A forest is so much more than trees. Not only does it serve as a place of refuge for humans and habitat for many species, it also provides economic benefits. According to the American Forest and Paper Association, the forest products industry accounts for approximately 4.5 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing gross domestic product, manufactures approximately $190 billion in products annually, and employs nearly 900,000 men and women.
Username: All_the_Best Published on 2024-12-24 04:57:35 ID NUMBER: 127743
Urban and community forests include all publicly and privately owned trees within an urban or community area, such as public gardens, street trees, urban parks, landscaped boulevards and river and coastal promenades, among others. They make up an important component of America’s green infrastructure, supporting the health and function of cities and towns through the services that they provide. Acknowledging the ecological, economic, and social benefits of these forests, the Forest Service is dedicated to helping cities transition to a sustainable future.
A component of the Biological Control Program designed to develop methods and technologies that address the spread and impacts of invasive forest pests.
Native insects and pathogens are an important part of a healthy forest ecosystem, but when environmental and biological conditions favor their development into outbreak status they can cause significant losses to forests. Several of these insects and pathogens, such as bark beetles and root diseases, have had extensive impacts forests in western and southern forests. Forest Health Protection along with state, Federal and Tribal partners survey, monitor and manage infestations of these native pest outbreaks.
Native Forest Insects
Native Forest Pathogens
Abiotic Forest Damage
Forest Health Monitoring is a national program designed to determine the status, changes and trends in indicators of forest health on an annual basis. This program collects information from a wide variety of sources including ground surveys, aerial detection and remote sensing. Forest Health Monitoring data is utilized by researchers who use it in detailed investigations into specific issues, by managers who develop strategies to deal with forest health issues, and by the public at large in order to better understand the processes that drive these natural systems. Forest Health Monitoring provides an updated synopsis of the state of our nation's forested lands, and serves as the repository of records regarding forest condition over time.
Forest Health Monitoring
Forest Health Monitoring Publications
Annual National Forest Health Monitoring Reports
Forest Health Highlights
Forest Health Monitoring Contacts
Sustainable forestry is managing forests to meet society's current needs and desires while preserving forest resources. We achieve sustainable development of forests by considering the economic, social, and ecological aspects of sustaining a forest. The three ways to manage forests are preservation, rehabilitation, and reforestation techniques.
Preservation allows us to take necessary precautions to protect our forests from destruction, while rehabilitation and reforestation refer to replanting and replacing a lost forest ecosystem. By sustainably managing our forests, we'll have cleaner air. More trees will grow, and they'll capture carbon and clear air pollution from the atmosphere.
Also, there will be a reduction in the loss of biodiversity because the environment supports their ecosystem. Sustainable forest management will reduce flooding because trees are a barrier to water streams. Thus slowing them down.
Another example of sustainable forest management techniques is selective logging to prevent excessive deforestation. There's also controlled burn and treatment of tree diseases, providing better water quality for humans and wildlife.
What are SDGs?
Sustainable development goals (SDGs) are a call to action to end poverty and inequality, protect the planet, and ensure people enjoy good health, justice, and prosperity. In a nutshell, SDGs aim to change the world without leaving anyone behind.
In 2015, all member countries of the United Nations decided to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. All the examples of sustainable development above are aligned with this plan.
17 interconnected goals balance economic development, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Here are the 17 SDGs that need global attention and action:
No Poverty
Zero hunger
Good health and wellbeing
Quality education
Gender equality
Clean water and sanitation
Affordable and clean energy
Decent work and economic growth
Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
Reduced inequalities
Sustainable cities and communities
Responsible consumption and production
Climate action
Life below water
Life on land
Peace, justice, and strong institutions
Partnerships for the goals
Conclusion: All About Sustainable Development Examples, Goals, And More
The extraction and usage of raw materials like fossil fuels and poor waste disposal methods are the major contributors to the environmental decline. However, examples of sustainable development have shown that we can get essential services in environmentally friendly ways.
For instance, renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions by providing sustainable energy. Green spaces bring nature closer to people living in cities. It also protects biodiversity. Crop rotation protects soil health and improves agricultural produce, while sustainable manufacturing uses more recycled materials.
Other examples of sustainable development include sustainable concrete and mobility, efficient lighting, and green tourism.
Glossary Terms:
By Jennifer Okafor, BSc.
Jen’s a passionate environmentalist and sustainability expert. With a science degree from Babcock University Jen loves applying her research skills to craft editorial that connects with our global changemaker and readership audiences centered around topics including zero waste, sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity.
Elsewhere Jen’s interests include the role that future technology and data have in helping us solve some of the planet’s biggest challenges.
African Forest Elephants live in the dense forests of West and Central Africa. While they live on the same continent, they are a separate species from the savanna elephant. They typically grow up to 9.8 feet tall and weigh up to 15,400 pounds. They also have round heads and straight tusks.
It mostly eats leaves, tree bark, and a variety of fruits. These types of elephants are the most frugivorous among the elephant species. They defecate the seeds as they travel long distances, making them mega gardeners of the forest.
However, this smaller African Elephant faces rampant deforestation and relentless poaching driven by the global demand for ivory. Their slow reproduction rate makes their survival even more challenging.
Studying them is challenging for scientists since these elephants are shy and tend to gather in smaller family units. Moreover, their habitats are relatively inaccessible.
Imagining a situation where cutting down trees could be deemed sustainable may be difficult. Leaving forests untouched would seem more acceptable, but in the face of human dependency on forest resources, sustainable forestry is the best course of action.
Sustainable forestry is all about balancing our needs and the well-being of forest ecosystems. The forest management method seeks to mimic how natural forests operate.
Wild forests are a hotbed of eco-diversity and great carbon sinks. They often have economic and cultural significance to local communities. Sustainable forestry aims to cultivate forests that can provide the same social and environmental benefits without giving up on the economic benefits.
Simply defined, sustainable forestry is cultivating trees for timber while protecting the surrounding biological and social ecosystem.
It's important to note that no universal sustainable forestry management system exists. That's because forest ecosystems and their social environment differ from place to place.
The act of harvesting wood goes back approximately 1,000,000 years, when human ancestors used wood ash to make fire.
Since then, humans have grown more and more dependent on forest resources. Over the years, it became clear that rules had to be put in place to meet the need for forest products in the long term.
The earliest trace of sustainable forest management comes from 16th-century Germany. Then, forest properties were divided into sections to ensure concurrent harvesting and regeneration.
Modern forest management is deeply intertwined with natural resource management. Many forest managers understand the need to conserve forest trees to ensure continuous supply. Despite good intentions, exploitative practices persist.
Illegal logging, clear-cutting, and monoculture plantations are some of the unsustainable practices we see in the industry today. When forests are managed unsustainably, many unnecessary challenges arise for humans and animals now and in the future.
