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| Meaningful Forests. |  | | Forests have evolved into complex ecosystems over millions of years, providing a habitat for all the creatures that call the forest their home. |
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Forest ecosystems provide:
 | n | | Food, fuel and fibre |
| n | | Clean water and air |
| n | | Shelter and building materials |
| n | | Timber |
| n | | Fodder |
| n | | Non timber products such as medical plants |
| n | | A home to traditional forest people |
| n | | A home to thousands of animals, plants, insects and birds |
They also:
| n | | Act as carbon sinks |
| n | | Play an important role in soil conservation |
| n | | Detoxify and decompose wastes |
| n | | Have aesthetic, ethical and religious considerations |
| n | | Are places of regeneration and renewal |
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Traditionally forests have not only been home to countless organisms (some as yet unidentified) but have also nourished and sustained rural people. Today many people are dependent on forests for their livelihoods but often developing world economies demand other, more economically attractive land-use. In the forests that remain timber is by far the highest-value forest product.
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