Forests

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.

Elsevier,

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

This content aligns with Goal 15: Life on Land by exploring the role and advantages of LiDAR in biodiversity monitoring in forest ecosystems.
Earth
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd, and it is a global event aimed at raising awareness and promoting action towards environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and since then, it has become one of the largest civic events in the world, with over one billion people participating in activities such as clean-up campaigns, tree-planting initiatives, and educational programs. The theme for 2023 is Invest in Our Planet, a campaign that will focus on engaging governments, institutions, businesses and individuals in the fight against the climate crisis.
The effects of forest harvesting are very evident aboveground, with clear contrasts between areas that are clearcut and those that are managed with some degree of retention of old trees.  The implications for the belowground portions of forest ecosystems are difficult to see, but fundamental to the future development of the recovering forest.
This review article advances goals 3, 5, and 10 by addressing inequity in care among pregnant women with asthma in underserved communities and examining potential interventions that may help improve health outcomes and standard of care.
Elsevier,

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.

This chapter advances UN SDG goals 11, 13, and 3 by discussing how urban reforestation could be among effective options for mitigating urban warming and climate change, further aiding planners and policy makers to create more sustainable and liveable cities.
This articles advances SDG # 13 by reconciling flux estimates from models and reports to promote accuracy in NDCs. Land use is an important source of emissions and carbon sinks for nations included in their Nationally Determined Contributions, yet counting the climate impacts accurately remains a challenge.
Elsevier,

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

This chapter advances the UN SDG goals 11 and 15 by discussing air pollution, ecosystem services, and the importance of vegetation as it assures pollution reduction services. Considering the essential role of cities in human life, it focuses on the benefits of urban vegetation as a leading ecosystem service provider, promoting awareness of the importance of natural elements for the urban environment.
Elsevier,

Imperiled: The Encyclopedia of Conservation, 2022, pp 113-120

This chapter aligns with Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Goal 15: Life on Land by giving a review of the jaguar species, including their ecology, behavior, threats, and conservation status, highlighting recent initiatives to conserve jaguars.

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.

Deforestation in Ituna/Itatá Indigenous Land increased 654% between 2018 and 2019. 94% of Ituna/Itatá has been claimed in the Brazilian Rural Environmental Registry. Belo Monte dam and Belo Sun mining project cause land speculation in Ituna/Itatá. Brazilian government policies threaten forest protection and indigenous peoples. Unilateral land tenure regulation would obstruct Indigenous Lands demarcation.

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