Forests are ecosystems comprised of trees, other plants, animals, and surrounding natural resources. For many, the land provides a chance for leisure activities. Beyond presenting recreational opportunities, forests offer vital economic and environmental benefits.
Importance of Forests
The forestry industry supports over 1.6 million workers in a market worth over $50 billion dollars, but forests provide much more than materials for lumber and paper. Increasingly, scientists are recognizing that forests play a critical role in climate change, absorbing as much as 14 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions each year. The country’s woodlands serve vital environmental and economic needs by providing:
- Habitat for plants and animals
- Recreational opportunities
- Tourist revenue of some $11 billion each year for surrounding businesses and communities
- A natural mechanism for reducing greenhouse gases
- Raw materials for bioenergy production
- Opportunities for farmers to practice agroforestry — a land use practice that combines crop production with that of timber and other tree-based products
NIFA’s Impact
NIFA projects are working to restore the health of the nation’s forests by:
- Expanding knowledge of forest ecosystems
- Reducing the risk of destructive wildfires and restoring forest health
- Implementing sustainable practices designed to restore and maintain forest health
- Fostering a globally competitive forest resources sector
- Preparing the nation’s forests to adapt to a changing climate
- Increasing carbon dioxide sequestration technologies to mitigate climate change
- Educating farmers and landowners about sustainable forest practices and forest farming
- Teaching future forestry professionals