Research pick: Seeing the wood for the trees - "Industry note: Forests are key to climate change mitigation and sustainable development"

Forests play a far more important role in global climate regulation and ecosystem stability than previously understood, according to authors of an Industry Note in the International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation.

Almost one third of the Earth’s land surface is forested, and we have recognised for many decades that forests act not only as sinks for atmospheric carbon dioxide, but they also act as components of the planet’s climate system, they affect temperatures, rainfall, and atmospheric composition through a complex mix of biological and physical processes. The Industry Note emphasise how we are increasing our understanding of these complex processes and finally acknowledging how non-linear, dynamic, and deeply interconnected they are.

The authors point out that while forests help mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, when they are degraded or destroyed, they can accelerate warming. Beyond climate regulation, forests support biodiversity, purify water, protect soil, and provide resources and livelihoods to millions of people.

The article looks at the three main types of forest: tropical, temperate, and boreal, and considers the distinct climate and economic roles of each. Tropical forests, of the three, hold the largest share of biodiversity and sequestered carbon. However, they are the most threatened, largely due to deforestation and agricultural expansion. Temperate forests, common in mid-latitude regions, are valuable both as carbon sinks and for their timber production. Boreal forests, found in northern regions such as Canada and Russia, store immense amounts of carbon in soil and permafrost, making them important for long-term climate stability.

The Note points out that since 2000, global forest cover has declined by almost one eighth. We have lost an area about twice the size of Texas or more than the area of Germany, Italy, and Spain combined. In tropical regions, deforestation is mainly driven by land clearing for agriculture. In temperate and boreal areas, wildfires and large-scale logging are more common causes. Climate change further increases risks, making forests more vulnerable to droughts, pests, and fire. These pressures reduce the forests’ ability to absorb carbon and alter their structure and function, with consequences for biodiversity and environmental stability. The Industry Note emphasises that sustainable forest management is now a matter of urgency if we are not to see continued harms from the loss of this natural resource.

PDF: An, Z. and Chang, S. X. (2024) ‘Industry note: Forests are key to climate change mitigation and sustainable development‘, Int. J. Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation, Vol.4, No.4 pp.423-428.