How are the world’s forests changing?* Assessing forests since 1946 - fao.org/forestry/fra ©FAO, 2016 #gfra2015 The report provides forest related information on more than 100 variables for 234 countries and territories over the period of 1990 - 2015. * I4868E/1/07.16 Global Forest Resources Assessment 2015 (FRA) Forest areas have decreased since 1990 but the rate of net forest loss has been cut by 50% Thousand ha / year Net gain Net loss Small change (gain or loss) Forest area annual net change 1990 - 2015 50 - 250 250 - 500 >500 >500 ±50 500 - 250 250 - 50 1 0 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1990 -2000 2000 - 2010 2010 - 2015 Million ha / year 7.3 4 3.3 Net forest increases have been mostly in the temperate and boreal zones. The largest forest loss has occurred in the tropics, particularly in Africa and South America. World's forest annual net loss Forest and land area Change in carbon in forest biomass Forest for conservation of biodiversity 1 million 2 million 3 million 4 million 5 million 1990 2015 30.6% 31.6% 4 128 million ha 3 999 million ha Percentage of global land area Forest under management plan International certifications of forest management Some indicators of progress towards Sustainable Forest Management FRA and the Sustainable Development Goals Forest area has decreased by 0.08% annually from 2010 to 2015. million tonnes / year 2010 - 2015 1990 - 2000 200 0 400 600 Carbon loss in living biomass Forest change rate 2015 53% 2010 13% 2014 11% What do forests look like? The bulk of the world’s forest is natural forest. The share of planted forest is increasing. Planted forest area Natural forest area Global forest area, 2015 7% 93% 1990 96% 4% 2005 94% 6% 93% 2015 7% Planted forest Natural forest 100 0 High-income countries 83% 17% Low-income countries 93% 7% Why are forests important? 1 Sinks of carbon dioxide The world’s forests absorb and store carbon in both above and below ground biomass. 2 The world’s forest area primarily designated for biodiversity and forest within protected areas have increased since 1990. Habitats for biodiversity conservation 296 Gt carbon Providers of important environmental services 3 Forests managed for clean water supply, resilience against disasters, recreation, cultural and spiritual activities have increased since 1990. Sustaining livelihood and economic opportunities 4 Forests supply the world’s population with wood and non wood forest products. In low-income countries woodfuel is still the most important wood product. Conservation of biodiversity 524 million ha 2015 651 million ha 2015 Forest within protected areas 2015 Share of woodfuel on total wood removals in 2011 Protection of soil and water 1 015 million ha 2015 1 163 million ha 2015 Carbon storage and other cultural, spiritual and ecosystem services Industrial roundwood Woodfuel Governments, private companies, communities, civil society and international organizations must adopt policies and invest in sustainable forest management. Forests should be regarded as an integral part of the rural space, providing global public goods and services to current and future generations. Challenges remain The extent of the world’s forest continues to decline as human populations continue to grow and demand for food and land increases. 1990 2015 0.8 ha per person 0.6 ha per person