Regarding the functions and the importance of forests, the problem of sustainable development in this matter represent a priority and this is why both the romanian and the european legislator have adopted specific legal provisions in this area. Forests account for 75% of the gross primary productivity of the earths biosphere, and contain 80% of the earths plant biomass. The richer the diversity of life, the greater the opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development and adaptive responses to such new challenges as climate change. Importance of forest importance of trees forest protection. Forests provide an environment for many species of plants and animals thus protects and. States and private forest owners, and management of the national forests and national. The role of forests in the preservation of biodiversity. For example, plantation forests provide humans with timber and wood, which is exported and used in all parts of the world. As a result, individuals develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and have the skills to make informed and responsible decisions.
This chapter describes the role of forests in water conservation, soil conservation soil fertility, erosion and sedimentation, climate change, and biodiversity conservation. This a map made by the user group for a forest management plan in kavre district, central nepal what is a forest management plan. The benefits of forests to society and to the diversity of life make it vital that they be protected from deforestation and other potential negative impacts of civilization. Its easy to take for the granted the importance of environmental management. Economical importance of forests environmental importance of forests ecological importance of forests religious importance of forests 2. Our forests provide many critical services to humanity. There is a long history of protection forests in mountain areas, where they help to prevent soil erosion. Core module syllabus for environmental studies for under graduate courses of all branches of higher education vision the importance of environmental science and environmental studies cannot be disputed. A forest management plan is a written or understood. Environmental management occurs at all levelsfrom a city parks native prairie garden to grand scale projects such as management of vast wetlands like the everglades. If invasive species are allowed to take over wetlands, forests and prairies, the entire underlying structure of the ecosystem is in peril. This may include religious or cultural reasons for protecting or using the forest. Economic and social significance of forests economic and. Apr 23, 2020 soil respiration in forest ecosystems is an important part of the forest carbon c cycle.
They also provide tourism income to inhabitants people living in or close to forests when people visit to see the best of nature. The top 10 benefits of environmental education lists more examples of how ee benefits learners of all ages. The ecological importance of forest fires greentumble biodiversity april 20, 2016 forest fires can and do occur naturally and play a number of important roles in ecosystems, and are commonly referred to as wildfires. However, its economic and intrinsic value can not be overstated. Forest conservation as the name suggests is the preservation and the protection of forests. Forests cover about a third of the earths land area and are essential to the health of our environment. Deforestation is usually planned and deliberate felling of trees and the land cleared is used for activities which are not related to the forest. Meanwhile, japans role as an important producer of primary wood products has declined in the context of its larger social and economic changes. It has been estimated that the conversion of forests to agricultural land is the major factor for the decrease in global forest area by 0. Environment is the key for existence of life on the earth. A significant reduction in the area under national forest has taken place withmore than 280,000 ha of forest reserve being degazetted or excised over the past decade.
Environmental impact assessment eia and social impact assessment sia are used to predict the consequences of any. Introductio n a forest is a type of ecosystem in which there is high density of trees occupying a relatively large area of land. Responsibly managed forests are critically important. Forest fire in india is around 3 million hectare per year with a loss of forest cover valuing around rs 440 crores. Reforestation is the consequence of deforestation which according to the united nations food and agriculture organisation, is a complete clearance of trees. The changes in area of forest by region and subregion are shown in table 1.
The document also identifies what is needed to create an enabling policy, legal and institutional environment that would support forest managers efforts in mitigation and adaptation. Investigating the environmental effects of agriculture. The importance of forest and trees to rainfall and water supply include. The trees help to balance the carbon dioxide emission by sucking them in. In northwestern province, it is estimated that at least 350,000 ha of national forest is undergoing. Importance of forest essay, article, speech, paragraph. Responsibly managed forests are critically important in slowing climate change while. The environment is important because it supports the survival of human beings, is the source of natural resources, supports biodiversity and offers remarkable beauty. Encyclopedia of life support systems eolss until recent centuries, in most parts of the globe, humans were simply one of many large forest species, but with a greater capacity for influencing biodiversity than other species had. Forest conservation involves the upkeep of the natural resources within a forest that. The importance of forests cannot be underestimated. Wood and wood products although provision of ecosystem services is gaining importance, wood production remains a major thrust of forest management in most asiapacific countries. Forests provide various natural services and products.
