Since 1948 the UN's Food and Agriculture has been clinging to an outmoded definition of 'forests' that includes industrial wood plantations, writes WRM in this Open Letter for delivery to the FAO today, International Forests Day. This mis-definition seriously harms real forests and forest peoples as it justifies the clearance of real forests and their replacement with cash crops of trees.
… FAO: Plantations are not forests! World Rainforest Movement | 21st March 2017 Comment Forests Un Campaigning Indigenous Peoples … been clinging to an outmoded definition of 'forests' that includes industrial wood …
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization's definition of 'forest' includes commercial plantations of fast growing trees - often replacing biodiverse native forests relied on by local communities. FAO must stop using this mis-definition to claim that forests are expanding, when the reverse is the case.
… many more | 26th December 2014 Comment Forests Indigenous Peoples Farming Land Grabs … trees - often replacing biodiverse native forests relied on by local communities. FAO … stop using this mis-definition to claim that forests are expanding, when the reverse is the …
In the second in our series examining REDD we report how ambiguous forest definitions are putting the future success of forest protection schemes in doubt and allowing logging companies to destroy biodiverse habitats
… ‘major obstacle’ in fight to protect rainforests Kara Moses | 20th October 2010 News … paying Indonesia $1 billion to protect their forests despite confusion over forest … this can actually mean they are clearing forests and peatlands . Most of Southeast …
Tropical forests are valuable for their biodiversity, carbon and water functions even after logging. But they are also highly vulnerable to fire and conversion to other uses. A new focus is needed on saving tropical forests after the bulldozers have left.
… After the chainsaws - tropical forests are still worth saving Bill Laurance … David Edwards | 11th April 2014 Comment Forests logging-truck-kalimantan.png Tropical forests are valuable for their biodiversity, …
The over-hunting of wildlife in the Amazon has an unexpected knock-on effect: the reduced seed dispersal reduces the forest's capacity to store carbon in its biomass, increasing emissions from apparently 'intact' rainforest areas.
… 27th January 2016 News Climate Change Carbon Forests Amazon Science Hunting Conservation … of the above-ground carbon stock of Amazonian forests could be lost if large-bodied … wild fires. The scientists state: "Tropical forests are the global cornerstone of …
How pre-industrial societies and cultures mesh together with their host environments.
… survival of the forest, and the survival of forests is the survival of the planet. "We’re … the rivers are drying up, and this has harmed forests, too. The cycle of rainfall is not the … tell us that they cannot survive without the forests, which provide them with everything …
Fire is an essential part of the life-cycle of the forests of the American West, writes George Wuerthner, and the complex, biodiverse habitat that burning creates sustains hundreds of species that cannot survive without it. So please - no more talk of forests 'recovering' after fire - OK?
… George Wuerthner | 6th March 2015 Comment Forests USA Ecology charred-forest-cut.jpg … is an essential part of the life-cycle of the forests of the American West, writes George … without it. So please - no more talk of forests 'recovering' after fire - OK? Recently …
Sweden's biodiverse ancient forests will be largely wiped out within two decades, writes Alec Forss - and along with it will go thousands of species that depend on mature forest ecosystems. But with powerful logging companies riding roughshod over the law, regulators, politicians and certifiers, who is to stop the destruction before it's too late?
… threat as loggers clear-cut 'old growth' forests Alec Forss | 11th February 2015 News Forests Sweden Biodiversity Regulation … Forsmark. Sweden's biodiverse ancient forests will be largely wiped out within two …
Large areas of forest remain around the world, writes David Edwards, but many of them are - in biological terms - dying on their feet as their species diversity erodes due to fragmentation. To conserve the full richness of our forests, we must keep them entire and unbroken, and rebuild the continuity of forest islands.
… David Edwards | 24th March 2015 Comment Forests Conservation Biodiversity … To conserve the full richness of our forests, we must keep them entire and … Much of the Earth was once cloaked in vast forests, from the subarctic snowforests to the …
A new 'carbon grab' is under way as governments and corporations seize valuable rights to the carbon stored in standing forests, with UN and World Bank support. But there's no benefit for forest communities - who even risk expulsion to make way for 'carbon plantations',
… grab' Oliver Tickell | 20th March 2014 News Forests Indigenous Peoples Climate Change … rights to the carbon stored in standing forests, with UN and World Bank support. But … actually force their explusion, as natural forests are turned into intensively managed …
Global heating is contributing to forest fires, and those fires are stoking further heating: a deadly cycle. What can we learn from India's forest survey?
… | 11th September 2020 | News Conservation Forests Forest Fire Deforestation India International Forest fire in Chir Pine forests near Chitai, Almora District, … Each year millions of hectares of the world's forests are lost by fire, resulting in …
Based on current performance tropical forests, the world's most biodiverse ecosystems, are set to be reduced to species-impoverished fragments by the end of the century, writes Simon Lewis. But it's not inevitable. Decisive action by the world's governments in Paris in December could secure desperately needed change.
