About this Research Topic
The UN International Day of Forests takes place on the 21st of March, celebrating and raising awareness of the importance of all types of forests. The theme for #IntlForestDay 2023 is “Forests and health” and aims to highlight the interconnected relationship between healthy forests and healthy people.
Forest sustainable management and resource use are essential to reducing climate change and contributing to the wealth and well-being of current and future generations. Forests also play an important role in poverty alleviation and the fulfilment of the UN SDGs. However, despite all of these ecological, social, and health benefits, forests are threatened by fires, pests, droughts, and tremendous deforestation.
Forests are a vital source of food and nutrition, natural pharmacies (over 50 000 plant species – many of which grow in forests - have medicinal properties) and boost our mental and physical health. They play a central role in protecting us from diseases, serving as a natural barrier to disease transmission between animals and humans, but also in combating the biggest threat humanity is facing: climate change.
Abiotic and biotic disturbances have major impacts on the health and viability of the world’s forests and can result in substantial economic and environmental losses.
It is in this spirit that Frontiers is launching a new article collection to coincide with this UN day. This occasion not only offers an opportunity to acknowledge the threats and risks facing forests globally but also consider the importance they hold for human health.
This Frontiers in Forests and Global Change Research Topic aims to address how healthy forests are essential to living a healthy life. Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Disturbances affecting tree growth and survival, yield and quality of wood and non-wood products, and wildlife habitat;
- Forests and their recreation, scenic and cultural values;
- Deforestation effects on disease transmission;
- Health benefits incurred by the time spent in contact with forests;
- Sustainable forests management.
Forest sustainable management and resource use are essential to reducing climate change and contributing to the wealth and well-being of current and future generations. Forests also play an important role in poverty alleviation and the fulfilment of the UN SDGs. However, despite all of these ecological, social, and health benefits, forests are threatened by fires, pests, droughts, and tremendous deforestation.
Forests are a vital source of food and nutrition, natural pharmacies (over 50 000 plant species – many of which grow in forests - have medicinal properties) and boost our mental and physical health. They play a central role in protecting us from diseases, serving as a natural barrier to disease transmission between animals and humans, but also in combating the biggest threat humanity is facing: climate change.
Abiotic and biotic disturbances have major impacts on the health and viability of the world’s forests and can result in substantial economic and environmental losses.
It is in this spirit that Frontiers is launching a new article collection to coincide with this UN day. This occasion not only offers an opportunity to acknowledge the threats and risks facing forests globally but also consider the importance they hold for human health.
This Frontiers in Forests and Global Change Research Topic aims to address how healthy forests are essential to living a healthy life. Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Disturbances affecting tree growth and survival, yield and quality of wood and non-wood products, and wildlife habitat;
- Forests and their recreation, scenic and cultural values;
- Deforestation effects on disease transmission;
- Health benefits incurred by the time spent in contact with forests;
- Sustainable forests management.
Keywords: UN Day, Forests, tree growth, wood products, wildlife habitat, cultural values, deforestation, sustainability, forests management
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