To have a healthy life we need fresh air, clean water, and surrounding. Geological survey to enhance the management of agricultural landscapes land cover map of the conterminous united states from early 1990s data vogelmann and. The environment supports the life of each and every living thing on earth. New york is one of the most heavily forested states in the northeast. It also involves the reversal of deforestation and environmental pollution. Free how to download pdf book full guide course outlines. Environmental science scope and importance of environmental studies natural resources. Students with more frequent experiences in the forest environment placed more. The preservation of all natural resources is absolutely essential for the balance of our ecosystem importance of forests. A forest is defined as an area forming an ecosystem. Provision of forest ecosystem services and goods will be altered by these changes, posing a number of new challenges to forest managers. The need for sustainable development is a key to the future of mankind. By studying ecology, the emphasis is put on how every organism needs other for peaceful coexistence. Advantages and importance of reforestation earth eclipse.
Following are some points illustrating the importance of forests. Moreover, the environment is responsible for air purification and disaster control. This issue explores management approaches that balance social, economic and environmental. Forest ecosystems can be found in all regions capable of sustaining tree growth, at altitudes up to the tree line, except where natural fire frequency or other disturbance is too high, or where the environment has been altered by human activity. Forest land conversion, ecosystem services, and economic issues. Forests cover 31 percent of worlds land and they collect and store water.
Iii the role of forests in the preservation of biodiversity loo judy a. Ge6351 environmental science and engineering evs syllabus unit i environment, ecosystems and biodiversity. Conservation of the worlds forests is a most important and pressing contemporary problem. Definition, scope and importance of risk and hazards. Forest areas play a role in preserving landscapes and soil fertility. Environmental studies pdf notes es pdf notes smartzworld. Importance of forest ecosystem services to secondary.
Right now, in the second decade of the 21st century, preparing our students to be good environmental citizens is some of the most important work any of us can do. Also the importance of forests for clean air production was emphasized. It is dominated by picea abies, although larix decidua becomes increasingly common above 2100 m. Given the importance of forests for the rural poor, it is widely recognized that forests can be a resource for poverty reduction. They are fundamental life forms and provide for the continuity of the worlds biodiversity which is necessary for economic development, diversity of life forms, human livelihood, and environmental adaptive responses. Sustainability draws on politics, economics and, philosophy and other social sciences as well as the hard sciences. We depend on forests for our survival, from the air we breathe to the wood we use. These issues generally include air and water pollution, waste management, ecosystem management, maintenance of biodiversity, the protection of natural resources, wildlife and endangered species. You can read in these pages about efforts of african nations to sustainably manage their forests. Lter network supported by the national science foundation.
Forest conservation is the practice of planting and maintaining forested areas for the benefit and sustainability of future generations. Soil respiration in forest ecosystems is an important part of the forest carbon c cycle. Forest conservation involves the upkeep of the natural resources within a forest that are beneficial to both humans and the environment. Besides providing habitats for animals and livelihoods for humans, forests also offer watershed protection, prevent soil erosion and mitigate climate change.
Scope and importance 9 in our daytoday life or i n developmen ta l projects, we have to face numerous questions that compare huma n welfare with the wellbeing of. Forest trees also absorb carbon, an important function needed as humancaused greenhouse gas emissions stoke climate change. Trees and shrubs play a vital role in maintaining an ecological balance. Environmental policy is the commitment of an organization or government to the laws, regulations, and other policy mechanisms concerning environmental issues. The worlds forests hold importance for all of their inhabitants as well as for the overall health of the planet. The amazon, the planets largest rainforest, lost at least 17% of its forest cover in the last half century due to human activity. Pdf ge6351 environmental science and engineering evs. Forests have long been seen as important sources of clean drinking. It draws from several oecd publications, including, most. We have long valued the forest for things that have very tangible monetary worth, such as wood and wood products, but we have not been able to demonstrate and capture the values. When the environment is protected it serves to benefit all those who rely on it. Causes, effects and control strategies 5 deforestation are maintained.
