Geo-graphic:

forests

We all know that trees are important. Over a lifetime of

100 years, one tree could absorb around a tonne of CO2 and recent studies suggest that, globally, trees absorb around 30% of annual carbon emissions. Forests provide habitats for 80% of amphibian species, 75% of bird species and 68% of mammal species while also offering watershed protection and preventing soil erosion. Meanwhile, more than 28,000 plant species are currently recorded as being of medicinal use and many of them are found in forest ecosystems.

In this geo-graphic we take a look at overall forest cover. We also analyse the rate of deforestation and the net loss of forest cover since 1990. Design: Geoff Dahl Sources: FAO, Global forest resources assessment 2020; FAOSTAT