The Boreal Forest

The map is a hybrid product by IIASA © 2021, modified after Kraxner et al., 2017,
Ogle et al., 2018 and NFIS Canada.

The circumboreal belt of boreal forest represents about 30% of the global forest area. Boreal forests provide critical services to local, regional, and global populations. Communities, including those of indigenous people, benefit from ecosystem services provided by the forest for fishing, hunting, leisure, spiritual activities, and economic opportunities. Internationally, more than 33% of the lumber and 25% of the paper on the export market originate from boreal regions. Globally, boreal forests help regulate climate through the exchange of energy and water. They are also a large reservoir of biogenic carbon.

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