Forests directly affect the livelihoods of 20% of the global population and can also have recreational and cultural importance. They provide wood products and renewable energy, natural carbon capture and storage, and other ecosystem services such as controlling floods and droughts, reducing erosion risks and protecting watersheds that are a source of our water.

The vast majority of terrestrial biodiversity is found in the world’s forests. Together, they contain more than 60 000 different tree species and provide habitats for 80 percent of amphibian species, 75 percent of bird species and 68 percent of mammal species. About 60 percent of all vascular plants are found in tropical forests.

Download the Paper Production and Sustainable Forests fact sheet to find out more.