Forests, representing an integral part of the planet's biosphere, play a significant role in achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They function as extensive carbon sinks, absorbing greenhouse gases and contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action), and they provide a wealth of biodiversity, aligning with SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Forests are indispensable in fostering clean air and water, acting as natural filters, thus contributing to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). They are also a vital source of food, medicine, and raw materials for billions of people, directly supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Indigenous and local communities are often dependent on forests, tying in with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
The responsible management of forests promotes SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and also creates opportunities for SDG 4 (Quality Education), with forest-based learning enhancing environmental literacy. Lastly, forests serve as potent buffers against natural disasters, fostering resilience and adaptation in the face of changing climate conditions, thereby contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). As custodians of biodiversity and vital ecosystems, forests are fundamental to the holistic accomplishment of the SDGs. They embody the interconnectedness of these goals, demonstrating how progress in one area can stimulate advancements in another.
Understanding this interrelation and harnessing it for sustainable development policies is a cornerstone of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. By maintaining and restoring forest ecosystems, we are not just preserving landscapes; we are making a commitment to the sustainability of our planet and future generations.
Chapter 13 - Applications of LiDAR in Biodiversity Conservation, Ecohydrology, and Ecological Process Modeling of Forest Ecosystems, Editor(s): Qinghua Guo, Yanjun Su, Tianyu Hu, LiDAR Principles, Processing and Applications in Forest Ecology, Academic Press, 2023, Pages 407-442, ISBN 9780128238943
Ali Jalali, Phillip B. Roös, Murray Herron, Paras Sidiqui, Emma Duncan, Chapter 24 - Predictive modeling for reforestation of cities to mitigate climate change impacts, Editor(s): Zaheer Allam, Didier Chabaud, Catherine Gall, Florent Pratlong, Carlos Moreno, Resilient and Sustainable Cities, Elsevier, 2023, Pages 441-456, ISBN 9780323917186, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91718-6.00014-1.
Roberta Mendonça De Carvalho, Claudio Fabian Szlafsztein, Ecosystem Services and Air Pollution - Nature's Main Provider Interconnects Forest and Cities to Regulate Air Quality, Editor(s): Dominick A. DellaSala, Michael I. Goldstein, Imperiled: The Encyclopedia of Conservation, Elsevier, 2022, Pages 88-97, ISBN 9780128211397
Wildfire is one of the most critical natural disasters that threaten wildlands and forest resources. Traditional firefighting systems, which are based on ground crew inspection, have several limits and can expose firefighters’ lives to danger. Thus, remote sensing technologies have become one of the most demanded strategies to fight against wildfires, especially UAV-based remote sensing technologies. They have been adopted to detect forest fires at their early stages, before becoming uncontrollable.
