FAQ
What is the largest forest?
The taiga (boreal forest) at 17 million km2 is the largest forest biome. The Amazon at 5.5 million km2 is the largest tropical rainforest.
How much forest is left on Earth?
About 4 billion hectares, covering 31% of land surface. We have lost about one-third of all forests since the ice age, and half of that loss occurred in the last century.
What is the oldest forest?
The Daintree Rainforest in Australia at 180 million years. Individual trees like the bristlecone pine can live over 5,000 years.
Why are forests important?
They produce oxygen, store carbon, regulate water cycles, provide habitat for 80% of terrestrial species, and support the livelihoods of 1.6 billion people.