… Act now, or tropical forests will be a sorry sight in 2100 Simon Lewis | 24th August 2015 Comment Forests Economics COP21 Unfccc Biodiversity … Based on current performance tropical forests, the world's most biodiverse …
A fresh wave of logging is hitting America's national forests, writes Brett Haverstick. But this time it's all for the sake of 'forest health' and 'fire prevention'. It might look like industrial clear-cutting to you and me, but really, it's in a good cause. And if the forests and precious ecosystems they harbor just happen to perish in the process ... well ain't that just too bad?
… logging threatens US National Forests Brett Haverstick | 10th April 2017 Comment Forests Logging Health USA Commons Ecology … wave of logging is hitting America's national forests, writes Brett Haverstick. But this …
The plans currently under consideration for saving forests might help the trees, but they could ride roughshod over indigenous communities. Here are some ways to change that
… Protecting forests AND the rights of forest peoples Laura … How To Make A Difference Climate Change Forests Redd Forest Peoples Programme Global … currently under consideration for saving forests might help the trees, but they could …
A few hours from Melbourne lies one of Australia's natural wonders - a soaring forest of Mountain Ash trees up to 90 metres tall, with a host of endangered species. David Lindenmayer demands a halt to the logging, and the creation of a new National Park.
… David Lindenmayer | 1st April 2014 Comment Forests Australia Natural World ma-logging.png … Park. The Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) forests of the Central Highlands of Victoria … second largest city. Indeed, these unique forests provide most of the city's water …
Coffee may be grown all around the tropics, writes Fiona Hesselden, but it originates in just one place: the 'coffee rainforests' of the Ethiopian highlands. We depend on the wild plants for new genes and varieties, yet the forests are falling fast to the advance of farmers. To preserve the forests and all their biodiversity, the original people of the forest must receive their just rewards.
… Ethiopia's vulnerable tropical forests are key to securing the future of … of Huddersfield | 24th March 2016 Comment Forests Drink Ethiopia Indigenous Peoples … originates in just one place: the 'coffee rainforests' of the Ethiopian highlands. We depend …
Talis Kalnars was a pioneer of 'continuous cover' forestry in Britain, writes Phil Morgan. His woodlands were not only beautiful but profitable, as he nurtured the 'natural capital' of the forest ecosystem, and only harvested the dividend of high value timber.
… forester Phil Morgan | 14th May 2014 Comment Forests Ecology Natural World Economics Green … methods is that they are profitable. All my forests make money - they have to, or I would … shelterwood systems. After a trip to see the forests of Wales - which immediately struck …
There is a scandal here...policy makers are calling vast monocultures ‘forest restoration’.
… Restore natural forests to meet global climate goals Staff … restoration’. International plans to restore forests to combat global warming are flawed … restoration means bringing back natural forests, but policy makers are calling vast …
Forest fires are invariably portrayed as fiercely destructive environmental calamities. But for the native forests of the American West, large fires are essential to ecological renewal. Contrary to the mantras of logging companies and forest service officials, we suppress them at our peril.
… Let the forests burn - the ecology depends on it! … A. Dellasala | 12th May 2014 Activism Forests USA Ecology forest-fire-2-cut.jpg … environmental calamities. But for the native forests of the American West, large fires are …
Scientists say there is a growing urgency to understand how affected forests may or may not recover as forest fires increase in frequency. A team from the Smithsonian Institute has come up with a mathematical model which they say will help identify the forest areas most at risk. CATHERINE HARTE has the story
… How a mathematical model could help protect forests Catherine Harte | 10th April 2018 News … a growing urgency to understand how affected forests may or may not recover as forest fires … landscapes are vulnerable to losing their forests and the species that rely on them, …
The most recent environmental report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reveals that Estonia is using its unique forests intensively. Forestry exports have increased and now make up five percent of exports. Ronan O'Shea visited the forests to meet the campaigners fighting to protect this incredible resource
… in Estonia warn of new threats to its unique forests Ronan J O'Shea | 22nd January 2018 … reveals that Estonia is using its unique forests intensively. Forestry exports have … percent of exports. Ronan O'Shea visited the forests to meet the campaigners fighting to …
A new paradigm of forest conservation is gaining ground, writes Isaac Rojas: 'financialising' them and the climate and ecological services they provide to global investors. But this is a false solution - and one that excludes the local and indigenous forest communities who can truly be relied upon to sustain their sylvan heritage.
… International | 2nd November 2015 Comment Forests Commons Finance Indigenous Peoples … financialisation of nature . In the case of forests, this means turning them into … that there is no evidence that finacialising forests is a remotely effective strategy for …
Bark beetles are invariably presented as terrible, forest killing pests, writes Chad Hanson. But in truth forest biodiversity depends on them to create the snags for insects to burrow in, woodpeckers to feed off, and countless birds and even pine martens to nest in. So when you hear politicians calling for bark beetle 'salvage' logging, send them off with a flea in the ear!
… Chad Hanson | 28th October 2015 Comment Forests USA Ecology Birds Biodiversity … have killed 25 million trees in California's forests this year, greatly increasing the … threatening the ecological health of our forests? Many Californians, unfortunately, are …
Community-based forest management programmes are fighting deforestation and improving the lives of local people in Tanzania
… Community forests are thriving in Tanzania Benjamin … Ichou | 2nd October 2018 Comment Tanzania Forests Forestry Community ClientEarth tanzania_community_forests_meeting.jpg Community-based forest …