Parts of it do have regular replanting programmes. But one problem is that new plantations do not replace the extremely complex ecosystems of old-growth forests. Forest cover in itself is no guarantee of the quality or health of the trees. Destruction and degradation on the present scale could have grave consequences for our planet, in terms of, for example, global warming, soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity. Around 50,000 species are thought to die out every year, mainly because of the destruction of forest habitat.
Forest peoples lose their homes and way of life.
It could furthermore be said that the loss of our great forest wildernesses is in some sense a spiritual loss to all of us. The opening of WWF's Campaign 2000 in October was marked by President Nikolaev's announcement that his country is to create a nature reserve bigger than France in the northeast Siberian wilderness. This bleak territory of tundra and boreal forest is rich in wildlife. But it is also heavily polluted by mining and industry and at risk from uncontrolled logging. Several of its indigenous species are endangered - including the brown bear, staple of Russian folklore.