4 major roles of forests
1) Ecological role: Forests play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and functioning of ecosystems. They provide habitats for a wide range of plant and animal species, and support complex food chains and ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, seed dispersal, and pollination.
2) Climate regulation: Forests act as a carbon sink, absorbing and storing significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They help mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and regulating the hydrological cycle. Forests also play a role in regulating local and regional climates by acting as windbreaks, moderating temperature, and reducing the impact of natural disasters like floods and landslides.
3) Economic role: Forests provide a wide range of valuable resources, including timber, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) like medicinal plants, fruits, and mushrooms, and ecosystem services such as water purification, soil erosion control, and recreational activities. Many communities rely on forests for their livelihoods, through activities like sustainable logging, agroforestry, and ecotourism.
4) Cultural and social role: Forests hold immense cultural significance for many indigenous and local communities, serving as repositories of traditional knowledge, cultural practices, and spirituality. Forests provide recreational spaces for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and wildlife watching, and contribute to human well-being and mental health through their calming and therapeutic effects.