Year of publication 2010

---

Pages 2

---

Author Office of Assistant Director-General (Natural Resources Management and Environment Department)

---

Product type Document

---

Edition 1

---

Synopsis (short abstract) Forests are complex ecosystems that cover 30 percent of the global land area, providing habitat for countless terrestrial species. Forests are vital for livelihoods as well as economic and social development, providing food, raw materials for shelter, energy and manufacturing. They are also critical for environmental protection and conservation of natural resources. Forests contain more carbon than the atmosphere. With climate change, forests, with their dual roles as both producers and absorbers of carbon, take on a new importance.

---

Language English

---

Also available in:

• Arabic
• Chinese
• French
• Russian
• Spanish

---