FORESTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO LIFE ON EARTH, NOT ONLY FOR THEIR BEAUTY AND BIODIVERSITY BUT ALSO FOR THEIR ROLE IN CLIMATE REGULATION, THE WATER CYCLE AND SOIL CONSERVATION. HOWEVER, THEIR STATUS HAS LONG BEEN A SUBJECT OF GLOBAL CONCERN. FAO STATE OF THE WORLD’S FORESTS 2024 REPORT OFFERS A DETAILED LOOK AT THE CURRENT SITUATION AND THE INNOVATIONS THAT ARE SHAPING A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The state of forests in 2024 and the green future
Il FAO Report 2024 offers a detailed overview of the state of global forests, revealing that although there are signs of a slowdown in the rate of deforestation, the crisis remains severe.
The Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations agency that works to promote sustainable agricultural practices and improve food security globally, underlines that the loss of tropical forests is particularly worrying.
These green lungs, which cover just 7% of the Earth’s surface, are home to more than half of known terrestrial species and are critical for absorbing atmospheric carbon.
Their conservation is therefore crucial for the biodiversity and for the regulation of the global climate.
Well, the new dossier highlights that between 2015 and 2020, Earth has lost approximately 10 million hectares of forest per year. It is caused by various causes, includingintensive agricultural expansionwhich transforms entire wooded areas into arable land and theminingwhich requires the removal of large areas of vegetation.
Also the logging for commercial purposessuch as cutting trees for timber, contributes significantly to the reduction of forest cover.
The regions most affected by the phenomenon includeAmazon and the Congo Basin. The Amazon, the largest area of tropical forest on the planet, has suffered enormous losses due to agricultural expansion and natural resource extraction.
Likewise, the Congo Basinthe second largest tropical ecosystem, has seen a significant decrease in its vegetation cover.
Innovations and technologies: the future of the sector
The FAO 2024 Report did not just highlight the challenges in the forestry sector. He also listed the innovations that are revolutionizing the management and conservation of these resources.
One of the most significant developments is the advanced use of monitoring technologies, such as satellites hey drones. High-resolution satellite images and remote sensors allow us to precisely monitor changes in forest cover and detect deforestation activities in real time.
In parallel, artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics are transforming the management of these ecosystems. Advanced algorithms are capable of analyzing large volumes of data to identify patterns and trends, predict deforestation risks and optimize forest planning practices. AI also contributes to the protection of endangered species and the assessment of soil and vegetation conditions.
Innovative methods, such as the use of “smart” seeds designed to germinate in difficult conditions, and aerial planting, where seeds are distributed from planes or drones, are also accelerating the recovery of areas deforestate. Finally, biotechnology is developing trees that are more resistant to disease and climate change, thus improving the resilience of these delicate habitats. But all this is not enough…
Policies and initiatives for forest sustainability
The Food and Agriculture Organization’s dossier highlights the importance of adopting innovative approaches to address the challenges related to environmental sustainability. One aspect of these strategies involves the implementation of economic incentives and creative financing models.
The economic incentivessuch as payments for ecosystem services, offer financial compensation to those who care for forested areas and ecosystems.
All this, provided they adopt sustainable practices, such as water purification, biodiversity conservation, as well as carbon sequestration projects that help reduce or absorb atmospheric carbon, helping to balance global emissions.
In addition, many countries are strengthening their regulations to protect natural resources. New laws and policies often impose restrictions on logging and promote protection and reforestation programs.
Finally, the involvement of residents has become increasingly relevant in the management of natural environments. Their participation not only improves conservation practices, but also ensures more equitable and sustainable management of resources.
The importance of cooperation
In this context, the collaboration between scientists, governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is essential: only in this way can scientific discoveries be translated into concrete actions.
Scientists provide evidence and recommendations based on their studies, while governments and NGOs help implement policies and programs that can put these recommendations into practice.
Together, these entities can promote more sustainable forest management and ensure a safer future for the world’s forests.