Significant efforts to raise awareness about the importance of forest ecosystems began in 2012, when the United Nations General Assembly declared March 21 as the International Day of Forests. On this day, countries around the world conduct activities focused on forests and trees at the local, national, and international levels. One of the largest celebrations of this International Day is held today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
This year, the theme of the International Day of Forests is Forests and Food. Forests are an important source of food for billions of people. In addition to directly providing us with fruits, coffee, cocoa, and other produce, forests are home to wildlife that also serves as a food source. They offer a variety of other resources as well, from bamboo to timber used for furniture, paper, and similar products. Forests are also a source of energy for many households that rely on firewood for heating. One of the most vital natural resources made possible by forests is freshwater, thanks to their forested watersheds.
However, due to unsustainable practices, the planet loses 10 million hectares of forest each year through deforestation and around 70 million hectares due to fires, according to United Nations data. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reports that the global rate of deforestation amounts to about 1.3 million square kilometers per decade, although it has declined in some regions in the early 21st century thanks to improved forest management practices and the establishment of nature reserves. The most extensive deforestation occurs in tropical areas, which include diverse forest types—from rainforests to dry forest regions.
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According to Srbijašume (Serbia Forests), just one hectare of forest produces approximately 800 tons of oxygen annually. In addition, forests ionize the air and cleanse it of dust. A single hectare of coniferous forest filters up to 35 tons of dust per year, while deciduous forests filter up to 76 tons.
In February of this year, an agreement was signed to implement the project FOREST Invest aimed at improving the resilience of forests in Serbia. The 84 million dollars project is jointly funded by Serbia, the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and FAO.
Serbia is considered moderately forested, and according to the Second National Forest Inventory conducted between 2018 and 2023, the total area of forests and forest land in Serbia amounts to 3,025,471 hectares, representing 39 percent of the country’s total land area.
Deciduous trees are the most prevalent, accounting for 80 percent of forest cover, while coniferous trees make up 20 percent. Among individual tree species, beech makes up more than half of the total.
Katarina Vuinac