One of the categories of materials considered in this analysis is biomass, whose subcategories include primary crops, crop residues, grazed biomass and wood. Environmental impact assessment and social impact assessment. It serves in the maintenance of life for the plants, humans and animals. What is the importance of the forest to our country. Indeed some 31 countries do not even make the list because they have already removed most of their forests and even if that remain are seriously fragmented and degraded. The ecosystem all the communities of living organisms found in a specific place, their habitats and their interactions in which we live provides natural services for humans and all other species that are essential to our health, quality of life and survival. The preservation of all natural resources is absolutely essential for the balance of our ecosystem. Importance of forests forests and biodiversity are key to all life forms. There are many reasons why forests are an important feature for the environment and in our daily lives. The forestry sector is highly important in the regions economy, given that forests supply not only timber but also fibre, firewood, and other nontimber forest products for industrial and nonindustrial uses. The trees standing tall in the forest hold the soil strongly to maintain the health of the soil. The economic importance of new yorks forests nys dept. Forest shrubland agricultural water other investigating the environmental effects of agriculture practices on natural resources scientific contributions of the u. The delta of ganga is known as sunderbans due to the growth of sundri trees.
Forests in restoration, reclamation and rehabilitation projects 6. Having no ideas on ecology will responsible for degradation of land and environment, which is the living place of other species leading to their destruction 79. Sustainable forest management, biodiversity and livelihoods. Forests are mainly important because they stabilize climate, regulate the water cycle, and provides habitat to thousands of life forms. Such forests are found in the deltas of ganga, mahanadi, godavari and krishna. Ministry of lands natural resources and environmental protection. What are the economic and social benefits of forests. The cd rom includes pdf versions of the booklet, key reference materials, and a summary slide presentation, which has been included as a tool for forestry planners to share this information in.
Forests also comprise of nonliving components such as lakes, ponds, soil, rocks, etc. Forests play an important role in environmental protection. The role of forests, trees and wild biodiversity for nutritionsensitive. Besides providing habitats for animals and livelihoods for humans, forests also.
The goal is to capture the economic value of the forest based economy of the state and provide analyses of trends. For example, trees and forests absorb and store much of the carbon dioxide that otherwise would be contributing to climate change. Environmental education is a process that allows individuals to explore environmental issues, engage in problem solving, and take action to improve the environment. The importance of environmental management sciencing. The value of forest ecosystems secretariat of the convention on. Aug 08, 2016 importance of environmental protection. It is useful for the growth of plants which are source of food to the animals around. Forests are vital for human life because they provide a diverse range of resources. Innes encyclopedia of life support systems eolss forest faces west, and is situated at altitudes between 0 and 2300 m. The economic value of wetlands, for example, in terms of flood protection, makes environmental.
A forest management plan is a written or understood agreement for a programme of work in the forest, in terms of who does it, and where, when and how the work is done. The cd rom includes pdf versions of the booklet, key reference materials, and a summary slide presentation, which has been included. The convergence of the poor and forests is a result of many factors. Facilitate the development or improvement of materials and methodologies for environmental education, and the testing and. When it is protected we are assured of better health. Sustainability skills and environmental awareness is a priority in many corporate jobs at graduate level and over as businesses seek to adhere to new legislation. The importance of environmental protection and sustainable. Importance of forest to human life 10 points on uses and. Chemical hazards, physical hazards, biological hazards in the environment concept of an ecosystem structure and function of an ecosystem producers, consumers and decomposersoxygen cycle and nitrogen cycle energy flow. For most forest products, forests are estimated to cover approximately 48% of the total area of central and south america, fao, 2010. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext.
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