Climate protection through sustainable forestry

Climate protection through sustainable forestry

in climate protection through sustainable forestry

In times of increasing climate change, forestry is playing an increasingly important role. The sustainable management of forests can make a significant contribution to climate protection. In this article we will explore the connection between climate protection and sustainable forestry, introduce methods of sustainable forestry and find out how this method can contribute to climate protection.

The role of forests in the carbon cycle

In order to understand the role of sustainable forestry in climate protection, it is first important to understand the function of forests in the carbon cycle.

Function of forests

Forests cover approximately 31% of the planet's land area and play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. Through photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it in their biomass - in their leaves, trunks, branches and roots. This process counteracts global warming by removing the greenhouse gas CO2 from the atmosphere. At the same time, the trees produce oxygen, which we need to breathe.

Carbon storage and release

In addition to storing carbon through photosynthesis, forests are also significant carbon reservoirs. Old-growth, untouched forests, often referred to as primary forests, are particularly important carbon sinks. However, when forests are cut down or damaged, the stored carbon is released, increasing the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.

Sustainable forestry as a solution

Sustainable forestry aims to maintain the benefits of forests for society without compromising their long-term health or productivity. The focus is on the balance between ecological, social and economic interests.

Definition of sustainable forestry

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), sustainable forestry includes seven core aspects: the conservation of biodiversity, the restoration and maintenance of forest health and vitality, the maintenance and improvement of production functions (timber and non-timber), the maintenance and improvement of protective functions, the maintenance of other socio-economic functions and benefits, as well as the legal, institutional and economic framework conditions for the forest.

Sustainable forestry methods

Sustainable forestry practices include plundering (an approach in which individual trees are removed from a forest to maintain a continuous forest with trees of different age classes), mixed forest cultivation, long-term management plans, protection of old and dead wood, and establishment of protected areas.

The benefits of sustainable forestry for climate protection

Sustainable forestry offers several advantages in the fight against climate change.

Carbon storage

By maintaining and improving the productive functions of forests, sustainable forestry can help increase carbon storage. Properly managed sustainable forestry can store more carbon over time than an unused forest.

Carbon sequestration

Likewise, sustainable forestry can help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere even further by encouraging the use of wood products. These products sequester carbon over their entire useful life and can replace fossil fuels in various areas, such as: B. in construction or in energy production.

Renewable energy source

Furthermore, sustainable forestry offers a renewable energy source. Through sustainable management, forests can provide biomass that can be used to produce energy. This type of energy production can replace fossil fuels, helping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Conclusion

Sustainable forestry offers an effective way to mitigate climate change. By preserving and expanding forests and using them as a renewable resource, we can promote sustainable forestry while mitigating the effects of climate change. However, it is important to emphasize that sustainable forestry alone is not enough. It must be part of a broader strategy that also includes reducing emissions from other areas.