Foreword

Forests cover a relatively small share of the vast Caucasus and Central Asian region. However, they encompass a wide variety of forest types and ecosystems, ranging from mountains, plains and flood plains to steppes, semi-deserts and deserts. These forest types are important to the environment of this region, as they include highly diverse but also vulnerable ecosystems, and support an extremely rich biodiversity and protect land against erosion and soil loss. Forests in the region also play an essential role in mitigating climate change, sequestering millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide but also alleviating the impacts of extreme weather events. In addition, forests are source of fuel, wood and income for often poor, rural populations of the region.

Sustainable Development Goals:

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Sustainable Cities and Communities

Life on Land