The importance of forest ecosystems for the environment

Abstract

Forest ecosystems are of key importance for the preservation of the environment. The interaction of all elements of the habitat with the biological characteristics of tree species has a key influence on the creation of specific characteristics of forest ecosystems. Forests affect numerous environmental factors because they mitigate fluctuations in air temperature, create a more favorable temperature regime in the soil, absorb precipitation, slow down surface runoff, extend the period of water infiltration, mitigate pluvial soil erosion, prevent the negative effects of wind, etc. General utility functions (ecological and social), i.e. ecosystem services of forests are gaining more and more influence in general social relations towards the environment. Climate changes accompanied by extremes and climate change have numerous negative implicationsfor the environment. They can be significantly mitigated by increasing forest coverage, preserving and protecting forests because trees absorb carbon dioxide in the course of a basic physiological process and thus reduce its content in the atmosphere. Forests absorb dust particles, sulfur dioxide, release (produce) oxygen, bind carbon dioxide, and release phytoncides. The layers of the forest mat and the surface horizons of the forest soil of coniferous forests are large acceptors of heavy metals. Degradation of forests, reduction of forest cover along with current climate changes cause numerous risks and uncertainties (drought, stormy winds, fires, etc.) which negatively reflect on the sustainable development of natural resources, i.e. on the balance in the biosphere, reduction in the volume of biomass production and endangerment of the environment. For the environment, the general utility functions of forests related to touristrecreational, health, water protection, historical, cultural and other values are particularly important. The need to increase forest coverage, protect and restore forests, although it originates more than 200 years ago, is fully justified due to the consequences of continuous global warming, greater demands for the exploitation of fossil fuels, as well asthe constant endangerment of basic environmental factors. Even more than ever, we all need to act, as individuals, families and communities at local, national and international levelsto ensure that forests and people can survive together and preserve this planet for future generations. Knowledge about the role of forests in the environment and the connection with ecosystems and climate change today offers numerous opportunities. Irrational management, disruption of the sustainable development of forests and the decline of the overall values and functions of forests causes the general conditions of the environment to be threatened. The complexity of the relationship between forest ecosystems and the environment needs to be viewed from multiple aspects and understood through an ecological, economic and social interconnected system.