Approximately 5 billion people on the planet rely on forests and non-timber forest products for food, medicine and income. Forests and trees have offered since ancient times a wide range of edible products, such as nuts, mushrooms, honey and meat, supplementing diets with key vitamins and minerals.
Moreover, forests play a crucial role in freshwater availability. More than 75 percent of the world's accessible freshwater comes from forested watersheds, making their conservation essential for drinking water, irrigation and hydroelectric power.
A view of the Greater Hinggan Mountains in northeast China. /VCG