Forests cover 31 % of the global land area and host most of Earth’s terrestrial biodiversity. They provide habitats for 80 % of amphibian species, 75 % of bird species and 68 % of mammal species. Forests host many pollinators, which are essential for sustainable food production. More than one-third (34 %) of the world’s forests are primary forests, which have developed over a long period without significant disturbance.
Why do forests matter?
Forests provide many benefits: They are essential for our health, well-being, and our planet’s health. Forests mitigate climate change, helping limit global warming to 1.5°C. Beyond their critical role in carbon storage, forests significantly reduce the risk of natural disasters, including floods, droughts, and landslides. They supply drinking water to nearly half of the world’s largest cities and offer resources and protection for communities that rely on them for their livelihoods.
The challenges
Despite these benefits, forests are under threat from deforestation and degradation. Deforestation alone accounts for up to 21% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture, forestry, and land use sectors, with profound consequences. It not only undermines global efforts to build climate resilience but also jeopardises the livelihoods of communities that rely on forests for survival.
SDG 15: Life on land
Sustainable Development Goal 15 seeks to “protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”. While there has been some progress in sustainable forest management, it remains limited. Although global forest area continues to decline, the rate of loss has slowed. Agricultural expansion is responsible for nearly 90% of deforestation, closely linking this issue to our food systems. For example, the harvesting of palm oil alone contributed to 7% of global deforestation between 2000 and 2018.
Forests in Europe
Europe is among the most forested regions of the world – around 40% of its land area is covered by forests. They host most of the terrestrial species of animals, plants and fungi native to Europe. According to Eurostat, in 2021, the countries with the largest forest areas in the European Union (EU) were Sweden (28 million hectares), Finland (22 million hectares) and Spain (19 million hectares). In 2021, 3.6 million people in the EU worked in forest-based activities. Climate change continues to affect European forests negatively. It has shown hidden weaknesses that worsen the situation, such as pests, pollution and diseases. Climate change also affects forest fires, and the intensity of forest fires in the EU is expected to increase in the coming years.
While forests worldwide face significant threats, Europe, specifically Belgium’s Sonian Forest, is taking steps to protect these valuable ecosystems, making the forest more resilient to the expected effects of climate change.
The Belgian treasure – the Sonian Forest
The Sonian Forest is the most extraordinary beech forest in Belgium. Since 2017, the best-protected parts of the Sonian Forest have been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, as part of a group of a total of 94 exceptional beech forests in 18 European countries. These forests are remaining European primeval beech forests and centuries-old European beech forest areas, which are almost unaltered by humans. The Sonian Forest is the only Natural World Heritage site in Belgium, recognised by UNESCO.
The Sonian Forest still has some forty indigenous species of mammal, including 18 species of bat (Europe’s most endangered mammals). Apart from insects, spiders, birds, fish and amphibians, it is the only forest in Belgium where seven different species of woodpecker can be found.
In celebration of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and to highlight UNESCO’s recognition of the area, a UN trail will be launched on this year’s Sonian Forest Day (20 October).
The trail features several information points, offering hikers insights into the forest’s rich history and biodiversity. Along the route, visitors can learn about the ongoing work of the UN and the Sonian Forest Foundation in biodiversity preservation, ecosystem restoration, and environmental conservation.
Respect the forest
In the Sonian Forest and in any other forest, you can help protect its fauna and its flora by respecting some basic do’s and don’ts:
DO
Stay on the paths.
Always keep your dog on a leash, except for designated areas.
Leave the dead wood where it is. Animals and plants like to live in it.
Keep exotic animals and plants far from local forests.
DON’T
Don’t litter.
Don’t light a fire, as a fire can spread quickly.
Don’t make too much noise.
Don’t pick flowers or mushrooms.
Don’t carve into the trunks of trees.
Wild animals can find enough food in nature. Don’t feed waterfowls with bread.
Additional links:
Join the United Nations’ ActNow campaign to inspire people to take action towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Find out more about the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Find out more about the Belgian Sonian Forest.
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