Preserving Global Environmental Services – Forests are home to about 80 percent of the worlds remaining terrestrial biodiversity. Forests also help maintain the fertility of the soil, protect watersheds and reduce the risk of natural disasters such as floods and landslides.

Protecting Global Forest Values

Forests cover 30-40 percent of the earth’s land area and provide several essential ecosystem services. For example, forests act as sinks for as much as 46 percent of the world’s terrestrial carbon stores, absorbing the carbon dioxide that is contributing to climate change. Forests are the repository of the great bulk of terrestrial biodiversity – as much as 80%. Forests also regulate water cycles, maintain soil quality and reduce the risks of natural disasters such as floods and livelihoods.