| Biodiversity allows ecosystems to adapt continuously |
| Written by UN Food and Agriculture Organisation | |
| Monday, 04 June 2007 | |
 © 2007 Jonathan Tan Biological diversity allows forest ecosystems to adapt continuously to changing conditions and to maintain their potential for meeting human needs. 90% of the world's poor (1.5 billion people) live in communities entirely or partially dependent on forests for their livelihood.  White-handed gibbon, one of the most commonly traded species in Asia for the pet and tourist trades. Photographed at the Wildlife Friends for Thailand rescue centre Phetchaburi Thailand. © 2007 Adam Oswell Forests act as sinks for as much as 46 percent of the world's terrestrial carbon stores, absorbing the carbon dioxide that is contributing to climate change.  © 2007 Jonathan Tan Wildlife plays an important role in sustaining the viability and biodiversity of forests. With nearly 3 billion people "mostly poor" depending on wood as their main energy source for household heating and cooking, viable habitats for wildlife in Asia will continue to decrease rapidly unless alternatives for local energy are quickly developed. |