indigenous people depend entirely on forests. Their sustainable practices — such as rotational harvesting, mixed cropping, and sacred groves — are among the oldest conservation systems known to humanity.

Forests as Economic Lifelines

The global forest-based sector contributes US$1.3 trillion annually to the economy and employs 13 million people directly (FAO 2020). ** Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) like honey, resins, fruits, gums, bamboo, and medicinal herbs support millions of families. The value of global trade in NTFPs exceeds US$100 billion per year.

Forests in India

In India, about 275 million people rely on forests for subsistence, including food, fuel, and fodder (MoEFCC – State of Forest Report 2021).

• Forest industries employ 2.5 million workers.

• NTFPs contribute 30–40% of total forest revenue in states like Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.

• India’s bamboo sector alone provides income for over 5 million people (MoEFCC 2023 Annual Report).

4. Forests as Climate Regulators

Forests regulate global, regional, and local climates through carbon storage, energy exchange, and moisture cycling.

4.1 Carbon Storage and Flux

• According to the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020:

• Forests store 662 gigatonnes (Gt) of carbon, roughly equal to 80 years of global fossil fuel emissions.

About 44% of this is in soils, 42% in living biomass, and 14% in deadwood and litter.

The IPCC AR6 Report (2022) estimates that forests absorb 2.6 Gt CO₂ annually, about one-third of total human-caused emissions.

This carbon absorption happens through photosynthesis, where trees convert CO₂ into carbohydrates stored in wood and leaves. When trees die naturally, much of the carbon remains trapped in the soil — unless released through burning or deforestation.

4.2 Deforestation as a Carbon Source

When forests are cleared, this carbon is released. The IPCC (2022) states that deforestation and degradation account for 10–11% of global CO₂ emissions each year — more than all the world’s cars combined.

In contrast, forest restoration (through afforestation or natural regeneration) can offset emissions. According to UNEP’s Restoration Report 2021, restoring degraded forests could remove up to 26 Gt CO₂ annually.

5. Forests and the Water Cycle

5.1 Rainfall Generation

Trees draw water from the soil and release it into the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. This vapor forms clouds, contributing to local and regional rainfall.

In the Amazon rainforest, about 50–75% of rainfall comes from recycled moisture — meaning the forest literally “makes its own rain” (NASA Earth Observatory). Loss of forest cover can disrupt monsoon patterns, as seen in India’s Western Ghats and Southeast Asia.

5.2 Water Filtration

Forests act as natural filters, trapping sediments and pollutants before they reach rivers or aquifers. The FAO Forest and Water Programme estimates that forested watersheds supply 75% of the world’s accessible freshwater.

Cities like New York and Tokyo protect surrounding forests to secure clean drinking water, finding it more cost-effective than building water treatment plants.

6. Forests and Soil Health

Forests protect and enrich soil in multiple ways:

• Roots hold soil together, preventing erosion.

• Canopies intercept rainfall, reducing its erosive force.

• Leaf litter decomposes into humus, replenishing nutrients.

• Mycorrhizal fungi form networks that transfer nutrients among trees.

The FAO Soils Portal states that forests hold 44% of global soil carbon, a vital buffer against nutrient depletion.

In India, forests in the Himalayan foothills and Western Ghats reduce landslide risk and protect agricultural plains by stabilizing mountain slopes.

7. Forests in Urban Systems

Urban forests — including parks, roadside trees, and green belts — mitigate the environmental impact of cities.

The UNECE Forests for Sustainable Cities Report 2022 found that:

• Urban trees can reduce air temperatures by 2–8°C.

• They absorb 40% of PM2.5 and NO₂, improving air quality.

• 100 mature trees can remove 450 kg of CO₂ annually and generate enough oxygen for 10 people.

India’s FSI 2021 Report shows 1,200 sq km increase in urban green cover between 2019–2021. These micro-forests also reduce heat-island effects and improve mental health, as green exposure correlates with lower stress and anxiety.

8. Forests and the Global Bioeconomy

The forest sector is central to the circular bioeconomy — replacing carbon-intensive materials like steel and plastic with renewable wood and fiber products.

According to FAO’s State of the World’s Forests 2022:

• Forest-based products add US$1.3 trillion to the global economy.

• The FSC and PEFC together have 470 million hectares of certified sustainable forests, ensuring responsible sourcing.

Using engineered timber in buildings stores carbon long-term. The IPCC (2022) recognizes sustainable wood construction as a viable mitigation pathway, as wood products continue to store CO₂ even after harvest.

9. Forests as Natural Disaster Shields

Forests act as green infrastructure that mitigates floods, cyclones, and landslides.

• Mangrove forests reduce wave energy by up to 66% within 100 meters, protecting coastal communities.

• Riparian forests absorb floodwaters, lowering flood peaks by 10–20%.

• Mountain forests anchor soil, preventing landslides.

In the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, coastal villages shielded by mangroves in Tamil Nadu suffered significantly less damage (Geneva Environment Network).

10. Deforestation and Global Risk

Despite global commitments, deforestation continues. The Forest Declaration Assessment 2024 reports that:

• 8.1 million hectares of forests were lost in 2023.

