By Blake Jackson
A global panel of experts led by University of Nebraska–Lincoln scientist Craig Allen is calling for strong forest protection strategies to tackle growing threats. The newly released report by the International Union of Forest Research Organizations is the first to explore how forests help social and economic resilience and how societies can support healthy forests.
Forests provide many local benefits, such as clean water, biodiversity, and jobs. Globally, they help regulate the climate by storing large amounts of carbon. The report warns that pressures like urban development, agriculture expansion, and climate stress are reducing forest resilience, making it harder for forests to recover from fires, droughts, and pests.
Allen, a professor at the School of Natural Resources, said once a forest is fundamentally changed, it is nearly impossible to restore. That is why the report recommends adaptive and transformative forest policies tailored to local needs. “Once a particular forest has been fundamentally changed, it is impossible to restore it to that same state again,” said Allen.
The international panel included members from countries like India, the U.S., the UK, and Brazil, combining knowledge from ecology, economics, and indigenous perspectives. Their collaboration helped ensure that both global and local forest challenges were addressed in the report.
Examples include mangrove forests that protect coastlines and provide food in some countries. The report stresses the importance of managing forest complexity—ecological, social, and economic aspects must all be considered.
The report also outlines knowledge gaps and encourages future studies. “It was interesting to see these multifaceted dimensions to a common problem,” said Allen. “I found this a very worthwhile undertaking.”
Protecting forests means protecting people, the environment, and the planet's future.
Photo Credit: university-of-nebraska-animal-science
Categories: Nebraska, Weather