Forests and Health 177
Forests and Health
Forests support the health of people everywhere and stabilize the climate. Even
people who live far from forests, or in areas where forests have been degraded
or severely damaged, depend on the things forests provide. When forests are
degraded or destroyed, community health is threatened because the processes
and functions that trees and forests carry out in support of health are not done.
Fruit and
other foods
Shade from the sun
Medicines
Roots hold
soil in place
and water in
the ground
Protection
from the rain
Home for other
plants and animals
Wood for fuel
and shelter
Leaves
build soil
Trees and forests support community health and well-being in many ways.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012