In relation to the on-going international year of forests, the theme this time, for the Day for Biological Diversity, is biological diversity of forests. In addition, the UN has declared this decade the Decade of Biological Diversity. Forests are one of the most important developers of biological diversity on land. Globally, forests cover approximately 31% of the land and about 2/3 of the land species live in forests, including more than half of all species, which can be found in tropical rainforests. At the same time, these are strongly affected by human activity – in the last century, we have lost over 45% of the world forests and together with that, many species who lived there. Unfortunately, this loss is continuing. The aim of the biological diversity day of this year is to draw attention to the importance of forests in our everyday lives, valuing of forests and their sustainable use. Estonia is relatively forested compared to the rest of the Western-Europe; almost half of Estonia is covered in forests. In terms of forestation, we rank fourth in Europe after Finland, Sweden and Slovenia. Forests also play a very important role as to biological diversity of Estonia’s living nature – almost half of Estonia’s species live in the forests (in total, there are approximately 26,600 known species in Estonia). Especially biologically diverse forest elements are dead trees, on which approximately 5000 species can be found. Almost 500 forest species are added to the list of endangered species. Estonia has 11 Natura 2000 forest habitat types of European importance, especially diverse, but at the same time especially endangered, are the old nature forests, broad-leaved deciduous woodlands and cliff forests. In order to preserve our biological diversity, approximately one fifth of the forests are placed under protection. For example, Lahemaa National Park with its forest area is one of Europe’s largest forest areas under protection. Additional information on the biological diversity day: http://www.cbd.int/idb/2011/ On the international year of forests: http://www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/ |
