All life is intricately connected and exists in delicately intertwined systems. Accepting this reality makes it less surprising that the health of the planet has a profound impact on human well-being. When the Earth struggles, so do its creatures, but uplifting the planet also enriches us. Forest restoration affects human health in multiple beneficial ways, as these fascinating insights reveal.
What is forest restoration?
Forest restoration encompasses countless activities. In general, it refers to returning forests to a healthy state. It may include actions such as maintaining tree diversity, controlling invasive species, and pruning or removing undergrowth that competes with trees through prescribed burning and selective logging.
Why are forests the lungs of the planet?
People describe forests as the lungs of the planet because of their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and release fresh oxygen. The world’s forests currently sequester around 25% of annual human carbon emissions, but there is a delicate balance.
For example, increasing carbon dioxide levels accelerate plant growth, but such changes require equal measures by forest management. When increased drought occurs, conditions like those that caused Canada’s historic 2023 wildfire season may occur, causing significant environmental devastation. Forest restoration is vital to keep up with changes and make sound management decisions to keep life in balance.
Restoration and Reforestation
Reforestation differs slightly from forest restoration. This process involves returning previously cleared land to forests, vital for overall planetary health. Several countries, such as Denmark, China, Bhutan and Brazil, have started such programs and have seen impressive benefits. For example, China discovered that such efforts not only sequester carbon but also improve soil quality.
However, forest restoration and reforestation share common elements and practices. Restorative forestry combines practices such as afforestation (planting new trees) with controlled burning and selective logging. These techniques promise to increase the percentage of land covered by forests overall while minimizing environmental damage caused by wildfires driven by accelerated understory expansion.
Benefits of forest restoration for human health
Forest restoration offers a number of benefits to human health. People can reap the following benefits by supporting such efforts and treasuring the world’s forests.
1. Improves air quality and reduces respiratory discomfort
Humans breathe oxygen and release carbon dioxide, while forest trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. A recent study of more than 35,000 European children showed that those with greater proximity to green spaces had better lung function. As the distance to green spaces increased, the risk of respiratory illnesses also increased.
Breathing the air outside is often better than breathing it inside, as dust and mold can linger in HVAC systems and cause respiratory allergies in sensitive people. Even dense vegetation along roads can reduce downwind pollutants by 30%, and including forested areas between industrial complexes and human habitation benefits human and planetary health.
2. Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death among men and women worldwide. Forest restoration can benefit human cardiovascular health in many ways beyond improving air quality.
For example, simply being outdoors encourages you to move more frequently. According to the WHO, 1.8 billion adults currently do not get enough exercise to protect their health, increasing the risk of disease. Being in the forest also reduces stress, and those under excess pressure are 2.5 times more likely to suffer a heart attack.
3. Increases immunity
Could a walk in the woods benefit you this cold and flu season? It could be. Studies on forest bathing have found that plants release chemicals called phytoncides. These substances increase human immunity when inhaled.
Follow-up research on the effects of phytoncides confirms their immunity-boosting benefits. While researchers are currently working on synthesizing medications from specific phytoncides, you can get the same benefits for free by taking a hike.
4. Reduces temperature and mitigates climate change
Extreme heat has become more problematic as climate change progresses. It often affects the most vulnerable, who cannot afford air conditioning or escape the elements.
However, the area under shade trees can be 20 to 45 degrees cooler than surrounding sidewalks. Planting more trees in urban areas helps, but a cool getaway to the forest also benefits human health, and a camping trip is a low-cost family vacation.
5. Improves mental health outcomes
Finally, spending time in the woods is great for your mental health. A study involving 10- to 12-year-old students with significant mental health disorders found that two hours per week in nature reduced their emotional distress to the extent that teachers noticed the change in behavior.
Forest restoration and human health
Forest restoration is a necessary process to revitalize planet Earth. However, this process also benefits your health. Nature designed people and forests to play together, but they can only do so if the human half of that equation does its part with wise, restorative forest management.
Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief of Modded, where he writes about health and fitness. Follow him on Twitter @TModded to receive regular updates on their work, and subscribe to Modded Minute to learn more.
