The Forest is Life! Please preserve it!

Forests are Life! They are sources of air, water, shelter, health and income: they are vital to the survival of all forms of life on Earth.

Find out here some of the numerous reasons why we should admire and protect our Forests :

Lungs of the Earth
Trees and plants play a vital role in purifying the air we breathe: they generate oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, among other polluting gases. This balance between gases is essential for maintaining the climatic conditions suitable for life.

Global Climate Regulation
Trees act as thermal regulators, helping to control the planet's temperature and create microclimates that are vital for many species. In addition, the absorption of carbon by forests helps to mitigate global warming .

Habitat and Biodiversity
Forests are home to a multitude of plants, animals, insects and microorganisms that coexist and depend on each other to survive. The diversity of life found in forests is essential for the stability of ecosystems and for the adaptation of species to environmental changes. The loss of forests can lead to the extinction of countless species.

Water Balance
Forests play a crucial role in maintaining the water cycle. They absorb and release water gradually, helping to regulate river flow, recharge aquifers and prevent flash floods. This water balance is essential for the life of many ecosystems and human communities.

Soil Protection and Erosion Prevention
Forest vegetation holds the soil in place, preventing erosion caused by wind and water. This is essential for maintaining soil fertility and conserving agricultural land . Degradation of forests can lead to loss of fertile soil and desertification.

Sustainable Resources and Human Benefits
In addition to environmental benefits, forests also provide valuable resources for human communities, such as wood, fuel, food and medicine. According to FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), forests provide more than 86 million green jobs and support the livelihoods of many more people (SOFO 2022 report). A large percentage of renewable energy comes from forest areas. Mountain tourism represents between 9% and 16% of international tourist arrivals worldwide, translating into 195 to 375 million tourists for 2019 alone. Sustainable management of forests is vital to ensure that these resources are available for future generations, without compromising the balance of the ecosystem.

Cultural and Aesthetic Impact
Trees and forests have significant cultural and aesthetic value to many societies around the world . They play an important role in rituals, mythologies and arts, and also provide recreation and relaxation spaces for people.

Forests play an irreplaceable role in the balance of life on Earth. They are much more than mere natural landscapes; they are the lungs of our planet, climate regulators and shelters for a rich variety of living beings. Protecting and preserving forests is not only an environmental responsibility, but also an investment in a healthy and sustainable future for all forms of life, including our own.

Aware of this responsibility, Living Tours began this year the lifetime sponsorship of 3 hectares of the Leiria National Woods, supporting the reforestation of this national treasure devastated by the 2017 fire.
In Livingtouriano's day-to-day life , we choose to digitize procedures to reduce the use of paper as much as possible; we recycle the paper office and we print the promotional flyers on paper from PEFC certified forests (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification).

Remember: the Forest is Life! Preserving forests is essential to the continued health of our planet and the prosperity of present and future generations.