• Agriculture causes over 90% of tropical deforestation.

• Fires burned 6.7 million hectares in the same year.

Deforestation emits ~3 Gt CO₂ annually — about 8% of global emissions.

These numbers indicate that the world is off-track to meet the 2030 Deforestation-Free Goal set in the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration.

11. Forests in India – Status and Importance

As per the India State of Forest Report 2021 (FSI):

• Forest cover: 7,13,789 sq km (21.71% of India’s area)

• Tree cover: 2.91%, bringing total green cover to 24.62%.

• Carbon stock: 7,204 million tonnes (≈ 26,381 Mt CO₂ sequestration).

India’s forests host 47,000 plant species and 96,000 animal species, with significant endemism in the Western Ghats, Himalayas, and Northeast India (MoEFCC 2022–23 Report).

Forests in India play critical roles in monsoon regulation, soil conservation, and water security — directly influencing agriculture and food supply.

12. Forests and Human Health

The WWF and Sustainable Travel International show that forests:

• Reduce air pollution, absorbing up to 40% of PM2.5 and NO₂.

• Lower blood pressure and cortisol levels through “forest bathing” (Shinrin-yoku).

• Provide raw materials for 25% of modern medicines, including cancer drugs and antibiotics.

Exposure to forest environments improves immune function, mood, and cardiovascular health. Even 10–15 minutes of daily exposure to green spaces has measurable physiological benefits.

13. Forest Restoration and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

The UNEP’s State of Ecosystem Restoration Report (2021) estimates that restoring degraded forests could:

• Sequester 26 Gt of CO₂ annually,

• Add $80–150 billion to global GDP each year, and

• Create 30 million green jobs.

Programs like the Bonn Challenge and Trillion Trees Initiative aim to restore 350 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 — a scale necessary to stabilize global climate feedbacks.

Conclusion

Forests are the life-support systems of Earth. They:

• Store 662 Gt of carbon,

• Supply 75% of freshwater,

• Shelter 80% of biodiversity,

• Sustain 1.6 billion livelihoods, and

• Absorb 2.6 Gt CO₂ every year.

Deforestation, on the other hand, triggers climate imbalance, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss — destabilizing entire regions.

At CATCH Foundation, we focus on restoring dense native forests through our CVSP Miyawaki method, nurturing biodiversity and community resilience. Each tree we plant contributes to global cooling, carbon storage, and hope for the next generation. 🌳

FAQs

1. What is the importance of forests?

Forests are critical for maintaining Earth’s climate, air, and water systems. They store 662 Gt of carbon, supply 75% of freshwater, host 80% of land biodiversity, and support 1.6 billion livelihoods. Without forests, the planet’s natural balance collapses.

(Sources: FAO 2020, WWF)

2. How do forests help in controlling climate change?

Forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing 2.6 billion tonnes of CO₂ every year and storing carbon in trees and soil. Deforestation reverses this effect, releasing greenhouse gases that warm the planet.

(Sources: IPCC 2022, PEFC)

3. How do forests affect the water cycle?

Through evapotranspiration, forests release moisture that forms clouds and rain. In the Amazon, up to 75% of rainfall is recycled by trees. Forests also filter water, ensuring cleaner rivers and aquifers.

(Sources: NASA Earth Observatory, FAO Forest & Water Programme)

4. How do forests prevent soil erosion?

Tree roots stabilize soil, leaf litter replenishes nutrients, and canopies reduce raindrop impact. This prevents landslides, floods, and nutrient loss. Forests store 44% of global soil carbon, enriching agricultural land nearby.

(Source: FAO Soils Portal)

5. What is the role of forests in biodiversity?

Forests are home to 80% of terrestrial species — including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fungi. They safeguard genetic diversity essential for medicine, agriculture, and ecosystem resilience.

(Sources: UNEP, WWF Living Planet Report 2022)

6. How do forests support human livelihoods?

Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for income, food, medicine, and shelter. In India, 275 million people rely on forest produce like bamboo, tendu leaves, and medicinal herbs.

(Sources: FAO SOFO 2020, MoEFCC 2021)

7. How do forests make cities liveable?

Urban forests reduce heat by 2–8°C, absorb 40% of pollutants, and lower stress levels. A city with good tree cover can store thousands of tonnes of CO₂ annually.

(Sources: UNECE 2022, FSI 2021)

8. What happens when forests are destroyed?

Deforestation leads to biodiversity loss, CO₂ release, floods, soil erosion, and rising temperatures. In 2023 alone, 8.1 million hectares of forest were lost, emitting 3 Gt CO₂ into the atmosphere.

(Source: Forest Declaration Assessment 2024)

9. How can forests help achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Forests contribute directly to 10 of the 17 SDGs, including poverty reduction, clean water, health, energy, climate action, and biodiversity conservation.

(Source: UN SDG Platform)

10. What can we do to protect forests?

• Support tree planting programs like CATCH Foundation

• Choose FSC or PEFC certified products

• Reduce paper and wood waste

• Volunteer for forest restoration projects

• Educate communities on sustainable living

Every small step helps preserve these natural ecosystems that sustain all life on Earth.