foreste

Foreste, the plural form of forest in Italian, denotes large areas where trees predominate and interact with a wider community of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. They span continents and climates, from tropical rainforests to temperate woodlands and boreal taiga, and can be natural, semi-natural, or managed landscapes.

Ecologically, foreste are structured in vertical layers—canopy, understory, shrub, and forest floor—and host a major share of global biodiversity. They regulate the climate by storing carbon, influence regional hydrology by affecting rainfall and water quality, and protect soils from erosion.

The social and economic value of foreste is broad. Foreste provide timber, non-timber forest products, food, medicines, and fuel, as well as recreational, aesthetic, and spiritual benefits. Many communities depend on foreste for livelihoods and cultural identity.

Foreste face threats such as deforestation, fragmentation, fires, invasive species, unsustainable harvesting, and climate change. Loss of forest cover reduces biodiversity, increases soil erosion, and diminishes climate resilience.

Conservation and sustainable management aim to balance ecological integrity with human needs. Approaches include protected areas, sustainable forest management certification, reforestation and afforestation, agroforestry, and community stewardship. International frameworks such as REDD+ and various regional policies seek to reduce deforestation and promote restoration.

Globally, foreste occur in diverse biomes, with major concentrations in the tropics, temperate zones, and boreal regions. They are central to efforts to mitigate climate change, safeguard biodiversity, and support sustainable development.