The challenge
The need for forestation and forest preservation
Forests have a number of key functions in the Earth’s biosphere. As an ecosystem, they are home to an important part of the living organisms on this planet; loss of forest means loss of plant and animal biodiversity. Forests play a key role in the water cycle controlling quantity and quality of water. They are carbon sinks, and growing forests capture carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, releasing oxygen to the air. Another key function of forests is climate regulation: forests can reduce the day temperature in hot climates by several degrees, and bring moisture in the air that can produce rainfall elsewhere. And finally, forests are a resource for mankind in multiple ways: forests are a source of timber, wood, fruits, leisure, shade, and tourism, to name just a few.
The massive loss of forests in Brazil, Russia and Australia due to fires have added considerable quantities of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, and reduced the capacity to capture carbon for several years. Scientists are concerned that global warming will further affect forests due to droughts, wildfires and competition with the increasing need of farmland
Why Drylands?
Drylands is the common UN denomination for dry sub-humid lands, semi-arid lands, arid lands and hyper-arid lands. Approximately 40% of the earth’s land area is dryland. Drylands are home to 30% of the world population, although several vast areas are practically deserted. While drylands offer specific challenges to tree growth, such as water stress, wind erosion and wildfires, large areas of dryland are available for forestation. Tree growth can be stimulated in deserted areas, but just as well in inhabited areas where it will typically be combined with other land use, such as housing and farming.
People
Desert Leaves is an initiative of a group of engaged scientists, business men and philanthropists who believe that scientifically sound forestation is an answer to a number of challenges that our planet is facing today, such as global warming, desertification and habitat destruction. You can also be part of this project.
Contact Us
Are you interested in participating in our events, volunteering with Desert Leaves, study dryland forestation, find a job in our area of activities, or simply eager to learn more?
Desert Leaves is a non-governmental organization that supports initiatives that pursuit the growth of sustainable forests in drylands
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