Forests are true wonders of nature. They’re not only beautiful to look at but also fulfill important functions for our environment. In this article, we’ll explore why natural forests are so important for biodiversity and the fight against climate change.
What are Natural Forests?
Natural forests are forests that have grown with minimal human intervention. Here, different tree species of various ages grow side by side. There’s dead wood that remains on the forest floor and many different plants in the undergrowth. This is unlike commercial forestry, where often only one tree species is planted at regular intervals.
[Image suggestion: A comparison between a diverse natural forest with trees of different heights and species versus a commercial plantation with evenly spaced identical trees]
Forests as Homes for Animals and Plants
A natural forest is like a large community for many living beings:
- Multiple Levels: From the roots in the soil to the treetops, the forest offers various habitats.
- Old Trees: Birds, bats, and insects nest in their hollows.
- Dead Wood: Dead trees provide food and living space for beetles, fungi, and microorganisms.
- Diverse Forest Floor: Countless tiny creatures live here, decomposing dead plant material.
[Image suggestion: A cross-section illustration of a forest showing the different habitat levels from soil to canopy with various animals in their natural habitats]
In a natural forest, several thousand species can coexist. Each species has its own role. If one species disappears, it can affect many others.
How Forests Protect Our Climate
Forests are real climate helpers. They work against climate change in various ways:
1. Forests Store CO₂
Trees absorb CO₂ from the air during photosynthesis and use it to build their trunks, branches, and leaves. A large forest can store huge amounts of carbon:
- In living trees
- In dead plant material
- In the forest soil
[Image suggestion: A simple diagram showing the carbon cycle in a forest – CO₂ from atmosphere being absorbed by trees and stored in wood and soil]
The older a forest is, the more CO₂ it has already stored.
2. Forests Cool Their Surroundings
Through the evaporation of water through their leaves, trees cool the air. A large forest can lower the temperature in its surroundings by several degrees. This is especially important during hot summers.
[Image suggestion: A thermal imaging comparison showing cooler temperatures over forested areas compared to urban or deforested areas]
3. Forests Protect Against Extreme Weather
A healthy forest can:
- Absorb a lot of water during heavy rain and prevent flooding
- Store water during dry periods
- Hold the soil with its roots and protect against landslides
[Image suggestion: Split image showing a forest during heavy rain (with water being absorbed) and during drought (still remaining green)]
Why We Must Protect Natural Forests
Unfortunately, many natural forests are threatened:
- By deforestation for wood, paper, or agriculture
- By climate change itself (drought, pests)
- By conversion to monocultures with only one tree species
[Image suggestion: Before/after imagery of deforestation or forest degradation]
When we cut down a forest, not only is the habitat for many species lost, but the stored CO₂ is also released again, intensifying climate change.
What Everyone Can Do
Even without owning a forest, we can all do something:
- Buy wood products from sustainable forestry (look for labels like FSC)
- Use less paper and choose recycled paper
- Support forest conservation projects
- Stay on designated paths during walks and take your trash with you
- Support local policies for more forest protection
[Image suggestion: FSC logo and recycled paper symbol with a simple “how you can help” infographic]
Conclusion
Natural forests are true multi-talents: they provide habitat for thousands of species, store CO₂, cool the climate, and protect against extreme weather. Preserving and promoting them is one of the most effective measures to protect both biodiversity and combat climate change. Every tree counts!