The Impact of the Forest Industry on Water

Forests provide many important benefits. They are home to more than half of all species living on land. Forests also help slow global warming by storing and using carbon. In addition, forests help regulate local and regional rainfall and are crucial sources of food, medicine, and clean drinking water for millions of people.

Globally, forests are important storehouses of carbon dioxide, using it through photosynthesis and releasing oxygen as a byproduct through respiration. Forests are managed primarily for timber production but should also be managed for climate stabilization and other environmental values. Promoting forest regeneration and employing harvesting methods that reduce damage and waste can increase the quantity of stored carbon.

Proper management of our forest benefits the biodiversity of our planet and helps maintain important ecosystems such as our global water cycle.

Your task is to explore the impact of forests and our forest practices on our water systems. After studying this issue you will need to make recommendations for addressing this issue.

Resources

Water quality and forestry

Resources about trees and water

Research on Forest Hydrology Program

General Resources on Water