United Nations Study Finds Improvements in the World's Forests

The Rome-based United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently presented its biannual report on the State of the World's Forests, which found that most countries in Europe and North America have reversed centuries of deforestation.

In its March 2007 report, the FAO noted that economic prosperity and careful forest stewardship have had positive effects on the world's forests, with many forests showing a net increase in forest area.

But forests in poorer nations, and those embroiled in wars and internal conflicts, still face substantial threats. Around 13 million hectares of forest are still lost annually to other land uses. However, the net deforestation over the last five years has been reduced from nine to seven million hectares. This is mainly due to reforestation and preservation of existing forests.

Africa is one region that faces huge losses. The continent accounts for about 16 percent of the global forests. Between 1990 and 2005, Africa lost over nine percent of its trees.

On the positive side, forest area increased in Asia between 2000 and 2005. While severe deforestation continues in South-East Asia, especially Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, there were tremendous increases in forested areas in China, Vietnam and a number of smaller countries.

One of the principal causes of deforestation is the conversion of land for farming or livestock. Forests currently cover about 30 percent of the world's land area. According to the FAO the world lost three percent of its forests between 1995 and 2000.

Source:
VOA News