Forest ecosystems play multiple roles at global as well as local levels and provide a range of important economic, social and environmental goods and services that impact on the well being of poor rural communities, local and national economies and global environmental health.

This section offers an overview of the general status and condition of the world's forests today, the causes driving forest-related land-use change, information about the emerging role of forest environmental services and the key issues and trends shaping forest management, governance and policy formulation processes today.

Click the following sections for information on:

• Global Overview

• Causes of Forest Land Use Change

• Forest Environmental Services

• Forest Management and Governance

For information specific to IUCN's forest work, please visit the Experience & Lessons section.

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