FAO urges countries to safeguard genetic diversity of forests

The world’s forest species are increasingly coming under pressure and face the threat of extinction, according to a report issued by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources report warns that up to 4000 forest species are being threatened with extinction globally. It blames human activities such as the conversion of forests to pastures and farmland, overexploitation as well as the impacts of climate change, according to UN Radio website.
FAO Forestry Officer Albert Nikiema says the causes vary from region to region. “For example a number of threatened species reported by countries is around 800 in Sub-Saharan Africa and in Latin America and 1,500 in Asia. In these regions, the reasons for this threat are overexploitation, conversion of forest to agricultural land or grazing lands. So these are the main reasons.”
Nikiema said that only 2,000 forest species are reported by countries as being included in conservation activities.
FAO is calling for urgent action to better manage forests and their genetic resources so that rural people who depend on them for their nutrition and livelihoods continue to benefit.
In three weeks, countries of the world will gather at FAO to discuss pressing issued related to the sustainable management of forests during the biannual meeting of the Organization’s Committee on Forestry (23-27 June, 2014).