2011: International Year of the Forests

Forests form an important part of the world's global sustainable development.  According to studies by the World Bank, more than 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood.  The year 2011 has been declared as the International Year of the Forests by the United Nations.  The main aim is to raise awareness of the importance of trees, and to help in the conservation of forests for the benefit of current and future generations.  The International Year of the Forests was launched on the 2nd February 2011, at the General Assembly Hall in New York City.

Biology students were asked to reflect and research on the value of forests worldwide. They focused on the following topics:

• The importance of forests.
  
• The forest as a habitat to a large number of species
  
• The different types of forests
• Deforestation
• How can forests be protected

Sources:
http://www.un.org
http://en.wikipedia.org
http://clickonenglish.blogspot.com
http://my.qoop.com
http://www.goforwood.info