Celebrating International Day of Forests: Why Cities Need Micro Forests

March 21, International Day of Forests: Why cities need micro forests
Reading Time: 3 minutes

March 21, International Day of Forests: Why cities need micro forests. Image: Jamie D’Souza

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Celebrating International Day of Forests: Why cities need micro forests

March 21 is International Day of Forests, a day to celebrate forests’ critical role in sustaining life on Earth. Forests produce oxygen, clean air and water, provide habitat for wildlife, and regulate the global climate. International Day of Forests is also a time to raise awareness about the importance of forests and to take action to protect them.

Some forests are at risk of disappearing due to climate change, deforestation, wildfires, land use change, invasive species, and more. Many organizations and governments are working to protect and restore forests, recognizing their crucial role in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and overall environmental health.

Forests cover one-third of the Earth’s landmass, with the Amazon rainforest occupying a mammoth 5.5 million square kilometers within South America. To put its sheer size into perspective, the Amazon spans nine nations and is nearly twice the size of India. This tropical forest stands as the largest in the world when considering total area and unmatched biodiversity. Over 10% of the world’s known species reside within its ancient trees and winding waterways, representing irreplaceable genetic diversity.

The Amazon also acts as a vital carbon sink, absorbing and storing an estimated 140-200 billion metric tons of atmospheric carbon dioxide. That is equivalent to over a decade of global emissions from burning fossil fuels. This tropical landscape also significantly regulates regional and global climates through its interactions with precipitation patterns and evapotranspiration.

Its lush vegetation releases up to 20 billion tons of water vapor daily through plant respiration, feeding rainfall systems across South America. Preserving such a massive, biodiverse carbon storehouse and climate regulator remains critical to maintaining a livable planet. The fate of the Amazon will ripple far beyond its borders as climate change, deforestation, and development continue reshaping this unparalleled rainforest.

But a forest doesn’t have to be huge like the Amazon to have an environmental impact. Micro forests are popping up in cities all over the world and are beneficial to local environments. Micro forests are small, densely planted areas that are designed to mimic the structure and biodiversity of natural forests but on a smaller scale.

The concept of micro forests dates back to the 1970s in Japan, when botanist Akira Miyawaki tried to create resilient and biodiverse ecosystems and accelerate forest growth in a short period, compared to traditional reforestation methods. The success of Miyawaki’s method in Japan inspired projects in other countries all over the world, such as India, the Netherlands, and the United States.

Micro forests consist of native tree species, shrubs and other vegetation. They are planted to recreate the vertical layers found in natural forests and include a canopy, understory, and ground cover. Micro forests are designed to grow and mature quickly over a short period. They support a high level of biodiversity and attract a variety of local insects, birds, and other wildlife.

Micro forests can be planted in urban areas with limited space, such as parks, schoolyards, and vacant lots. They are designed to help increase green space in cities. Micro forests provide shape and help mitigate against the urban heat island effect experienced by many cities and will contribute to a more comfortable and cooler local climate.

The creation of micro forests often involves community participation. Local residents, schools, or organizations may be involved in the planning, planting, and maintenance of these mini-forests. They are also good educational opportunities for schools and communities to learn about local ecology, biodiversity, and the importance of preserving natural habitats. The recognition of these benefits has led to increased support for micro forest initiatives from governments, NGOs, and communities.

Showing your appreciation for forests, both big and small, is important not only on International Day of Forests but every day. Here are a few ways you can celebrate:

  • Organize events such as tree-planting campaigns, photo competitions, or symposiums.
  • Go hiking in the woods or a state park.
  • Celebrate International Day of Forests.
  • Make a leaf scrapbook to teach children about the different types of trees and their importance.
  • Think of what you can do to prevent trees from being cut down – borrow books for the library, use recycled paper.
  • Participate in tree planting activities in your neighborhood.

Every effort we make to protect forests, big or small, is one step towards protecting our climate, the natural environment and the biodiversity that depends on them.

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