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Context: The FAO's "State of the World’s Forests 2024" report highlights slowed global deforestation but warns of ongoing threats from wildfires, pests, and climate change.

Details

• The 2024 report titled "The State of the World’s Forests," released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, provides a comprehensive overview of global forest conditions and trends. The report highlights both positive developments and ongoing challenges in forest conservation efforts worldwide.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) ●The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a UN agency dedicated to fighting hunger, improving nutrition, and ensuring food security worldwide. ●Established in 1945, it has 195 members, including countries and the EU, with headquarters in Rome (Italy) and offices in over 130 countries. ●The FAO assists in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and land and water resource development through research, technical assistance, education, and data collection.

Positive Developments in Forest Conservation

Slowing Deforestation Rates

• Global Improvement: The report notes a significant decline in deforestation rates over the past few decades. Between 1990 and 2020, around 420 million hectares (ha) of forest were converted to other land uses. However, the annual deforestation rate decreased from 15.8 million ha (1990-2002) to 10.2 million ha (2015-2020).
• Net Change in Forest Area: The net rate of change in forest area, which considers both deforestation and forest expansion, has improved. From 2010 to 2020, the net loss was -4.7 million ha per year, a notable reduction compared to previous decades.

Country-Specific Gains

• Countries Showing Gains: Ten countries recorded annual gains in forest area in 2020, including China, Australia, India, Chile, Vietnam, Turkey, the USA, France, Italy, and Romania.
• Indonesia: Preliminary data shows an 8.4% decrease in deforestation in Indonesia for 2021-2022 compared to 2020-2021, marking the lowest rate since 1990.
• Brazil: Brazil registered a 50% decrease in deforestation in the Legal Amazon region in 2023 compared to 2022.

Mangrove Forests

• Mangrove Area: The global mangrove area stands at 14.8 million ha, with South and Southeast Asia contributing nearly 44% of the total.
• Reduction in Mangrove Loss: The gross global mangrove loss decreased by 23% between 2000-2010 and 2010-2020. Despite this, the net change in the mangrove area was negative between 2000 and 2020, but natural expansion outpaced losses due to natural causes.

Ongoing Challenges and Threats

Impact of Climate Change

• Wildfires: The increasing intensity and frequency of wildfires pose a significant threat to forests. In 2023, satellite data estimated that 383 million ha of land were affected by fire, contributing to substantial carbon dioxide emissions.
• Extreme Weather Events: Climate change-induced extreme weather events and sea-level rise threaten mangrove forests and make local communities vulnerable to disasters.

Forest Degradation and Pests

• Pest Infestation: Forests face threats from pests, such as the pine wood nematode, which has caused significant damage to native pine forests in China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Insects and diseases are projected to cause losses exceeding 20% of the host tree basal area over 25 million ha of forest land in the USA through 2027.
• Economic and Ecological Costs: The report highlights the difficulty in quantifying the economic costs associated with forest degradation, including timber loss, tree replacement costs, and the socioeconomic value of ecosystem services provided by forests.

Regional Highlights

• Global Forest Distribution: The Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the USA, and China account for 54% of the global forest area. Ten other countries, including Australia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Peru, and India, contribute about two-thirds of the global forest area.

Deforestation by Region:

• Africa: Annual deforestation rates were 4.41 million ha.
• South America: Annual deforestation rates were 2.95 million ha.
• Asia: Annual deforestation rates were 2.24 million ha.

Key Takeaways and Future Directions

• Enhanced Monitoring and Action:
  • Improved Monitoring: The report emphasizes the need for enhanced monitoring of forest degradation, pest outbreaks, and the impacts of climate change to inform better forest management and conservation strategies.
  • Collaborative Efforts: Continued global efforts and collaboration are essential to curb deforestation and address the challenges posed by climate change, wildfires, and pests.
• Policy and Conservation Initiatives:
  • National Policies: Countries need to implement and enforce robust policies to protect and expand forest areas, promoting sustainable land use and conservation practices.
  • Community Involvement: Engaging local communities in forest conservation efforts is crucial for ensuring sustainable management and protecting forests from various threats.

Conclusion

• While there have been positive developments in reducing deforestation rates globally, the ongoing threats from climate change, wildfires, and pests highlight the need for sustained and enhanced efforts in forest conservation and management. The FAO's 2024 report serves as a vital resource for policymakers, conservationists, and stakeholders in addressing these challenges and promoting the health and resilience of the world's forests.

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Source:

Down to Earth

Wikipedia

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Examine the relationship between deforestation and indigenous land rights. How does deforestation impact indigenous communities, and what role do these communities play in forest conservation?