Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain
Australia is home to some of the most diverse and carbon-rich native forests on the planet. The towering eucalypts found in wet temperate forests host a variety of unique wildlife, from tree-dwelling marsupials to rare birds and insects. Sadly, nearly half of the original forested areas in eastern Australia have been cleared, placing our country among the top ten globally for tree cover loss.
This loss has had a devastating impact on Australia’s native flora and fauna, while also contributing significantly to carbon emissions and global warming. The crises of biodiversity loss and climate change are deeply interconnected, requiring a holistic approach to address them.
Earth’s ecosystems, including forests, play a crucial role in storing carbon. However, human activities like deforestation are pushing global temperatures beyond sustainable levels, even with efforts to reduce fossil fuel emissions. Preserving native forests is essential to curbing emissions and must be coupled with a swift transition to renewable energy sources.
Current international climate policies often overlook the importance of biodiversity in maintaining healthy ecosystems and carbon storage. Healthy ecosystems are more resilient and less prone to carbon release, highlighting the need to protect existing forests rather than focusing solely on planting new trees.
Old-growth forests store significantly more carbon than young trees, emphasizing the value of preserving mature ecosystems. It is crucial to recognize the role of native forests in achieving climate goals and safeguarding biodiversity for future generations.
2024-06-16 19:15:02
Original article from phys.org
